HELP!! Watson is not eating or pooping/peeing...

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Michael O'Connell

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Last night I noticed that Watson wasn't eating. I didn't think to much of it as he ate quite a bit of hay and kale early yesterday. I began worrying and was watching him all evening/night and thought we were in the clear when he went to his bowl and ate pellets and started running around and wanting to play. I was so relieved. But that was almost 12 hours ago and he hasn't touched anything since! And he is lethargic and cooler than normal.
I live in a fairly rural area and have no emergency, rabbit-savvy, vet that is nearby.

What can I do? I have him all snuggled up with heating bottles and covered up. But he doesn't seem to have the energy to do anything. I am so worried about my little buddy.
 
I would usually try the recommended 3 doses an hour apart, of baby gas drops (simethicone). If bun isn't starting to do better soon after that, it's been more than 12-24 hours since bun last ate, buns condition worsens, and/or there are signs of true bloat, I would get my bun to the vet right away.

https://rabbit.org/2013/02/gastrointestinal-stasis-the-silent-killer/
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Veterinary_emergencies
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian
https://rabbit.org/veterinarians/
Sometimes I'll also give some unflavored Pedialyte, to restore some electrolytes, but only if I've verified the bun doesn't have bloat, as syringing anything to a rabbit with bloat, can further worsen the condition and put the rabbit at serious risk. If in doubt, don't administer anything and get bun to the vet immediately.

If your buns condition has worsened, I'd recommend trying to find the nearest rabbit vet and getting your bun there. If the worsening condition seems to occur directly after eating, something could be wrong with the food and causing the stomach upset.
 
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Apart from giving simethicone and some water the first thing I do is making them move, give belly massages (putting the rabbit an my knee, facing me and rocking the whole rabbit) for some minutes every hour. I try to get them really angry to get them out of that apathy, like holding hay or yummy greens (they are used to) against their nose until they bite into it out of annoyance - and sometimes keep munching once something is in their mouth.
If that doesn't work I also give pain meds, whatever makes them feel better.

If i don't get them to eat that way within half a day or so I start syringe feeding and off to the vet we go.

Good luck!
 
My rabbits get like that now and then, usually I can feel some sort of blockage by rubbing each side of stomach. Every hour or so, I would massage both sides until rabbit won't allow me to. In my case, I have meloxicam on hand for a bunny with back issues, and I give to backed up rabbit to relax their gut. Usually works, but try to get yours to the Vet soon.
 

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