My is Rabbit Acting Very Strange

Question
I've had my rabbit for about 4 months now and up until now haven't noticed anything particularly strange in her behavior. I haven't yet taken her to see the vet but I am planning on taking her tomorrow just too see if shes all healthy and no problems. My current concern is that today I let her out of her cage to get some exercise and I noticed that out of nowhere she would suddenly stop, then sprint off jumping around wildly and shaking her head. I also noticed that she is panting or breathing quiet heavily. Both these actions I have not seen her do up until now. Is there a cause for concern, or is she just being a playful bunny? I don't know what to do and I'm worried

Answer
Hi Zac,

the behavior you describe sounds like she is a happy rabbit.  Rabbits often do full sprints from a sitting/resting position, do zig zag patterns, and flip their heads (ear-flippies).  They will be breathing harder at the end of exercising, so that sounds normal as well.  I think she is probably just more confident and comfortable being around you and has gotten used to your house.

Now, if she was just in her cage lying down and panting hard, having a hard time breathing or was breathing through her mouth (and she had not done any physical exertion beforehand) this would be an emergency problem that would require going to the emergency vet or your vet (if they were open).  This does not sound like what you state is going on.

Many rabbits need a good amount of time, depending on what they've been through, and how old they are, to get used to new surroundings.  It sounds like she has gotten used to your house and likes being there.  YOu will see a lot more of this, and she'll run, zig zag, and hop during runs and turn herself sideways (or all the way around) and sometimes do a vertical hop from a sitting position.  All are happy signs.

Lee

PS - it is a good thing you are taking her in for an exam.  It allows the vet to get a baseline for her, and hopefully gives you a clean bill of health.  Take some of her hard fecal pellets in in a baggie and they can do a fecal analysis for you to make sure she doesn't have any bad bacteria or parasites in her gi tract.