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Treatment – The treatment that a vet will prescribe will depend on the condition that the rabbit has. While you seek treatment, try to keep your rabbit hydrated and warm. A syringe with water or soft foods (applesauce or baby food) can assist. Depending on the condition, your vet may prescribe prescription medication to help your rabbit’s condition.

What do you feed a sick rabbit?

Download Article Download Article Rabbits are naturally inclined to hide illness. The most important factor in keeping your rabbit healthy is to know and be attentive to clues that your rabbit is sick. If you observe such clues, you should take your rabbit to the vet, but veterinarians qualified to treat rabbits are not always available. There are some ways, however, to help your rabbit in the meantime.

1. 1 Watch for changes in behavior. Not all rabbits are friendly. But if your rabbit usually leaps around and greets, but suddenly ceases to do so, this is an indication that something might be wrong. Watch for signs that your rabbit is less mobile than usual, such as hunching over or limping.
2. 2 Observe eating habits. If your rabbit is not eating normally, it might be ill. Watch for leftover food from the last feeding. Also, monitor its droppings. If there are no droppings in the litterbox this indicates that the rabbit is not eating. Be attentive to the size and shape of the droppings. Ideally, the droppings should be large and round. If they are small, irregular, or liquid, it is possible that your rabbit is sick. Advertisement
3. 3 Listen for tooth grinding. Your rabbit will often make a soft, grinding sound with its teeth when it is happy. However, if the sound is louder than normal it could be a bad sign. Often this is an indication that your rabbit is in pain.
4. 4 Test for signs of illness. Begin by offering your rabbit its favorite treat. If it refuses to eat the treat, it might be sick. Move on to testing the rabbit’s temperature. If it is well, the temperature should be between 101⁰F-103⁰F.
   • You should ask your veterinarian to demonstrate how to take your rabbit’s temperature. If you do this in advance of any signs of illness, you will be prepared in case of an emergency.
   • To take your bunny’s temperature you will want to place it on its back, either on a padded surface or your lap. Hold your rabbit’s head and shoulder against your stomach, so that its back curls into a “C” shape. Secure the rabbit’s back legs so that it does not kick. Once it is calm insert a lubricated plastic thermometer no more than one inch into its rectum. Be sure that the rabbit is well restrained and is not able to move while you take its temperature.
   • Do your best to cool your rabbit off if it has a high fever by putting cold objects up against its ears until the temperature drops to less than 104 degrees.

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1. 1 Recognize tooth disease. Dental disease can be caused by a misalignment of the teeth or the wearing down of a tooth. This can be a dangerous situation. It can cause your bunny to stop eating, endangering its health.
   • Signs of tooth disease include loss of appetite, hair loss on chin and neck, slobbering, and drooling. Your rabbit might still show signs that it has an appetite, but is unable to eat. Perhaps it will approach food, even pick it up, before backing off and dropping it.
   • If you believe that your rabbit might have tooth disease rub its cheeks. Any evidence of discomfort would suggest that it has a dental problem.
2. 2 Feed your rabbit soft food. Until you can reach a veterinarian, try to force-feed your rabbit canned pumpkin, baby-food, or veggies. You can purchase a feeding syringe from a pet store. These can be used to insert fluid directly into the rabbit’s mouth.
   • To prepare for syringe feeding, wrap your rabbit in a towel and secure its head with an index finger under the head, and the thumb on the opposite end of the head, under the base of the skull.
   • Insert the syringe into the gap between the incisors and cheek teeth. Begin by inserting no more than,2 to,5 milliliters (0.02 fl oz) of food and never feed more than 1 milliliter (0.034 fl oz). Too much food at one time creates the risk that the rabbit will choke. Go slowly. Then repeat with 5 to 10 milliliters (0.17 to 0.34 fl oz) of water.
3. 3 Take your rabbit to a veterinarian. Ultimately your rabbit will need professional assistance. Because of the variety of possible dental issues, treatment varies. If you do not do so already, you should begin yearly dental examinations to ensure that there are no future complications.

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1. 1 Watch for signs of gas pain. As with many other disorders, gas pain will cause lack of appetite. What will distinguish gas pain, however, is a loud gurgling sound in the gut. Your rabbit might also stretch out, as if it is pressing its belly against the floor.
   • Gastrointestinal problems are usually accompanied by a drastic, sometimes complete decrease in fecal production. Keep your rabbit comfortable and hydrated until you get to the vet.
   • Gas pain will typically cause below average body temperature. If your rabbit’s temperature is below 101⁰F, it might suffer from gas pain.
2. 2 Warm your rabbit. You should try to counteract the rabbit’s drop in temperature. Try putting the rabbit on a warm (not hot) heating pad or a hot-water bottle wrapped in a towel. You can also warm the rabbit with your body heat, holding it close to you for an hour or longer.
3. 3 Massage your rabbit. A gentle belly message can help relieve the pressure of the gas. Massage frequently for periods of ten or fifteen minutes. For at least part of this period you should have hindquarters elevated.

