My rabbit is tired and acting strange. Is she sick or just worn out?

Hello, and thank you for your question. Rabbits do not always show obvious signs of pain or illness; oftentimes being more quiet or eating a bit less, or pooping less are the first signs that something is wrong. It does sound like her symptoms may be related to the issue she had in June (gut stasis). Other possibilities would be pain from another area such as her teeth or an injury, or focal or systemic infection. I would recommend having her checked out by the vet within the next 12 hours if she is still acting very quiet. In the meantime, keep her hay and pellets close by to encourage eating, as well as her water, and monitor her poop output closely. If her appetite or energy are worsening over the next few hours, if she is producing very little to no poop, I would get her to the vet sooner, as gut stasis in rabbits can quickly become an emergency. I hope this helps, and that Miss Cottontail feels better soon!

Thanks for reaching out about Snowball. This is mildly worrisome and a veterinary visit is a good idea to assess. Arthritis or spondylosis can make it difficult to stand quickly. Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a parasitic infestation common in outdoor rabbits and can lead to some neurologic problems. Metabolic disorders can also lead to lethargy. Continue to monitor for water and food intake. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Bun Bun. Not sure if this is a behavioral condition or an illness. Not sure on the age of your rabbits, but they have a high incidence of uterine cancer by the age of three, therefore need to be spayed. Is she is just resting outside, that might not be a problem, she could just be scared. If you noticed continued problems, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Lexi is very cute! It could be she is unhappy with her new housemate, but it could also be that she isn't feeling well. Because rabbits are prey animals, they are very good at hiding illnesses to avoid being targeted by predators. Given that she is acting differently than normal, it would be best to have her seen by a vet in the next day or two for a health check. I hope this helps!

Thanks for reaching out about Junior. It sounds as if she is uncomfortable and restless. Possible causes include gastrointestinal disease (obstruction, GI stasis, infections), urinary problems (kidney/ureteral.bladder/urethral stones, infections), reproductive problems (endometrosis, neoplasia, other) and more. A veterinary visit is highly recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Monitor food and water intake, defecation and urination. If possible, offer water via a syringe. If Junior continues to seem uncomfortable, an emergency visit tonight might be needed. Good luck.

It could be the effects of heat that are doing this to Toby. However, I'm slightly concerned he's not eating or passing much faeces, rabbits are prone to a condition called gut stasis where their stomach stops working. It is very dangerous and progresses quickly. To be safe I would have him examined as soon as you can.

Hello there! I'm so sorry to hear that Flop is sick. Her condition sounds very serious, and I strongly suggest that you get her to a veterinarian immediately. Loose stool is abnormal for a rabbit, and can cause dehydration if it continues for more than a couple days - especially if she hasn't been drinking. Dehydration may be what is causing her to be lethargic, but her symptoms are relatively vague so I can't tell you from the information provided what is wrong with her. Parasites, bacterial or viral infection, foreign object ingestion, nutritional issues, and hairball impaction could all be possible causes, and without a veterinarian's help, a diagnosis will be difficult. At the vet's office, Flop will receive a full physical exam, and they will likely recommend x-rays and/or bloodwork to determine the cause of her illness. She will likely need fluid replacement therapy at the very least. Something you can do to detect dehydration at home is a turgor test. When an animal has good skin turgor, it is hydrated - skin that snaps back into place when picked up has good turgor. Pick up a small amount of skin behind Flop's shoulders, and drop it - if it stays standing up or is slow to return to normal, she is likely dehydrated and needs immediate help. Do not force her to drink liquids as she may aspirate it into her lungs. Good luck, and I hope that Flop gets well!