Bunny sick, vet closed

Hi there I was just hoping to maybe get some information as the vet is closed until Monday and I’m a little bit worry so…

My bun went to the vet this morning because she hadn’t been eating a lot. They did a blood test and it came back okay not great but okay so they gave her a fluid shot and a shot to make her bowels start moving again (she was still going to the bathroom but they were small) and I have bought home critical care. The thing I’m worried about is she now has this excess skin hanging from her chest. Is this from the shots? Just like a natural reaction or is it something worse, she doesn’t look swollen but it kinda hangs when she hops about and it was never there before. So am I over thinking or is it something that needs attention now, the vet is closed until Monday for me to call, they do have emergency but I don’t wanna call if it’s nothing and I’m overreacting, she seems fine still hopping about and eating hay though!

Please help me put my mind at ease.

The fluid bolus is not being absorbed very well and gravity will pull it downwards. Did the Vet prescribe PAIN RELIEF too ? A Rabbit in pain for any reason will not eat. Not eating then causes the GI tract to shut down= Gut Stasis.

What was ‘not great’ about the blood profile ?

Did the Vet check your Rabbit’s teeth ?

Is your Rabbit eating anything now ?

I woud ring the (out of hours) vet and ask for advice. Rabbits can go downhill very quickly. A rabbit that is not eating is an emergency. How much ctitical care is she taking? And what is her poo output like?

The vet may be able to give more meds as a follow up to the first appointment. I'm surprised you were not given any. As Jane says, pain relief can make a big difference and is easy to give at home. You also need to get to the cause of the gut stasis, hence checking teeth (with an otoscope), etc.

I'm slightly confused, as it sounds like the bunny is eating OK. eg. hopping about and eating hay.

What country are you in, Skulva?

InspectorMorse said:

The fluid bolus is not being absorbed very well and gravity will pull it downwards. Did the Vet prescribe PAIN RELIEF too ? A Rabbit in pain for any reason will not eat. Not eating then causes the GI tract to shut down= Gut Stasis.

What was ‘not great’ about the blood profile ?

Did the Vet check your Rabbit’s teeth ?

Is your Rabbit eating anything now ?

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She just gave me critical care that’s it.

The blood test said that she was lacking in glucose but other than that everything was fine that’s why the vet gave her the shot.

Teeth were checked, she said that she has spurs on her right side but they aren’t going towards her tongue. But I’m definitely ringing up on Monday to see more detail about that.

She is actually eating fine now and drinking so I was just concerned with the bit of skin hanging just because she wasn’t like that before.

SarahP said:

I'm slightly confused, as it sounds like the bunny is eating OK. eg. hopping about and eating hay.

What country are you in, Skulva?

Click to expand...

Her eating is fine now after the vet visit she just wasn’t eating as much as she was before. I was just concerned with the bit of skin hanging that she didn’t have before. I’m in Australia but this is the only bunny forum I could find online.

Skulva said:

She just gave me critical care that’s it.

The blood test said that she was lacking in glucose but other than that everything was fine that’s why the vet gave her the shot.

Teeth were checked, she said that she has spurs on her right side but they aren’t going towards her tongue. But I’m definitely ringing up on Monday to see more detail about that.

She is actually eating fine now and drinking so I was just concerned with the bit of skin hanging just because she wasn’t like that before.

Click to expand...

It will almost certainly be the bolus of fluid. It should gradually disperse.

Shimmer said:

I woud ring the (out of hours) vet and ask for advice. Rabbits can go downhill very quickly. A rabbit that is not eating is an emergency. How much ctitical care is she taking? And what is her poo output like?

The vet may be able to give more meds as a follow up to the first appointment. I'm surprised you were not given any. As Jane says, pain relief can make a big difference and is easy to give at home. You also need to get to the cause of the gut stasis, hence checking teeth (with an otoscope), etc.

Click to expand...

They only have emergency vets that you have to go into in Australia from what I have found. She is eating a lot better now and drinking. She is taking 100grams every 4 hours. Her poo has gone back to normal now as well. It’s really strange that the vet actually didn’t come right out and say it was gut stasis as well, sorry it’s hard as my mum was the one to take her as I couldn’t get out of work.

Sorry first time bunny owner too so I freaked out a little when I saw that was happening to her and of course it had to fall on a weekend when normal vets aren’t open. Thank you so much, I’m definitely ringing up on Monday for a follow up and hopefully after a bit more critical care she’ll feel a bit better but she seems like she’s going back to her normal self after the shots and food

aww it sounds like she is on the mend due to your swift action in getting her to the vets. I'd be reassured by Inspector Morses comment - there is no-one on here more experienced in rabbit health

Normal poo output is a good sign, and that she's eating for herself again. You have done a good job in supporting her.
I would monitor her weight weekly, and get the tooth spurs looked at again in, say, a month. They may need burring down. Getting her to eat more hay or grass will help to keep the teeth worn down (although there may be misalignment which means it isn't a full solution) and will keep her guts healthy.

Thank you so much, she’s definitely eating normal again after I checked on her this morning and will definitely monitor for all that from now on

The bit of skin has gone back to normal now so she was definitely right with that one, I’m so thankful!

You did a great job noting her illness and getting her prompt vet and home care.
Bunnies are prey animals so they hide their pain. This makes important early diagnosis difficult. It is also why pain relief is important.
You are fortunate to have a supportive mom to take your bunny to the vet.

This forum has wonderful people from all over the world as members and I appreciate how those in uk and others helped me.

I hope you will continue to visit the forum and share your stories and pictures.

For lots of excellent information about Rabbit Health and everything else relating to caring for Pet Rabbits take a look on here

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/