Rabbit issues

Question
I took my Lionhead rabbit, (male, neutered 10 months old,) to the vet due to him not being active like he normally is, lack of eating and drinking. it's been a week now. he was getting better but seems to be going back downhill slowly. He's been on Orbax (which i replaced with Bayril) Carafyte liquid and cisapride. He's not pooing and not eating as much, although i can tempt him with the baby cereal in plastic cans. He's not as loving towards me now, too. He's maybe drinking less than an oz of water a day. I replaced his small bottle with a bigger one that has markings on it. He weighs 4 lbs.

My vet wants a follow up appointment but they aren't an exotic vet (I live in small town).

When can i get my bun to eat and feel better? He's shedding a lot but we brush twice a week. I was giving him a small amount of mixed salad greens every few days but stopped since he's been acting odd.
i need some advice.

Thanks  

Answer
Hi Jen,

first you need to see if you can find a rabbit vet near you (within a couple hours) and get him there immediately.

Start here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

to find a House Rabbit Society recomended vet as close to you as possible.  Then call them and get him there.

I would also try to get some Bene-Bac from the pet supply store or the vet and give him either 1 full small tube, or if you get a larger feeding syringe from the vet, at least 1 or 2 ml per day.

He is getting dehydrated and is low on water, this screws up his gut (the cecum and intestines) because it draws water in from the rest of the body.

If you can't get to a rabbit vet sooner, get back to the other vet for sub-q fluids if his temperature is still normal (101-103 degree range - vet will have to check).  They should warm up the fluid before giving it to him.  This will help hydrate him.  Vet should check him over first beforehand, if he is dehydrated (tent the skin above his shoulders by pinching slightly and pulling up, and if it goes right back down he's okay, if it takes time to spread out he's really low on H20, and if his gum and tongue color aren't normal pink but bluish or whitish or deep purplish red, he's in some stage of shock - white and bluish are worse).  Temp below 100 would indicate slipping into shock.  If his gums are whitish/bluish, or the tongue is any other color than pink you need to really make sure to keep him warm tonite.  And get fluids in him.

If he's going into shock this would require him to be put on an IV to give immediate fluids as he's down seriously.  Also to be put into an incubator to keep warm enough so his temp doesn't get lower.

Otherwise if he's still good and normal, he may be able to give you sub-q fluids and that will be absorbed across 12-24 hours.

If you want to try to get him to drink more now, you either will need to get a feeding syringe and give water that way, or you can try to sweeten the water a bit with some grape juice or gatorade (cherry or grape) or pedia lyte.

But you need to get him to a rabbit vet.  That will get him the best care fastest.  even if you have to drive with him, if that's what you need to do.

Make sure his area does not get cold tonite, keep the temp around 75 if you're in a cooler climate.  Low fluids means he's at risk for shock.  So try to get him to drink with sweeter water, if he still won't on his own you need a feeding syringe and manually (slowly) give him water.  

If you have an emergency clinic open you may want to see if they have a rabbit vet around.

you can also try to get some baby gas drops from walgreens or the grocery store and administer (no limit) and do tummy massage if you believe he may be suffering from gas pains.  Could be the initial reason he stopped eating and acting funny.  If he is sitting abnormally tight and compact with his feet tucked under he may have gas pain.  Usually if they have gas pain they will refuse favorite treats.