Is my rabbit hurt? (Worried)

Question
I was playing w my rabbit (7approx  weeks old) on the carpet floor last evening. I was holding he in my hands when he got startled by a noise outside the house. He suddenly jumped off my hands and start running for cover, then he hit his head on a empty cardboard box and lies on his side with his back legs outstretched abnormally and his posture stretched straight with a squealling noise.He freezed in that position for a while as I put him on a towel and stroked him to calm him down. He is able to be upright on his four legs but he don't seems to be as active as he always is e.g. don't try to climb the side of his cage. Several times saw him eating then lies on his side, with his back facing me and don't response much to my calling. Did he hurt? Is worried especially his awkward position after hitting on the cardboard box. Please help.

Answer
Hi Yvonne,

it sounds more like he may have been temporarily startled, but in general is a happy bunny.  Rabbits rest on their side with their feet stretched out when they feel comfortable in their surroundings.  The squealing noise may have been a yawn or clucking (kind of like hiccups, the sound an extremely happy bunny makes).

He should not always be active.  He should tend to be active in the morning, more resting in the afternoon, active in the evening, and more resting at night.  That is their normal activity pattern.

After he eats and rests, that is okay.  He's just resting.  Lots of times they will face opposite you and often they fall asleep or get really sleepy.

I would doubt that running into the cardboard box did him any damage.  Not from what you are secribing to me.  I think it would be good for you to read up on rabbit behavior.  If you can get a copy of "The House Rabbit Handbook, 4th Edition", by Marinell Harrimann, get a copy.  Also, get used to visiting the House Rabbit Society web site as they have hundreds of great articles on all aspects of rabbit behavior and health:

www.rabbit.org

As he gets older and used to the noises around the house, he may not be affected so much by them.  Mostly it's what kind of personality he has.  Some of my guys don't mind noise, some of them are more affected by it.

Congrats on your new bunny!

Lee