rabbit whos not himself

Question
hi, i have a rabbit (he is all white with red eyes) who until recently was fit and well. he started with a bit of diarrhoea and not eating as much as usual. he has been having runny eyes and a runny nose but does sometimes suffer with pasturella. he has had a bit of a dirty bottom, and has lost a bit of weight and feels quite boney. so because of all this i took him to the vets on thurs ( 16th oct), he stayed in for the day to be cleaned up etc. they found his tummy was making strange noises and gave him medication to try and settle it, it was also found that his teeth on one side were a bit long but they said it wasn't urgent. after fetching him home he still isn't his usual lively self, he's eating and drinking but after giving him all the medication i was asked to his tummy is still gurgling and his bottom still isn't right his poo's are a bit wet and there is a bit of mucus like stuff with his poo sometimes. he has had a fit which the vet is aware of. could all his problems be down to his teeth or do you think it could be something else i am quite worried? i am due to take him back for another checkup but just thought i would get another opinion. thanks, joanne.

Answer
Dear Joanne,

Molar spurs/overlong molars can *really* mess up a bunny's system in many ways.  They don't have to be making him bloody to cause enough pain to elicit GI tract slowdown, which will cause the messy bottom, gas, and loud tummy gurgling.  Please read these two articles:

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

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

and make sure your vets are truly rabbit experts who realize that any dental problem eliciting GI tract signs can be considered an emergency that needs to be treated (or else the other problems are much less likely to resolve).

If there is mucus in his stool, the problem is getting serious, and he needs aggressive attention to the problem.  To keep him clean, please use the safe methods here:

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

The runny eyes and nose can also be a sign of dental problems, and/or a chronic bacterial infection that's making the problem worse.  Please also see:

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

This way, you'll go to the vet fully armed with information, and know what to ask to be best able to serve as your bunny's advocate.

I hope this helps.

Dana