Warning Signs! How to tell if something is wrong?

[JustPeachy]

Hey guys!

I’m a fairly new bunny owner and I know that I’m constantly worried about sickness in my little prince. I noticed surfing through forums that we don’t have a topic that actually points out warning signs of sickness. However, there is a lot of topics asking questions about sickness once it is found. But how do you know something is wrong? What are the common warning indicators? I know bunnies are known for hiding signs of weakness (especially with the ego my baby boy has! ) so how do we notice these indicators? 

I have a book that has this helpful little index that talks about this kind of stuff, but I would LOVE to get my fellow binkybunny humans’ knowledge and experiences to help me be active in keeping my boy healthy.

SO what have you noticed to be warning indicators in your bunnies that something is wrong?

What are the most common indicators?

What do these indicators point to?

Thank you for any input y’all can supply! 

[Azerane]

I think the most important part of recognising illness is to know your bunny’s normal behaviour. For example one day when I got home from work, all I did was peek in on the bunnies and new straight away that Apollo wasn’t feeling well. I knew because he was laying somewhere that he never normally lays.

There can be many indicators, laying down more than normal. Laying in different positions or places to normal. Laying down but constant shifting like they’re not able to get comfortable. My previous bun, Bandit, had a stomach pain pose, many buns do it but I find Apollo lays in that position even when he is feeling well. The front paws are pushed forward, the back paws are tucked right up under the bum which pushes the bum up, arches the back down and presses their belly to the ground. Loud tooth grinding/crunching is a sign of pain.

If you ever suspect your bunny isn’t feeling well, the best thing to do is the treat test. If they refuse their favourite food, you know they aren’t feeling well. I’ve found different levels of refusal depending on how unwell they are feeling. If they feel really unwell, they try to move away from my hand offering the treat. If they’re feeling mildly unwell they’ll just sit there but won’t show any interest in the treat. If they’re unwell but not too badly they’ll show interest in the smell of the treat and will seem like they want to eat it, but they won’t eat it. A bunny that doesn’t want to eat or that isn’t pooping or peeing, is a sick bunny.

Most of the awkward laying positions can be attributed to GI stasis, other things too I’m sure, but GI stasis is probably the most common thing you will come across. A tilting head, lack or balance or trouble walking can be a sign of an inner ear infection or E. cuniculi. Hind end paralysis can also be a symptom of E.c. but also the start of a condition known as floppy bunny syndrome.
There are many other things I’m sure, but that’s just a few things to look out for.

[LBJ10]

I agree. There isn’t a generic warning sign list since all bunnies are different. Normal behavior, as Azerane pointed out, is something you should be aware of so you will know when something is up.

Many bunnies will push their tummies to the floor like Azerane described when they have gas or belly pain. When my Leopold does it, he does it quickly and in one single motion. I often tell people he looks like he’s doing a push up. But other bunnies will stay in that position, like in Azerane’s example.

Obviously, not eating or pooping are warning signs. Although this often comes later, it can vary a lot between bunnies. Some have a higher pain tolerance so one bunny could have insane spurs on their teeth, for example, before they stop eating. Another bunny could have very small spurs, but for some reason it bothers them more and they start refusing food much sooner. So even not eating or pooping isn’t a good indicator of how far whatever it is has progressed, but it should always be taken seriously because something minor that causes a more “wimpy” bunny to go into stasis is dangerous simply due to the fact that not eating can create all sorts of problems. Hopefully I’m making sense here.

[sarahthegemini]

Definitely agree that a big part of identifying illness is knowing what’s normal behaviour. It’s hard to explain but when Buttercup had her most recent stasis, she had stopped pooping and eating for only a few hours, so it could have been well within ‘normal range” so to speak. But she wasn’t herself. She had a tantrum when I tried to hand feed her hay. I just knew she wasn’t okay.

Of course things like not eating, pooping or pooping irregularities, lethargy etc are quite ‘easy to spot’ signs but behaviour changes are just as crucial. It’s really important to know your rabbit

[DanaNM]

All really good info so far! I just wanted to add that a shift in food preferences can indicate a developing dental issue (like, only wanting soft hay, refusing certain veggies, etc.). 

And, keeping a close eye on the amount, shape, and size of droppings will help you a lot! If anything is smaller, larger, squishier, harder, or weirder shaped than normal, then there is something happening that you should pay attention to. 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[LittlePuffyTail]

A change in litter box habits ( a good potty user suddenly peeing outside the litter box or leaving pee dribbles) can indicate a urinary or kidney problem. As well as a drastic change in behavior (hiding all the time, suddenly not friendly or upset/biting) can indicate illness or pain.

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