Sick rabbit not eating or pooping

Question
We are a small rabbit rescue and have a female part dwarf bun [named Peaches]that quit eating and urinating. Yesterday the Vet gave her sub q fluids and laxatives, as she suspects a hairball. The Vet sent Peaches home and advised me to continue pushing fluids, and the children's laxative. Finally this morning she urinated x 2, and once accidently(?) as she was trying to get under pillows on the bed. As per Vet order, I have pushed baby food-a mixture of carrots, mangos and apples this morning. Just about 1/4 teaspoon. No pellets yet. Last pellets were 2 days ago. She feels a little like a balloon to me. What do I do?

Answer
Dear Kay,

Please find a vet who is more current with rabbit medicine.  Rabbits almost never get "hairballs," and the condition you describe is more consistent with ileus--or even an intermittent GI tract blockage--than a "hairball."

Please read this entire article carefully, as it contains many protocols you can do yourself to make your bunny more comfortable while you find a more experienced rabbit vet.  Don't force the food until her abdomen is less bloated; sometimes a sick rabbit will know that it's just not yet time to push the food.  A few cc's every few hours should prevent major problems without bloating her up more.

Please read:

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

And find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

who can prescribe medication and treatments that will help your bunny recover from this serious condition.

What type of children's laxative have you been using?  Unless it's an osmotic laxative, it might not be what an experienced rabbit vet would use on a rabbit--so proceed with caution.

I hope you can get your bunny to a good rabbit vet soon, and that the protocols in the ileus articles will get her feeling better soon.

Dana