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Bun looking like its falling asleep.

FuzzyBunyons

FuzzyBunyons

Young Bun
Hello, I wondering if anyone can help me.

I've just gone out to clean my rabbits and one of my buns doesnt look right. Hes lethagic and he looks like he's falling aleep, hed slowly close his eyes and then become alert when i move. He's eating and drinking fine. Is this something serious?

I have to admit im a bit scared for him :(
 
How long has he been like this? Does he perk up when you offer him food or chase you for it- i.e. what you need to establish is whether you've just interrupted his nap and he's a bit sleepy because of it, or whether he is actually lethargic.

Have you checked him over thoroughly for signs of injury, flystrike, or a bloated tummy? Is he sitting hunched up, or grinding his teeth - these are signs of being in a lot of pain.

If you feel that he is in pain, or injured, or that he is floppy or not right, I'd recommend you call your vet. Just call the normal number and it should forward you to an emergency team or a message telling you who to call. They'll ask you some questions to determine whether it can wait till morning or whether he needs to be seen tonight.
 
Yes, you are correct in being worried about him.

It could be the symptoms of what's known as 'Floppy Rabbit Syndrome' - some info from the Rabbit Textbook Medicine by Frances Harcourt-Brown...

"Floppy Rabbit Syndrome" is the colloqiual term for an idiopathic condition that affects pet rabbits causing generalized muscular weakness. The cause is not known, although several possibilities exist. These include, hypokalaemia and plant toxicity, or neurological, metabolic or muscular causes, which could be infectious, metabolic, congenital or nutritional in origin. A feature of this condition is the recovery that can take place. It is important to recognize the good prognosis and not euthanase rabbits in the initial stages. Interestingly, recovery usually takes place within 2-3 days, whatever treatment is perscribed. Supportive care, especially assisted feeding is required."


There's more info here:

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/research/floppy-rabbit-syndrome

This article below refers to FRS as medical emergency and also details some of the vital nutrients that may have contributed to the condition:

http://www.examiner.com/article/floppy-rabbit-syndrome-is-a-medical-emergency

Only you can decide what to do at this point, and whether to wait until the morning to see your vet. Emergency vets often don't have specialised knowledge of rabbits, so I am hesitant to advise you to rush off and see one overnight ...
 
He seems fine this morning. I locked him in the shed overnight, just incase I had to take him to the vet. But he ate his breakfast with vigour and he shot towards it like he normally does.
Yesterday, he'd pick up after I made a noise or moved or when I gave him food, he'd inhale it like normal.
I don't thinks its Floppy Rabbit Syndrome unless it’s an early stage, he's still moving around and runs away when cleaning his shed out gets a bit too much for him. He just kept closing his eyes and keeping them closed, and seemed to be a little bit sluggish, which isnt normal as hes very skittish bunny.
 
Usually when a bunny keeps closing it's eyes and being lethargic is because it's got a pain somewhere. Rabbits are brilliant at disguising pain. Hope things will be okay.
 
FuzzyBunyons said:
He seems fine this morning. I locked him in the shed overnight, just incase I had to take him to the vet. But he ate his breakfast with vigour and he shot towards it like he normally does.
Yesterday, he'd pick up after I made a noise or moved or when I gave him food, he'd inhale it like normal.
I don't thinks its Floppy Rabbit Syndrome unless it’s an early stage, he's still moving around and runs away when cleaning his shed out gets a bit too much for him. He just kept closing his eyes and keeping them closed, and seemed to be a little bit sluggish, which isnt normal as hes very skittish bunny.
Click to expand...

I'm pleased to hear this positive update!

I hope he will be OK :D
 
I'd keep an eye on him then and pop him to the vets if you notice any more strange behaviour. I'm glad he has perked up.
 
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