How long should I wait to take my rabbit to the vet?

[Roksana]

My rabbit Goose has been acting off since Sunday. She is usually very friendly and food oriented, in the morning when she hears us get up she’ll wake up also and come hang out with us, then rush to the kitchen excited for breakfast (herbs). On Sunday she started acting strange by laying in a weird spot, behind her cage. I didn’t worry too much because she was flopped out so she looked comfortable and I left it alone. She didn’t show much interest in her herbs and apparently ate them later in the day, but it was still odd. Yesterday she was being very anti-social, mostly staying under the bed where she sleeps at night. She would still allow us to pet her and gives us chins and licks but all in all she’s pretty much avoiding us. She hasn’t eaten much of her pellets (although I believe she’s eaten some?) I changed her litter last night and saw she has since peed and pooped a little this morning, although she was still acting weird. I’ve been giving her treats (grapes, carrots) which she has been eating so I know she still is it just seems like her appetite may be off? I’ve also given her 2 doses of Simethicone just in case maybe her tummy was hurting? Last night I also thought she may have looked a little wobbly but that may have been in my head. We had a few people over Saturday so I was thinking maybe she just had an attitude but the change in eating patterns and routine is concerning. I am thinking about taking her to the vet today if anything just to ease my own worries, but I wanted to see if others have experienced something similar or if i’m just overreacting? 

[Wick & Fable]

You are being very observant. I think giving the simethicone was a great step, since a lot of acute episodes of discomfort are caused by gas. I recommend listening to her stomach sometime to gauge if you can hear gas/bubbles/gurgling.

The stress of people coming over can definitely trigger stressed behaviors. I remember Wick being very depressed the day after his first trip to my parents’ home during last winter. People kept walking around his space and disrupting his normal sleeping time. When we returned home the next day, he was on edge and not as enthusiastic. He eventually normalized after another day.

Can you describe the wobbliness more? If she is actually falling over, I believe a vet visit is required — bad coordination is not a good sign because it’s indicative of something more physically or neurologically wrong.

It is good that you were proactive to change the litter and monitor for peeing and pooping. Keep that up!

Generally if you see pooping and peeing, as well as eating, it’s a good sign. Any degradation of that or if any of that stops, a vet visit immediately is good. I think, if funds are available, doing a vet visit sometime this week is wise if you find she isn’t getting better after 24 hours. Things ramp up to urgent when she stops eating or pooping.

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.

[jerseygirl]

I am thinking about taking her to the vet today if anything just to ease my own worries, but I wanted to see if others have experienced something similar or if i’m just overreacting?

It’s a good idea. Trust you gut on this.
It can be so subtle with rabbits.

I’m actually reminded of when both times my rabbits developed head-tilt. The very early stage, before more visible changes was refusing foods normally keen on and hiding away.

Of course, those are signs for just about anything being a bit off. It’s good to get a opinion of a vet. I’ve had them note other subtle changes that I hadn’t seen at home. Like when my rabbit wasn’t blinking on one side.
{{{Goose}}}

[Roksana]

Thank you guys so much, it’s nice to hear the reassurance!

As for people coming over, it usually doesn’t bother her (she’s adjusted well to company) and I left the bedroom door open for her in case she wanted to get away from the crowd but she stayed around and was flopped right in the middle of the living room the majority of the time which is why I was thinking maybe this is a little more than her just being upset with me. In terms of the wobbliness, it’s hard to say. The episode happened at like 2 AM when I had just woken up so I’m not sure if it was in my head or if she actually seemed kind of off balance, but definitively not falling over. Due to the change in appetite I went ahead and booked an appointment for later today, I figure I’d rather take her in and have nothing wrong (and get some peace of mind) versus waiting and continuing to worry/regretting it down the road. Thanks again for the good vibes, it’s nice to know my worries have validity!

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