First Aid for a Stressed Rabbit

1 First Aid for Stress

Calm at once. As its closest person, hold it, stroke the back and speak softly; if it refuses, leave it in a quiet corner to settle.

Comfort with food. Stressed rabbits often refuse food and droop; after calming, offer a favorite food — willingness to eat means half recovered. If it keeps refusing, give a recovery tonic by mouth daily and add electrolyte vitamin mix to water until full recovery.

Stress easily causes lactic-acid stool from changed stomach acid and slow gut; give 2 digestive-enzyme tablets daily.

Black stool may mean internal bleeding — take it to a vet with a smooth, non-bumpy ride.

2 Reduce Stress During Treatment

At any sign of pain, give painkiller at once.

Before injections or exams that hurt, give analgesic beforehand.

For blood draws or mouth checks, wrap the rabbit in a towel (restraint) to reassure it.

Keep it from seeing, smelling or hearing feared animals at the clinic.

Line the nest with hay before and after surgery — its smell soothes and the fiber aids gut motion.

If it cannot eat, pass a stomach tube to avoid unnecessary pain and more stress.

Note: timidity is innate; keep the home quiet and prevent stress.