quiet bunny?

[MerryGlas]

Hi,

My bunny doesn’t seem quite herself, she’s not running around and pestering us for attention like usual, she’s just sitting dozing. She can move no problem, she runs from her cage to various places in the room, so I know she’s not hurt her legs or back or anything. She’ll happily take attention if you go and give it to her, and she has been rolling over on her back so she’s obviously quite happy still, but she just seems a bit too quiet…She’s eating, drinking, washing, going to the loo fine, otherwise I’d have taken her to the vets, but I don’t want to stress her out if she’s just having a couple of ‘off-days’.

She was really ill a few months ago but it’s definately not the same thing, I just don’t know if I’m paranoid because of that? Any ideas?

 

[jerseygirl]

She does sound pretty content. Sometimes, they just like to hang out and nap in the room where you are. Perhaps she was more active earlier in the day when you weren’t aware and now she’s tuckered out.  You mentioned in another post you only just have her home after several months?  It’s a possibility she developed a new routine at your parents place and/or she is less energetic or has slightly different habits since her illness. 

[MerryGlas]

Well she usually does hang out but she always plays first, and I’ve been in the room with her all day so I know she’s not worn herself out…She’s been back for a couple of weeks now and been very active and demanding attention every day until yesterday. It just seems a big change all of a sudden…

[jerseygirl]

Mmm…well a change in behaviour can be a clue to something going on, however, you did say she’s doing everything else fine… Could she be smarting over something – like she’s offended? I guess just keep a close eye on her and if any of her other habits start to change (eat, drink, poop, groom etc) then maybe she’s not 100%. Is it hot where you are at the moment?

[MerryGlas]

No it’s not hot, live in Scotland so it’s not a common problem I can’t think that she’d be sulking about anything, and she is happy to be stroked etc which she doesn’t allow if she’s angry. I think I’ll just have to watch her and if there’s no change tomorrow I’ll take her to the vets. Thanks for replying by the way.

[skibunny8503]

Archie has been acting the same exact way!  I keep thinking something might be wrong me he’s doing everything normal, just laying around.  But we just got another foster bun and have been spending some time with her, so I think they’re sluking a little.  Has anything changed in your household that maybe they’re upset about?  Rabbits are used to a routine and don’t care for change.

[Sarita]

I find that sometimes my rabbits are quieter than other times too. If it’s prolonged though then I become concerned. I have my rabbits for a very long time though so it’s pretty easy for me to know when they need to go to the vet.

If you feel concerned and his behavior doesn’t change then definitely a trip to the vet is in order.

[MerryGlas]

I just took her to the vets, she suddenly seemed to get unbalanced and unco-ordinated. Vet gave her antibiotics and gut regulator jabs but doesn’t know exactly what the problem is, she didn’t think it was the same thing that Nettle had a few months ago. She did say that if I had taken her yesterday they would just have said to keep an eye on her, doesn’t stop me feeling guilty though…please keep your fingers crossed that she’s ok

[Sarita]

Please keep us updated. Healing vibes.

[KytKattin]

Did the vet check for a ear infection? It does sound like it could be the early stages of that. I hope she starts to feel better! (((healing vibes)))

[RabbitPam]

I’m glad you got her to the vet. Did she mention head tilt at all? It helps if you catch that early, which if that’s it, you definitely have.

You did the right thing taking her today based on what the vet said. Sometimes with more obvious symptoms the Dr. can get on the right track, so it sounds like that’s where you are at the moment.

Please keep us posted about whether she improves and what you learn when you know more.
{{{feel better little bunny}}}}}}}}}}

[jerseygirl]

She’s lucky to have such an observant carer! I’m very glad you took her in. I almost mentioned this previously but hesitated as you has said she was acting normal otherwise…I had this happen with my doe a while ago. One morning she was just a bit more low key and then within hours, she would try groom herself and slip, loosing her balance. She just wasn’t quite right. Of course, at the vet she wasn’t displaying this so much. My vet also prescribed antibiotics and gave motility drug and Jersey came good really quickly. I hope this is the same with Nettle. It just goes to show, when they’re behaving differently, pay attention and trust your instincts as you have done. It may not always be their health but at least you get a good chance to get on top of things early. (((healing vibes))) Please report back how she is doing.

