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WARNING TO ALL RABBIT LOVERS!

22 10:36:45

Question
QUESTION: Thank you in advance for your time, Dr. Krempels. We found a lop-eared bunny a few months ago and so we are not sure of her age. She has been very healthy, but today, we noticed that she has not eaten her food and she is acting strange. She doesn't seem to be able to move her legs very much-- she seems like she is responding to voices, but she she doesn't seem able to lift herself up on her legs. She also has runny stools and it was sticking to her fur. My mom is really upset about the situation so I wanted to see if you could offer any input. We will be going to the emergency room tomorrow morning when my dad returns with our car. Thank you again for what you do!

ANSWER: Dear Marissa,

With a bunny this sick, tomorrow might be too late.  Please read:

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

and especially this one:

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

for instructions on how to take her temperature and get her temperature into the normal range if it's not.  Body temperature is *critical* for a bunny this ill, as they can suffer hypothermia that can make them go into a death spiral.  It is very important to make sure her body temperature stays between 101 - 104 Farenheit until you can get her to an emergency vet.

It would be best if you could get her to a vet who is experienced with rabbits, as most emergency room vets have little or not expertise in rabbit medicine.  I hope you can find a vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

For now, try to keep her hydrated by *very carefully* giving her oral water with an eyedropper.  However, if she is having trouble swallowing, then STOP.  The very worst thing would be that she'd aspirate water, which could be fatal in a situation like this.  So if she is too weak, don't try to give her anything orally.  Just get her to the vet for warmed subQ fluids and other emergency care.

I hope she will be fine, but getting her to a vet NOW may be critical to her survival!

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Dr. Krempels,
I just wanted to give a warning/ piece of advice to all bunny owners out there. My poor rabbit Lucky had to be put to sleep today :( The vet said she had a huge cancerous growth in her tummy...the worst part was that it could have been prevented if the original owner had had the bunny spayed! We found her along side a highway a few months back and if the jerk who had abandoned her had only spayed her, she may still be living for Christmas. So a warning to all and thank you for your help Dr. Krempels. There is a special place for people like you!

Answer
Dear Marissa,

You are so incredibly kind an unselfish to post this type of warning while you are still grieving.  Lucky's death will not be in vain if she can save even one life with your warning.

I am so very sorry about your terrible loss.  I am sending many healing thoughts, and hope that you can take some small comfort in knowing that even if Lucky's life was too short, it was filled with the love of a very special human who took the best care of her and was there for her to the very end.

Take care,

Dana