Depressed?

Question
Hello.
My rabbit (age 2 1/2 female)is usually very lively and friendly and eats well, but recently she has started hiding away in her bedroom, not eating that much, and her poo is soft.
What should I do?

Answer
Hi Akiko,

my first inclination is to get her to a good rabbit vet as soon as possible.  When my rabbits do this, it is because they have gas pains (or a blockage) that, if untreated, will cause them pain and they will stop eating.  It will then turn into gut stasis and becomes a life-threatening situation.  If she has been shedding hard lately and been ingesting a lot of hair by her grooming, a hair blockage could be possible.

If you have any baby gas drops on hand, you should give her several full doses and while holding her on your lap (or on a pillow on your lap) massage her tummy area for a half hour or so to help get the gas drops into her stomach and cecum areas, and to break up the gas inside of her.

After treating her, watch and see if her appetite begins to come back.  If not within the hour of treatment, get to your good rabbit vet as soon as possible.  I'd usually say wait longer, but you have been noticing this for days, so you cannot waste any time.

In the future, when you see this behavior start, immediately treat her with gas drops and massage.  You may have to do this more than once, if the first or second times do not work.  Anytime your rabbit isn't eating right or is not excited for food she likes, you need to automatically consider it a serious medical problem.

Write back anytime.  Lee