Seven is a genuine threshold in a rabbit's life. Many breeds are moving into their senior years by then, and the annual review changes character: less about the basics of a young, robust animal and more about catching the slow changes of age while they are still easy to manage. Owners are often surprised by how much of the appointment is conversation. The vet is building a picture from the examination and from what you report about life at home, and most of the checks below are as much discussed with you as performed on the table.
Teeth, weight and the checks you can see happening
Teeth come first for most senior rabbits, because rabbit teeth grow continuously and the cheek teeth at the back wear unevenly with age. Expect the vet to check the front teeth directly and examine the back teeth with an instrument, and to ask about drooling, selective eating and how much hay he gets through. Weight and body condition are scored hands-on — ribs, spine and hips under the fur tell the truth that a fluffy coat hides — and a senior rabbit's weight trend matters as much as the number itself. Eyes are checked for the cloudiness and lens changes common in older rabbits, ears for mites and infection, and the coat and skin for parasites, lumps and thinning.
Heart, gut and the quieter internal checks
The stethoscope work covers heart sounds and breathing, both worth a baseline in a senior animal, and the vet will palpate the abdomen, feeling the gut, kidneys, bladder and anything that should not be there. In a rabbit over seven, blood tests are commonly discussed even when he seems well — they show how the kidneys and liver are functioning before outward signs appear, and give reference values that make any future illness easier to read. A urine sample may be suggested for the same reason. Parasites that live quietly in many rabbits and matter more as the immune system ages are another frequent topic, along with whether vaccination cover is current for the diseases rabbits in your area face.
Mobility, hocks and the questions about home
Senior reviews spend real time on how he moves. The vet will watch him hop, feel along the spine and limbs, and ask about jumping onto favourite levels, using the litter tray, and reaching to groom his back end and eat the soft droppings he produces directly — stiffness shows up in those daily tasks before it shows on the table. Feet are turned over for sore hocks, a common senior problem where weight and reduced movement thin the fur and pressure the skin. Expect questions about appetite, hay intake, dropping size, water drinking and weight at home; your answers steer which checks get prioritised, so arriving with honest observations is part of the examination.
Making the most of the appointment
An annual slot is short, and a senior rabbit's file benefits from preparation. Note anything that has changed, however small, and bring his records so weights and past findings can be compared rather than recalled. Ask what his ideal weight is, what changes at home should trigger an earlier visit, and whether a six-monthly check would suit him better than a yearly one — many vets suggest exactly that for rabbits well into their senior years. A rabbit who finds the surgery stressful still benefits from the visit; mention it, because handling and timing can be adjusted around him.
Leaving with a plan, not just a verdict
The point of the over-seven review is a shared plan: what is ageing normally, what needs watching, and what needs acting on. Keeping his results, weights and visit notes in KinsLe's Pet Passport means next year's review starts from this year's findings in one portable packet, and any new vet he ever sees inherits the full picture instead of a blank page.