Poorly Rabbit?

[dr_gn]

We've had Bramble since January, and he's been great, if a bit shy.

Today, he's laid out in his tray (almost always sits or crouches usually) and isn't very active. He appears to be breathing quite fast. He's not eaten his pellets for several hours which is unusual. He's weed and pood recently, and seems happy enough.Usually he sits in a corner of his run, and makes a big fuss when fed. At the moment he does seem very subdued.

Any cause for worry?

Thanks.

[carreauchompeur]

If he hasn't eaten by the morning then get him to the vet ASAP, rabbits develop a huge issue if they don't eat for 24hrs.

[bexVN]

I would say phone vets much sooner if eating nothing at all (ie tonight). If he is still eating hay/greens/favourite foods during the evening and overnight but just off his pellets you would be ok to wait til the morning to get him seen.

• actually if he is also subdued I would be inclined to ring a vets this evening anyway, even if eating treat food. It could be a sign of pain and rabbits physically don't cope with pain very well.

It is worth reading up about rabbits and gut stasis as it is a true emergency and one all rabbit owners should recognise the signs off. The earlier it is treated the better the outcome.

Basically the key with bunnies is they don't do bring ill very well so if they show signs of being off their normal selves it should be checked out.

Edited by bexVN on Saturday 22 April 21:12

Edited by bexVN on Saturday 22 April 21:13

[dr_gn]

Thanks for the comments.

Strange, he's eaten some pellets, bit of cucumber and a carrot just now, and is sitting (not laying) in his favourite place again seemingly as normal.

I'll review the situation first thing.

[mybrainhurts]

He's got a hangover....


Obviously.

[bexVN]

dr_gn said:

Thanks for the comments.

Strange, he's eaten some pellets, bit of cucumber and a carrot just now, and is sitting (not laying) in his favourite place again seemingly as normal.

I'll review the situation first thing.

Good to hear he has perked up again.

[dr_gn]

Just to update - he's been fine since. For some reason he suddenly seems far more relaxed in his run. Previous to last week, he'd spend most of his time in his house. Now he fully stretches out on his blanket outside and sometimes sleeps. Still likes sitting with the kids and watching telly.

We got him in January; maybe he's only just settled in properly?



Btw his blanket was the one he had in the rescue centre, so he'd used to it I guess. Strange he never really bothered with it until this last week.

[gazapc]

Glad to hear feeling better.

My g/f's rabbit clemmy was at the beginning of gut stasis a few months ago. Left her one morning fine, got back and she would barely move and would only eat a small mouthful of broccili, poos stuck to her bum, tummy felt a bit funny. It's amazing how quickly they deteriorate. A 9pm trip the vets for an injection or two and given a sachet of stuff (basically rehydration) to syringe feed her every 3 hours. By the next day she had perked right up again.

Rabbits being prey animals, have evolved to hide pain/injuries so they don't get picked on by the fox/dog/hawk etc...

[AnnetteUniFriend904]

Hi there! If your rabbit doesn’t eat it is not a very good sign. I’ve been in the same situation with my bunny. One day he suddenly stopped eating and was just seating in one corner, not even covered with the bedding. I took him to the vet since I was worried a lot and the vet started to ask me weird questions about where I keep him. Turns out, when I wasn’t at home my bunny got too scared of some loud noises or something else scared him and in his cage where no place to hide. My cage was too small, so I couldn’t place anything there and I thought that he is feeling already safe in his cage. Later I’ve read on petsoid that cage really matters and it is vital to choose a wide cage, so he can play there and have a place to hide.

Edited by AnnetteUniFriend904 on Monday 6th July 15:02

[dr_gn]

Since the thread has another comment (O/P was back in 2017) - I'm afraid Bramble died a couple of months ago. He had seemed fine, nothing untoward, but then one morning he was stretched out in his tray, and it was clear to me he'd gone.

He was a great rabbit, we all loved him.