Rabbit is acting strange

[pocketable]

He was acting fine this morning and even this evening, eating, running, flopping, the works. I noticed that recently, within the last hour or two, he has not been acting like his normal self. Suddenly he is peeing/pooping in odd places. He can lie down and sit up, but he is not doing either in the way he normally does. When moving short distances, he will sort of wobble instead of hop. I wondered if something was wrong with one of his back legs. Neither one felt strange, and he did not grunt or seem upset when I was feeling them. I tried offering him some food and his favorite treats, but he was not interested. 30 minutes ago, however, he hopped right by me from the room he was in into a different area of the house, no problem. Now he is sitting behind a chair, which is not unusual as it is a place he often lounges, but he still seems sort of off. I placed a towel beneath him.

I did hear him jump over the baby gate in front of my bedroom earlier, but I didn’t think anything of it. I put it up to protect the carpet (he likes to pull it up next to the bed), but he jumps over it on a daily basis without trouble. Maybe he caught his foot on it that time and sprained it?

Does anyone have any idea about what could be wrong? I have tried researching on my own to no avail. I don’t believe he has paralyzed himself, since he did effectively (and quickly) hop across the whole house. My vet is currently closed, but I do plan on taking him tomorrow if he does not seem to be feeling better.

I am very worried. 

[Roberta]

I am glad you are taking him to the vet…. It sounds like he might have got caught up on the way over the baby gate and given himself a sprain and a bad scare. (and possibly some bruises too). Get him to the vet as early as you can tomorrow but for now keep him quiet and somewhere he feels safe and monitor him.

[pocketable]

Posted By Roberta on 03/02/2013 10:19 PM

I am glad you are taking him to the vet…. It sounds like he might have got caught up on the way over the baby gate and given himself a sprain and a bad scare. (and possibly some bruises too). Get him to the vet as early as you can tomorrow but for now keep him quiet and somewhere he feels safe and monitor him.

I will definitely do that, thank you! If he does have a sprain, do you know what will the treatment will be? Will the vet have to take xrays, or will they be able to feel whether it is injured more seriously or not? I am sorry for all of the questions, but I have never dealt with this kind of thing before, only upper respiratory infections and things like that. 

[Roberta]

Hi Pocketable… Sorry about the fettuccine post, I am trying to get rid of it….(Face palm)
I suspect the treatment would be pain meds and rest (remove anything he can jump over, off, into etc for a day or so to make him rest). They will probably decide if Xrays are necessary during the exam depending on his mobility and any signs of swelling or pain.

[BinkyBunny]

Roberta – I deleted your pasta post for you.

pocketable – keep us updated with what the vet says

[pocketable]

Posted By Roberta on 03/02/2013 10:31 PM

Hi Pocketable… Sorry about the fettuccine post, I am trying to get rid of it….(Face palm)
I suspect the treatment would be pain meds and rest (remove anything he can jump over, off, into etc for a day or so to make him rest). They will probably decide if Xrays are necessary during the exam depending on his mobility and any signs of swelling or pain.

Haha, it is alright!

Hmm, that could be difficult, he is quite the jumper and is difficult to keep contained. He’s been a house rabbit basically is whole life, and he is huuuuge so he can jump over most things. I fear he will destroy the carpet by the door if I close him in “his” room. 

As an update:

I left the house for awhile to pick someone up from work. When I got home, he had moved to another location (albeit not far from where he was when I left). He is also now interested in food, thank goodness! If he is acting completely normal by the morning, should I still take him to the vet?

[Roberta]

I would, It definitely sounds like he has bruised himself and caused some pain at the very least. It would be worth checking with the vet just to make sure he hasn’t done anything more substantial than soft tissue damage or there isn’t something underlying that has been lost in the events.

[pocketable]

Posted By Roberta on 03/03/2013 12:30 AM

I would, It definitely sounds like he has bruised himself and caused some pain at the very least. It would be worth checking with the vet just to make sure he hasn’t done anything more substantial than soft tissue damage or there isn’t something underlying that has been lost in the events.

Alright, thanks!

[Deleted User]

I agree with Roberta. You just want to make sure that he didn’t fracture anything by accident. I hope the little guy is feeling better!

If I’m understanding right it sounds like you have the baby gate in the door way to your room? I know your little guy doesn’t like being contained but have you thought of instead of using a baby gate maybe a half door?

[AshleyLovesBunnies]

Hopefully he’ll get better. I would put him in his room, and maybe just take out the carpet if possible. You wouldn’t want him to hurt his self again. Please let us know what the vet says.

[Author]

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