Hi all,
I haven't posted for a while, but knew that you would be the best to speak to about this:
Due to oversleeping, I didn't get outside to my four bunnies (2 x seperate pairs) today until 11.30 (I usually get to them between 7.30/8am for cleaning out and replenishing of water bottles & bowls, fresh hay etc). So felt like a bad bunny mummy in that respect.
Started cleaning out and noticed that Poppy, my 1 yr old lionhead was huddled up under a plastic stool in her house. I decided that this was okay as the weather is so miserable. I went about cleaning out and she has definitely been pooping overnight (her poos are dramatically different in size compared to her husbun Sid's). Poops looked healthy and normal for her. When I replenished the hay, Sid came running and ploughed in but Poppy showed no interest at all. I offered her some herbs and grass and she turned her nose up at this also. In fact, she scrapped up the blanket I had offered the food on and plonked herself in a basket in a different part of her house. She did a little bit of washing, which I take to be a good thing. But she then sat down and didn't move while I carried on the clean out (Sid hopping around, generally interfering with what I was doing as normal!). I decided I would watch and wait, as even in better weather she sits in a basket on top of the hutch during the afternoons.
I went and got on with some work for an hour or so, and have come back to find her in the same spot. Offered food again, rejected, gave head rubs, checked eyes, ears and bottom, all as they should be. Went away for another hour, came back and she's still snoozing in her basket. I am having trouble deciding if I am being paranoid (she does spend a lot of time doing this when the weather is better on top of her hutch where she can keep an eye on things, it's just usually Sid is doing it with her but today he is active as anything). My Mum thinks she gets down in the dumps when the weather is rubbish as she doesn't want to go out. I am inclined to think this too, as last week when the rainy spell just started she did the same thing.
There have been no changes to diet or environment, her relationship with Sid is unchanged as far as I can see, there are no new family members rabbit or otherwise, she is up to date with both myxo and VHD vaccs (Feb & March 12), there is nothing unusual to see in her appearance.
They usually get a serving of fresh vegetables around 4:30/5:00 which I will give as normal and monitor to see what happens, but I feel like I am getting into dangerous statis territory if I leave it longer than that (she has no history of this).
Just wondering what your thoughts were really - do you think she is having an off day? All my rabbits are superb at showing annoyance (Aren't they all?) so part of me wonders if she is cross about the weather and me being late out to them, but part of me will also never forgive myself if she is poorly. I have the vets number on hand with out of hours instructions.
Thanks guys,
Steph
I haven't posted for a while, but knew that you would be the best to speak to about this:
Due to oversleeping, I didn't get outside to my four bunnies (2 x seperate pairs) today until 11.30 (I usually get to them between 7.30/8am for cleaning out and replenishing of water bottles & bowls, fresh hay etc). So felt like a bad bunny mummy in that respect.
Started cleaning out and noticed that Poppy, my 1 yr old lionhead was huddled up under a plastic stool in her house. I decided that this was okay as the weather is so miserable. I went about cleaning out and she has definitely been pooping overnight (her poos are dramatically different in size compared to her husbun Sid's). Poops looked healthy and normal for her. When I replenished the hay, Sid came running and ploughed in but Poppy showed no interest at all. I offered her some herbs and grass and she turned her nose up at this also. In fact, she scrapped up the blanket I had offered the food on and plonked herself in a basket in a different part of her house. She did a little bit of washing, which I take to be a good thing. But she then sat down and didn't move while I carried on the clean out (Sid hopping around, generally interfering with what I was doing as normal!). I decided I would watch and wait, as even in better weather she sits in a basket on top of the hutch during the afternoons.
I went and got on with some work for an hour or so, and have come back to find her in the same spot. Offered food again, rejected, gave head rubs, checked eyes, ears and bottom, all as they should be. Went away for another hour, came back and she's still snoozing in her basket. I am having trouble deciding if I am being paranoid (she does spend a lot of time doing this when the weather is better on top of her hutch where she can keep an eye on things, it's just usually Sid is doing it with her but today he is active as anything). My Mum thinks she gets down in the dumps when the weather is rubbish as she doesn't want to go out. I am inclined to think this too, as last week when the rainy spell just started she did the same thing.
There have been no changes to diet or environment, her relationship with Sid is unchanged as far as I can see, there are no new family members rabbit or otherwise, she is up to date with both myxo and VHD vaccs (Feb & March 12), there is nothing unusual to see in her appearance.
They usually get a serving of fresh vegetables around 4:30/5:00 which I will give as normal and monitor to see what happens, but I feel like I am getting into dangerous statis territory if I leave it longer than that (she has no history of this).
Just wondering what your thoughts were really - do you think she is having an off day? All my rabbits are superb at showing annoyance (Aren't they all?) so part of me wonders if she is cross about the weather and me being late out to them, but part of me will also never forgive myself if she is poorly. I have the vets number on hand with out of hours instructions.
Thanks guys,
Steph
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