✨ Why This Happens

Rabbits love to chew—that’s instinctive. Inquisitive bunnies can nibble on anything including electrical cords, leading to two types of hazards:

• Unplugged cords: The plastic coating and wire core can be ingested, causing GI irritation, lacerations, or blockage :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Plugged-in cords: Live electric current can cause burns in the mouth, heart arrhythmias, pulmonary fluid, collapse or sudden death :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

🚨 Immediate Steps

1. Stay calm—clear thinking is critical.
2. If plugged in: Do **not** touch your rabbit or cord—shut off breaker or unplug using insulated means (e.g., broom handle) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
3. If unconscious: Begin CPR en route to vet.
4. Transport your rabbit immediately to a vet—delays can worsen internal damage.

⚠️ Potential Signs to Watch For

• Mouth burns, singed fur, ulcerations, drooling.
• Salivation, difficulty swallowing, lung crackles, labored breathing.
• Collapse, restlessness, lack of coordination.
• Cardiac irregularities or fainting.
• GI disturbance or obstruction due to ingesting material.
• Symptoms like pulmonary edema may appear hours to days later :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

🧪 Veterinary Assessment & Diagnosis

On arrival, your vet will:

• Ask when the bite occurred, cord status (live/unplugged), duration of contact, and observed behaviors :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Provide oxygen if breathing is compromised.
• Perform a full physical exam, focusing on oral cavity, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.
• Use chest X-rays and ECG to evaluate pulmonary edema and arrhythmias.
• Run bloodwork to assess organ function and burn-induced shock.

💉 Treatment Protocols

Supportive Care:

• Oxygen therapy or hospitalization in an oxygen cage :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• IV fluids with electrolytes to manage shock and burn fluid loss :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Diuretics if pulmonary edema is present :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Antibiotics to prevent infection in burned mouth tissues.
• Pain relief using opioids or NSAIDs :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Heart medications for arrhythmias if needed.
• Topical treatment for eye burns or lesions.

Nutrition & GI Support:

• Syringe-feeding liquid diet (e.g., Critical Care) for injured mouths :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Anti-emetics and motility aids to support GI recovery.

Advanced Interventions:

• CPR if there is respiratory or cardiac arrest :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Surgery if necrotic burns need debridement.
• Anticonvulsants for seizures triggered by electrocution :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

🏠 Home Care & Recovery

• Continue oral/topical antibiotics and pain meds as prescribed.
• Feed syringe meals if mouth still sore.
• Monitor for signs of infection: foul smells, discharge, fever.
• Track eating, drinking, breathing, activity—report noticeable changes to your vet :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Recheck exams are typically scheduled within 1 week and again at full mouth healing.

📊 Prognosis

Outcomes vary depending on exposure severity:

• Minor injuries often heal well with supportive care.
• Severe cases involving pulmonary or cardiac injury may have guarded or poor prognosis.
• Long-term complications can include scarring, chronic breathing issues, or GI problems if cord was ingested.

🛡️ Prevention Strategies

• Run electrical cords behind furniture or above reach; unplug when not in use.
• Use cord covers or spiral wraps—but these aren’t foolproof for experienced chewers :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Provide safe chew options: wooden toys, untreated hay sticks.
• Bunny-proof all rooms—cover exposed cords, remove hazards.
• Frequent supervised exercise to reduce boredom chewing :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Apply bitter deterrent spray to cords, though this should complement—not replace—physical barriers :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.

🌱 Why Rabbits Chew Cords

Rabbits chew to wear down teeth and relieve boredom. Soft, rubbery cords are especially tempting. Understanding this, keep chew toys available and cords inaccessible to prevent accidents :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.

🧠 Vet Tips for 2025

• Encourage owners to treat rabbit-proofing as essential: “cord management is health management.”
• Offer interactive chew-center kits—combo of cord covers and chew toys.
• Schedule rapid post-bite assessments—pulmonary edema may be delayed.
• Develop chew-deterrent+enrichment plans for chronic nibblers.
• Share caregiver checklists: inspect mouth, appetite, breathing 24–48 hours post-incident.

🔚 Final Takeaway

Electric cord bites in rabbits are unpredictable emergencies. Quick disconnection, immediate veterinary care, supportive treatment, and chew-proofing are essential for safety. With vigilance and home-proofing, you can prevent these life-threatening accidents and ensure a long, healthy life for your bunny. 🐇❤️

🌟 Partner Services

• Ask A Vet: Live expert guidance if your bunny has chewed a cord—24/7 emergency support.
• Woopf: Cord cover kits, chew-safe enrichment toys, and protective mats.
• Purrz: Bitter spray deterrents, healing saliva-safe gels, and calming supplements post-incident.