Coughing after Drinking

[CarelessSquid07]

Do many rabbits cough after a drink?

Rodney has been drinking a bit more lately with his moult and I've noticed both buns prefer using this water bowl which means they bend down more.

He sometimes coughs after once or twice and then cleans his face.

Its scary and I'm very tempted to remove the water station as my non practical mind can't work out how to change it so he doesn't have to bend over as much.

I'm thinking of booking him a check up to make sure he's ok but I'm well aware I take them in so frequently because I question everything. Hubby says its because he's snorting a bit up his nose and then he's clearing it out and its fine.

I'm terrified it means he's developed a heart problem and he already has scarred lungs poor boy. Or that he's at risk of aspirating and getting pneumonia like humans can?

It is only this water bowl so maybe it's just too low? He wouldn't pose so Blossom did it instead.

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[dollyanna]

I wonder if it's not so much the height but the space they have to lean over to get to the bowl? Maybe try just offering water in a simple bowl, not in a stand, and see if it stops - or if you already have another option (which it sounds like you do) then just stop offering water from this one? I can see how the edge might just inhibit the free swallowing a little, potentially, especially if breathing isn't as easy as it could be. Worth a try?

 

[CarelessSquid07]

I wonder if it's not so much the height but the space they have to lean over to get to the bowl? Maybe try just offering water in a simple bowl, not in a stand, and see if it stops - or if you already have another option (which it sounds like you do) then just stop offering water from this one? I can see how the edge might just inhibit the free swallowing a little, potentially, especially if breathing isn't as easy as it could be. Worth a try?

To be honest that what was I was thinking.

I do have some other options for them now so I could replace this one. Its funny he never used it when it was in their enclosure so I always had a bowl in there too.

But now its in the lounge he prefers it over any of the other options but I wonder if that's just because its in here with me so he doesn't have to go very far.



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[InspectorMorse]

I agree, try an ordinary bowl

 

[Zoobec]

I’d agree, I would try an ordinary bowl. I’ve used large ceramic dog bowls, pasta dishes and salad bowls in the past, anything heavy and stable that they can’t tip up.

 

[tonibun]

I wonder if it's not so much the height but the space they have to lean over to get to the bowl? Maybe try just offering water in a simple bowl, not in a stand, and see if it stops - or if you already have another option (which it sounds like you do) then just stop offering water from this one? I can see how the edge might just inhibit the free swallowing a little, potentially, especially if breathing isn't as easy as it could be. Worth a try?

Agree. I hope this is the reason he coughs.

 

[CarelessSquid07]

Thanks everyone I've swapped it for a normal bowl today and Rodney is now hopping through the holes in the other one showing off his tricks [emoji1787]

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[tulsi]

Brilliant!

 

[dollyanna]

Thanks everyone I've swapped it for a normal bowl today and Rodney is now hopping through the holes in the other one showing off his tricks [emoji1787]

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:lol: