Stressed bunny not eating

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 11sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 9 months ago by DanaNM.

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- 01/07/2021 at 7:34 AM
  Rusti
  Participant
  12 posts
  I trimmed my bun’s nails last night and she’s seemed stressed since then. It was the fourth time doing so. She doesn’t love it but gets a treat afterward and behaves normally. But after trimming last night, she didn’t want any treats, not even her favorite. Not sure why this trim made her so stressed. (She was eating normally just minutes before the trim.)
  
  I stayed with her a while to observe and she seemed really tired. She would go to lay down but then within seconds pull herself back to sitting. She did that several times, like she wanted to remain alert even though she was tired.
  
  I checked on her throughout the night trying my best not to stress her further, but she’s remained in her hiddy-house. She took a little parsley at one point but as soon as she heard a sound in the house, she went back to not eating.
  
  Her tummy feels normal to me, maybe just a little softer this morning. What can I do? Should I give Pedialyte? Or is our only option an emergency visit to the vet?
- 01/07/2021 at 9:34 AM
  Rusti
  Participant
  12 posts
  I should add she has had a few droppings that I can tell. But they’re small.
- 01/07/2021 at 11:24 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5813 posts
  Some rabbits take a bit more time to bounce back from a stressful event. If the nail trimming did not happen, is there anything else that coincides with these symptoms?
  
  How is her breathing? Are her eyes relaxed or are they wide open and still “bugged out”, showing anxiety?
  
  When is the last time she has eaten and pooped?
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 01/07/2021 at 12:22 PM
  Rusti
  Participant
  12 posts
  Thank for your response!
  
  No recent changes. She was her usual friendly albeit cautious self. She was eating happily throughout the day and even just before trimming.
  
  While sitting on her own her breathing is normal. Her eyes are tired. She’s often closing then while sitting up. Her breathing and alertness increases a bit when I’ve felt her tummy or tried to give her food but other than that, she’s very calm.
  
  I haven’t seen her eat since about 2am. And just a little. But she may have some gay when I haven’t looked, is hard to tell. She has had a few droppings here and there, even just an hour ago, though they are small.
- 01/07/2021 at 2:03 PM
  Rusti
  Participant
  12 posts
  She’s still the same, I’m going to take her in. I’m very worried that our vet isn’t in today and we’ll have to see another vet who doesn’t usually see rabbits. 😟 I wish I could go in with her but covid guidelines mean I wait outside.
- 01/07/2021 at 6:39 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  Any updates? Where you able to take her in? I wonder if something was brewing before the nail trim?
  
  Was there any more struggling than normal during the trim? Could she have potentially been injured?
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 01/07/2021 at 7:46 PM
  Rusti
  Participant
  12 posts
  I just got home from the vet. Sadly she needed to stay overnight. Her belly was empty and she was a little dehydrated but there were no blockages or obvious signs of injury so they ran labs and did an ultrasound amoung other things. They found she has Liver Lobe Torsion. Apparently not uncommon in Holland Lops. She’ll need surgery tomorrow.
  
  They said it was caught early and the vet has had great success with the surgery. I hope she’s feeling safe. It breaks my heart to leave her there.
- 01/07/2021 at 7:53 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5813 posts
  I’m so sorry to hear about this, but yes, it is great that it was caught early! A rabbit at a rescue I volunteer for recovered well after her liver lob torsion surgery. Also, these things can happen pretty spontaneously, so if at all you are blaming yourself, do not. The best you can do now is take care of yourself so you can be present for post-op care.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 01/07/2021 at 7:54 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  I also know of a rescue bun that successfully recovered from this, it’s great you caught it early!
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 01/07/2021 at 9:10 PM
  Rusti
  Participant
  12 posts
  Thank you both so much for your responses. It’s helping me to keep a positive mindset.
  
  @wick, I really appreciate what you said. It’s hard to not to think “If only I…”. As much as I’ve studied and learned, there is much that can only be learned by living with bunnies. I’m sure trying by best.
- 01/20/2021 at 3:09 PM
  Rusti
  Participant
  12 posts
  Just wanted give a little update:
  
  Willow had her surgery a week ago and it went really well. They were able to do her spay while in there so she won’t have another surgery to go through. She was eating/pooping normally with a day of coming home. Other than probably hating my guts when I have to give her medicine, she has been happy and healed very well.
- 01/20/2021 at 3:15 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  That’s so wonderful to hear! Thanks for the update!
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
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