Differentiating pain from comfort

[Shine]

I’m a new bunny mom to 2 month old Rapha. I’ve read about bunnies in pain that usually lie down and tend to “press their bellies on the floor.” However, Rapha’s bunny flops are normal and he doesn’t seem weak at all. What gets me worried is his habit to lie down on his belly and legs stretched out. I don’t know what to classify as relaxing and in pain. Also, he sometimes lays down his head on the floor as he sleeps. (Like how we sleep leaning sideways and our heads are parallel to the floor.) I don’t know if I should be worried about this because when he hears the signal for his food he responds often enthusiastically anyway. 

He pants a lot too. It gives us the impression that he’s trembling but I think it’s just because of the heat so I give him his ice cubes and cold water, and wet his ears. 

I’m a panicky mom. Help  Thankssss! 

[Bam]

You can always use the food/treat trick to assess your bunny’s health. A bunny that presses it’s tummy to the floor because of gas pain will not show enthusiasm for food or even a yummy treat.
To me it sounds like your bunny is relaxed and happy. If appetite is good, poop is normal and the bun is lounging where you can see her him can be pretty sure he’s fine. The panting may very well be due to hot summer weather. I’m not sure if it’s good to wet his ears though, but giving him cold or frozen water bottles to lie next to is great.
Bunny behavior should be interpreted in context. I’ve seen one of mine press his belly against the floor due to gas pain once. It came with other symptoms, with absolute refusal to eat his favorite treat as the most significant one.

[LBJ10]

Pressing their tummy to the floor is usually deliberate. My bunnies lay on their tummies with their feet kicked out all the time. This is just them being relaxed. When their tummy hurts, they do something completely different. They start from a sitting position, then arch their back inward as they walk forward with their front feet (keeping their back feet in place). They almost look like they’re trying to do a pushup, if that makes sense. Not all bunnies are going to be the same, but both of mine have done this when they are in pain. Like Bam said, you have to look at the context. Also, some bunnies will be restless and shifting constantly between laying down and standing up when they are uncomfortable.

[Shine]

His usual treat is a small serving of raisins which come in little packets. When I scrunch the packet he knows it’s his raisins coming and immediately hops on my thighs for his treat. He’s great well so far and we’re approaching his first month with me. Thanks guys!

[Author]

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