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is my bunny ill?

22 10:49:43

Question
hi. i'm not sure how old my bunny is because i got him from the local spca but i do know he is a mini rex. i know a little about bunnies but i still need to learn a lot so maybe you can help me. recently my bunny stop eating. he wouldn't even eat his favorite treat when he use to eat it out of my hand. but i thought it was because he was right under the a/c vent so i shut it and right after he started eating again. then a couple of days ago he stopped eating and drinking all together. if i try to give him something new, he'll take one bit out of it and thats it. i read online that kitten milk would be good to give him but he wont drink it either. i dont know what to do. can you help?

Answer
Hi Christina

When a rabbit stops eating this is a true emergency.  If they stop eating their GI motility (stomach movement) slows down.  Once that slows down food won't be digested.  It can cause large blocks of food.  The cecotropes won't develop and it won't get the required nutrients it needs.  It will then develop full GI stasis (shutdown).  It is a never ending cirle without the assistance of a vet and possibly hospital care.

The safest thing you can do for your bunny is to get it to the vet asap.  This is really not something that can wait.  The sooner you get to a vet the better chance your bunny has for a full recovery.

If you need help finding a qualified vet in your area please check out this site.. remember that exotic pet vets aren't as popular as other small animals vets.  It may be a few hour drive but it is definitely worth it to save your bunnies life.

http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

Also you really shouldn't feed a grown rabbit kitten milk.  If you want to give it liquid you can use an eye dropper and give it some pedialyte.  This is only until you can get it to the hospital.

Good luck and I hope your bunny is ok.

Pam