Denver, my bun bun is sick!

[sasvermont]

Last evening I played with him and petted him and he was fine. Tonight, when I went to feed him (and his buddy Cinnamon) he was making a strange sound and moving his nose back and forth. I picked him up and brought him inside on my bed, to get a good listen and look. He looks ok, although breathing seems to be a little bit of an effort. He is weezing a bit. I called the emergency vet and they suggested it could wait until the morning, and to call my regular vet. I hope he makes it!

Denver is my "meat rabbit" rescued a couple of years ago. He has been healthy and happy until now. He looks good......but sounds as though he has a cold. Do bunnies get colds?

Fingers crossed that he hangs in there tonight and waits for a visit to the vet. I am sure a worry wart.

[jenluckenbach]

Prayers for Denver.

[Karen]

Poor baby. Miss Hoppy has, at times, seemed to have a cold and recovered. It's pathetic when she and Paul are both stretched out in the living room, sneezing periodically. But when she has a bit of a runny nose, she does NOT want anyone touching with a tissue, thank you very much.

[Blue Dragonfly]

I hope your bunny will be ok. Boof once got so sick we honestly didn't think he was gonna make it. I can't really give you much advice unless you tell me the specific conditions your rabbit lives in. Does it live inside or out. Is it hot or cold where you are. Is it too drafty? What type of rabbit do you have.

all i can tell you is what we did when it was night time and we had to care for boof. We brought him inside in a little cage and had lots of warm towels in there for him to snuggle into.

also, i know this sounds weird, but it worked! I thought of what i would do if i got sick like him and i put a humidifier in the room with him. It is a simple machine in which you put water and eucalyptus oil, and it heats up and evaporates into the air. It really heaped him breathe.

Boof could barely breathe and he had a really runny nose.

Also i went on the internet and looked up anything that could help. I think there was a suggestion the honey was supposed to help. I wasn't sure, but i was willing to try anything that wouldn't hurt him.

Also keep your rabbits fluids up. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! If they won't eat or drink use a syringe. Obviously not with an actually needle. If you are not experienced doing this, it is best not to do this as you can get the fluid into their lungs and kill them. If this is the case just put the fluid, (I mixed water with honey, but you can mix it with anything they like) on the end of your finger so they either lick it off or it runs into their mouth. It can get very messy, but at least they are getting something into them.

If your rabbit is jumpy i suggest you put it into a room where people are not going to be coming in, as this will just distress it.

Boof was a house rabbit so he was completely use to humans.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions just let me know.

Make sure to get your bun bun to the vet though.

[Vermontcat]

I'm sorry to hear that Denver isn't feeling well.
Has he been eating and drinking ok?
I hope that it's nothing too serious and that he feels better soon.

[sasvermont]

I checked first thing this morning. He is still alive and sitting with little Ms. Cinnamon. I will take them both to the vet's this morning, on my way to work. I have to call first just to make sure its ok to drop them off. They are so bonded that I hate to take one without the other.

Denver is eating and drinking. And using the litter box.

They are both outside bunnies but live on a porch, behind a fence. They have lots of space and places to keep warm etc. They have a heated water bowl and lots of hay! I have plastic sheeting up over the screens, so that the cold air will not chill them. The vet thought that this arrangement would be fine. They live out there in the summer as well.

I hesitate to treat big guy Denver myself, without consulting with the vet first. I hope there is nothing seriously wrong with him and I also hope that Ms. Cinnamon does not catch it.

Cinnamon looks so worried and is so attentive toward Denver, its so cute to see it. I think she knows he is not well. Maybe she is jealous! Who knows. They are bonded and yet still very competitive.

I will let you know how it goes at the vets this morning.

Thanks for all your advice. I may end up using your advice after hearing what the vet says.

My fear is that he has eaten one weird object TOO many! He gnaws his way through anything in his path!


Sas