Stressed rabbit or something more?

[Fosterish]

Hello! I’m looking for some advice for my bunny Casper.
Background:
Casper is a neutered male mini lop. 1 year old.
Blind in both eyes from birth.
Will NOT drink from water bowls (he has too much fun knocking them over and binkying in the spilled water)
Lives in my room in a huge cage (worked it out at 70sq’) – freaks out when not in his cage unless human is around (blind)
Hates being picked up (blind)
Loves being cuddled (gorgeous, sappy fluffball)

About 3 weeks ago my workload became such that I could no longer spend hours with Casper so I decided to get him a friend. Enter Tuppence; a feisty young Netherland Dwarf. Unspayed (but only just mature – baby girly). She was a rescue; never been handled before or given space to run around.

The two bonded almost instantly and became inseparable.

Last Monday I came home to find my cage full of blood. Checked both rabbits. Both rabbits fine. Rabbits put into separate cages ready for emergency vet trip.
Then the bedding sneezed.

Juvenile rescue bunny had been pregnant. 3 babies.
No we had no idea she was pregnant (other than some weird dreams I had) and yes I had had her checked by a vet and vaccinated. Vet didn’t know she was pregnant either!!!

New mummy bunny and babies separated from Casper but in adjacent cage. Tuppence is the best bunny mum ever and all kits and mum doing well. I let Casper and Tuppence cuddle and groom eachother while supervised everyday for as long as I can. (Usually resulting in both bunnies purring and flopping on my lap while licking everything) All happy.

However:
Earlier today I noticed a change in Casper. He is quieter than usual and his poops are quite small and there aren’t as many of them. Still eating all his hay and binkying and cuddling on my lap, but just seems a bit… off. He has never had much to drink but today has been very dry even by his standards! He’s also suddenly stopped using his litter tray and goes around it instead. I’ve emptied the tray and cleaned everything, but still not using it.

I’m worried he could be getting stressed and depressed from all the changes and I think he might be missing spending nights flopped with Tuppence. But she needs to nurse the kits!

Is there anything I can do? I don’t want him to go into gi stasis or be sad! Do I need to think about a vet trip? Is there anything I should be looking out for?

N.b. babies doing well. Mum doing well. Good homes lined up for kits already (reliable homes – been checked out!) And Tuppence spay date booked in for 10 weeks time.

[Mikey]

He most definitely sounds a bit stressed out. If hes not using his litter box, it could be territory poops, or hes become very confused since his surroundings have changed. Its possible he feels as if hes moved in with the new bun (away from where hes comfortable), rather than having the new bun move in with him

[Azerane]

It’s tough to say what the cause here has been given there have been so many new changes. Make sure he is still eating and drinking. If he’s not drinking, you need to make sure he’s eating his leafy greens (if he’s used to getting them) and make sure they’re rinsed and wet when you feed them. You can also carefully syringe water in the side of the mouth if you’re worried he’s dehydrated. It sounds like it could be leading up to stasis with his poops decreasing in size, but he’s still pooping and eating which is great. Just do your best to spend time with him, no doubt he is confused because he loves being with the new girl, but now can’t be and he doesn’t understand why.

Keep a vet trip on the cards, especially if he starts refusing food or stops pooping.

[Fosterish]

Update: I rubbed a little bit of banana over the bottle spout (his favourite treat reserved only for nail trims or vet trips) and added a drop of apple juice (pure and unsweetened) to the water. He’s drinking again! (Funny what some bribery can do)

Also a lovely pile of poops nowhere near the litter tray. But they’re poops! Need to work on their placement. Still pretty small, wondering if it’s dehydration?

Mikey I think you’re right! I think he has just lost track of where things are and has got confused.

Azerane I will deffo try the wet greens thing!

Thank you for your responses! Feeling slightly happier and less worried now and will try all your wonderful advice.

Casper seems a bit happier today. May have just been in a grump yesterday – he can be a complete drama queen sometimes.

[Author]

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