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1. 1 Recognize head tilt. Head tilt is a frightening disorder, also known as wry neck, typically caused by an inner ear infection. Your rabbit will lose its sense of balance. It will look dizzy and uncoordinated. Its head will twist and its eyes might dart quickly from one direction to the other.
2. 2 Protect your bunny. There is nothing you can do to reduce the effects of head tilt at home. But you should do your best to prevent your rabbit from hurting itself. Make a box well-padded with towels or another soft object. You want to make sure that if your rabbit falls over or jumps into a wall, it does as little damage as possible.
   • If your bunny seems to be physically unable to eat, feed with a syringe as described above.
3. 3 Take your bunny to a veterinarian who regularly treats rabbits. Head tilt can be a persistent condition, often lasting for several months. Some veterinarians without experience with it will recommend that you euthanize your bunny. However, if you are persist, the condition can often be treated.

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1. 1 Treat a broken or bleeding nail. Wrap the paw in a clean towel and apply pressure. Stop applying pressure when the bleeding stops. Afterwards, keep the broken nail clean. Clean the litter box and cage bottom repeatedly so that bacteria doesn’t enter the wound.
   • You can also rub styptic powder, plain flour, or a bar of soap on the end of the nail to help stop the bleeding.
2. 2 Treat a broken bone. There is little you can do to fix a broken bone. Take your rabbit to the vet immediately if it has broken a bone. If your vet is not available, take the rabbit to an emergency clinic. Until the injury is attended to by a professional vet, try to keep your rabbit from moving around.
   • Place food and water close to the rabbit in an enclosed space. This way it will not need to move to take care of itself.
3. 3 Take your rabbit to the veterinarian if it sustains an eye injury. It is tempting to give your bunny an eye drop, but this can cause considerable damage. All that you can do before going to a veterinarian is wet a cotton ball with warm water and gently wipe your rabbit’s eyes to remove build-up.
4. 4 Treat bite wounds. Rabbits often bite each other. While the wounds themselves might not appear bad, they often carry bacteria that can make for a dangerous situation. You should see a veterinarian after any bite wound. In the interim period, try to stop the bleeding and prevent infection.
   • Apply pressure with a towel or gauze to stop bleeding.
   • Once bleeding has stopped, wash the area with Nolvasan. Then apply Neosporin, triple antibiotic ointment. Do not use Neosporin Plus.

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Add New Question

• Question My rabbits turn 12 months on July 27th. They both have diarrhea. I have cleaned their cages, bathed them in warm water to clean their poopy butts, and given them fresh food and water. One is eating the hay but the other doesn’t. What else should I do for them? Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Veterinarian Expert Answer Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Fiber is the best thing for diarrhea in rabbits, so try and encourage both to eat hay. For the rabbit that doesn’t eat hay, get the freshest, greenest hay you can find and chop it up with scissors to make it easier to eat. In addition, source some rabbit probiotics, which can help recolonize the gut with the bacteria that help digestion. Be sure to keep their bottoms clean so they don’t attract flies.
• Question My rabbit is about 8 years old. For about the last two weeks he has stopped eating, even his favorite treats, and barely drinks any water. His droppings are extremely small and his urine is almost gel-like. I’ve held off taking him to the vet because of his age, but I don’t want him to suffer if he’s dying. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Veterinarian Expert Answer Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Try syringing some water slowly into his mouth; however, be aware that not eating means his teeth will grow long, which in turn can stop him from eating. It is best to get him checked as the vet may be able to sort the teeth and suggest medication to get him eating again. If not, don’t let him slowly starve, and think about letting him go so he doesn’t suffer.

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• Keep electric wires away from rabbit pens since some rabbits like to chew on things and if they chew on one they will get electrocuted.
• If your bunny chews on electrical cords, furniture or other things that are not good for their safety rub some vapor rub on it. They won’t like the smell or taste. Also, if they pull on carpet or rugs with their teeth, try sprinkling pepper or, if that doesn’t work, even a bit of cayenne pepper will turn them off.
• Verify that your veterinarian is familiar with rabbits.

Advertisement Article Summary X To deal with a sick rabbit, it’s best to take it to a vet for an evaluation. Then, you can move forward with the best treatment plan for your bunny’s situation. If your rabbit has lost its appetite or refuses to eat, you can try feeding it canned pumpkin or baby food with a feeding syringe until you can get it to the vet.

What should I do if my rabbit is not eating?

Contact your vet immediately if you notice your rabbit not eating properly. It’s important to have them examined as soon as possible to prevent them developing any further complications. Emergency – if your rabbit has stopped eating, it’s important to contact your vet as soon as possible.

Do rabbits lay down when sick?

When should you worry if your rabbit is flopped over on the ground? – Even though most of the time there is nothing to worry about when a rabbit is flopped over on the ground, it is possible that rabbits will behave this way when they are very sick. If your rabbit is so weak that they cannot support themself to get up or if they are having a seizure, you might see your rabbit in a similar position.

Typically a rabbit who is laying on their side because of sickness will not look as comfortable as a rabbit who is sleeping. They might still have some of their feet underneath them and try to get up unsuccessfully, or they might be unconscious and completely unresponsive. I want to reiterate that this is a pretty rare and extreme case.

Serious problems such as an electric shock (from a wire), eating poisonous food, or chronic health conditions are the most likely to lead to an unconscious rabbit who is laying on their side. More often rabbits who aren’t feeling well will sit in a hunched position, not flopped over. A rabbit in a hunched position will use their front paws to keep from pressing their belly against the ground.

How do you keep a sick rabbit hydrated?

