Not coming out of bathroom

[Dymii]

Yesterday morning, I committed the ultimate sin. Sprinkles was in his room (cage) and I was filling his water etc before going to work. I was in a hurry so I grabbed my water bottle to just squirt some in to his bowl. I don’t normally do this and misjudged the angle and the pressure.. and accidentally squirted my pour baby right around his forehead/base of ears. He freaked out a little and ran and jumped in his adjoining “bathroom” cage. I immediately got him a raisin and cooed over him and apologized profusely, but I got the idea he was still mad at me. I had to go though so I texted my husband what happened and left. 

When hubby got home, he opened the door so Sprinkles could come out (he always does immediately) and he didn’t. He stayed in his bathroom for almost an hour before he got out and hopped around like normal. This morning again, he won’t come out of his bathroom. He’s been in there since I woke up an hour ago, and the door is wide open. I made sure he has hay and greens in there… I don’t know if he’s still upset, if something is wrong, or if he just feels like being in there. 

Relevant information: 

-The bathroom cage is one with litter guards on the side so the whole thing is filled with litter that he can lay in. Maybe it’s comfy? He doesn’t usually spend extra time in there though besides using the bathroom.  

-We do not use spray bottles or anything like that for punishment, he’s never experienced it before. The only punishment we ever do is a loud no and a clap or ‘dominant bunny’ pressing his head down for a moment. 

– He has done this before, a few months back. There was no precipitating even that we noticed, but he just stayed in his bathroom all day and then the next day was back to normal. 

-He has accepted treats and looked around and doesn’t appear to be lethargic.

-To go between the bathroom cage and the normal cage (where his water and pellets, and the door to freedom are), he has to hop over the barrier, which he always does quite easily.

-He is 3 years old and slightly overweight, and at least part lionhead as he has a mane and ‘skirt’ of long fur around his butt. (Yes he often suffers from poopy butt, we’re working on changing his pellets)

Anyone have any thoughts? Any bunny psychologists about?

[Dymii]

Update: He hasn’t come out of the bathroom still and it’s been almost 4 hours. He’s moved back and forth inside the cage between the litter box and a spot to lay down.
I tried to pat his forehead and he made a small squeaking noise. I’m very concerned. I’m putting a small bowl of water in there, hopefully he won’t knock it over.

edit: I put the water in there and he started drinking immediately. I can see where he has used the bathroom some so I don’t think his gut is stopped or anything…

[cinnybun2015]

Has he eaten any of his food? If you don’t think his gut has stopped, that’s good. Keep an eye on him. Maybe he’s just stressed out?

I honestly don’t know… I would say supervise him and if he’s acting any stranger (example: not eating) take him to a vet.

[Dymii]

I saw him eating some hay earlier and I know he was eating parsley last night. I’ve also seen him cleaning himself so I think that’s a good sign. Maybe he just stressed out or depressed. i tried putting on a movie that he likes and he didn’t come out to watch it… I don’t really know what to do.
I guess you’re right, just keep an eye on him. If he isn’t better by tomorrow I’ll contact the vet (but if I have to take him, I have no idea how to get him out of his room to go…I guess we’ll cross that bridge if we have to)

[Dymii]

Update: my husband came home and offered him some banana, and Sprinkles perked up and jumped out and ran up to him to get it. I was amazed. When he received his treat, he retreated to a little cave we’ve made up for him that he likes to lie in frequently.
I’m feeling better about it now.. just knowing that he can get up when he wants to puts my mind at ease. Hopefully he will continue to be active. When he finally vacated the bathroom I saw he’d been peeing, but I didn’t see any pellets that I could tell were new. There were a few but I wasn’t sure how old they were… will still be keeping an eye out.

[Bam]

Glad to hear he’s perked up! That he came running for banana is just great =) Both running and eating is good for the movement of the gut.

Keeping my fingers crossed for him, but it does sound like he’s on the mend!

[Dymii]

Thanks, Bam. I’m a huge worry wart and anything out of the ordinary with my bunny just sets me on edge!

[Author]

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