rabbit behavior change

Question
I have had a rabbit for 4 months. His age is approximately 6 and he is a dwarf. I recently had him boarded at an animal hospital for 5 days while I sprayed the house for insects. He's been behaving differently in the several weeks since he's been home. He used to follow me around my apartment and hop in his litter boxes when I cleaned them. He has pretty much stopped. He is not completely lethargic, but he used to be more energetic. He had a check-up with the vet while he was boarded. I am worried, but am wondering if it could just be that he's used to his surroundings now. Or could it be that he is aging? Do rabbits get depressed?

Answer
Dear Mary,

I would take him to a good rabbit vet for blood work to check his liver and kidney function.  If there are any pesticide residues after you treated the house, he might be affected by them, and require supportive care.  It's not normal for him to change his behavior this way.

He's not at all old at only six.  And yes, rabbits can become depressed.  But I'd check for health problems first.  It's possible he contracted something at the hospital, too.  So I'd get him to a *different* vet:'

www.rabbit.org/vets

who can do an impartial exam and diagnosis.  Please also see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

for some clues on how to tell if he's sick.

I hope this helps.

Dana