Help! 8 week bunny

[Max2021]

Hello, we have an 8 week bunny. He is just sitting on his bed and this morning doesn’t appear to be eating. He ate some bark from a wood stick last night. Can we give him critical care? If so, how much? Please help!!

[DanaNM]

At 8 weeks old he is very vulnerable and fragile, I recommend getting him to the vet ASAP. When was the last time he ate and how long have you had him?

Does he feel cold? If his ears feel cold you should try to warm him up. Pain can cause rabbit’s temp to drop and send them into shock. You can hold him on your lap with a blanket over him, or place a warm water bottle wrapped in a blanket near him to snuggle with.

 

. . . 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.  

[Max2021]

It’s a holiday here and most vets are closed. He was weaned from his mom last week. We’ve had him for 3 days. He was fine, full of energy and was eating yesterday. This morning he ate a TINY bit of hay.  He was a little active earlier but didn’t last long this morning. He doesn’t want his pellets or more hay.

[Bam]

You can give him a little bit of critical care, I think you should. Here’s a link to Oxbow Critical Care info on dosage per the bun’s weight and frequency of feedings (the website is from Oxbow Australia, but the info applies even if youre not in Australia):

https://www.oxbowaustralia.com/critical-care-information-for-pet-owners/

As Dana says, it’s crucial that you keep him warm. Since he’s a baby he might like to sit inside your t-shirt or bath robe of what ever you have on, so he has contact with your skin and gets to benefit from your body warmth. Baby rabbits snuggle up to their siblings in the nest, so physical contact is natural and comforting for a baby bun.

If he doesnt perk up soon, or if he gets runny poop, you should contact a vet. Any vet can give sub q fluids, which can be of great help. Young rabbits can get dehydrated quickly.

[Max2021]

Thank you both. We’ve given him critical care. He is moving around, grooming himself… he has peed but still won’t eat on his own.

**I’m using the first person tense in the posts related to this bun but I’m sending them all on behalf on our dear friends.

[Bam]

It’s very good that he’s moving around and grooming himself! Keep feeding him small amounts of CC at suitable intervals, hopefully he’ll perk up and start to eat on his own soon. Have you (your friends) seen any poop from him?

[Max2021]

No, no poop today. How long does it take to see poop?

[Max2021]

Before I told my friend to put blankets, etc… the bun was laying sprawled out, like he was bathing. Doesn’t appear as though he is in pain but it’s just so odd that he isn’t pooping and it’s 3:19pm here.

[Bam]

It can take a long time if the bun hasn’t eaten properly. Hopefully you’ll see some after a few hours since you’ve started him on CC. You can try to massage his tummy very lightly with a finger, in small circular movents, mimicking how a mother bun would lick the baby’s tummy. It is very important that he poops.

 

[Max2021]

Ok, thank you. I’ve attached a pic. They’ve named him Buster.

[Bam]

He is adorable! Hello, Buster!

Is this picture from around now? It’s a relaxed position, which is good.

[Max2021]

Yes, it’s a recent pic- within the last 20 minutes! Also, apparently they can hear the tummy gargling (not sure of the technical term).

[Max2021]

Should we encourage him to move around?

[Bam]

Yes, encourage him to move around! Not by chasing him so he gets super stressed, but its good if he moves, it sets the intestines in motion.

The gurgling sounds mean his tummy is working. Its a lot, lot better than no sounds at all. It can mean that he has some gas (a common conseqence of any tummy disturbance). You can give simethicone baby gas drops to help relieve the gas, gas ispainful for rabbits and can cause them to go off their food. .You give 0.5 ml of any brand (20-40 mg/ml strenght) once per hour for a few hours, but it often works within half an hour.

[Max2021]

Thank you so much for the help, Bam. We are all so grateful.

[Bam]

Fingers crossed for Buster! Hopefully you’ll soon see some poop. They might be a bit irregular in shape, size and/or color, but that is very common after a gut disturbance and it will right itself if he starts eating properly, esp hay, again.