For emergencies: Syringe feed your rabbit – If your rabbit truly isn’t drinking any water, then you need to take this situation seriously. It may mean that there is something seriously wrong with your rabbit’s health and they need to see a veterinarian.

1. In the veterinary office, they will likely give your rabbit an IV to give them some hydration, but they may give you at home instructions for syringe feeding your rabbit.
2. You can directly syringe feed water to your rabbit, but in most cases they will not be eating either.
3. Most likely you will be instructed to feed your rabbit critical care.

This is a powdered formula that you combine with water to create a pudding-like food that you can syringe feed your rabbit. To learn more about Critical Care and how to syringe feed your rabbit, check out my article,

How do you stimulate a rabbit to eat?

Enticing Your Rabbit to Eat Again – ​ If your rabbit isn’t eating at all, he will need to be force fed every few hours, even throughout the night. Rabbits don’t eat a few meals a day like we do. They need to have high-fiber food moving through continuously to keep their GI tract functioning properly. Syringe feeding can stimulate your rabbits appetite. Offer ​fresh parsley and other fragrant, tasty herbs throughout the day. He may eventually take a nibble. Even waving tempting treat foods in front of him can entice your annoyed rabbit to take a bite and decide food isn’t so bad after all.

1. Make sure a big pile of fresh hay is avaialble at all times for when he does decide to give eating a go again.
2. ​Syringe feeding rabbits by hand can make a world of difference when they are under the weather.
3. Always make sure the cause of the appetite issue is identified with your rabbit’s exotic vet​.

Not eating is a symptom of an underlying problem. A rabbit that isn’t eating is usually sick, in pain, or maybe even having a bad reaction to a medicine. Your vet will come up with a treatment plan to go hand-in-hand with syringe feeding until he’s on the mend.

How long is it OK for rabbit not to eat?

When is a loss of appetite an emergency situation? – If your rabbit ever refuses to eat anything for more than a 10 hour period, you should treat this as an emergency. A rabbit’s health depends on the constant movement of their digestion. If they stop eating, their digestion comes to a halt and the rabbit will start to go into Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis,

How long can rabbits survive without being fed?

Whether you have a pet rabbit, or like in my case, you have a family of them living in the wild in your yard, you will have probably noticed that they eat a lot. But how long can rabbits go without food and is there anything to be aware of regarding their dietary needs? As an owner, it is essential that we keep our rabbits safe, and meet all of their requirements.

1. I have therefore decided to spend some time researching the topic.
2. I will be sharing my findings here with you today.
3. So, how long can rabbits go without food? Rabbits are grazers who need to eat continuously.
4. If they go even 12 hours without food, then they have a high chance of developing a potentially deadly condition called GI Statis.

At most, a rabbit will typically live for around 3-4 days without eating. GI (Gastrointestinal) Stasis causes a rabbit’s digestion system to slow down. When their system slows down, it causes the stomach to dehydrate and makes passing food more difficult, causing a buildup of bacteria which results in gas. Let us now take a closer look at the important questions related to the topic. We will be taking a look at how much food a rabbit needs to eat, how often and what they need to consume!

Why is my rabbit lying on its side and not moving?

This may be normal behavior. Sick or injured rabbits may be identified by abnormal behaviors such as lying on their sides for extended periods of time, head tilting, falling over, or inability to run in a straight line.

What are the signs of suffering in a rabbit?

Signs of pain include: > grinding teeth > rapid and shallow breathing > pulling hair > decreased grooming > hunched posture > lethargy > increased thirst and urination > a reluctance to move > bulging, strained, staring, or unfocused eyes.

How do rabbits act when they are sick?

Warning signs that something isn’t right – Subtle signs of illness in a rabbit vary and can include:

Slow movement, staying still or hiding away Breathing faster than usual or noisy breathing Eating less and/or refusing certain foods A change in thirst levels Producing less stool or producing stool that looks different to normal Discharge from the eyes or saliva around the mouth/chin.

As a rule of thumb, bunnies shouldn’t ever go more than a few hours without eating and should produce more than 100 poo pellets every day.

How do you know a rabbit is in pain?

Often a rabbit in pain will sit hunched up, unwilling to move. A rabbit that sits hunched up, with eyes half closed, and firm teeth grinding is likely in pain and needs a vet check form filled out and supervisor notified.

Can I give paracetamol to my rabbit?

Can I give Human Painkillers to my Pet? You should never attempt to treat your pets with human medication, precautions should be taken to keep household medications out reach of your pet to avoid a potentially harmful or fatal reaction. Unfortunately, it is commonly assumed that a medication that is safe for humans will also be safe for pets. You should never attempt to treat your pets with human medication, precautions should be taken to keep household medications out reach of your pet to avoid a potentially harmful or fatal reaction. Unfortunately, it is commonly assumed that a medication that is safe for humans will also be safe for pets.

As a result, a number of animals are poisoned every year when their owners attempt to give them treatment for pain without consulting their vet. Can I give Ibuprofen to my Pet? Is Aspirin Safe for my Pet? Do not give Ibuprofen to your dog or cat under any circumstances. Ibuprofen and naproxen are common and effective medications used to treat inflammation and pain in humans, but they should not be given to pets.

