As always with a new animal, they should have a thorough well check with a vet and that I what I highly recommend your neighbor do asap.

You’re in a tough position. She isn’t your rabbit and you can encourage her to take her to the vet, or re-evaluate her diet, or housing, or the necessity of having her spayed, but at the end of the day, none of this is up to you. I really fear this will end badly for you and/or the rabbit. Before you get in to deep, I think you need to take a step back and begin to remove yourself from this rabbit and/or relationship.

I’m also “iffy” about the boundaries of talking about another person’s pet without their knowledge on this forum The problem is that we can all offer suggestions, but if she isn’t going to do what’s best for the rabbit, our hands are tied.

From what I’ve read, those with GI stasis are sluggish and sit in a bunched position like they are uncomfortable. The odd looking poos could be from a change of diet, different hays or salads. And poos can be different sizes depending on breed, there’s a huge difference between my Flemish and Lionhead anyway

 If the bunny is not eating much, then the poops will not be much either.   Sounds like this a sweet bunny (but the part where he has his tummy upward and doesn’t squirm, could be the “trance” state that can sometimes happen when a bunny is put on their backs.  It’s a stress reaction even though it looks like the bunny is calm — that may not be the case here but just making you aware of that aspect. 

You can offer some info to this neighbor – print out a Dana Krempels very informative page of Gi stasis http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

You can also say that digestive problems are not uncommon and that you yourself keep this info around as it can come in handy and you wanted to share the info. 

I think anytime you come across a friend, a neighbor, whoever, how you approach depends on how receptive they are.   Someone who doesn’t care, may never really care enough and you have to be prepared that you may be stuck in a very difficult position.  And as long as the owner gives adequate shelter, food, water…and vet care (depending on what your local Animal Care Control laws are and you can check that), then you could be dealing with a very heartbreaking situation.  So I agree with Beka, that if you find yourself really bonding with the bunny, you need to take a step back a bit.  

If the neighbor seems somewhat receptive but basically if you push your luck, she’ll shut down, then you would need to offer help gradually, as things pop up. So for now, try and give her the info about Gi stasis.   Do you have a vet for your bunny?  You can give her the name and number of your vet on that print out.  That’s just good general info that would be helpful for anyone and may come in handy for her if she decides later to read it. 

I have been in a similar situation.  The guy was someone my husband was working with and so we’d go to his house quite a bit during a project my husband was working on for him — he had his adorable very friendly bunny  (despite little interaction) in a tiny little hutch and he met all of the law requirements (except it good have been much cleaner!!).   I gave him all the info about house rabbits and his answer was “The baby chickens in the cage next to him keep him company.”  

So right then and there I knew he was in a different mindset and I didn’t have much hope, and blocked off emotionally the best I could, but when we would go over there, I would ask a question to get HIM discussing it instead of me telling him something.  I’d just ask him how he chose that little bunny, what are some of  his habits, just general stuff..and then I talked about my bunnies. (This was done gradually and rather non-chalantly so he didn’t feel judged and I’d have a better chance at dealing with his rather hard-headed personality).    He started to ask some important questions on his own, and at least I got him to change his bunny’s diet a bit. I made very little headway…very slowly…little improvements…but I made enough because about 8 months later he said he had planned to rebuild the chicken coupe and he was considering letting his bunny just be free range in the backyard. He wanted my opinion on it (go figure!).

 I told him why that was a bad idea and he actually listened to me.  He then asked me if I knew of anyone that could give him a better home.  I said, not at the moment, but I told him that if he gives me his bunny, I will find a good home for him. And that is exactly what happened. 

But here’s the catch, it doesn’t always work out like that.  Sometimes you will be stuck in a very difficult situation.  You can only do so much and if someone doesn’t listen, if they aren’t breaking in laws, then to prevent yourself from getting emotionally torn up, you have to take a step back like Beka recommended. 

Megan-ann did you change your forum name? We ask that members do not do this as it is very confusing.

I’m glad your neighbor is being so good about the situation. I know that it’s very hard to not get attached to rabbits. I’ve been there too. I’ve boarded my horse at stables where they had barn bunnies that we’re not well cared for. It’s a very difficult situation. I wish you well!