i bought my rabbit, Zeus, 2 weeks ago from a pet store. i have been keeping him in my cats cage for the past 2 weeks because i cant afford to buy a rabbit hutch yet.
i am always playing with him and taking him outside on a harness, around the yeard and around the block. he has been eating OK and drinking a little bit now and then. i didnt buy him a mineral lick as they didnt have any in stock when i bought him and forgot to buy another one later.
the past 3 days he has had BAAAAAAD diarrhea - the cage is full of it and i have to clean it evry 2 hours.
he has stopped eating a lot and only drinks. i have to wash him because of all the diarrhea in the cage and his fur smells and is going all yellow brown from the diahea.
i cant take him to the vet because mom says that he is fine and she wont take me.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ZEUS??? HOW CAN I TREAT HIM AT HOME???
SHOULD I TELL MY MOM TO TAKE HIM 2 THE VET SOON?
WILL HE DIE?
i love Zeus and i cant let him die.
from aly
2006-11-18 22:43:11 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
He needs a vet asap, it could be dietary or some sort of infection, either way any disruption to digestion or eating is critical for rabbits more so than any other animal. Stop all food except a good quality hay and water, seriously this may sound a bit weird but it's the best thing for him.
As a young rabbit his digestive system hasn't mature and built up a healthy supply of good bacteria, he also won't tolerate a lot of changes or rich foods. Stick to a lot of hay and good quality pellet. Not mix, just a plain pellet that is high in fibre and low in protein. Any new foods should be introduced slowly, give him a little bit and watch him for a day or two. If there is no reaction then you're good to go.
As for the bathing, I know he needs cleaning up but bathing him could be adding to the stress. Try either wiping him with a flannel or just getting the worst off. His coat will clean up ok once he's past this. Keep up the fluids as they're vital now. Be sure to keep his sleeping area clean and watch for flies.
2006-11-19 18:06:52 · answer #1 · answered by mbunnyau 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The poor little guy needs to get to a vet as soon as possible or he will probably die. Why don’t you print out this article and show it to your Mom? That might help to convince her.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html
A couple of other suggestions. I hope your bunny isn’t using the cat litter? Bunnies should have a litter box that has a newspaper based litter, or just newspaper, and then add hay on top. Babies can have alfalfa hay. It is possible that your baby has been getting too many greens, which can upset a baby bunny. For now, stop the greens and be sure that Zeus is getting plain alfalfa pellets (NO treats in it), and hay. He shouldn’t be getting any greens or fruit, or other kinds of treats. Then call the vet and explain the symptoms and tell the vet it is an emergency so you can bring your bunny in soon. Be sure that your vet understands how to treat rabbits – they are different than cats and dogs. Check here for selecting a rabbit savvy vet and if one isn’t around, then at least ask the vet some questions and print out and bring the article above to the vet.
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/vet.html
Please check out the sites below for good information on caring for Zeus. Hope he is OK.
2006-11-19 01:05:47 · answer #2 · answered by Martha G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should definetly take Zeus to the vet NOW. My friend had a rabbit for 3 weeks and he came down with a bad case of diarrhea, he was lethargic, wasn't eating or drinking etc. My friend did not take him to the vet (do not know why!) and he died 2 days later (not to scare you).
Maybe your mum has not got enough money to pay for any surgery/medication/vet bills/vet check-ups and that's why she won't take you and Zeus to the vet to see what is wrong. Tell her that 85% of vets will let you make a payment plan that you can pay $xx every two weeks if he needs any expensive treatment.
Goodluck and try to get your mum to take Zeus to the vet. This can kill most rabbits.
2006-11-18 23:42:38 · answer #3 · answered by Elena 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Reading your post I think that going to the vet is a must.
That is because diarrhea can also lead to death as it can prolong & make the rabbit have major dehydration (insufficient water in the body).
I sincerely think your sick rabbit needs the care of a vet who will give it anti-dehydration medication & something to stop the diarrhea / harden the stool & later treat whatever main disease / sickness that it has.
I really hope you do this, & if financials is a problem - maybe you can discuss with the vet for a delayed payment / payments by instalments.
Do this if you love Zeus like you said & do not want to see it suffer for now or worse, die in your arms, later - Sincerely with regards.
2006-11-18 23:31:10 · answer #4 · answered by Eden-Joy *fun!* 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you been feeding him lettuce?
This is not good for rabbits and can cause diahorrea. All new foods need to be introduced gradually.
Make sure he drinks water and doesn't get dehydrated. The vet would be the best idea if you can persuade your Mum.
Maybe you could offer to do some special jobs around the house - wash the car etc in return for vet bill.
Good Luck.
2006-11-18 23:28:22 · answer #5 · answered by SeaDragon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, of all, CALM DOWN.
Second... well whenever my rabbits get diareahh (SP?) I stop giving them celery/lettuce and just a little carrots, but I just give them more pellets. After a day or so the diareahh(sp?) goes away, so I assume it's cause they ate too much watery vegetables. Do this for Zeus. If diareahh dosen't go away, then maybe call a vet before actually schedeling and paying for an appointment.
2006-11-19 07:01:17 · answer #6 · answered by dia9301 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Were it's back legs crossed with a big forehead? If so it was a peanut and they always die. Sometimes the babies roll out bythemselves. My bunny rolled 5 feet on it's second night alive. In emergencies like that I would put the baby on the mother to make sure it got to suckle that night since they only feed at night.
2016-05-22 02:49:26 · answer #7 · answered by Elizabeth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what are you feeding him..? what you feed him might have a big roll in all of this. i have alot of rabbits and none of them have ever had diarrhea, i feed my rabbits the pen pal rabbit feed it comes in a blue and black bag it is eight dollars (if you live in US if you don't i have no idea what price it is) and if that is not the case then you need to take him to the vet as soon as possible because he is not fine. if the site below does not help then search rabbit with diarrhea, like i said i hoped that i helped you
2006-11-19 01:21:49 · answer #8 · answered by ~*mals*~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
better get him to the vet soon...could be a virus, or a parasite...diarrhea is not normal in rabbits. make sure he gets plenty of fluids so he doesn't dehydrate.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/1155/disease.html
in the meantime, go to this website for more info. very best of luck to you...i hope zues gets better real soon.
2006-11-18 22:49:33 · answer #9 · answered by pirate00girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The vet is a good idea. If nothing else, call on the phone - you might not need to bring him in, but this needs to get fixed.
Don't worry, he probably won't die tomorrow or anything, but it does sound like he's sick and needs some help.
2006-11-18 22:46:43 · answer #10 · answered by T J 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