Heavy breathing

[Deleted User]

Anyone else notice that when their bunnies are just laying around (not sleeping) that they seem to breath heavy? I dunno if its just Boston, but it seems her breathing goes as fast as her nose. I always feel like she’s really worked up and out of breath until that nose slows down and then so does her breathing. Do buns just breath heavy?

[MarkBun]

If you mean breathing fast, yes.  My buns will do that sometimes even when nothing is going on.  And yes, they do sometimes breathe as fast as their lil nose twitches.

Breathing heavy is different and that means you should go to the vet.

[RabbitPam]

Spockie would do it too – the fast breathing.

I think you’re on high alert right now with Boston’s behavior due to her need for a gradual, long recovery from the head tilt. It’s important for you to be mindful of any adverse changes, but you’ll also start noticing things that you had taken for granted. That’s very natural. Maybe make a little list, or have a Boston notebook where you can jot it down together with dates. You can have it with you on your next trip to the vet and just quickly run down what’s OK and what needs watching or a call to the Dr.

And this is definitely the place to ask – everyone here has seen enough behavior to know what’s healthy, what’s not, and what’s downright eccentric! Bunnies are fascinating.

[Deleted User]

Markusdark: What is the difference between heavy and fast breathing? How can I tell?

Pam: I totally agree with you! =) I just think better safe than sorry!!!

Thank you!

[Sarita]

I know if they are breathing from their mouth or their breathing is rattled then you are in trouble.

You’ll be able to tell when they are in distressed breathing. I could tell right away with my first rabbit Bunbun was in distress – I woke up and he was in distress breathing and I ran him to the emergency vet – he was dying :~( On my way to my vet that morning he was kicking and trying to breathe – I wish now I would have had the emergency vet euthanize him but I had no idea what was wrong. I really wish when I had taken him to the vet that morning I would have stayed with him (my work is very close) but I think I was too stressed and afraid. But it was very obvious to me that he was having a problem breathing. I sure do miss my beautiful Bunbun even to this day.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Also if a rabbit is in heat stress they will do this. I would keep and eye on Boston and check with the vet to see if any meds have certain side effects that may cause this. How often does this happen?

[MooBunnay]

Grace often does this – generally we think its because she’s either dreaming, or a little extra warm. It is the same with her, sometimes it just seems that out of nowhere she starts breathing quite quickly. The dangerous kind of heavy breathing you could probably identify – its if they seem like they are having difficulty breathing, or their breathing sounds strained.

[Deleted User]

I would say it happens daily. The breathing is not distressed and not coming from her mouth. Her body just moves really fast at pace w/ her nose.

[MarkBun]

The difference between quick and heavy breathing is a little hard to tell. If the bun’s nose is twitching quickly and their body seems to be ‘vibrating’ – then it is quick breathing. Heavy breathing usually revolves around just their sides moving in and out and you will usually hear the air moving through their noses without having to put your ear next to them.

[BinkyBunny]

My bunnies, who are near a window and can get fresh air in, will breathe quickly at times as if they are getting in a new scent and analyzing it. Since it doesn’t seem like anything wrong  from our description, maybe Boston is just doing an air/scent analysis.

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