Confused about rabbit behavior!

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 10 months ago by Ella.

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- 05/14/2017 at 3:30 PM
  Ella
  Participant
  66 posts
  When researching rabbits before getting one, I read so much about how rabbits behave. I especially read about how they behave when they are sick since this can be tricky to tell.
  
  I read that they hide it well and that sick rabbits often hide away in a corner and are not very active etc. I’m sure you have all read these things. But because of all this, I can never tell when I need to be concerned about my rabbit or not.
  
  Right now, my bunny is very gassy, has some kind of lump/knot/bubble right beneath his rib cage, and hasn’t really pooped much today.
  
  However, he still wants -and runs to- all the pieces of cilantro, treats, or gas meds (which is a treat to him). He perks up if I even walk past where I keep his treats. If I sit down near him he shoves his head under my hands until I pet him and then happily tooth purrs. He is flopping and stretching out like he normally does.
  
  So physically, I feel concerned for my rabbit. But behaviorally, I have no clue! He still seems fine! I just don’t know.
  
  Does anybody else have confusing buns like this? Or is this part of the “hiding symptoms well”?
  
  Does anyone have suggestions of concerning behaviors and also ones that are good signs?
- 05/14/2017 at 5:11 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  They can cause a bun parent to worry and you are right that they sometimes hide their illnesses. Its best not to worry about that. Get to know your rabbit and you will most likely be able to tell when he is “off”.
  
  The 3 things that are the bigest indicators are 1) appetite. A bunny in pain (from gas or whatever) is usually reluctant to eat. 2) litterbox habits. If you watch your buns poops you will come to know what is normal for him (daily amount, size etc). Also change in litter habits can indicate a problem (normal trained bunny peeing all over the place). 3) Activity. Buns that are not well will often be more lethargic and a gassy bunny will often sit in a hunched position with his bum pushed to he floor.
  
  Getting to know your bunny well and vigilance is key. But try to enjoy your bunny and relax. You will probably know when something is wrong.
- 05/14/2017 at 6:05 PM
  GeorgieTheBunny
  Participant
  212 posts
  It’s super difficult to tell.
  The vigilance you’re showing is good.
  
  Appetite. Poops. Activity. As LPT suggested are huge
  
  Also;
  Posture: Is she hunched? Laying out then quickly sitting back up (restless)? Pressing her stomach to the ground (gas pain)?
  
  Sound: Is she crunching her teeth in discomfort? Does she made unhappy noises if you try to massage her stomach? Do you hear gurgling when you massage her stomach?
  
  Feel: Is her stomach distended aka bloated? Does it feel doughy?
  
  If she doesn’t make with the poops for 12-24hours you get to the vet. (Give her a fresh litter so you can be sure)
- 05/14/2017 at 8:29 PM
  Ella
  Participant
  66 posts
  Posted By GeorgieTheBunny on 5/14/2017 6:05 PM
  
  It’s super difficult to tell.
  The vigilance you’re showing is good.
  
  Appetite. Poops. Activity. As LPT suggested are huge
  
  Also;
  Posture: Is she hunched? Laying out then quickly sitting back up (restless)? Pressing her stomach to the ground (gas pain)?
  
  Sound: Is she crunching her teeth in discomfort? Does she made unhappy noises if you try to massage her stomach? Do you hear gurgling when you massage her stomach?
  
  Feel: Is her stomach distended aka bloated? Does it feel doughy?
  
  If she doesn’t make with the poops for 12-24hours you get to the vet. (Give her a fresh litter so you can be sure)
  
  Lately with my bun his appetite and activity have been normal but his poops have been different. He has still been pooping but just less. However, everything else with him is the same! It makes me very confused sometimes.
  
  As far as sound goes, his tummy has been making lots of noises when I have been messaging it today. He has been gassy today but when I massage him he will sit still and let me. He doesn’t make any noises when I do this. If I do it for a long time, eventually he will stop me but hopping out of my reach for a bit.
  
  Sometimes parts of his belly feel like there is gas in it and when I massage it I can hear and feel it move. As a whole, his belly does not feel bloated all together. If that makes sense
  
  I have only had him for about 8 months now so I am still learning but he sends me such mixed signals sometimes. I want to be able to give him the best care possible but it is not easy!
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