Is my bunny sick?

[kylo]

My bunny is 3-4 years old, he’s a holland lop and I rescued him from our vet. When we adopted him, he was out of surgery and everything went smoothly (thank gosh). He has a crazy personality, but most of the day likes to chill in his pen and sleep. I took him for a check up and nail trim yesterday at the vet, and everything went well but he needs a teeth drill soon. But all day today he’s been sitting in a cardboard box. I saw some smeared fecies on the floor of the box and it smells, but that doesn’t seem to bother him at all. He’s eating fine, I give him lettuce and a tiny bit of kale at bedtime. He has water and hay all day. A few weeks ago he was sitting with his butt raised, which was the first time I saw it. He had a big pile of poop stuck to his behind the other day , and I had to get it off of him. I gave him less pellets and no treats, lowered his veggies, and had even more hay. He enjoyed the belly massage, and I heard no sounds and he didn’t seem in pain. That’s the same case now, he feels no pain but is in the same spot all day and having loose stools. He has been shredding the cardboard box, I’m thinking he might of ate some and got sick. Should I call my vet again? Or try out a different diet? Thank you!

[DanaNM]

Hmm, if he’s sitting in the same spot all day, he is most likely in pain. Shredding cardboard can also be a sign of pain. I don’t think the cardboard would have upset him.

Soft poops can sometimes go along with gas, which could be causing him pain. Some bunnies are also very sensitive to stress, so it’s possible the stress of the vet visit set off his tummy a bit. Is he eating his hay? What about his veggies? It could be that his teeth are bothering him, so he’s not eating enough hay.

I think a vet visit (or at least a phone call) is in order to determine the cause. How long have you had him? If nothing has changed recently with his diet (aside from removing treats and cutting back pellets), then I don’t think it would be a dietary cause.

If his appetite drops or he stops pooping, then he will need to go back to the vet right away.

. . . 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.  

[Wick & Fable]

I agree with Dana that at least a call to the vet would be wise. Lots of explanations may explain what’s occurring, and considering what has happened/been identified recently, it’s best for a professional to determine what the exact cause or causes may be.

Did your rabbit seem very stressed going to the vet? This could be a consequence of that stress. Alternatively, it could be the teeth issue identified. Did your vet provide information on when it needs to be done?

Also I want to clarify that you saw the vet yesterday and they said he was healthy, so the butt-raise issue was brought up and resolved at this vet visit?

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.

[kylo]

When he was going to the vet he was breathing heavily, and when we came home he sat in the same spot and hid under his hutch. I took away his cardboard box and I’m starting to worry even more. He’s been getting the hiccups a lot lately and he will randomly grit his teeth/squint his eyes. The vet mentioned getting his teeth done in a few weeks. I told the vet about his loose stools and how I believed his belly was hurting him, and they said to send in a stool sample and they will check it. He’s eating and drinking fine still, he’s accepting belly rubs, but right now he’s laying flat on his belly and he looks so tired. ): I’ve heard of GI problems and I’m scared this might be it. I’m going to call the vet soon.

[kylo]

Good news!! Kylo is looking a lot better. I took him outside and he ate a lot of grass and hopped around a lot. He’s being more social and he’s eating still, so I think he might’ve had just a stomach ache? I’m going to transition him to oxbow pellets because the brand I have now has dried fruits and treats mixed with them. Thank you both!

[kurottabun]

Glad to know he’s doing better!

The pellets definitely need to be swapped. Oxbow is a good brand. Make sure to get the one for adult rabbits since Kylo is already 3-4 years old. Transition him gradually to avoid a stomach upset.

Is he eating enough of his hay? It could be that the grass provided enough fibre to make his guts move again.

[DanaNM]

Agree that those pellets could be to blame for his soft poops! But I still think you should continue with having the vet check his poops in case he has something else going on.

If there are also regular pellets in his old brand, you can pick out all the grains and treats, and just give him the pellet to help with the transition. You could also probably just cut them out entirely, and just give him hay and veggies for a few days until his tummy is back to normal.

Then slowly (very slowly) introduce the new pellet. Usually a teaspoon is fine to start, then increase over the course of a week or so to the full amount.

. . . 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.  

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