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help with bunny!!

22 10:58:37

Question
QUESTION: my mother bought my son a bunny for Easter. We brought him home on Sunday and he was fine then on Tuesday he had diarrhea, my husband works with a guy who breeds rabbits and we had given him 1 small carrot and he said that would cause that problem. so we thought he was ok. i got up this morning (Thursday) and his paw looked like it was stuck in the cage so i tried to move it and he kept jumping and now his paw is turned one way and he is turned the other, he is still breathing but i can't get into the vet until late this afternoon, do you know if i can do anything until then?
ANSWER: Katie - is his paw still stuck ???  Pour some olive oil over it to get it out easier.  Or cut the bar on the cage.

He probably got the runs from change in his diet. Rabbits are very susceptible to diet changes.  He needs to eat pellets and a dry fiber source every day with only one treat , and a small one at that, a day.

The paw should be immobilized without restricting blood flow - you can use a tounge depressor cut in half and a not tight cast - pass the bandage over his back so he cant pull it off.  Take him to your friend ASAP.  Let me know how he is doing please.

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

QUESTION: i got his paw free but now he is just laying there not moving but he is still breathing. i can't get into the vet until 3:00 today, i'm afraid he is going to die because he isn't moving
ANSWER: Are his eyes open ?  Is his breathing labored ? Maybe you could give him a few drops of a sports drink - not to much sugar to keep him hydrated.  When a rabbit is in pain they grind their teeth - is he doing that ?  Wish I were a lot closer to be able to help you more.

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

QUESTION: i wish you were closer to. his eyes are open but when i touch him he dosen't move at all i just went and checked on him, his mouth is open and i don't think that he is breathing any more. do you know what could have caused this?

Answer
Stress Katie.  Rabbits do not do well with stress, they have heart attacks very easily.  Pain can do it, a fright can do it, a loud unexpected noise can do it. Once I was watching a cage full of 30 day old kits playing.  All of a sudden there was a horrible peal of thunder ( not usual here at all ) - one little guy opened his eyes wide wide and fell over dead.  I tried to give him CPR but he was gone.

Don't feel bad, these things happen - get your son another one ASAP but try to get one that is at least 30 days old.  Usually the "Easter bunnies" are taken from their Mother at 15 days - not really weaned - so they are small and cuter - weaning at 30 days is mush better for kits and Mother.
A Big HUG - I know how it feels.