Lying on one side for extended periods of time. Falling over. Inability to walk in a straight line. Limping or change in gait. Awkward posture. Licking, rubbing or scratching a particular area. Failure to eat or drink for 24 hours. Failure to pass fecal pellets for 8 hours or more.
Nose and whiskers – Both sides should look the same. Look for discharge and swelling. Eyes – Glassy or closed eyes are a sign of shock. Shine a light into them to see if the pupils constrict. If the whites of the eyes are yellow, this indicates a serious liver problem. Gums and teeth – Lift the lips to examine them. Gums should be pink and the color should return immediately if after you push on them with a fingertip. Pale gums are a sign of sock. Make sure no teeth are broken. Head and neck – Feel for lumps, bumps, or swelling. Head tilt may be a sign of shock or spinal injury. Limbs - Check for redness, heat or swelling. If none is found, run both hands down each limb from the shoulder to the toes, flexing each joint. Stop immediately if your rabbit appears to be in pain. Cold feet are a sign of shock. Torso – Run your hands along the ribcage and spine. Feel for swelling or abnormalities. Gently feel your rabbit’s stomach, searching for swelling or redness. Check for rapid breathing and heart beat, a sign of shock.
Always place the towel and carrier beside your rabbit, so you will have to move it as little as possible. If you suspect your rabbit is in shock, keep him warm and minimize stress as much as possible. If possible give him a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel (so he doesn’t get scorched. ) Place him in a covered box, so that he doesn’t feel so exposed and vulnerable which rabbits find very stressful.
Minimize his stress by giving him a dark safe place to hide. Rabbits have been known to die from pure stress, so while you are assessing his injuries, or waiting to hear back from the vet, make him feel as safe as possible.
If a leg is dangling, at an odd angle, or cannot move properly, this may be a sign of a spinal injury. Practice extra care when moving your rabbit onto the towel and into the carrier.
Be sure the water is warm, as cold water may induce shock. If a cut is very minor, you may clean it and treat with antibiotic ointment yourself. Be sure to check it regularly to be sure it is healing well.
If you don’t have help and need to drive to the vet, bandage the pressure pad in place.
Do not apply any ointments, as this will interfere with the vet’s care for your pet. If your bunny has suffered a burn from biting an electric cord, its mouth may be burnt or there may be fluid in the lungs. If he is breathing rapidly, the latter is more likely. Keep stress to a minimum, and place him in a well ventilated place while you fetch help.
Lying on their sides for extended periods of time. Falling over or inability to run in a straight line. Bleeding or puncture wounds.
Do not pick the rabbit up by the ears, legs, or scruff. Instead, put one hand beneath its chest and another under its bottom. Carry it with its head slightly higher than its rear, to reduce it ability to kick out or bite you. Keep the rabbit close to the ground. The only time rabbits rise high off the ground in the wild is when they are captured by hawks. They don’t like it. Transfer the rabbit to a carrier as quickly as possible. The shorter the distance you carry the rabbit, the better. You can transport it to the vet in a basket, shoebox, or carrier. Don’t use a carrier that has been used by a cat or dog, as the smells will cause the rabbit anxiety.
