URGENT! Rabbit thin and lethargic!

[DwarfFluffyBuns]

 Okay so quick summary: I bought a 9 week old lionhead rabbit last Saturday. The owner of the pet shop said to just feed her these little hay blocks, but I noticed that there were only pellets in her cage at the store. But I bought them anyways, and figured I would get pellets Thursday. Well, now my usually high energy bunny is lethargic, thin, and lays in an odd position every once in a while. She has a little bit of yellow/green mucus coming out of her nose, but that started yesterday. I was holding her today and noticed that all of a sudden she is extremely thin to the point to where I can feel her ribs and spine with one touch. I just got back from the store and bought her pellets – so far she hasn’t eaten any. I know she’s drank water since I bought her, but less than a tablespoon. I am very worried about her, and don’t know if she will make it through the night. I am unable to take her to the vet – it’s closed. Is there anything else I can do??? Please help!!! 

[DwarfFluffyBuns]

Update: I can hear her moving around (I can see her from the top of my bunk bed) but I do not want to upset her any further so I will not get up. I think she might have taken a bite of food – not sure.

[DwarfFluffyBuns]

Additional update: She suddenly fell on her side and started having a seizure like attack. (Rolling around, eyes rolling, neck looked like it was broken) I honestly believe that she will be dead by morning. I hate seeing such a young bunny die like this, but I noticed that she has barely drank any water as mentioned above. This pet shop is known for having animals die soon after they go home, so I am going to go bezerk on this lady tomorrow. I am so upset with myself right now… I don’t know what the cause was!

[DwarfFluffyBuns]

Additional update: She suddenly fell on her side and started having a seizure like attack. (Rolling around, eyes rolling, neck looked like it was broken) I honestly believe that she will be dead by morning. I hate seeing such a young bunny die like this, but I noticed that she has barely drank any water as mentioned above. This pet shop is known for having animals die soon after they go home, so I am going to go bezerk on this lady tomorrow. I am so upset with myself right now… I don’t know what the cause was!

[Deleted User]

I think you were given some very bad advice (in the pet store) and should be truly concerned. A rabbit that young is growing and needs access to food at all times. If she is about two and a half months then she should have unlimited pellets, and hay/alfalfa, not the cubes but Actual hay. (You can buy hay in pet stores.) The following link should help you learn more: http://rabbit.org/frequently-asked-questions/

You can trust the information on that site (the House Rabbit Society’s site), and on the Binky Bunny site, and I strongly urge you to spend some time on them.

A vet visit would also be a good idea. While having a new animal checked is always wise one coming from a pet store is in particular need of a health check. Besides finding a vet who knows about rabbits (it is a specialty) can be time consuming and should not be done while there is an emergency.

Good luck and do try to get some good foods into her ASAP! Hope it works out, please let us know.

[longhairmike]

im so sorry this is happening to your bunny, i know i get attached SO fast, that it would be incredibly difficult to lose one even after only a few days
she may have already had some condition before you even brought her home.

see if you can get her some water thru a syringe for now. anything to make her comfortable as possible.
has there been poops? it almost sounds like an intestinal blockage if she suddenly double over in pain.
try massaging her belly gently,, does it feel hard? they need actual hay, not just hay blocks.

however the mucous from the nose hints that something has been infected in there for quite a while already

call the vets immediately first thing in the morning. tell them it is an emergency..
dont worry about beotching out the petshop until afterwards, for now your priority is the bunny.

[Roberta]

Mike is right, try to syringe small amounts of water into the side of her mouth… Gentle tummy rubs can sometimes help with gas a blockage or slow moving tummy.
The seizure is a real concern and I also agree with Mike on this that it is possibly an existing condition.. Hoping she can hang in there till you get to the vet.

[Deleted User]

Don’t blame yourself! If she makes it through the night then do get her to a vet ASAP! (Definitely worry about the pet shop later, … it won’t help your rabbit, and probably isn’t going to change much.) If you don’t have a syringe do you have something you could use to get water into her, … hydration is so important.

No matter what do make sure she is warm when they are unwell they can lose body heat easily. For preference wrap her in a towel (only if she is chilled) and hold her. Either way gently holding and stroking her is a good idea. It is comforting and reassuring and let’s her know you are there and care. If you can’t keep her in your lap or resting on you (I lie down with the little one on my stomach) and she is cold then give her a hot water bottle. I know that can be a truly strange thought in the summer but someone so tiny can get cold even in warmer temperatures.

Praying for you both, let us know how things go.

[Deleted User]

How are you both this morning?

[MoJingly]

I hope things worked out alright for this little bun!

[Author]

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