paranoid bunny mom — mood changes with shed? scoliosis??

[mrs. coach]

So, I basically stop by here whenever I get anxious about Mrs. Coach (I’m relatively new to bunnies, we’ve had her for a year).  It generally turns out to be nothing.

The last time I posted, she had less interest in pellets in the morning for a week or so.  Her interest/energy level went back to normal afterward and remained normal for several months, so I think it may have been related to her shedding?  Is this possible?  

She just started to shed again and is again less interested in pellets.  She still eats them all, but not right away, and has been eating more hay than usual (which is great).  She is also a bit slower to eat her veggies.  I’ve recently noticed that she is often dealing with her cecals in the morning when I come down with the pellets, so that’s another possible explanation for the lack of Bunny 500 at the sight of pellets.  She will still take a treat first thing in the morning, though.

I think that she is arthritic or has some sort of bone/joint issues.  She’s always been crooked — she tends to lean to one side, and can only turn in a circle in one direction when we do tricks.  This lean has been more prominent (to me — my husband thinks I’m being paranoid) lately.  She gets around fine, and can stand on her hind legs for treats.  But when I pet her there is a defined lean.  Her head is not tilted, just her body.  I’ve tried to look for info for this online, but all I can find is info on head tilt, which I don’t think is the issue (though please correct me if I’m wrong!).  Could it be scoliosis?  The vet hasn’t mentioned anything, but it’s harder to see the lean when she is in certain positions.  I notice it most when she is relaxed while I pet her, or sometimes when she is eating pellets/greens.

I don’t think she is in pain — she still tooth purrs when she is pet, moves back and forth from her litterbox to her bed (across the room), plays in her tunnel, and flops when at rest. 

Is this just bunny moods/shedding/getting older (she’s about 4)?  Her vet check in November was fine.  I have an appointment for a nail trim on Monday, and am debating turning it to a regular appointment.  I have a message in with the vet to discuss her status; the vet will be in in a few hours, so maybe she’ll have more insight.

I’d love any input, though.  Thank you so much!

[RabbitPam]

It seems like the perfect time to discuss it with the vet, so I would go ahead and turn it into a regular appointment. It may be early stages of a mild problem on that side, and something for you both to watch as she gets older. Since you’re going on Monday anyway, you may as well ask her about it, try to show her what you mean by petting her, and also double check about the pellet consumption. That sounds normal to me, and very good during a shed to have her prefer hay as that keeps her from getting blockages. Pellets are more supplemental, like vitamins, compared to hay and then greens. But your vet could check her teeth and joints. They will need to schedule a longer appt. for you so call soon.

My Sammy leans into my hand whenever I pet her side, side of head or jawline. Either side – not one side but not the other. Wherever my hand is, she kind of rests into it. If that’s what you mean, she’s enjoying the pet and making sure you’re hitting the “right” spot. Ahhhhhhhhh.,,,,,,,

[Sarita]

I agree with RP. At the age of 4 they can certainly develop arthritis and molar spurs and all kinds of things. I had a rabbit who started developing arthritis at 4 years old (a Dutch as well). It showed up on x-rays. I’ve had other rabbits with arthritis as well. Rabbits just have very fine bones which may be why they are prone to arthritis.

Also as a rabbit ages they do lose bone density which can affect the jaw and teeth causing molar spurs.

Rabbits definitely age at a rapid pace too compared to humans – 4 though is not a senior rabbit by any means.

[mrs. coach]

Thanks for the input! I talked to the vet and scheduled for next week. She said if it is arthritis there are things we can be doing to help with pain/stiffness, so I’d definitely want to explore that. She also suggested trying to get her out and about more, because staying still can contribute to the stiffness. It’s kind of a catch-22 since I think she’s less active because she’s feeling a little lousy. Her lower level of activity lately would also be decreasing her appetite/eagerness for pellets.

While her estimated age is 4, she could be older, it’s just a guess. She was rescued from a shelter and appeared to have had a rough previous life, poor thing.

[mrs. coach]

Also, as a side note — having a bun while being a person prone to anxiety can be a little tough! It’s great because rabbits have a calming, centering presence, and being with Mrs. Coach helps me just chill. But it’s tough because I’m always looking at any change as a sign of illness.

[mrs. coach]

Also, as a side note — having a bun while being a person prone to anxiety can be a little tough! It’s great because rabbits have a calming, centering presence, and being with Mrs. Coach helps me just chill. But it’s tough because I’m always looking at any change as a sign of illness.

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