Why is my rabbit not eating, lethargic, and grinding her teeth?

Thanks for reaching out about Stewie. Bruxism (grinding of the teeth) can be a sign of pain in rabbits, In addition, a decreased appetite is also a sign of pain that is originating somewhere in the body. When a rabbit eats less and has a decrease in defecation, this is termed gastrointestinal stasis. Unfortunately, there are many reasons for GI stasis to occur, including infections, tooth problems, masses, arthritis, etc. Due to the many reasons that GI stasis can occur, I would recommend having Stewie evaluated by a veterinarian. With his history of intermittent diarrhea, your veterinarian will likely want to evaluate the feces, so please bring in a fresh sample, if any is produced. Your veterinarian can also perform a thorough physical examination, and then will likely recommend some diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of the pain and GI stasis if there is not an obvious reason found on physical examination. They can also provide you with pain medications. Please don't give Stewie any human medications at home, as many of these can be harmful to our furry friends. If you are having trouble identifying a veterinarian who is comfortable with rabbits in your area, you can visit the AEMV website for assistance. I hope this gives you a place to start, and that Stewie feels better soon.

Thanks for reaching out about Blueberry. Being bloated, lethargic and grinding teeth make this an emergency and should been seen tonight, ASAP. Grinding the teeth is a sign of pain. A gastrointestinal or urinary obstruction are possible. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Thumper and including photos. By the description and swelling on the right side of the face, a dental abscess is highly suspicious. The dental disease is making it difficult for Thumper to eat, therefore loosing weight. A veterinary visit is recommended, the sooner the better. Rarely do antibiotics solve this problem, might requiring some surgery or tooth extraction. Good luck.

Rabbits grind their teeth when they are in pain or have a problem with their teeth or digestion. This is pretty much an emergency and you will need to take your bunny to a veterinarian, preferably one who treats bunnies regularly, for an exam. This is a general sign, so there is no way of pinpointing a cause without an hands-on exam and possibly x-rays of the teeth if indicated.

Carefully check his teeth to see if they are overgrown or misaligned. If his front teeth are fine, have him examined by your veterinarian to check his cheek teeth. These teeth need regular trimming to prevent sharp points from developing. These points can cause discomfort and may affect appetite.

At this point in time, she should be physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating rabbits. Pregnancy can be confirmed or ruled out by the vet. Any underlying cause of pain can also be diagnosed and treated. Supportive care can be administered as indicated.

I'm sorry to hear that Flower isn't feeling well! These signs can be an indication of an infection, and are concerning because she may be having trouble breathing. The fact that she is not eating or drinking can cause her to become very sick, because it is important for a rabbit's gut to be moving regularly. I recommend having Flower seen by a vet as soon as possible to determine what is going on and begin the appropriate treatment. You should keep a close eye on her and have her seen immediately if you think she is having trouble breathing.