These drugs can be toxic (poisonous) to dogs and cats. A single 200 mg ibuprofen tablet can be toxic to a cat or a small dog. Toxic effects can occur rapidly and cause damage to the kidneys and stomach. Do not give aspirin to your puppy or to your cat. Aspirin is not tolerated by young dogs, as they lack the enzymes necessary to process the aspirin in their body, this is also true for most cats.

1. Aspirin can occasionally be prescribed by your Vet, however it is important to make sure that the appropriate dose is given.
2. Giving too large dose of aspirin may be toxic to your pet.
3. An adult aspirin, which is 320mg, would be toxic for a 5kg dog.
4. If given without food, aspirin can cause ulcers in the stomach.

Can I give Ibuprofen to my Pet? Is Aspirin Safe for my Pet? Do not give Ibuprofen to your dog or cat under any circumstances. Ibuprofen and naproxen are common and effective medications used to treat inflammation and pain in humans, but they should not be given to pets.

1. These drugs can be toxic (poisonous) to dogs and cats.
2. A single 200 mg ibuprofen tablet can be toxic to a cat or a small dog.
3. Toxic effects can occur rapidly and cause damage to the kidneys and stomach.
4. Do not give aspirin to your puppy or to your cat.
5. Aspirin is not tolerated by young dogs, as they lack the enzymes necessary to process the aspirin in their body, this is also true for most cats.

Aspirin can occasionally be prescribed by your Vet, however it is important to make sure that the appropriate dose is given. Giving too large dose of aspirin may be toxic to your pet. An adult aspirin, which is 320mg, would be toxic for a 5kg dog. If given without food, aspirin can cause ulcers in the stomach.

Can I give Ibuprofen to my Pet? Do not give Ibuprofen to your dog or cat under any circumstances. Ibuprofen and naproxen are common and effective medications used to treat inflammation and pain in humans, but they should not be given to pets. These drugs can be toxic (poisonous) to dogs and cats. A single 200 mg ibuprofen tablet can be toxic to a cat or a small dog.

Toxic effects can occur rapidly and cause damage to the kidneys and stomach. Is Aspirin Safe for my Pet? Do not give aspirin to your puppy or to your cat. Aspirin is not tolerated by young dogs, as they lack the enzymes necessary to process the aspirin in their body, this is also true for most cats. My Pet has Eaten Ibuprofen, what should I do? If you suspect your pet has been given ibuprofen or has eaten it by accident, you should contact your Vet immediately. Signs of a toxic reaction include: I Heard Paracetamol is the Safest Painkiller, can I Give it to my Pet? My Pet has been Prescribed Paracetamol, should I give it to my Pet? Do not give paracetamol to your cat under any circumstances.

1. Paracetamol is a very popular painkiller in humans, however it can be toxic or fatal in small animals.
2. Dogs are less sensitive to paracetamol than cats.
3. A 20kg dog would need to ingest over seven 500mg tablets in order to suffer toxic effects.
4. In cats, one 250mg paracetamol tablet could be fatal.
5. Paracetamol causes severe damage to the liver and red blood cells.

There is a veterinary formulation of paracetamol that can be prescribed to your dog, and your Vet may decide to prescribe this under some circumstances. This formula is safe to give to a dog but it is important to make sure that you follow your Vet’s dosage very carefully and report any problems such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, drooling, dullness or a painful tummy.

1. Cats however are extremely sensitive to the toxic effects, and so paracetamol must not be given to cats under any circumstances.
2. Never give human medications to your pet unless specially directed to do so by your Vet.
3. There are other drugs that have similar beneficial effects but which are safe for your pet and licensed for use in animals.

It is important to seek the advice of your Vet if you think your pet is in pain and to follow their instructions carefully. Always keep all medications in a secure place, out of reach of your pet. I Heard Paracetamol is the Safest Painkiller, can I Give it to my Pet? My Pet has been Prescribed Paracetamol, should I give it to my Pet? Do not give paracetamol to your cat under any circumstances.

1. Paracetamol is a very popular painkiller in humans, however it can be toxic or fatal in small animals.
2. Dogs are less sensitive to paracetamol than cats.
3. A 20kg dog would need to ingest over seven 500mg tablets in order to suffer toxic effects.
4. In cats, one 250mg paracetamol tablet could be fatal.
5. Paracetamol causes severe damage to the liver and red blood cells.

There is a veterinary formulation of paracetamol that can be prescribed to your dog, and your Vet may decide to prescribe this under some circumstances. This formula is safe to give to a dog but it is important to make sure that you follow your Vet’s dosage very carefully and report any problems such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, drooling, dullness or a painful tummy.

Cats however are extremely sensitive to the toxic effects, and so paracetamol must not be given to cats under any circumstances. Never give human medications to your pet unless specially directed to do so by your Vet. There are other drugs that have similar beneficial effects but which are safe for your pet and licensed for use in animals.

It is important to seek the advice of your Vet if you think your pet is in pain and to follow their instructions carefully. Always keep all medications in a secure place, out of reach of your pet. I Heard Paracetamol is the Safest Painkiller, can I Give it to my Pet? Do not give paracetamol to your cat under any circumstances.

Paracetamol is a very popular painkiller in humans, however it can be toxic or fatal in small animals. Dogs are less sensitive to paracetamol than cats. A 20kg dog would need to ingest over seven 500mg tablets in order to suffer toxic effects. In cats, one 250mg paracetamol tablet could be fatal. Paracetamol causes severe damage to the liver and red blood cells.

