what's wrong with my rabbit?

Question

her breathing is followed by hard thumping inside of her. her ears aren't as well groomed as they used to be [they have this wet effect]. Her teeth are darkly stained on the edges of her front teeth [this has never happened before]. The bottom of her nose [the opening to her nose] is slightly blackened. And she has been very inactive. She's not the hyper rabbit I'm used to.

What's happening to her? Could these be symptons of something? How can I prevent it next time? How can I cure her? Is she going to die?

*I can't take her to the vet, because:

1) my parents refuse to "waste money on a rabbit".
2) I'm broke.
3) There is no vet around here, and my parents probably wouldn't be willing to travel miles across the country to find a vet that could help my rabbit.

Answer 1

http://www.rabbit.org/care/sick.html

Answer 2

Well, your rabbit sounds like it is in very bad shape. Most likely if you don't take it to the vet soon it will die. Even if you take it to the vet very soon it may still die.

It sounds like your rabbit has pneumonia along with possibly one or two other things.

Pneumonia normally kills a rabbit in one or two days. Rabbits can take the cold well be they can't take a cold wind draft. Normally as long as they are protected from the wind on 3 of 4 sides till it gets warmer (above the low 50's at night) they will be fine as far as not getting pneumonia.

The brown on her teeth could be from eating her runny poop. If you look at her rear end you may see a runny poopy bottom or runny stool around the cage.

The sweaty ears could be from an infection or possibly being overheated.

All of those symptoms together could even mean a more serious contagious rabbit disease. It might not even be a bad idea after it dies to have an autopsy done on it, which would cost about $25.

Normally, at least with my vet, taking it to the vet only costs a few bucks $10-12 at most. A vet should rarely to never have to do surgery on them. Mainly it is just giving them medications so the visit doesn't cost much more than the medication.

Normally long deep raspy breathing is a very good sign of pneumonia.

Answer 3

It sounds like your rabbit may have a bacterial infection or viral infection in the lungs. It could also be that she ate something that poisioned her. Some plants are not good for bunnies.
In any case, your rabbit is quite sick. Is it eating and drinking ? If drinking but not eating, it is seriously ill.
If not eating and not drinking critically ill.
Also, check to see if it is peeing and pooping as usual.
Peeing but no poop means it probably is very constipated or has a bowl obstruction. Not doing either indicates that the rabbit is critically ill.
Either way, with no vet care, the animal with likely suffer a very painful death within a few days.
Explain this to your parents. Then, call a humane society
nearest to where you live. Explain the situation to them.
They might make arrangements to come pick up your pet and see that it gets the proper care. You won't be able to get the bunny back, but at least it will live and be adopted by someone who can provide proper care.
Also, let your parents know that they can get into serious legal trouble called cruelty to animals if they don't get proper vet care for the bunny, or turn it over to a humane society to get proper care.
If you need to threaten to report them (the humane society can help you do that.)
Also tell them that they want to raise you to be responsible and do what's right and that they are not setting a very good example for you to follow, by needlessly allowing a beloved pet to suffer and violating the law by being cruel and neglectful to an animal..

Answer 4

Hi. I raised rabbits for about 15 years. After checking in the Merk Veterinary Manual, these symptoms can be a sign of several things, including an intestinal obstruction or toxin ingestion. It could even be Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease. I'm not a vet, but from what your situation sounds like, the kindest thing to do may be to put her down. Best wishes...

Answer 5

She needs some vitamin C. What are you feeding her? I don't think she's getting enough vitamins. Give her this, strawberries with tops, carrots with tops, arugula lettuce, NO head lettuce, NO potatoes, and see if you can find some vitamin C drops, follow directions on bottle. Look at her toe nails, are they sticky? has she been digging in her ears? If she has, she may have an ear infection, you can buy drops for that too, without a vet visit. Sorry, most vets are jerks, and charge 50$ per visit, even if the pet is a gerbil/hamster. Then those pet owners watch their pets suffer and die, because they don't have the money. Email me, and keep me informed on your bunnies' symptoms, I'll try and help all i can. Please do what I told you for bunny's sake.

Answer 6

first you shouldnt have a pet you cant afford
now rabbits are very sensitive they catch a lot of things could be a cold or something worse like distemper. only a vet will know for sure. Keep it warm and dry. Clean cage daily change all bedding keep fresh water available at all times. Make sure its not in a draft or around sudden loud noises. Keep nose clean so breathing is not obstructed

Answer 7

I don't know what's wrong with your rabbit, I hope someone on here can help you though. Usually there are charity run vets who will help if you cant afford treatment, I suggest you look these up in your area. I'm a bit shocked that someone would even consider owning a rabbit in the first place if they weren't prepared to take it to a vet if it was ill.

Answer 8

The bunny really needs to see a vet, and I'm sorry your parents are so cruel to deny this to a pet that you love.

You can tray any of the above mentioned websites to find out what this illness is.

Though, once a bunny shows it is ill, it's usually close to the end. Try to keep it comfortable, and hope maybe your parents will change their minds.

Answer 9

I'm very sorry. I wish that your parents were more responsible, it sounds like that, without some type of treatment, your rabbit is going to die. Here's a good resource for you on Rabbit Care:

http://www.rabbit.org/care/index.html

Good luck, and give the little bun a hug from me.

Answer 10

very odd, I would try a different bedding to me it sounds like an alergy, i don't think it will kill her, also keep her cage cleaner, some rabbits are really sensitive. I also don't waste money taking a rabbit to the vet, it's always a waste of money. So just try that.

Answer 11

is it the weather? it might be something that youre feeding her thats out of the ordinary + any change of weather. if you figure out whats wrong, you might be able to save her.