Tail in air, ears laid back

[Dymii]

Last night Sprinkles didn’t take a piece of banana, which was our first sign something was wrong. He was in his homemade cave where he likes to chill a lot. He stayed there while we were watching TV and didn’t move. When it was bed time we shook the treat box which usually makes him come running, but he didn’t. 

So we took the top off the cave and he was sitting there, ears back and tail up in the air. I’d never seen that before so I googled it… it said that was an aggressive stance, that the rabbit might attack or bite if bothered. He’s NEVER done anything like this. We figure something on the TV may have upset him (we were watching a show where there was a low rumbling.. maybe it was that?) We tried to pat him and he ran under the desk and resumed the position. After a few minutes we got him into his cage and made sure he had plenty of food and hay and water. This morning I looked and he hasn’t gone to the bathroom. I opened the cage and he ran out like everything was normal though.. He is running around and let me pet him and everything, I even saw him nibble at some greens.

I’m hoping he will go to the bathroom soon.. if he doesn’t by lunch time I’m going to tell my husband to call the vet. I just honestly can’t remember if he usually goes overnight or not.. so I don’t know if it’s strange or if the stress messed with his stomach. He’s eating right now so I’m going to take that as a good sign.. but has anyone ever dealt with any of this behavior before?

Side note: when he was neutered, his gut shut down from the stress and we had to rush him back to the vet. I’m terrified of a repeat!

[BB & Tiny]

Wow, no can’t say I’ve ever seen mine even move their tail except once during bonding.

Please keep us updated.

Some other members may have some input hopefully.

[Dymii]

My husband said he spent 15 minutes in his little bathroom area and pooped a little bit. Unfortunately I’m at work so I can’t be there to observe him right now. I wonder if maybe he is constipated? I’m about to google that too..

[BB & Tiny]

Could he text you a picture of the poop ?

My vet is inexpensive, so I’d have my bunny there post haste if his/her poops had even diminished. One of mine refused a cookie this morning and I’m on high alert ! I may be a little paranoid though.

[Dymii]

He told me the poop was a few small hard ones and then a clump as well. Sprinkles hates travel and I’m afraid it could do more harm than good to catch and drive him over..

[Dymii]

I just heard again from the house and seems like he has peed a little too. My hopes are high!

[Dymii]

Okay.. I just got home and there are only a few tiny hard pellets around.. and the pee is so small I could barely see it. The vet is closed right now. I’m just going to keep a close eye and call them first thing in the morning… very worried now. He’s normally a poop machine!

[Bam]

Give him a tummy rub, unless his belly is distended and tender to the touch. Here is an instructive video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnuxGLa2reg

If you have access to or can get baby gas drops (simethicone), you can give that, it helps with gas and it may work as a lubricant and help ease intestinal contents along.

Try and get fluids into him, you can offer him freshly rinsed wet leafy greens, or add spome apple-juice to his drinking water (offer plain water too, some buns won’t drink at all if the water tastes “funny”), if he doesn’t drink, you can syringe water but take care so he swallows, you don’t want him to choke. Whatever he wants to eat on his own is good, try and entice him with banana, craisin, apple or whatever other treat he loves.

Force feeding is not good if he has a blockage, but it is if this is just onset of stasis, so you do need to take him in asap so a vet can diagnose him properly.

[Dymii]

Thank you, I’ll try that. He doesn’t like to be handled a lot but I’ll do my best. He did go overnight some, and he’s still sitting in his bathroom right now. I had given him a few handfuls of spinach in various places and it looks like he’s eaten some of that. I’ll rinse the leaves and return them to him. He’s acting completely normal other than not going as much!

I had a thought– he ‘held it in’ once before for about a day.. because he wanted to get into our bedroom and he let it all out on my husband’s pillow. Territory marking, I presume. That was last year in the summer though.
I don’t know. My hubby thinks I’m over reacting. Going to try to get him to the vet today though.

**edit

He just went to the bathroom in three different places in his little ‘bathroom’ cage. I gave him some wet spinach leaves and he went right after them. If he is going to the bathroom does that mean he’s cured? Or do I still need to take him to the vet?

[Bam]

It depends on the amount of poop and if he’s eating like normal. Many times these things are manageable at home with extra fluids, tummy rubs and simethicone (baby gas drops) plus keeping the bunny warm. So if his poop and eating returns to normal now, you don’t have to rush him in, just keep an eye so he really is improving.

[Dymii]

He has been eating like normal since last night, so I have high hopes! I try to keep the house around 70 degrees F (22C) so that should be plenty. I’ll be home most of the day so I will be monitoring him as closely as possible and try to rub his tummy.. if he’ll let me. He doesn’t appear to have drank a whole lot of water but I’ll be rinsing all his veggies to give him extra moisture, and I’ll try a few drops of apple juice too.

Thanks for all your help. I’ll update again later today!

[Bam]

We’ll be happy for updates! It does sound hopeful that he’s eating again. If he’s moving about it’s great too, sick bunnies tend to sit very still. And if they do, they may need extra heat even if the indoors temp is nice and bunny-appropriate, they sort of get cold “from the inside” due to their own metabolism slowing down. But that doesn’t seem to be the case with your bun, luckily!

[Dymii]

You’re a lifesaver Bam, I feel a lot better with your counsel
I just gave him water with some apple juice and he’s drinking it!

[Bam]

Aww, good boy!!!

[Dymii]

Sprinkles has been pooping and peeing and running and eating and I’m very happy. Crisis averted!!! Thank you again for your help bam, and you too bunluv!

[Bam]

So glad to hear it!

[BB & Tiny]

Good to read all is well Bam and the other forum leaders ( and members ) are a wealth of bunny knowledge !

[Author]

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