My Pet has been Prescribed Paracetamol, should I give it to my Pet? There is a veterinary formulation of paracetamol that can be prescribed to your dog, and your Vet may decide to prescribe this under some circumstances. This formula is safe to give to a dog but it is important to make sure that you follow your Vet’s dosage very carefully and report any problems such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, drooling, dullness or a painful tummy.

Cats however are extremely sensitive to the toxic effects, and so paracetamol must not be given to cats under any circumstances. Never give human medications to your pet unless specially directed to do so by your Vet. There are other drugs that have similar beneficial effects but which are safe for your pet and licensed for use in animals.

It is important to seek the advice of your Vet if you think your pet is in pain and to follow their instructions carefully. Always keep all medications in a secure place, out of reach of your pet. Anaesthesia and Analgesia – Find Out More To assist owners in understanding more about Anaesthesia and Analgesia, we have put together a range of information sheets to talk you through the some of the main areas of pain management at Willows.

Can rabbits self heal?

Abrasions –

1. Check for any bleeding. If there is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound to stem the bleeding.
2. Clean the wound with a clean, soft cloth or gauze.
3. Rinse the wound area with clear, warm water. Use an antiseptic such as Betadine to fight germs and infection.
4. Dry the wound area by dabbing lightly with a clean, sterile gauze or cotton cloth.
5. Apply a thin layer of skin soothant, such as A&D Original Ointment (zinc free).

Most cuts, scratches and abrasions will heal on their own with time. Scratches tend to heal most quickly, followed by abrasions and then cuts. As the skin begins to heal, a scab will form. Scabs help protect the wound from dirt and germs while new skin forms underneath.

• Redness
• Swelling
• Warmth around the wound
• Signs of pain
• Drainage from the wound
• Increase in your rabbit’s temperature

Prevent infection by applying an antibiotic (such as Neosporin Original) to the wound before dressing with new bandages. If you do notice signs of infection, bring your rabbit to a vet immediately for antibiotics and further care.

Can I give my rabbit anything for pain?

The Importance of Analgesia (Pain Control) for Pet Rabbits Rabbits, like other companion animals, are being taken to veterinarians in increasing numbers. Over the last two decades there has been an explosion of knowledge about their medical and surgical care in the veterinary community. Rabbits are living longer and thus have the potential to experience the discomfort of illness or surgery at some time in their lives.

1. Veterinarians have an increasing number of safe choices for managing pain in rabbits.
2. The first step for pain management is to recognize the signs of pain in the rabbit.
3. Signs of Pain in Rabbits We know that rabbits have the same neurophysiological mechanisms as humans to produce pain and therefore have the capacity to feel pain in the same manner as ourselves.

Often, rabbits do not cry out or make sudden movements like humans, dogs or cats when painful areas are palpated. Signs of pain in the rabbit are often more subtle. Since rabbits are prey animals, meaning that hold a place in nature that places them in a position to be preyed upon by other animals, they have developed mechanisms to deal with that lot in life that might mask signs of illness or pain.

1. Rabbits can become very still, pull their body up tight or lie very flat, and barely blink their eyes when they are frightened or anxious.
2. This can give the appearance that they are “calm” to those individuals that don’t know how to read this body language.
3. In this state rabbits may not respond to palpation of painful areas of the body or the response may be so subtle it is almost undetectable.

Rabbits are often in a state of heightened anxiety or fear when they visit a veterinary office, particularly if they are not familiar with the office or there has been a long car ride to get there. It is more likely that signs of discomfort will be detected more readily when a rabbit is in his safe, home environment where he is not trying to spend time hiding.

It is vital that caregivers learn their companion rabbit’s normal behavior and pay close attention to any changes that take place that are out of the ordinary. Reporting these changes to a veterinarian will be vital in determining care for a rabbit. The following are signs that have been associated with pain in the rabbit.

Remember that not all these signs are SPECIFIC for pain and some may also occur with non-painful conditions. However, all these signs are abnormal and should be cause for further investigation.

Abnormally “hunched” appearance when sitting Alert but reluctant to move Moves slowly or with effort Eyes partially closed when there is activity around that should create interest (in a new or active environment a rabbit’s eyes should normally be open and round in shape) Limping Unusual or sudden aggression, particularly when handled if this was not the case before Loss or decrease in appetite or water consumption Tooth grinding Hiding (when it is not usual behavior)/facing the corner or pressing the head in a corner Shows no interest in the surroundings (loss of curiosity) Crying or “grunting” when moving/defecating/urinating or being handled/examined Coat is unkempt due to loss of interest in grooming Taking a long time to eat Dropping food out of the mouth

If moderate or severe pain is not managed in a rabbit, then over time there are a number of serious and possibly life threatening side effects that may develop which include:

Gastric (stomach) ulcers Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) Alterations in the gastrointestinal (GI) flora which may lead to a shut down of the GI tract or other disease • Drop in body temperature Renal ischemia (lack of blood supply causing damage to kidney)

Importance of Analgesia in Rabbits Domestic rabbits maintain the physiology and behavior of a prey species and they experience pain in the same manner as other companion animals. Even though a rabbit may be handled frequently, he will respond to pain and stress in the same manner as his wild ancestors and as seen above if moderate to severe pain is not managed it can have serious consequences.

