Rabbit acting funny

[Brenna]

This morning when I gave my rabbits their breakfast greens, my male rabbit wasn’t very enthused. He still ate all of it though. I also give them some pellets in the mornings, my male rabbit didn’t finish his pellets. He isn’t interested in his hay or water. I’ve checked out his droppings and there are normal sized poops mixed with smaller poops. I’ve also felt his stomach and it isn’t hard. He’s just going about his normal day, grooming and exploring. There’s no tooth grinding and he’s not hunching over. Do you think this is the start to a GI stasis or is he just having an off day?

[Luna]

It could be either. Is he molting? Is he usually interested in his hay? Stasis can set in quickly, so I’d definitely keep a close watch, keeping an eye on his poop frequency and size. Since he isn’t interested in his water, make sure to drench his veggies in water to help keep him hydrated. Maybe call your vet to find out if they will be able to see him if you decide to take him in later? That way, you will also have a plan for finding an emergency vet hospital if they can’t see him, especially since it’s around the holidays. Do you have any simethicone or critical care on hand?

[Rain]

Bunnies try to hide their sicknesses as best as possible until it’s really bad and they can’t hide it anymore. I think it might be the beginning stages of GI stasis, because it starts with a bunny less enthusiastic about food, and then smaller and smaller poops until there are no poops, and then that’s when it becomes very dangerous, which causes him to be hunched over and grinding his teeth. I think you should definitely visit a vet to find out what might be happening, and try to do it as soon as you can. He really needs his hay. This might just be the beginning of GI stasis. If he’s only eating his other foods and not hay it might be a tooth problem. Eating hay needs specific grinding and chewing motions, and those motions might cause him pain so he only eats his pellets and veggies. That would definitely call for a vet too. Try to not put out anything for him to eat but the freshest hay and water. Wait an hour at least. If he doesn’t touch it, give him other foods until you can see a vet just so that he doesn’t get hungry.

[Brenna]

Definitely will take him to the vet later this evening. I don’t think it’s a tooth problem though because he’s chewing on his toys and stuff like that. Whatever it is I hope it gets resolved quickly. Thank you for the advice and quick response!

[Rain]

Hmm, then it seems like it might be Stasis. Definitely go out and try to find some Oxbow Critical Care as Luna mentioned. If you can’t find any I think you can find it online. You’re very welcome!!!! Please keep us updated!!!!!

[Brenna]

Took my baby to the vet and it turns out he has a blockage at the very beginning of his intestines. The vet said I caught it early so treatment and recovery will be very quick!

[Rain]

Good job! Give yourself a pat on the back! Poor fluffball would have suffered a lot more if you hadn’t caught it so quickly. Most of the time people notice when it’s very bad. I’m super happy for you and your bunbun. Do you think you might know what caused the blockage? It could have been caused by numerous things, but most of the time it’s when bunnies are shedding their fur, or molting, and they swallow too much of it. They can’t cough up hairballs unfortunately so that’s why it’s best that they are groomed every day when they shed. Atleast I groom my little Rain every day during molting because I don’t want fur up my nose every time I kiss him! Does he get a lot of excercise? That’s been known to cause Stasis, because it slows down their gut and everything.

[Brenna]

The vet thought it was most likely a hair ball which makes sense because he sheds constantly!! I tried to brush him at least every other day, but I’ll try to increase it now. Both of my rabbits are free roam so I’d say they get enough excercise.

[Rain]

What type of brush do you use on him? It might not be picking up the loose hairs that well. When bunnies molt, you should make sure to clean their area often, and change their water a lot because those are the areas their fur lands the most. If you have a small hand vacuum, you can just go over the area a little bit to pick up any sticking fur.

[Brenna]

I bought one of those gloves with the bristles on them, it keeps my rabbits calmer than regular brushes. It seemed like it picked up a lot of hair, but maybe it’s time to look into other methods. I’ve never noticed hair in their water but I’ll definately keep an eye out for it now because I never really looked for it before. I do vacuum constantly though because my boyfriend is allergic to the rabbit hair.

[Luna]

Roger is lucky to have such an observant mom! I use the glove as well, but more as a supplement to the other brushes.

[Brenna]

Thank you, it means a lot. I try to be the best bunny mom I can be to Roger and Chloe

[Author]

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