Thumper isn't himself

[MichelleandThumper]

Usually thumper is full of life and whenever you open his age door he'll run right out. He usually prefers not to be in his cage. And he's usually very energetic but today when I was going to let him out for his playtime I opened his cage door and he wouldn't come out, I don't think he's sick because he's eating fine and pooping and peeing just fine so could be just be tired or just sad? When I opened the cage door he just stared off into a distance and I kept making sounds by the door to let him know it's open but he came up to the door and say there for a bit then ate some pellets, peed, then laid back down for a nap. It's not like him to not want to come back out. Is he okay?

 

[whiskylollipop]

Sounds just like my bun when he had gas. You'll want to check his tummy for hard gas bulges and observe him for a while, see if he sits or stretches in odd positions looking very uncomfortable.

If he seems lethargic and not just uncomfortable, though, that could indicate a more serious problem and a trip to the vet.

 

[MichelleandThumper]

I switched him over to new pellets today, could that be it?

 

[JBun]

Did you suddenly switch to the new pellets or are you starting off with a small amount and gradually switching, over a couple weeks?

 

[MichelleandThumper]

I did it suddenly. I left him alone for a bit then came back up to let him out and he hopped right out of his cage. So I think he's feeling a bit better. I tried checking his tummy but I don't know what's normal what should I be looking for

 

[MichelleandThumper]

the poop on the left is the poop he just pooped, does it mean he's very sick? The one on the right is his normal poop

 

[whiskylollipop]

A normal belly will be firm but soft, like a rubber balloon. Look for a hard, tight-feeling, bloat/lump. That would indicate gas.

That poop looks like a cecotrope. Is it wet and squishy? It certainly looks like he's having tummy troubles. Take away the new pellets for now, just give him lots of hay and water, maybe offer a little of his old pellets if you have any.

 

[JBun]

Switching pellets suddenly could be the cause. Pellets should always be switched slowly over at least a couple weeks. If he's a good hay eater, I agree that feeding only hay and no pelletsj(his usual veggies are ok), for the next 24 hours is probably a good idea. The extra fiber will help move things through. Then if his poop is back to normal after that, then slowly transition onto the new pellets by giving, at the most, a teaspoon of the new pellets mixed in with the old pellets, with an equal amount of them decreased. And as long as his poop stays normal and there's no digestive upset, continue to do this each day - increase new pellets a little more, decrease old pellets by the same amount. So that after a couple of weeks you are completely switched over. For more sensitive rabbits it can take longer, even a month.

And just keep an eye on the amount he's eating, if he's pooping, and if there are any changes of behavior(like earlier) that might signal he's not feeling well. Also good to remember, that a rabbit not eating or pooping for more than 12 hours, is an emergency.

 

[MichelleandThumper]

Okay! Thanks! He seems to be doing a lot better now, he's poop is regular now, it's amazing how quick they get over it. And he's binkying like crazy and running everywhere so he seems okay again