1. Therefore it is ESSENTIAL that pain relief be used appropriately in rabbits in order in improve the quality of their lives and the treatment success,
2. I believe that rabbits should be given the benefit of the doubt and if the condition that is diagnosed or the surgery that is performed would be painful in humans or other companion mammals, then it should be assumed that it is painful in rabbits and pain management should be used.

Common situations in rabbits where pain management is used include: surgical intervention, gastrointestinal disease, dental disease, trauma, and arthritis. Analgesic Choices There are a great many excellent and safe choices for analgesia in the rabbit.

1. I have listed the most common ones below.
2. Safe, quiet, comfortable environment I cannot say enough about providing a safe, quiet, comfortable environment for a rabbit to help minimize stress and the intensity of pain.
3. Excessive noise, handling and lack of safety can intensify the level of pain any animal or human might be feeling.

Having a hiding or safe protected area is important any time but particularly so when a bunny is not feeling well. It should be an area that is easily uncovered by the caregiver (such as an upside down cardboard box with a hole cut in the side which can be gently lifted) so the rabbit isn’t disturbed greatly when he needs to be seen.

Keep noise to a minimum including barking dogs and running, noisy children. Don’t have a rabbit’s living area right next to the stereo or the TV. Minimize handling, especially picking up the rabbit and carrying him around while he is ill. Keeping litter boxes clean and having appropriate amounts of hay and fresh foods available is also important.

Please see more about proper, Drugs (oral, injectable or transdermal) Opioids – these drugs are related to morphine and there are several safe and effective candidates in this category. They are most often used for bone pain and as part of a pre and post surgical pain management protocol.

These drugs are most often given by injection, but some can be given orally or as a transdermal patch on the skin. Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) – these drugs are the most commonly used analgesics and include meloxicam, carprofen and others. NSAIDs are the most common analgesics used for chronic pain.

They have both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties so they are often used with mild to moderate pain. NSAIDs appear to be well tolerated in rabbits for long periods of time. They can be given orally or by injection. Other pain medications – there is currently investigation into many other pain medication drugs such as tramadol.

• It is likely that more and more drugs will become available as veterinarians report their experiences using these products and more scientific research is performed.
• Drug combinations – many times it is necessary to use more then one type of analgesic to treat a painful condition.
• In some cases, rabbits become resistant to the effects of a drug that has been used for a while and it may be necessary to change to a different analgesic.

Local Anesthetics Local anesthetics can be administered in the form of topical creams or drops or by injection into the skin. The most common uses of local anesthetics in the rabbit include minor skin procedures (skin biopsies, small tumor removals, IV catheter placement), ophthalmic procedures (tear duct flushing and thorough eye exam) and nasoesophageal tube placement (the drops are put in the nose so the small tube can be placed in the awake patient without discomfort).

1. Local anesthetics are not meant to be used for long term analgesia and their duration of action is fairly short.
2. Epidural Anesthesia Epidural anesthesia is performed by injecting an anesthetic agent into the spinal fluid of a sedated rabbit which produces numbness from the injection site backwards down the spine.

This is what is commonly used currently with women experiencing childbirth. Epidural anesthesia is currently most useful to control postoperative pain after an abdominal surgical procedure, particularly GI surgery. This would be a short-term anesthesia and would have to be administered and monitored in a veterinary clinic.

• Acupuncture Acupuncture as a form of analgesia goes back thousands of years.
• It is well established in humans and in the veterinary community that this form of therapy can be very effective in controlling pain under certain conditions.
• It is a form of therapy that is worth investigating particularly for chronic or persistent pain.

Chiropractic/Acupressure/Massage All of these modalities can have a place in relieving pain. Gentle side-to-side rocking massage of the belly can be useful particularly in cases of gastrointestinal disorders where gas is produced. Chiropractic adjustments may help joint or spinal pain and acupressure used appropriately may relieve mild to moderate pain in a variety of areas.

Conclusion Rabbits definitely benefit from the use of analgesia in painful conditions. The humane choice is to use analgesia in the painful rabbit. It is important for caregivers to work with their veterinarian to provide important observations on how their companion rabbit is responding to analgesic treatments and to also provide the most comfortable environment for their bunny’s recovery.

Rabbits deserve the same humane pain management care that we would expect for ourselves! By Susan Brown, DVM Date Published: 3/2/2001 Date Reviewed/Revised: 01/16/2012 Copyright 2012 – 2012 by Susan Brown, DVM. Used with permission. All rights reserved Permanent Link: http://www.VeterinaryPartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=500 : The Importance of Analgesia (Pain Control) for Pet Rabbits

What does a dehydrated bunny look like?

Administering Fluids to Rabbits | Arizona Exotics | -Rabbits Resources An ill rabbit may not drink enough water on its own to do well. Your rabbit may be dehydrated if you see any of these problems: thick sticky saliva, crusty eyes, poor appetite, small amounts of dark colored urine, or hard dry fecal pellets.

Can you put salt in rabbit water?

