Penny jumped and fell down stairs

[Nutmeg]

So I’m in the middle of bonding my two bunnies in neutral territory… Which is upstairs.
This means that I have to pick them up and carry them upstairs and then back down each time we have a bonding session. Well they’re not fond of being picked up.. this isn’t usually a big deal once I have them up in my arms. However this time when I was almost at the top of the stairs Penny freaked out jumped out of my arms before I could even react and landed at the stairs at my feet and then fell between the banister railings down to the floor 10 feet below!!!!
I obviously lost my ever-loving mind and went running down the stairs expecting the worst.
However she was up on her feet by the time I got down there. I picked her up and looked over and didn’t see anything wrong. I brought her back upstairs and put her down to watch her movements. She seems completely fine. She’s moving eating drinking and grooming herself like normal. Not excessively grooming any area as if she’s in pain.
I know we both got ridiculously lucky but it wasn’t much worse but other than basic monitoring can rabbits get worse the next day like people do who are in a car accident?
I know rabbits can hide things as they are prey animals but I don’t think she’d be eating if she was.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Words of encouragement so I don’t think I’m the worst bunny mom ever?

[Wick & Fable]

I would continue to monitor, yes. Adrenaline can do a lot and last at varying lengths, so something may crop up. You’ve had her for a while so you have a good baseline.

And I have literally kicked Wick into walls accidentally and twisted his body because he went between my feet as they were crossing each other mid walking. Things happen, and if something more major happens, the best thing to do is exactly what you did : immediately go and assess your rabbits current condition and note the behaviors afterwards.

I know you would, but for others reading this, the moment something changes or just for precautionary reasons, going to a rabbit vet is a great course of action.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Nutmeg]

Thanks Wick! Seeing her fall… I can’t even put in to words!
We are at about 4 hours since and so far there is no sign of anything… still no licking one area – still eating and standing up for a treat and snuggling with Rupert… but as you said things can crop up and I’m not sure how we got so lucky so I’m not letting my guard down any time soon.
My hubby said “well, they are reliant little things”…. ummm No they aren’t- they are way more fragile then people think.
I probably wont slept tonight- which I’m sure is for the best.
I’ve changed the litter to monitor poops as well.

And you are right! For anyone else reading this.. pay attention to your bunnies. Learn what is normal for them in any situation. It’s your best line of defense to notice anything out of the ordinary with Prey animals.

Thanks again Wick!!

[sarahthegemini]

No advice to add really but wanted to say that you’re not a bad bunny Mum! Accidents happen. Bunnies are silly and don’t realise that actually they’d be a lot safer if they stayed in our arms rather than leaping out! Of course some accidents lead to really bad circumstances but it doesn’t sound like this is the case so, continue to monitor but try and relax a little

[Nutmeg]

Thanks Sarah! She is still ok today. Once I realized she hadn’t broken anything, and seemed ok, I felt like yelling “You aren’t a Cat! You dont always land on your feet & you dont have 9 lives!!” Lol
We definitely got lucky!

[Taloan7]

I can totally sympathize! My bun seems determined to get himself trampled. Always running under foot, going to investigate when my kids are running around. I think I spend half the day yelling at people “Don’t step on the bunny! He’s under/behind/on top of you!”. It drives me crazy, even though luckily no injury has resulted so far. For such fragile little creatures they sure seem to be oblivious to danger.

[Nutmeg]

Hi Taloan – OMG I Know! I don’t have kids, but my hubby and I have both almost stepped on them quite a few times! I can just imagine how much more that almost happens with kids lol

[Author]

Messages