[Max2021]

Thank you. He finally started drinking water own his own. He seems so thirsty. The vet called and after reviewing everything with him, he said to continue with critical care and that he would see Buster  tomorrow evening (which is almost 24 hours from now) because he didn’t view it as an emergency. Ok, I thought not pooping for 9+ hours is an emergency?

The lady that he was adopted from said taking him to the vet may stress him out even more. What do y’all think?

[DanaNM]

Sorry I couldn’t follow up on this, got busy at work!

If he isn’t 100% back to normal by the appointment tomorrow I would take him in just to be sure. I tend to disagree with the person you got him from… assuming the vet is rabbit savvy. A non-rabbit savvy vet can do more harm that good.

I’m glad things seem to be moving again. Drinking is good, hydration helps things move along in the gut as well. And I agree, that’s a relaxed position so that’s great. Keep up the supportive care as you have been and hopefully you see some poops soon!

. . . 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.  

[Bam]

I’d take him in if he hasn’t started to eat and poop by the time of the appointment. He’s probably a bit dehydrated, and could perhaps need his gut started with a motility drug.

Going to the vet can be stressful for a bun, but there are things you can do to make it less stressful. You can f ex ask f you can wait in the car with him, and not in a busy waiting room with (barking) dogs. Bring a towel that you can put on the exam table -exam tables tend to be slippery and scary. If you get to wait for the vet in an exam room, its good if you can put the carrier on the floor and open it so Buster can go out if he likes and do some exploring. Bring a fleece blanket for the floor.

I can understand how the vet doesn’t regard this as a rush-him-in-this-minute- emergency, since you have gotten some food in him, he isn’t lethargic but he seems relaxed and not in acute pain, and you hear stomach sounds. He’s still a very young bun though, and young buns are fragile.

[Max2021]

Thank you both so much!

[Max2021]

Hello, this is an update: Buster pooped a bit this morning. The  vet was able to see him early.

Here’s the report:

Vet just examined him. She said that heart, ears and teeth look good. In the bottom of his stomach she can feel a lump. As if something may be stuck. Something he might have eaten before we got him. She’ll x-ray him, take a fecal sample and get back to us. [I was never told of there is an obstruction]

Vet will supply certain medications that will aid Buster to defecate. She’ll start him on fluids. We’ll have to bring him back today at 1:20pm [3 hours later] so they can give him more fluids and tomorrow morning. Vet indicated that he does look sick and a bit lethargic. If we follow all instructions, “there is a good chance that he’ll pull through”.

Please let me know if you have any feedback or thoughts on this. Thank you! 

[Bam]

Thank you for the update!

Great that you took him in! It’s good that he pooped a little. You couldn’t have done more for him at home. The supportive care you gave was most likely very important, since rabbits dont do well at all on an empty stomach. You’ve kept him in good enough condition for the vet to be hopeful of his recovery, and that’s very well done of you.

It seems you have a good rabbit vet. The fluids could help soften a blockage/impaction. Sometimes sub q fluids are enough, in more severe cases, a vet will give iv fluids. They might also give an enema to soften the stools and stimulate the “poop reflex”. They might give a pain killer, because rabbits are so sensitive to pain.

Make sure he’s kept warm between vet visits.

[Max2021]

Thank YOU! I’ve attached a screenshot of the report from the vet & the meds/fluids that he is receiving.  Initially the vet said he could have eaten something that he couldn’t digest but the report says suspect fecal impaction (along with GI stasis and gastric distention).  Is something that he ate causing the fecal impaction or is it just accumulation of feces that won’t pass because of an imbalance?

The bun parents have only had Buster for five days this morning. He was seemed so lively & happy on Friday when we brought him home. However looking through the videos, in the second day, he was grinding his teeth. Is it normal that young bunnies grind their teeth if they are not in pain? If he did ingest something, how quick is the onset of symptoms.  I’m wondering if he ingested something before we picked him up from the lady we got him from??

