Rabbit Web Discussion Board

It has been two days and my rabbit has still remained very still in the back of his cage or under his chair. He has the whole basement open and its been like that for 5 years. He always runs around and comes for treats. Yesturday he was confined in his cage. Usually he doesn\'t even like to go in there. It has been very cold in Buffalo the past few days but nothing we haven\'t had before. When looking at him, he is slighty shaking as if he were shivering. His shoulders behind his head are constantly vibrating His ears are a little colder that usual. His stomach area seams to be moving inside. When putting my hand on his side moving. When i move my hands up further toward the head, the should area, a constant vibrating is present. He seems to be in disconfort however no teeth grinding is occurring. I not to sure what this could be but was wondering if there was anything at home I could give him. He usually gets a cup of pellets and carrot topps daily. He has not or little eaten the past 2 days. I have also observed that when he exhales, his diaphram tightening closer to him, he has some irregular movements. His inhaling and exhaling, in terms of how in his stomach area, looks like a irregular movement. There has been past health problems when he would eat some couch foam, stop eating, and have similar appearance problems, none of which that seamed this bad. His water intake is minimal too. Is there anything i can give him? someone suggested pineapple juice would help him pass whatever if ever he ate. There is no evidence of him eating something bad, we have thrown out the couch with foam a year ago. Unfortunately we are tight on money and can not afford to go to vet so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Joe

Dear Joe-
I cannot urge you enough to take your bunny to the Vet as your problem sounds serious. I know that financial constraints really sometimes make it difficult for pet owners to give their pets the care they desperately need. Please look to other resources. Like your local chapter of the Humane Society or a Bunny Rescue Group in your area. Their fees are usually more reasonable. Perhaps a friend or family member can give you a small loan to help you help your bunny?

In the meantime, it is very important to keep your bunny from dehydrating and starving. Syringe feed him unflavored Pedilyte, water, and offer him some nutrition with Oxbow Critical Care. Your bunny should be eating Timothy hay freely on a daily basis as his main meal along with the pellets and delicious carrot tops you are giving him. They require fiber to maintain a heathy digestive track. May I ask what you are offering as treats? Alot of Pet store sold products contain alot of negative ingredients.

Lastly, can you move your bunny and his cage into the house to monitor him more closely and offer him to offer him more warmth? If you don\'t already please use some clean towels, not laundered with Clorox, etc for bedding for him to rest on and watch that he does not chew on them and swallow the fibers.