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Poorly bunny opinions

55 replies

Honeyroar · 25/10/2021 21:15

My 4 yr old neutered male bunny is unwell. He seemed a little “not himself” this morning while I was cleaning the cage, but he was eating and moving around a bit (not as much as usual though). I put him in the indoor run to be sure at lunchtime. (They have a double decker hutch inside a greenhouse full of straw, which is in the shade and provides them lots of indoor play space in bad weather. They also have a 8’ square outdoor run). This evening when I went to put them in he was in a corner of the outdoor run sitting in the mud with his hind legs stretched out. He didn’t run into the indoor run like he normally does. I carried him in, he felt cold and was wobbly on his hind legs, but could move. He felt cold. We’ve put him in a deep straw bed, added heat pads. His mate is sitting with him. Our vets are being awful- I wanted to chat with a vet to see if it merited bringing him in or whether we should warm him up and see how he is in the morning. The receptionist said no vet was available to talk, but we could book an emergency out of hours appointment if we wanted. I’m not sure it’s an emergency yet. He’s still the same now, although warming up a bit. But won’t eat, and he’s usually a greedy rabbit. Any opinions or experience of similar?

OP posts:
tigerinyourtank · 25/10/2021 21:19

I'm no help, I'd be so worried I'd suck up the emergency vet bill. Bunnies can go downhill really quickly and I'd be worrying about him all night.

tigerinyourtank · 25/10/2021 21:19

Also, my experience of vets is that they always say 'if you are worried bring them in' over anything and everything so I don't think chatting to a vet would have helped.

Honeyroar · 25/10/2021 21:23

In the past the vets have always happily chatted and helped decide if it merited a 45 minute journey over the moors. They’ve just got a bit corporate nowadays.

OP posts:
tigerinyourtank · 25/10/2021 21:25

Well, your OP says he's unwell so I guess you have come to that conclusion yourself and now it's your decision as to whether you seek medical treatment for him tonight or not.

tigerinyourtank · 25/10/2021 21:27

Bear in mind that rabbits are prey animals and will try to hide it any sign of illness so if it's obvious to you he is probably really quite unwell.

MrsFin · 25/10/2021 21:28

I second the PP who said rabbits can deteriorate very quickly. I'd see a vet tomorrow if he's no better.

Fourstronghocks · 25/10/2021 21:33

Definitely go for the emergency appointment as soon as possible but I'm afraid it may be too late. I'm not a vet but as prey animals, by the time rabbits show symptoms, they are usually quite ill. Also if they stop eating for any amount of time, their digestive systems can become paralyzed. I hope you can get help in time op.

DuckonaBike · 25/10/2021 21:35

Rabbits can go downhill very fast, so I would suggest seeing a vet as soon as you can.
We had similar with one of our bunnies a few weeks ago and we got some special liquid feed called Recovery Plus. He took some of that and perked up a bit. It’s really serious if they won’t eat.

AwkwardPaws27 · 25/10/2021 22:01

Former veterinary receptionist. We had an exotics vet at our practice who was also a rabbit owner. She always said a non-eating rabbit needs to be seen ASAP.

Floralnomad · 25/10/2021 22:02

I’d be getting him to a vet tonight , sick rabbits go downhill very quickly .

Polkadotties · 25/10/2021 22:05

It’s an emergency. If rabbits don’t eat they get gut stasis, this can deteriorate very quickly and is horrible for the bunny.

Honeyroar · 25/10/2021 23:21

He’s at the vets. Staying in.
Cross your fingers for him.

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 25/10/2021 23:22

Thanks everyone.x

OP posts:
tigerinyourtank · 25/10/2021 23:23

Flowers fingers crossed, OP x

Duchess379 · 25/10/2021 23:32

Aww, best wishes Mr Bunny 💕

earsup · 25/10/2021 23:36

Let's hope bunny is ok...let us know...i had rabbits for years...lived to over 10 years and in the house....only as they sort of moved in...!!

Strugglingalone · 25/10/2021 23:36

Rabbits not eating = GI stasis, if a rabbits gut isn’t moving then things go down hill very quickly! They need gut stimulant, painkillers and fluids so you’ve made the right call.
You can have an emergency kit at home - mush up their regular food with water and syringe feed it (messy business), metacam dose (painkiller) and banana purée baby food - madness but something sweet can give them energy and tempt their taste buds

Bunny owner of 20 years and had a few hairy occasions (and very expensive given buns are classed as exotic and not easy to treat)

🤞🏻 For your bun!

Honeyroar · 26/10/2021 00:01

Just got back. He doesn’t have proper control of his back legs. They think it’s either a trauma or a parasite. Seeing how/if he responds to parasite treatment for a few days and seeing what the exotic expert thinks tomorrow. Not good really..

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 26/10/2021 00:03

He’s such a little dude. Here he is a few years ago when they lived in the spare stable. He used to have breakfast with my horse every morning.

Poorly bunny opinions
OP posts:
Floralnomad · 26/10/2021 00:55

Poor little fella at least he’s in the best place and you know you’ve done your best for him , fingers and paws crossed here .

Absii · 26/10/2021 01:01

Sounds like the same scenario I just faced. Suspected parasite (e-cuniculi). I'm giving panacur for 28 days, both to poorly bun and all the others just in case. He responded well to it quite quickly. Also had painkiller and motility drugs for a few days.

Hope he's ok x

Absii · 26/10/2021 01:03

Ps panacur is inexpensive

Honeyroar · 26/10/2021 02:24

Yes panacur for 28 days has been mentioned. Hope our bun responds quickly too. Just my luck it’s expensive!

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DuckonaBike · 26/10/2021 07:30

I’m sure you did the right thing getting him seen as soon as possible. Fingers crossed for your bun!

Chunkymenrock · 26/10/2021 07:44

Well done OP. If a rabbit is ill, make an appointment to go to the vets. Its impossible to diagnose over the telephone and they weren't being unkind. Vets are extremely busy and understaffed at the moment and they need to actually see the rabbit to advise properly. She did the right thing offering you an emergency appointment. Best of luck.