Im not sure if hell make it...

Question
I work at a pet store, and some guy dropped off a litter of rabbits a couple days ago. I'm not sure how old they are, but they look much too young to have been taken away; they're as big as my hand. We told him they still needed their mother, but he was insistent on not taking care of them. So to offer them a better chance we took them in.

They're all doing well, except for the runt of the litter which I've personally taken home. This due to the fact that the morning after they were dropped off he was in a corner of the cage by himself, laying on his side and pretty lethargic. We've been giving the litter some pedialyte and karo syrup, and they have access to timothy hay and pellets which they seem to all be eating.

The little runt, however doesn't seem to be doing well. I've never had a rabbit before, and I'm not sure how much they should be sleeping -he sleeps a LOT throughout the day. He always sleeps on his side, which freaks me out, and if I pick him up he just kind of rolls around. I thought he was going to die this morning, when he did that, but a few hours later he was active and hopping around his cage. I've been offering him KMR throughout the day, since yesterday, and he drinks a little bit then doesn't want anymore. He doesn't seem to be interested in water, and has yet to eat any solid food. He has TRIED to eat solid food, but can't seem to grasp it I don't think. Although after I returned home this evening, after going out for a few hours, I noticed that he had nibbled quite a bit on the pellets. However he is back to acting lethargic.

Is this normal? Is there anything I can be doing for him, or is he just too small to have been taken away from mom so soon?

Any insights or help is appreciated.

Answer
Hi Stephanie,
First thank you for giving them a chance. I would say if there up and eating hay and drinking water there at least 2-3 weeks. That's about the age when they start this. As for your little one there could be so many reasons at whats going on. If your going to hand feed him it needs to be kitten milk from the store. That's the best thing for him. The stuff your giving him might be whats upsetting his tummy. How are you giving him water? Bottle or bowl? I would try a bottle if your not already so you can see if he is drinking. Also at this age there not drinking large amounts. If he is eating pellets that's great. Also you don't know what was done with him before you got him. He could have been shunned away by mom and was barely hanging on and now that he is away from her he is struggling. Keep doing what your doing with the hay and pellets. Also start trying a water bottle if your not already. Stop the Karo syrup. Sugar = bad for bunny's. The pedialyte is ok as long as you are diluting it 1/2 water to 1/2 pedialyte. Just know no matter what you do he might not make it but at least your giving him a chance.