Sad and Lethargic

[Theodore Basil]

Theodore, a healthy year old male, isn’t acting like himself tonight. He was normal and energetic last night and this morning. When I came home from work he didn’t stand up and jump around like he usually does. He’s only moved from one side of his cage to the other and he has been hiding in his “hidey hole” cave for the past hour (which he never uses or stays in for more than a few minutes). I gave him a small syringe of pineapple juice (probably less than 0.5 ml) which is why he hopped in there. He turns his head away from all of his favorite treats and refuses to eat anything. His litter box has normal shape/size/color poops, but I can’t be sure he’s gone since I came home 2 hours ago. I tried picking him up and bringing him outside his house and rub his belly, but he just hops back in and lays down. He had GI statis about a month ago, and even then he didn’t act this sad and anti-social.

I can call the vet tomorrow morning at 8am to schedule an appointment. Do these symptoms seem like something I should find an emergency vet for? It has been about 12-15 hours max since the changes happened, as he was acting normal this morning.

Thank you in advance.

[CheriB603]

So he’s definitely not eating? Drinking? Is his tummy making any gurgling sounds? When he hopped, his legs, feet , back seemed normal? If he has not eaten, drunk or pooped and it’s been longer than 12 hrs, I’d at least call the Emergency Vet.

He won’t nibble a favorite treat? Did you empty his litter box to see if he does anything new? Is he peeing?

[Theodore Basil]

Thank you for the reply. I did hear some loud gurgling sounds last night; his behavior was normal in everyway then and this morning. He definitely didn’t eat or drink in the past 3 hours since I’ve been home, aside from the small amount of pineapple juice I put in his mouth. I didn’t notice anything abnormal when he hops, but he hasn’t been moving around much. He seems very uncomfortable and tense by the way he’s laying around. I changed his litter box about an hour ago but he has been hiding since then. I have been leaving him alone and sitting by his house and can smell his gas once in a while (or what I assume is gas). I haven’t had the TV on so I could hear if he started munching but so far… nothing I put a small piece of banana, apple, kale, and oxbow treat so he has options.

[Muffinluv]

I would say vet visit right now, if he is showing such obvious signs of sickness something is very wrong,,,, Buns go downhill fast.

[Theodore Basil]

We are heading to the emergency vet now.

[Theodore Basil]

The vet didn’t see anything obviously wrong with him. She checked his mouth, nose, temperature, eyes, ears, belly, heart, and lungs. She gave him some fluids and metacam and recommended seeing his regular vet to follow up with blood work.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Any update?

[Theodore Basil]

I followed up with his regular vet the next morning and right before we left, he used the bathroom and started nibbling on some kale and hay. Since he seemed to be feeling better (which she said could also be from the metacam), she gave him more fluids and said to monitor him closely and call if he stopped going or started acting depressed/not eating again. This happened on a Thursday night and by Saturday afternoon he was as good as new. So strange… but I’m glad it was a quick turn around! Thank you for asking!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Glad he is feeling better!

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Maybe it was a bad bout of gas. You said you smelt it and him in pain hunched could have been from the gas.

Anyway, I’m so glad he is feeling better! They sure know how to scare us sometimes!

[Beka27]

I missed this the first time around, but I’m also glad he’s feeling better!

Do you know about simithecone (aka: baby gas drops)? Gas drops can be given to a bunny as they are just starting to get “off”. If the issue is gas, that should help it to pass. This is available at drug-stores or in the health section of your local discount department store (Walmart, etc…)

[Theodore Basil]

Thank you, everyone! I will try giving him gas drops next time… now that I can recognize the symptoms!

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