As you’re going through the store and getting supplies for your bunny, you might occasionally come across a salt lick. These are often marketed towards rabbits as a necessary addition to their habitat, but is this just another trick to try to get you to buy more pet supplies that you don’t really need? Rabbits who are given a balanced and healthy diet do not need salt licks or mineral blocks.

1. All of the nutrients that they need are available in a healthy pellet mix for adult rabbits as well as the variety of fresh leafy greens they receive every day.
2. There is usually no harm in providing a salt lick to rabbits.
3. They are able to regulate how much they need and avoid overeating the salt or drink enough water to compensate.

However there are some scenarios where providing a salt lick can be dangerous. On the other hand, if you are making change to your rabbits diet there are cases where it makes sense to consider giving your rabbit a salt lick so that they can correct for any nutrient deficiencies.

Is it OK to give rabbits cold water?

On a warm day, when the temperature is above 75 °F, rabbits prefer cold water. They like tepid or warm (not hot) water when the weath- er is cold. If you don’t water your rabbits often enough on cold days, they may wind up drinking too much very cold water at one time.

Why is my rabbit drinking a lot of water not eating?

Flushing out excess calcium – Unlike humans, rabbits’ bodies absorb every bit of calcium from their food. They do need a lot to keep bones strong and teeth growing, but not as much as they absorb. Any they don’t need will pass out in their urine, which is why rabbit urine can often be chalky.

Too much or too little calcium can cause problems. Too little is linked with dental disease, whilst too much calcium causes urinary stones and bladder problems. Water is essential for making sure that what they don’t need is flushed through the kidneys and bladder. If it builds up, they can get bladder sludge, bladder stones or kidney stones.

These are very serious conditions and avoiding them is better and far more successful than trying to fix them once they’ve occurred. The level of calcium in urine will vary depending on your rabbits’ overall diets – ask your rabbit-savvy vet for advice if you are concerned about too much or too little calcium. Sludge in bladder If you see your rabbit drinking more than usual, it can be a sign that he’s in pain or very stressed. Check that nothing in their home is causing them to be upset, such as foxes visiting your garden and ask your rabbit-savvy vet to check for any health problems.

Why is my bunny not drinking water?

A. – Rabbits are very smart when it comes to water intake. Rabbits never go on a “drinking strike” and decide one day to not drink water! When an owner tells us that their rabbit appears to be taking in less water from the bowl or bottle, I start to look for clues as to the cause of the problem.

• If a rabbit is not drinking as much water from its bottle or bowl but otherwise appears well-hydrated and is urinating normally, then this usually means the rabbit is getting water from other sources.
• Other sources could be a water bowl or bottle of another pet in the house.
• This is an important consideration when a rabbit has the ability to hop around the home and visit the feeding stations of other pets in the house, including dogs and cats.

Another thing to consider is whether the rabbit’s diet changed or are you feeding a food of a higher moisture content than before. If the answer is yes, many times this leads to a decrease in water intake from the bottle or bowl. Those are non-medical reasons for an apparent decrease in water intake by a rabbit.

1. If the answers to these questions are negative, then more serious reasons must be considered.
2. In these instances, you and your veterinarian need to be detectives.
3. The first step is to visit your veterinarian to determine if there is a medical condition present.
4. If your rabbit needs water but is not taking it in, your veterinarian will quickly determine if your rabbit is dehydrated.

If your rabbit is dehydrated, something is preventing him or her from drinking. Rabbits can be finicky about the taste of their water; if this has changed, they may stop drinking because they do not like the “flavor” of the water, even though failure to drink water might make them very ill.

1. This may indicate a problem with the water supply.
2. Has something changed the taste of the water? Is this water from a well, bottled water, municipal water, filtered water? Is the bowl or bottle dirty or new; either condition can cause the water to taste different.
3. Has the quality of water changed for any reason? Do you drink the same water? Does it seem different to you? If all of the answers to the husbandry questions are negative, then it is possible that severe dental disease is making it painful for your rabbit to move his or her tongue when trying to drink, especially from a water bottle.

During the visit to the veterinarian, a proper oral examination can be performed to be certain that no lesions are present in the soft tissue of the mouth or tongue and that there are no points from the cheek teeth interfering with movement of the tongue.

Why is my rabbit cold and not eating?

How To Tell If Your Rabbit Is Sick – When trying to figure out if your rabbit is sick, always remember rabbits are at the bottom of the food chain and in the wild the weakest are the first to be preyed upon. Thus, rabbits innately tend to hide their illnesses and injuries.

This may be a good survival tactic in the wild, but for domestic rabbits, hiding their symptoms only misleads their caretakers and prevents prompt medical attention. People who live with rabbits need to be particularly attentive to subtle changes. If your rabbit usually greets you with leaps and bounds and he is now lying in the back of the cage when you approach, perhaps hunched over, this could be a cause for concern.

GI Stasis Home Remedy for Rabbits

Couple this with no droppings in his litterbox and loads of hay still present from the previous night, and you could have a very sick rabbit. What is “normal” behavior? Some rabbits jump up to greet you; some don’t. Some rabbits are very active, running all over the house; some aren’t.

In general, rabbits mellow a bit as they age. A three-month-old bunny might seem hyperactive compared to a more sedate five-year-old rabbit. Both activity levels are normal, just different. Be sure to find a good veterinarian before your rabbit gets sick. When Bunny is ill, you need help quickly and you won’t have time to “shop” for a vet.

