Heat wave

[Rebelbun]

We are getting a very sudden heat wave. Such as 50℉ to 90℉ and humid. Just our luck our AC decided to stop working and I don’t know when we will get it fixed I have tiles for my bunnies and all the cages have their own personal to y fan along with 2 oscillating fans (I have the cages stacked so there’s a fan for the top and the bottom). They have been enjoying the fans very Much. I also took their blankets out of the cage so they can lay on the cool plastic. Definitely keeping their water bottles full!

So my question is, how can you tell when the bunnies are getting too hot? Today they laid around a lot but they did move around sometimes and they didn’t always sit in front of the fans. None of them seem to be in extreme discomfort but I know it’s extremely hot where they are. I’ve thought about moving then to the basement but idk how to get all 4 huge cages down there and one of the rooms has mold so I don’t want them near that… It’s kind of a last resort right now. They are still eating and drinking water. They aren’t eating a lot but still enough where I’m not worrying yet.

Thanks for any help.

[GottaLoveTheAngora]

Hey there, I have luckily had the same exact problem in the past and would love to help you out in any way possible!
Take a waterbottle, fill it with water, and then stick it in the freezer. Once the water has frozen, place the waterbottle on it’s side inside of their cage so that they can lay up against it to keep them cool. Rabbits regulate their body temperature through their ears. It will also help tremendously to take an icepack and hold it up against their ears if their ears are warm to the touch. Yes, fans help in your situation as well.
When our AC went out last summer, we were on vacation and the pet sitter was freaking out with temps in the 90’s… very stressful knowing that I wasn’t able to hop in a car and drive home to take care of the rabbits, since we were a 14hour car ride away. But luckily, we were able to give her advice as to how to keep them cool – and sticking fans in the Rabbit Room was our top suggestion to her.
Also sticking the tiles in the freezer first, and then sticking them in their cages is a HUUUUGE way to help them stay cool!

[Rebelbun]

Thank you for your suggestions! I’m trying everything I can.
I took a rag and wet all their ears and faces and they loved that.

[Rebelbun]

I had to work today, unfortunately the hottest day this week and neither me or the Bf could be home with them.
I used little jugs (they hold over a quart of water) and froze them but when I came back during lunch they were not only melted but warm! I wet their ears and faces and switched out the frozen jugs with new ones. Everyone seemed fine at that time.
I came home from work 3 hours later and the jugs were melted but still cold at least. I went to wet their faces down again and Kimber was the only one that didn’t respond to me at all. Everyone else got up and wondered around a bit after I wet their faces but he laid there which is weird for him. I put a cold rag on the back of his neck because he felt really hot there and pushed a still half frozen juice bottle at him (I have to use the juice bottle cause it’s the only thing Luna won’t chew holes in) I let him lay there for a little bit but still no reaction out of him.
I picked him up and he was limp but started to slowly come to while I carried him into the basement to let him cool down down there. He immediately started feeling better. I slowly brought him back up stairs (letting him readjust even though he wasn’t down stairs long) and now he seems fine.
Could this been a close call to a heat stroke? None of the other bunnies acted anything close to this. Kimber also had a weird tendency to sleep very very deeply. Even when he was barely the size of my palm I could pick him up while he was sleeping and he would barely notice. I don’t know if this episode of heat exhaustion or just him sleeping again.

[GottaLoveTheAngora]

Hey, please forgive me for not responding sooner to your posts. Due to the severity of your situation, I would have responded back promptly, however we were hardly at home at all today. The way you are describing Kimber does worry me greatly, especially him going limp.

Please check out this link, to evaluate your rabbits symptoms to see if they match up. Lethargy is a sign of heat exhaustion! But please take a look at the other symptoms to see if any you have forgotten to mention just so happen to match up.

http://myhouserabbit.com/rabbit-health/recognizing-heat-stroke-in-your-pet-rabbit/

The suggestions given in the link are also some great solutions!!! So be sure to check them out.
I am not a veterinarian, but do have much advice to give from extensive research I have done in the past. I would recommend calling your rabbits’ vet, and explaining the symptoms they are experiencing and your current situation- and ask for advice as to whether or not they are experiencing heat stroke.

Do you know when you will be getting your AC fixed/replaced ?

[Rebelbun]

Thank you for that link! That answers a lot of questions.
None of my other bunnies are exhibiting any of those signs. Kimber was the only one and he hasn’t done it since I took him downstairs earlier. I’m starting to think he may have been in one of his deep sleeps (which he also did when it was cold out) it just worried me so much cause I was touching him and he wouldnt move! He’s happy and running around now (luckily it’s cooled outside so they dont feel so hot).
It’s suppose to be cool the next couple days before it gets hot again so at least they’ll get a break. I really hope we get the ac fixed soon but idk I don’t want them to be alone in the basement if they don’t have to cause 1. Mold and 2. They hate being alone. If I’m not sleeping in the same room as them they get very upset.

[GottaLoveTheAngora]

Hi just wanted to check up on how your rabbits are doing, how have they been?

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