My newly bought rabbit won’t eat or drink and keeps its mouth open showing lower teeth—what is wrong?
Expert Answer
A rabbit that won’t eat or drink and breathes with its mouth open has many possible causes, possibly a respiratory disease such as pneumonia, upper-respiratory infection, or sinusitis, which can also cause sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and affect appetite and breathing. In addition, dental problems can cause mouth-open breathing because tooth pain affects normal chewing and swallowing—for example, overlong, misaligned, or decayed teeth make the rabbit unwilling to eat.
The rabbit may also have other health problems such as digestive issues, liver disease, or heart disease, leading to reduced appetite and breathing trouble. If you see the rabbit not eating or drinking, breathing with its mouth open, with other abnormal signs, take it to a vet promptly for diagnosis and a suitable treatment plan.