Shuddering or throwing up-like behaviour??

[BlueberryBun]

Hey there! I’ve been stalking the binkybunny forum since August to get ready in becoming a new bunny owner. I got my holland lop last week on Wednesday and he is now 9 weeks old. Since the day I got him, I’ve been pretty paranoid about things and took him to a rabbit-savvy vet last Saturday. She cleared my paranoia but now it’s back again for different reasons!

I noticed today and yesterday, my bunny Blueberry, would be sitting up and would suddenly start shuddering a couple time in a row. By shuddering I mean like his shoulders (and hence his whole body) would move up and down as if it’s unintentional. I know rabbits can’t vomit but the best way I can describe it is when cats just sit there and throw up hair balls. Or when we vomit and there’s that gag reflex that causes us to move our head up and down. I hope you guys can understand what I’m trying to explain but yeah, I don’t know if this behaviour is something harmless (like he’s just stretching) or if there’s something wrong?? Has anyone else’s bunny done this before ?

Oh yeah, I’m planning to take him to another rabbit savvy vet this upcoming Saturday but I just want some opinion or idea from other bunny owners 

[MoveDiagonally]

I’ve not experienced anything like this but I believe the description might fit hiccups. If it’s hiccups I don’t think it’s a problem unless they go on for a long time.

[BlueberryBun]

I searched up some videos on rabbits hiccuping and it seems similar to what he was doing so it could be it. I would have never guessed something like that because he didn’t make any sounds! But this puts my mind at ease. Thanks MoveDiagonally

[AnnaW]

My old bunny Biscuit used to do a movement similar to what you are describing when he had some teeth issues … I am assuming your rabbit savvy vet checked his gnashers? If so, and he said they are fine, I’d go with the hiccups xx

[CheriB603]

Just a quick question – why 2 vet visits so close together?

[BlueberryBun]

AnnaW – the rabbit savvy vet didn’t check his teeth because he’s so young and she assumed there won’t be anything wrong ><

CheriB603 – my initial vet visit was because he’s constantly scratching his ears and grooming/biting his back and legs so I thought maybe he had mites. The vet didn’t find anything in his ears nor any signs of mites/fleas so she thinks it’s just a quirk of his. Also he’s got white eye boogers in the corners of his eyes since the day I’ve brought him home and she said it was normal??? But he gets them daily! I started cleaning them in the morning with a wet q-tip and they’re back again at night. I couldn’t find anywhere online that says it’s normal to get white discharge daily so that’s why I want another vet visit. But who knows, maybe I’m being overly paranoid

[Elrohwen]

I can’t really picture the movement he’s making – could you get it on video?

And eye discharge is totally normal. Many buns get it daily, just like people and other animals.

[BlueberryBun]

Apologies for the late reply. I was busy studying for an exam

Elrohwen: I actually tried to record it on the same day I made this thread but by the time I whipped out my camera, he already stopped. I haven’t caught him doing it anymore though.

On a side note, I took him to the vet yesterday rather than today since he’s been sneezing lately. The vet said he has an infection and prescribed some ointment for his eyes and another for him to take orally (plus some probiotics).

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