[MerryGlas]

Well she’s been to the vet again this morning, antibiotics last night didn’t seem to have much of an effect. She’s eating and drinking in small amounts, she can’t stand the liquid food the vet gave her so if she doesn’t eat more solids soon I’m going to try baby food. She’s on oral antibiotics, anti-inflamatory and gut stabiliser, none of which she likes so I feel like I’m torturing the poor creature! There’s no head tilt so the vet doesn’t think its an ear infection, but on the other hand she couldn’t suggest anything else Just have to keep giving her the meds and hope she makes a recovery.

[Sarita]

Keep us updated. Antibiotics can take a few days to take effect.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Hope your bunny is okay. Rabbits can have ear infections without headtilt (I’ve dealt with several).

[MerryGlas]

Things are looking up for Nettle, she’s much happier this morning and her movement is vastly improved, although she obviously has a long way to go. She can actually wash herself now – the incentive is probably that she’s all sticky from the various meds she has spat out – and she manged to scratch her ear after a few false starts. The only thing is now that she’s stronger she can fight pretty well, and with the amount of stuff we have to syringe into her that is NOT helpful!

So, we have to give her baytril and metacam once a day, plus fibreplex three times a day – and she absolutely hates all of it. If anyone has any experience of persuading a stubborn bunny to swallow something she really doesn’t like (as opposed to her pretending to take it, holding it in for a minute then spitting it out again…) then I would love to hear from you!

And thanks for all the support

[Sarita]

You can always try mixing it with some baby food or applesauce – I suggest a small amount though to mix with it if you decide to try this. However you may not get the full dosage in her which is something that always is a concern for me…but if she’s spitting it out then she’s not getting a full dosage anyway.

[RabbitPam]

Maybe have a tiny piece of banana ready for immediately after she gets the meds in her mouth, so she’ll swallow and take a bit of the banana. Not sure if it will keep her from spitting, but if she is as crazy about bananas as my bunnies, you could make sure she gets a bite of one if she swallows meds, and none if she spits.

[MooBunnay]

Are you cradling your bunny or holding her upright when she gets her meds? I actually usually put mine upright on a table to give them their meds – I think they get a little nervous being up high and they tend to fight the medication less. I also stick the syringe in the side of their mouth, pretty far behind their front teeth, and give a little squirt at a time. That seems to help them get it down.

[sibley]

I’m glad she’s doing better! I was going to tell you not to worry too much about her only wanting to eat a little bit because all the meds probably threw her off a little bit. Props to you for catching it so quick =) And I hope she continues to improve.

This won’t work so well for bunnies unless it’s a very piggy bunny, but whenever my dog needs drugs I inject the liquid or put the pill into the center of a grape. Or you can do the cat-trick, where you force them to keep their head tilted up so they swallow. I dunno if I’d want to do that to a bunny with potential head-tilt though.

I also second what Moo said.  If you put the meds far enough in the back of her mouth it’ll be easier for her to get rid of it by swallowing it than by spitting it out and in the process spreading it across the rest of her mouth too.

[MerryGlas]

We tried all possible variations of getting the meds into her but she’s a scarily determined creature! The bunny burrito held very firmly by my husband was the best but she really can be a stubborn madam. Syringe behind teeth, favourite treats ready to encourage her to swallow…she refuses the treats and glares at me while she very slowly dribbles the hated meds all over her dewlap.
And its not just me – the vet had a go and couldn’t believe that Nettle could hold something in her mouth for so long and not swallow She resorted to pushing it back in with her fingers in the end, which I’ve been doing too but it really is a bit silly!
I have got her to eat beans, sultanas, and herbs injected or spread with fibreplex, but she seems to catch me out if I do the same with Baytril. Aarrgh this rabbit is too clever for her own good!
She’s getting better by the hour though, I’m so happy just have to hope I can get enough antibiotic into her to keep that up…

[sibley]

Could you mix the two together? From my understanding, fibreplex is a paste which might be harder for her to reject than a liquid. Or could you ask the vet for a powder or pill version? If you’re keeping him up to date he can’t be that concerned since it’s likely you can inject the baytril if you have no other option.

Just let him know she’s not taking it all so he can let you know if you should keep her on it for longer… but definitely don’t stop early, even if she’s just getting a little of it. I’m glad she’s angry =) angry=strong.

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