PLEASE HELP. Is my bunny sick?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 5sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 10 months ago by RabbitPam.

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- 06/08/2013 at 9:07 AM
  sweetie_jess92
  Participant
  2 posts
  Hi,
  
  My names Jess and my little dwarf lop is called Buttons. We have had for just 5 days, and she is 8 weeks old.
  
  I am currenty feeding her on the pellets that the pet shop gave me when we purcahsed her on Monday, and a small amount of a type of ‘Rabbit brunch’ that they recommended, which i now realise probably isn’t a great idea as it is a rabbit museli.
  
  However the problem is, today I have found about 6 or so cecal droppings in her cage. Some of them are around an inch long. She was lay there for a short while sleeping and it sounded as if her teeth were grinding but I am not sure if this was out of contentment or pain. It almost sounded like a light clicking, but her mouth was moving as if she was eating something.
  
  I have called a vets and they have told me to monitor her over the weekend and take her in Monday if there is no change.
  As morbid as it sounds I don’t want to wake up with no more Buttons
  
  I should add that she is still eating hay and pellets, and drinking and grooming herself.
  
  Please tell me I am over reacting???
  
  Any responses would be greatly appreciated!
- 06/08/2013 at 9:17 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  Welcome to BB…
  
  As a new bunny owner, you’ll soon learn that there is a very fine line between over-reacting and under-reacting. They can get sick very quickly, so it is good to be attuned to any changes in eating, pooping, or general behavior/activity level.
  
  You did the correct thing in calling the vet, and I agree that this sounds like something that can wait until next week. Have the vet do a full introductory exam including a fecal test. It is always a good idea for a new pet to have a vet exam shortly after coming home. Hopefully, the vet you have contacted is rabbit-savvy.
  
  In the meantime, simplify your bunny’s diet. Remove anything that isn’t hay or a plain timothy or alfalfa pellet (i.e. corn, grains, cereal pieces, crunchy bits, dehydrated veggie/fruits, fresh fruits, and any other pet store treats you may have purchased.)
  
  Excessive cecal production is usually a sign of a diet that is too rich.
  
  Please keep us posted on how she does this weekend, and how her vet visit goes next week.
- 06/08/2013 at 9:52 AM
  sweetie_jess92
  Participant
  2 posts
  Thanks so much for your reply, you’ve put me at ease already!
  You’re right, it’s only been five days and I feel like she is my child.
  
  I’m sat here picking the seeds out of the pellets that the pet shop provided me with, and I have entirely removed the rabbit brunch from her too.
  
  Buttons has given me a bit of relief in that she is still binkying around!
  
  I will let you know how she is, and how her first vet visit goes.
  
  Thanks so much for your quick reply, you’ve been such a great help! Buttons sends bunny kisses too xx
- 06/08/2013 at 10:31 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  Maybe try a kitchen colander over a large mixing bowl and see if that works to separate the little seeds from the pellets? Just a thought, might work!
- 06/08/2013 at 12:13 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17237 posts
  Sounds like her diet is too rich. If things don’t improve with an appropriate diet, then this will need to be looked into more. It’s a good idea to take her to the vet anyway though, like Beka suggested.
- 06/08/2013 at 1:35 PM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  Welcome to you and buttons. Beka said it best, and you are doing all the right things.
  Baby bunnies in particular react to the introduction of new foods, so you are doing her a favor by simplifying her diet to just hay, simple pellets and gentle greens like green leaf lettuce. Plenty of water, too.
  If she came home to you with an illness, you will find it early and can alert the pet store. It sounds like you would keep her regardless, but if they sold you a sick bunny then they need to know for the sake of any other bunnies, and hopefully would refund your money if you don’t return her. They may be responsible for her vet bills, but that’s a whole other issue. For now, just get her examined – always the best idea for a new one even if they seem healthy – and hopefully you’ll be established with a good vet you like.
  She sounds cute as a Button!
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