Veterinary emergencies

Because rabbits are prey animals, they work very hard to hide any signs of illness. As a result, owners often cannot tell when a rabbit is sick until severe symptoms have appeared. Daily interaction with your bunny will help you realize what is normal and irregular.

Common Symptoms
If your rabbit shows any of the following symptoms, make an appointment with your rabbit-savvy veterinarian as soon as possible. Seemingly minor symptoms can escalate quickly and turn into major emergencies within 24 hours.

GI Symptoms

 * loss of appetite or changes in eating habits - A good way to test this is to offer an irresistible treat to your bunny such as fruit.
 * small to no poop or diarrhea
 * sitting in a hunched position or pressing stomach against the floor
 * loud GI sounds or complete silence in the stomach - You can use a stethoscope or listen with your ear pressed against the stomach.

Respiratory and Ear Symptoms

 * increased, shallow, and/or labored breathing
 * chest congestion
 * sneezing, nasal discharge, or watery eyes; matted front paws from wiping nose
 * scratching or shaking ears

Urinary Tract Symptoms

 * sudden loss of litter box habits
 * dribbling of urinate
 * straining to urinate; sitting in litter box for long periods of time
 * urine which appears more white - suggests sludge buildup

General Symptoms

 * fever or hypothermia - normal rabbit temperatures are 101-103 degrees F / 38-39.6 degrees C
 * loud teeth grinding - a sign of pain, different than gentle tooth purring
 * irritability or unusual aggression
 * listlessness, lethargy, or lack of interest in surroundings

How to Prepare for an Visit to an Emergency Center
To assist the emergency veterinarian, it is helpful to know some things about the rabbit concerned. The following list is paraphrased from Rabbit Advocates:
 * A history of illness, including symptoms.
 * Treatments given and any reactions.
 * Baseline lab work (blood and urine) - obtainable from your regular veterinarian.
 * Current normal weight.
 * Complete diet including date of when new foods were started and any reactions.
 * Normal food and water consumption.
 * Normal urine and stool output.