My rabbit is lethargic, pooping tiny, and looks much smaller. Help!

Thanks for reaching out about your rabbit. A veterinary visit is recommended anytime a rabbit stops eating. Ingested foreign bodies, GI stasis, metabolic disorders (liver, kidney), infections are all possible. Yogurt and crackers are not a good food item for rabbits as they do not digest dairy or carbohydrates well, and can lead to additional GI upset. Even if obstructed, they can continue to pass feces for 1-2 days. Try syringe offering water. Good luck.

Hello. It sounds like your rabbit may have signs of gastrointestinal stasis, which means the GI tract has slowed down, usually as a result of a rabbit that stops eating. Rabbits will stop eating for a number of reasons - their teeth may be overgrown, their tooth roots may be infected, they could also have any other systemic disease (respiratory, urinary, infection, etc). As you can see, the causes are many and its impossible to say what is the underlying cause for sure without an exam and testing (usually radiographs, blood work, etc). Regardless of the cause, GI stasis is potentially fatal if left untreated. Therefore, I would urge you to get veterinary care ASAP. In the meantime, syringe feed Hobie with a liquid hay diet, ideally Oxbow herbivore critical care if you can get some, or soak the hay pellets in warm water to make a slurry. The best thing to keep the GI tract healthy is fiber and hydration, so hay is the foundation of health. I see in the first picture a pellet mix with maybe some oats, corn, and/or seeds mixed with the pellets. This is not an appropriate diet for rabbits as they are selective feeders and usually pick out the concentrates. These pellet mixes significantly increase the incidence of dental disease and obesity. I recommend a 100% timothy hay pellet, ideally Oxbow brand. Feed 1/4 cup timothy hay pellets, free choice grass hay, and 2 cups fresh greens a day with fresh water available in a bowl and sipper.

If Daisy is not eating properly then it would be normal for her to poop less. She may also not be drinking enough. You can try to offer some fresh lettuce and veggies. If Daisy still refuses to eat or does not eat properly you will need to take her to a veterinarian familiar with rabbit medicine for a check up of her mouth and teeth. Tooth problems (overgrowth or malocclusions) are common in rabbits as are tooth abscesses. The vet will want to to an x-ray of the head and assess the situation. If tooth correction is requires, it will have to be done under general anesthesia, if done properly.

She may be dehydrated, have a tummy upset or GI stasis. Unfortunately bunnies are not very heat tolerant, so if it is a hot day in your area it can make thm lethargic and even die. Put your bunny in a cool place, offer some fresh cool water, you may even have to syringe some to your bunny. Offer hay, a piece of apple, some lettuce. If your bunny does not start to eat soon when in a cool place you will need to take it to a Pet ER today (call first to see whether they see rabbits) for an exam.

A sterile urine sample should be collected and submitted for urinalysis and culture. This will diagnose urinary tract infection, identify the responsible organism and determine the best antibiotic to use in treatment. Check the teeth for malocclusion or overgrowth. It is of critical importance to get Lilly eating again. Supportive care (subcutaneous fluids, force feeding, etc) should be continued. Always have timothy hay or similar grasses available. An abdominal x-rays should be considered to diagnose foreign body, large hair balls or tumors in the abdomen. A hairball paste may aid in passage of any hairballs. If you don't have experience force feeding, have your veterinarian show you how. If available, Oxbow Critical Care is an excellent formula to feed sick or injured rabbits.

Thanks for reaching out about Hazel and including photos. She is spayed? Could be building a nest because she is uncomfortable or sick and trying to hide. Does she seem uncomfortable when you pet her/palpate her belly? Another visit to the veterinarian is recommended. Rabbits stomachs are normally very acidic and needed for digestion of hay. Giving antacids could alter the pH, complicating digestion. Providing some heat support can give some aid. Good luck.

A rabbit that is not eating normally should be considered a veterinary emergency. If the GI tract slows or stops, a dangerous buildup of bacteria and toxins could endanger Bun Bun's life. Given his age and weight loss, he needs to be seen by a veterinarian...any veterinarian. If necessary, a specialist can be contacted by phone or online by your vet. Veterinary reference labs may provide consultation services as well. For now, offer as much timothy hay as he will eat. Offer some Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores as well. You may be able to find it in pet stores or in the local vet clinic. Keep Bun Bun warm and as stress free as possible. The link below leads to a list of veterinarians experienced in treating rabbits locate din Wisconsin. http://wisconsinhrs.org/local-vets/