[Max2021]

UPDATE – Buster was taken to the vet this morning for fluids by his bun-dad who ended up leaving him with the vet for a re-examination, more xrays & a fecal test (finally we have enough poo to test).  The vet said Buster appears to have more gas.  She said the rate that it’s accumulating is odd, especially since Buster is taking Cisapride, Metoclopramide and Simethicone drops.   The vet said not to give up hope yet.  He may have a bacteria and if this is the case, it’s easier to treat.   Would a bacteria in a young bun cause these symptoms? Any other thoughts are always appreciated. Thank you!

[Max2021]

[Bam]

Overgrowth of bad bacteria could cause this, and its treatable with the appropriate antibiotics. It’s not very rare in baby buns, but it often manifests as watery/mucosy stools. This is very often fatal due to rapid and severe  dehydration Luckily, Buster doesnt seem to suffer from what is known as true diarrhoea.

Your vet is correct that overgrowth of the wrong gut bacteria is “easier” to treat than for example congenital intestinal malformation. If there’s sth wrong with the microbiota (the bacteria and yeasts) of the gut there’s a good chance you can right it with meds, fluids and proper diet. If the intestines havent formed properly during development (in mama bun’s uterus) which is sometimes the case with human babies as well, the patient might need surgical intervention, which is, sadly, not always successful.

The motility + gas meds (cisapride, metoclopramide and simethicone) you’ve been given are all good. Simethicone helps with gas, it’s inert, stays in the GI canal and gets pooped out eventually without being absorbed into the blood stream. Cisapride and metoclopramide are gut motility drugs that target somewhat different parts of the gut. Sub q fluids replenish the bun with water and electrolytes, necessary for the proper function of the cells and in effect the whole organism.

Fecal impaction pretty much means constipation. Buster couldve eaten sth he shouldnt have before you ever got him. Another cause, or contributing cause, could be the “stress” of getting a new home,  away from his siblings. Stress in this context doesnt mean that he came to a bad place -it just refers to the fact that he came to a new place. The new place could be a vast improvement on his old environment, but it’s still a new place with new scents and sounds.

Gas will accumulate if there’s a blockage or partial blockage. It doesnt say where the blockage is, but in general, the further downstream from the stomach its located, the better.

Your vet seems to be rabbit savvy. That is great. They will do what they can.

[Max2021]

Bam, what a wealth of information you have stored up and ready to share! Thank you so much! It’s been an emotional week but your quick and clear responses have truly helped us along the way! Thank you!!

[Bam]

We’re all rooting for little Buster here. Buster is a lucky little guy, he found owners that clearly are doing all they can for him.

[LBJ10]

I agree with Bam on possible causes. I also think you are doing all the right things in this situation. Keep it up!

[Max2021]

Update- Buster tested positive for coccidia. Below is the report from the vet. I read older posts and noticed that Albon is a med that is often prescribed which is actually what this vet also prescribed.

*I contacted the lady that we got him from on October 7th to let her know.   Can I assume Buster ate contaminated poop from another animal in her home? Or can this simply be brought on by stress?

This poor little 8 week old bunny is going through so much. In your experience, have you seen such a young bunny pull through?

Diagnosis and Differentials:

GI stasis, Coccidia, dehydration, gas distended GI tract

Diagnostic Tests and Results:

Fecal Sample – Coccidia positive

Radiographs: gas distended small intestine, cecum and large intestine likely secondary to bacterial overgrowth

Medications Sent Home:

