Mimzy made a weird noise like he was choking

[MimzMum]

It was about two hours ago and I have since had him out of his pen for an hour and he seems fine. But I am confused and concerned.

I was cleaning Pip’s pen (right above his) and suddenly I hear this one noise like a dog choking on a bone or a cat just getting up a hairball. So naturally I look at my cat who is on the bed, but she’s asleep. My daughter was also standing there and she was sure it was Mimzy.

He looked like he was licking his lips when I looked at him. But he is definitely okay because he ate the blueberries I offered him before I returned him to his pen. He even tried to nibble some hay.

I thought rabbits couldn’t vomit? But can they choke? And can they hawk up whatever is choking them on their own successfully? (It’s the only thing I can think of that could’ve happened.)

I’m keeping a sharp eye on him today. His nose has been a little wet lately and he did have a big sneezing fit the other night again. (Never fails, I think he’s all better, post about it, and then he relapses!) I wonder if he’s got goobers running down his throat again?

We also lost our good no-seedhead timothy that was being stocked in our local shops recently and he’s back to eating the one with seedheads. He doesn’t like it as much and it’s really dusty. I’m very frustrated with the food situation. Perhaps it’s the hay that is irritating his throat?

[MooBunnay]

Are you sure it wasn’t a weird version of a sneeze? Sometimes Grace sneezes really strangely and I can’t figure out what the noise is until I see her wiping her nose with her paw. Also, I’ve had one of my bunnies get a bit of a goober stuck in her nostril and she made that kind of noise trying to get it out – could that be what it was?

Have you tried shaking out your hay before you give it to the bunnies? I know it doesn’t take care of all the dust but it can dislodge some of those little flaky pieces that might be irritating Mimzy.

[MimzMum]

Thanks Moo. Yes, I definitely have to shake it out now, most of it is of such poor quality that I have to toss almost half the bag. What’s not dust is just so brown, the bunnies won’t eat it.
Odd that you should mention the sneeze…my daughter thought Mimzy had sneezed and hiccuped at the same time, hence the weird sound.

It just scared me. He’s been normal as all get out for the rest of the day and this evening is happily puddled in his pen. I guess I can be thankful for that.

[BinkyBunny]

Well, yikes what a scare. That Mimz – he sure knows how to get everyone’s attention. Rabbits can’t vomit, but they can aspirate so it could have sucked something up in his lungs. Sounds like he is okay now. Hopefully everything will continue that way!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

It could have been a sneeze or hiccup. Rabbits definitely cannot vomit (they do not have the throat muscles to do so-probably the sad reason they are often used in research) but any animal can certainly choke. Sounds like Mimz is ok now though!!

[MimzMum]

Yup. he’s good. And good for me too, I don’t think I could handle another trip to the ER vet! X_X

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