rabbit not hopping, but walking

Question
my rabbit is not hopping, but walking..not drinking much, or eating her hay or pellets, but will eat her treats and some brocolli. she is drinking when i force her bottle in her mouth..what can be wrong?

Answer
Dear Jackie,

Your bunny is suffering from pain, either in the abdomen, or the joints, and needs the immediate attention of a good rabbit vet who can give her a full exam and find out what the problem is. Walking is a generalized symptom, and could be caused by anything from gas pain to arthritis to a urinary tract infection...or any number of other problems that could elicit a dangerous condition known as ileus.

You can start some home pain relief treatments with the protocols described here:

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

especially if her poop output is reduced.  Gentle abdominal massage and pediatric simethicone suspension will help a LOT, if this posture is due to gas pain.  

It also could be due to a urinary tract problem.  There are *many* things that can cause this,  and none of them treatable by you at home.  You'll need to get him to a good rabbit vet.  Please read the following articles:

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

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

(since dental problems often result in ileus, and the symptoms you describe) and

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

so you'll know what to ask the vet.

You can find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I would get her there ASAP, and not wait.

I hope this helps.

Dana