Medication	Dosage /Instructions	Indication	Comments / Precautions
Metronidazole	Start now	Anti-biotic – Used to decrease inflammation in the GI tract	Give 0.21 mL by mouth every 12 hours for 7 days. Shake Well. His next dose is due at bedtime
Benebac	Continue tomorrow	Probiotic – Used to balance the GI tract bacteria	We gave his dose in hospital today
Herbivore IC		Feeding supplement	Mix 1 parts powder to 1 part water (thin gravy consistency). Or 1tsp powder to 1tsp water per 5mls of food needed Feed as directed on the label. Mixed paste can be kept in the refrigerator and is good for 24 hours. To reheat food draw up into a syringe and place in a glass of warm water for 10 minutes Keep the open pouch of powder in the refrigerator. His next feeding is due at bedtime
Cisapride		Prokinetic	Give 0.07mL by mouth every 8 hours for 7 days.
Metoclopramide		Prokinetic / antinausea	Give 0.35mL by  mouth every 12 hours for 7 days.
Simethicone Drops		Gas medication	Give 0.1mL by mouth every 4 hours for 7 days.
Albon		Treats coccidia	Give 0.21mL by mouth every 12 hours for 14 days. His next dose is due at bedtime
Cholestyramine	Start today	Binds toxins in the GI tract	Add a pinch of powder to water to make a slurry and administer by mouth once daily for 21 days. Written Rx given. Start when you are able to pick up this medication

[Bam]

Coccidia are common in rabbits. They can get it from greens that have grown where wild rabbits graze. It’s good that you told the breeder.

Young rabbits are particularly vulnerable to coccidiosis. They typically present with acute watery diarrhoea, and in those cases, the prognosis is very poor. We have had members here whose very, very poorly baby buns have pulled through though. Good vet care and supportive care are key.

It’s great that your vet specifies what each med is for, and that they also give benebac to help reestablish a healthy gut microbiome.

 

[Max2021]

Good to know, thank you! He is discharging a lot of clear gooey stuff this morning but no poo yet.  Does that clear gooey stuff have to come out before the poo?

[Bam]

The clrar poop is a consequence of the coccidiosis and bacterial imbalance in the gut. You should tell your vet about this, especially if the amount of goo is ample, they might want to give more fluids. Some vets are willing to instruct the bun carecgiver on how to give fluids yourself, at home, but that depends on your vet and their willingness can vary between countries/states as well.

[Max2021]

Thank you for the quick reply. We were thinking it was a good thing as a result of the meds, mucus is being cleared out.  We’ll contact the vet now!

[DanaNM]

I’m very happy you took him in and it sounds like the vet is doing everything they can! Agree that coccidea is very common in young rabbits especially. The fecal impaction could be either a cause or a consequence of stasis. When the gut slows down the mass of food and hair can get dehydrated and hard to pass, which is why giving lots of fluids is very important.

Rooting for little Buster!

. . . 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.  

[Max2021]

Thank you! Thanks for your guidance!

We are waiting for a call back from the vet. I meant to post the pic of the clear poo (looks like mucus). They’re so much of it! He only started releasing this after the meds were administered.

[Bam]

I hope your vet gets back to you soon. Make sure he keeps warm, for example by placing a bottle with warm tap water or a microwaved sock filled with rice (put a glass of water in the microwave when you heat the sock) rolled into a towel near him, so he can snuggle up to the warmth if he wants too. He must have space enough to move away from the heat source if he doesnt want it.

[Max2021]

A different vet called back & said the mucus is a good thing- it shows that his gut is moving. She advised giving Buster liquids with a syringe. He will return for a scheduled exam tomorrow afternoon; they’ll also administer more fluids at that time. She said it may be several days until he actually poops. **Buster surprisingly ate a little hay this afternoon (she said that shows he’s ‘trying’)

[LBJ10]

Mucus just means there is inflammation in the intestines. Not a surprise considering the diagnosis. The vet is correct in that in means the gut is moving. His body is trying to expel what is causing the inflammation.

[Bam]

It is good that the gut is moving, I was worried that it moved too much (true diarrhoea) so that he’d lose a lot of fluids rapidly.

It’s wonderful that he ate a little hay 🥰

 

[Max2021]

Thank you, moderators! Thank you so much for sticking with us through this!!!

The comment about true diarrhea was helpful because I didn’t know there was a difference. I looked it up to compare images. We are learning so much!