If you are ever in question about your rabbit’s health, call your vet. You may also want to check out our FAQ on medical concerns for companion rabbits, Tooth grinding: Loud tooth grinding is a sign of pain. Note: This tooth grinding is different from the less-loud “tooth purring” you may hear when you snuggle and kiss Bun’s face! Body heat: Rabbits regulate body temperature by their ears.

Very cold or hot ears could indicate a fever or a drop in body temperature. This, coupled with other warning signs, could warrant a trip to the vet. Runny eyes or nose, labored breathing or chronic sneezing: These could indicate allergies, upper respiratory infection, a blocked tear duct or other problems.

See your vet. Wet chin or drooling: Usually a sign of tooth problems, or malocclusion. You may also notice a decrease in appetite and ability to eat hard foods such as whole carrot. See your vet. Left untreated, tooth problems can lead to infection of the jaw bone, which is very difficult to treat.

• Depending on the severity of the misalignment, your rabbit’s teeth may need to be trimmed regularly.
• In severe cases, teeth can be pulled.
• Loss of balance or a head tilt: This is often called wry neck (or wry-neck), typically an inner ear infection.
• This can come on suddenly.
• Although treatment can be lengthy, a head tilt can usually be cured if treatment is begun quickly.

In one end, out the other: Your rabbit’s litterbox contains a wealth of information. A healthy digestive tract will produce large, round fecal pellets. Increasingly smaller, irregularly shaped droppings or droppings strung together with fur (or carpet) may indicate a problem.

Proper grooming by you, especially during a molt, and plenty of fresh hay will help produce optimum digestive tract health, along with appealing to the rabbit’s urge to chew. Loss of appetite or lethargy: Even a rabbit can have a “bad hare day.” But if your rabbit refuses his usual fresh food or any of his special treats for more than a day, and seems particularly lethargic, you should call the vet.

We encourage you to observe your rabbit’s behavior, activity level and droppings daily. Each rabbit is different and knowing what is normal behavior for your rabbit could save his life.

How long can rabbits survive without food?

Whether you have a pet rabbit, or like in my case, you have a family of them living in the wild in your yard, you will have probably noticed that they eat a lot. But how long can rabbits go without food and is there anything to be aware of regarding their dietary needs? As an owner, it is essential that we keep our rabbits safe, and meet all of their requirements.

1. I have therefore decided to spend some time researching the topic.
2. I will be sharing my findings here with you today.
3. So, how long can rabbits go without food? Rabbits are grazers who need to eat continuously.
4. If they go even 12 hours without food, then they have a high chance of developing a potentially deadly condition called GI Statis.

At most, a rabbit will typically live for around 3-4 days without eating. GI (Gastrointestinal) Stasis causes a rabbit’s digestion system to slow down. When their system slows down, it causes the stomach to dehydrate and makes passing food more difficult, causing a buildup of bacteria which results in gas. Let us now take a closer look at the important questions related to the topic. We will be taking a look at how much food a rabbit needs to eat, how often and what they need to consume!

How do you save a starving rabbit?

Home Remedies – In the absence of obvious signs of ileus, consider first any environmental changes you may have made that might cause stress in your rabbit. Correct these by reversing whatever you changed; then see if your rabbit will eat a treat or some food.

1. Start with some mixed-vegetable baby food and a syringe. Force-feed your rabbit to stimulate its gastrointestinal tract. If your rabbit goes too long without eating, its intestines will fill with gas since normal peristalsis has decreased or stopped. This gas is very painful and the scariest part of ileus.
2. After force-feeding, encourage your rabbit to exercise and massage its belly to encourage gut motility (the movement of the gastrointestinal tract muscles required for elimination).
3. Increase the amount of water your rabbit consumes to provide extra hydration. Fill both a clean water bowl and a water bottle for your rabbit to drink from. Syringe water or an electrolyte solution (such as unflavored Pedialyte) can also be provided until your rabbit is defecating normally.
4. If your rabbit is still eating a little bit, offer greens with higher water content, such as lettuce and celery, as well as lots of hay. Avoid feeding your pet rabbit pellets at this time.
5. If your rabbit still refuses food, call the vet right away.

The Spruce / Kristie Lee

What are 4 things you should not feed your rabbit?

What not to feed – Chaff, pony pellet, and grain mixes (so-called rabbit muesli mix) should be avoided as they promote abnormal chewing (and, therefore, dental disease) as well as selective feeding, nutritional imbalance, and obesity. Avoid foods high in sugar and simple carbohydrates, such as grains, nuts, seeds, corn, beans, peas, breads, biscuits, sweets, sugar, breakfast cereals, or chocolate.

How do you warm up a sick rabbit?

If You Can’t Transport It Immediately –

Keep the animal in a warm, dark, and quiet place. Do not give it food or water. Feeding an animal an incorrect diet can result in injury or death. Also, a captured animal will get food and water stuck in its fur/feathers potentially leading to discomfort and hypothermia. If the animal is cold, keep it warm by putting one end of the container on a towel over a heating pad set on low. If you don’t have a heating pad, you can use microwaveable heat bags or a bottle filled with hot water placed inside the box. Do not handle it. Leave the animal alone. Remember human noise, touch and eye contact are very stressful to wild animals. Keep children and pets away from it.