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Am I over reacting?

M

Minilop

New Kit
Hi all

Stumbled across the forum and thought I would ask your advice if thats OK.

My 5 year old outdoor minilop usually comes running out when I go out to feed her at night, but tonight she just lay in her hutch. Her bonded bunny came running out as usual.

I left her to it and cleaned out the hutch which usually prompts her to start running about and playing with the sweeping brush etc but still she lay there. She showed no interest in the food.

Fearing the worst I picked her up and she seemed fine - didn't seem like she'd lost weight, normal temperature etc. I put her down to check for head tilt (i lost another bunny earlier in the year to this) but she's fine and started running about.

I keep going out to check on her and she is lying down a lot and sort of sprawls out which she doesn't usually do but then next minute she's hopping about.

They're usually in a 2 storey hutch so i've taken out the ladders and put extra hay downstairs and a big sleeping bag covering half of the hutch (the other half provides a 24 hour secure run) as I don't want her to get stuck upstairs or downstairs or even fall off the ladder.

Can rabbits just be 'off colour' or should I be really worried?

I'd appreciate any advice - I just dont want to take her to the vets (and if im being honest pay a lot of money) to be told she's fine and I'm over reacting). I would pay the money in a heartbeat if she needed treating of course.

Chrissie
 
Minilop said:
Hi all

Stumbled across the forum and thought I would ask your advice if thats OK.

My 5 year old outdoor minilop usually comes running out when I go out to feed her at night, but tonight she just lay in her hutch. Her bonded bunny came running out as usual.

I left her to it and cleaned out the hutch which usually prompts her to start running about and playing with the sweeping brush etc but still she lay there. She showed no interest in the food.

Fearing the worst I picked her up and she seemed fine - didn't seem like she'd lost weight, normal temperature etc. I put her down to check for head tilt (i lost another bunny earlier in the year to this) but she's fine and started running about.

I keep going out to check on her and she is lying down a lot and sort of sprawls out which she doesn't usually do but then next minute she's hopping about.

They're usually in a 2 storey hutch so i've taken out the ladders and put extra hay downstairs and a big sleeping bag covering half of the hutch (the other half provides a 24 hour secure run) as I don't want her to get stuck upstairs or downstairs or even fall off the ladder.

Can rabbits just be 'off colour' or should I be really worried?

I'd appreciate any advice - I just dont want to take her to the vets (and if im being honest pay a lot of money) to be told she's fine and I'm over reacting). I would pay the money in a heartbeat if she needed treating of course.

Chrissie
Click to expand...

Hi, anytime a rabbit is off its food and lethargic and sprawled out, it's not a good sign. She could possibly be going into a stasis (gut slowing down). Personally, I would go to the vets as she may need some gut stimulant, and pain relief. Pain relief is paramount in these cases. Good luck and hope she's okay x
 
I would say it's probably better to pop her along to the vet tonight.

Our gut instincts are usually right and if you think she's a bit off colour, it probably means she's feeling quite poorly. Rabbits hide illness extremely well so by the time we notice something's not right, they may be feeling quite ill.

Let us know how you get on at the vets - Good Luck :thumb:
 
As the others have said, she really needs to see a vet. Rabbits dont show weakness because they would be easy targets for predators so be cause she 'seems' fine it probably isn't the case. The minute there is a change in your rabbits normal feeding pattern and behaviour pattern it is iportant to see a vet. They go downhill really quickly and lack of eating can mean that their tummies stop working properly and they can be in big trouble really quickly.

I hope she gets back to normal soon.
 
I'm afraid that sounds very much like how Smudge reacts when in stasis. Its probably better to take her now than it progress and worsen.
 
Thanks everyone - I took her to the vets and it was her molars that have spurs on them causing ulceration

Have left both bunny's there and they will give her fluids overnight and do her teeth tomorrow.

So glad I took her tonight

Thanks again
 
That was so good you took them in when you did as it might have been too late by the morning without treatment, these things develop so quickly. Hopefully once her toothy pegs have been seen to she will be back to normal in no time. Let us know how she gets on :wave:
 
Excellent job - well done for taking her in when you did.

She'll feel so much better once her teeth have been done. May take her a little while to get back to 'normal' so you'll have to watch her eating and 'pooping' for a couple of days :)
 
well done for taking her in so quickly. good luck for her dental, hope it all goes well and she's back to her normal self soon x
 
Well done for being so reactive and advocating for your bunny!

You've given her the best chance at recovery :)

Many people dont realise how quickly rabbits deteriorate, you've done great :D

Loads of vibes
 
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