Stress reaction?

[Balefulregards]

 Yesterday was just lovely in Montreal. I decided to take the kids out in their outdoor cage to enjoy the fresh air and breeze. In the meantime, I could do a full room scrub down with vinegar and wash all their rugs without their severe disapproval. 

Coco Loves to be outside. She always has – she gets out there and digs a bit and nibbles grass and generally enjoys herself.  Plus she has been SERIOUSLY naughty as of late ( intentional chewing of forbidden things, random urine marking), so I assumed it was Spring Fever and this might help her get some of her energy out.

It occurs to me now that this may have been the first time Jackson was OUTSIDE. We got him in august last year, and I rarely put them out when it is too hot, so He never got placed outside last year. Plus I was bonding them all last fall. 

At any rate, Jackson seemed not terribly pleased about going outside. However, today I have seen a great many cecals. He has plenty of normal poos as well, but I have found at least three semi-dried smeary poos.  I assume he did these at night, as they were semi-dry by the time I found them.  He was also not terribly enthusiastic about his food last night – which for Jackson is Bizarre.

He is eating all right today, so i am assuming that the stress of being outside affected his belly a bit. I am not worried about pesticides etc, as there is none used on our lawn, for sure. 

Have any of you seen similar reactions after a “new” activity?

 

[RabbitPam]

Bunnies can be very sensitive to changes in their routine, even if it’s a nice thing. Also, he may have nibbled grass and reacted to it, since a new food can make their tummies react as well, even a good new food that you introduce. I expect that is what he was experiencing. He also may have heard many strange new noises that you won’t pick up, since they can hear a bird overhead because they are genetically predisposed to run from predators. So a lot of new things may be at play here, besides them.

If he is pooping and eating normally, and behaving well today, I wouldn’t worry. Let him do his usual routine inside so he knows he’s still safe and life is normal. If he looks outside, or seems to want to go out, then you will know he was OK with it. Otherwise, just keep things the same the way he knows them for a day or two and see if his behavior is normal as well. Keep us posted.

[Balefulregards]

I think you’re right RP – He was better today, and no smeary poo’s.

He is a skittish bun at best and even though he is 3 times the size of Coco, it is she who is fearless. He has spent the majority of the last two days under the bed, far out of reach and sight.

He is eating fine, and his droppings look normal – he is just very wary of me and not accepting treats which he now associates with being caught and carried outside. I’d like to acclimate him to being out a bit more, as I generally only bring them out when it isn’t terribly hot in Montreal ( like right now when it is perfect)…I’m just not sure he is going be able to handle it. Because we live in a duplex, I have to carry them out to the yard, so he will never be able to “choose” to go outdoors.

I may wait a bit longer or bring her out, since she enjoys it, and just leave him behind for now.

[jerseygirl]

Does sound like he over indulged. Like many of us do at Easter! Good to hear he’s coming better.

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