My rabbit is sick, lying unresponsive in his litter box. What to do?

You rabbit might be suffering from gut stasis, a common condition in rabbits of all ages, you will need to take him to the vet ASAP in order to get it treated, if it is only a mild stasis, medical treatment should be successful.

Sunshine looks very, very sick from your pictures and I am incredibly concerned about him. He needs veterinary medical attention immediately. While I'm not sure what's going on with him, rabbits rarely lay on their sides with their eyes closed. As prey animals, they usually sleep crouched, ready to go at any moment and are easily rousable and alert. A rabbit that is not eating usually has something pretty serious that is making him sick. Rabbits eat continuously to keep their digestive tracts healthy and moving at all times - this is one of the reasons they poop so much! Dental disease is very common and can cause painful mouth sores that may stop a rabbit from eating, but we can also see kidney disease, bladder stones, and intestinal diseases that can be life-threatening and painful that will cause a rabbit to stop eating. Regardless, I am very worried about Sunshine and recommend you take him to your veterinarian immediately. He or she will likely recommend fluids to help with dehydration, especially if he hasn't been eating or drinking, and may suggest blood work and/or x-rays to evaluate his internal organ function and look for things like bladder stones or a bowel impaction. Please take Sunshine to see your veterinarian as soon as possible to give him the best possible chance.

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.

Lethargy and inappetance are very concerning signs especially in a bunny because if they don't eat continuously they can develop GI stasis (where their gut shuts down and won't work) which can be life threatening. Milo needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away to get to the bottom of why he is behaving this way.

Thanks for reaching out about Roxy. If you approach him or stimulate him, does he move? A veterinary visit as soon as possible is recommended, especially if non-reactive. Back problems, GI stasis or obstructions, kidney or liver disease and other problems are possible. Try offering water via a syringe, but still see a veterinarian. Good luck.

Another check up and supportive/nutritional treatment is required immediately as these signs may be compatible with a severe gastrointestinal inflammation/ infection. Amoxycillin needs to be used cautiously as it could be contraindicated in rabbits. I would strongly advice to take him to your local veterinarian again today.

Check his teeth if he will allow. Make sure they aren't overgrown or misaligned. This could affect his appetite. If he stops eating, he is at risk of developing gut stasis which can be life threatening. Ideally, he should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating rabbits. It should be done today/tonight, if possible, since a rabbit that is lethargic or not eating should be considered a veterinary emergency.