I received a text at 4am when the bun parents got up to give Buster the meds.  There was a little poop that looked like it was taking form but most appeared on the runny side. As soon as they finished cleaning him, he started again… I’ll post pics. As long as he is being syringe fed, will he continue to have mainly runny poop?  The vet says to stop syringe feeding when he starts eating again but is there an indicator that he is eating (beside staring at him all day)?   It *appeared* as though Buster nibbled on his pellets last night from a video cam that was set up (live not recording) but it’s hard to tell.

Also, the bun-parents are concerned about leaving a bowl of water out for him during the night for fear he might drown himself. A couple days ago (when he appeared to be much worse) he just put his two feet in the water and stood there. Also, if he soaks himself, he’ll get really cold. I understand fluids are super important (& they will be administered this afternoon at his scheduled exam)… what are your thoughts about the overnight water bowl?

The vet said it was hard to give an exact amount as to how much water Buster  should be syringed. He has been taken to the vet 2 times for fluids, today will be the third time. Any recommendations on how often he should be given water? Especially considering how much he pooped this morning.

[Bam]

Maybe you could leave out a very shallow water bowl/bowls with only a little water in them? It is important that he can drink if he wants to. Hopefully he’s feeling better now and is less disoriented.

Asfor how much fluids to give him by mouth, its a bit difficult to say. A healthy rabbit needs about 100 ml water per day and kilo body weight. A bun will only drink this much water if it’s diet is all dry food (hay and pellets). Since Buster gets a lot of water in his Emeraid, he isnt on dry food only. You could try and calculate how much water he gets in the recovery formula and then add on some more. Don’t give really cold water, it can make him cold (well, obviously!)

I cant see how often you are told to give him the Emeraid or in how big servings. Its generally considered better to give smaller amounts of syringed food (and water by mouth) more often than a larger amount once or twice per day. This must be weighed against how stressful the feeding sessions seem to be for the bun.

I have never had to use Emeraid, just Oxbow Critical Care. (Emeraid is better for a bun in Buster’s predicament). With CC, the poop will become firm “coco puffs” again once the tummy starts to get back in shape. The poops can still keep being irregular in shape, size, color and frequency for quite some time though, 2 weeks is not uncommon and it can take even longer.

It’s always a bit difficult to decide when to cut back on the support food. Since Buster is tiny, I’d keep the syringe feeding up for some time. Rabbits prefer to eat on their own if they can, so its not like they get lazy and spoilt by being syringe fed. I would assume that he has lost some weight during this ordeal.

The best thing for making sure that a bun gets enough food is to weigh him daily. Vets weigh their in-patients more than once daily. You can weigh him in a bowl on kitchen scales. Make the bowl comfy with a towel or similar. Keep a weight diary, note down date and time of day. Make allowance for the weight of stomach-and bladder content. It’s the quickest way to notice changes that are too subtle for the naked eye.

[Max2021]

Thanks Bam. Buster lost 100 grams which was confirmed at his vet exam today. I received a call from the bun-parents about an hour ago, Buster appears to have lost mobility (doesn’t have any strength) and he looks like he is struggling to breathe. We just talked to him again. The situation is the same… 😥

[Max2021]

Update: Buster died at 6pm tonight, one week after we got him. We did everything we possibly could for this bun. What a devastating end. We are heartbroken. Thank you so much for your guidance these past several days. We truly appreciate it.

[BZOO]

Hugs to you and yours.  What a journey, you all are great bunny people.  Bink free, Buster.

[DanaNM]

Oh no 🙁 I’m so sorry to hear this. 🙁 An 8 week old bunny really is so fragile… they did everything they could to give him a fighting chance.

Sending hugs to Buster’s humans. And it was very kind of you OP to help them out by coming to the forum.

(((Binky free sweet Buster)))

. . . 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.  

[Bam]

I am so, so sorry to hear this.

You truly did absolutely everything you could. Thank you for trying so hard.

Binky free, sweet little Buster.

 

 

[LBJ10]

I’m sorry you lost Buster. You and his parents did everything you could. As the others said, 8 week old bunnies are so fragile.

[Author]

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