Poorly ‘Easter‘ bunny

[marymoocow]

That's it really. We picked up our bunny from her 'holiday hotel' after being away for a week yesterday. She had stopped eating, but was still bouncing around. Today she has become listless, not moving at all . DH took her to the vets, she has a very low body temperature and is below her body weight, and has now stopped drinking. We have moved her inside with us, and have an armful of medicine to give her. She is nearly 6, the vet said its just going to have to be a 'wait and see' .

Aww poor thing. Its so horrible isn't it. Our wee bunny is almost one and he has just had to have treatment for cystitis/urinary tract infection. I'm finding it hard to keep him drinking and we are so worried about him. Hope your wee bun picks up now that she's back home and everything is ok.

Very and worrying.
First Disclaimer : I don't know rabbits at all but I know our cat used to come home lighter though she missed her House and Garden more than us.

I think , in your rabbits case, you need to give her the food, syringe it from a Calpol syringe if you haven't got a proper one from the Vets.

Do you have something like Critical Care? Or can you mash up pellets?

I think if a rabbits digestive tract works like a guinea-pigs, it won't survive long without food going through it.

It might well be futile, but for the next 24 hours, I'd go hell for leather to see if she'll pick up.
Warmth, hay, comfort, water, food -her favourites, grass, dandelions?

Good Luck

So sorry to hear about your poorly bunny. Try whatever you can to get something into her - syringe feeding can really help. Try all her favourite foods as well. It may well be that it's her time - 6 is a good age - but I hope she picks up.

Thinking of you and bun

When my previous girl was sick I used to take her to bed with me, wrap her up in the duvet and keep her warm. It is important to try and keep the digestive system moving if possible. My girl had liquid meds which I would dip carrot leaves in and feed them to her just to get it down her.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Let's just hope she perks up.

Thanks for all your messages. The 'good' news is she is trying bless her. She has sucked the critical care food out of the syringe herself, and attempted to get to her water bowl. She just looks so sorry for herself .

I'll be keeping my fingers (and Current Bun's paws) crossed

Thank you Fernie

mary did your rabbit's holiday home tell you that she'd been off her food there?
Difficult because they wouldn't know how much she usually eats.

Hopefully it's just the change of situation that's upset her.

Yes they did, but only in the last day. They have looked after her quite a few times so are fairly used to her. She has just tried to sit up, which is a vast improvement from earlier when she was sprawled on her side. However, I am fully aware that she is far from well....

How is she this morning?

Well she's still with us . Attempting to move a little bit, and is sitting up a bit more. She still isn't eating anything though, but is accepting the critical care food. Will keep you updated...

I'm pleased she's hanging in there. Keep at it with the critical care - little and often is best as you need to get her digestive system moving. Is she pooping and if so, what are the poos like? That's a good indicator of how she is.

They're not good , very loose and smelly. Keeping her topped up little and often.

What did the vet give you (medication) for the rabbit?
Google and see if loose stools are a side effect (can be for humans who take antibiotics)

I know with rabbits they have a small amount of pellets (unlike guineas) but if my pigs were unwell I'd just keep up regular top ups with soft food (mashed pellets or Critical care) and Vit C in water.
It's more difficult I'd imagine because alot of rabbit diet (grass especially) can make them 'loose' too.

Has she been vaccinated - and the other rabbits at the holiday home, do they insist that all the others are (I have guineas who don't need but I know when we had a cat we had to take her up-to-date certificates )

RIP bunny
thank you to all who have posted

Oh - she's gone ?

Poor bunny.

So sorry to hear this - poor bunny. You really worked hard to help her. Hope you are okay

Thank you. We are all a bit devastated, but she went peacefully while having a cuddle . At least she isn't suffering anymore, and we were all with her.

I always think the best way for an animal to die is in it's owners arms or in it's own bed wherever possible 9Obviously if they are in pain it's not an option)

Will you contact the holiday home (not in a blamey way just to make them aware in case any other animals they've had over the holidays are ill)

RIP Rabbit, to The Bridge

We will inform them, but I'm sure it was just her time. Not entirely sure how old she was as we rescued her, but was told at the time she was about 1, and that was 5 years ago.