Hes not drinking. Please help me!

Question
My sister's rabbit, Elvis, is normally drinking well, like a water bottle a day.
My sister left for England(my family and I live in the New York) for a couple of weeks ago on July 21st (it's August 3rd now) and I was left to take care of him.
He lived outside in his hutch, and a couple of days ago, he just stopped drinking. I thought it might have been normal. But on the 1st, I got scared about the heat and took him inside.
He still isn't drinking.
He isn't pooping or peeing either.
I'm scared to death about him, I love him so much. My sister loves him even more, and I have no idea what she would do if we lost him.
I know this is probably medical, my parents and I are going to get him to a vet as soon as we can.
But, do you think he could be missing my sister? I read somewhere that a rabbit's owner went away for a couple of weeks, and the rabbit stopped eating. But then she made a voice recording of her voice, and had the person taking care of the bunny to give it to the bunny to listen to. The bunny started eating and drinking again after she heard her owners voice.
Is it the same with Elvis?
Thank you SO much for any help.
-Em  

Answer
Dear Emily,

Sorry for the delay.  A storm knocked us off line temporarily, but we're back now!

Yes, Elvis could be stressed by missing your sister.  And it sounds as if he is suffering from ileus, a potentially life-threatening symptoms of stress that must be treated immediately by a rabbit-savvy vet. Please read this now:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

and print this for your vet, in case s/he is not familiar with ileus in rabbits:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.pdf

The first article will list treatments you can start at home to get the bunny's intestines moving again.  Of utmost importance are:

1.  Gentle abdominal massage, changing bunny's position so that gas can pass through the loops as they start to move again.  (technique is described in the article)

2.  Pediatric simethicone drops (about 2-3 cc's) to help the gas pass more easily, and without pain.

The pain of gas can cause terrible complications, so simethicone is an absolute must.  You can get it at most any drug store in the baby section.

Keep bunny warm.  Check this article for information on how to take temperature, which is critical:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

and start force-feeding as soon as you start to hear tummy gurgles, indicating that the intestines are beginning to move.

The article above has complete information that can save this bunny's life, so please read it and start treatments right away.  Get Elvis to a good rabbit vet ASAP.  You can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I hope this helps.

Dana