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My rabbit has GI pain, isn't eating, and losing weight. Is it serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Rabbit | Male | unneutered | 6 years old | 2 lbs

Periodic loss of appetite and GI pain. Heavy drooling during episodes. Enlarged testicle. Weight loss, unable to regain. Small feces, still eating cecals. Drinks lots of water when not in pain. Treating pain with buprenorphine and meloxicam. Feeding Critical Care as needed. Will not eat hay, attempting to supplement with canned pumpkin. Normally eats Oxbow Timothy pellets, currently eating alfalfa pellets to try and regain weight. Bloodwork, xrays last year normal, no dental issues.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Todd Cecil

Veterinarian

Published on March 2nd, 2019

Thanks for reaching out about Skyler. Unfortunately this possibly indicates a gastrointestinal obstruction, foreign body or dental disease. Gastrointestinal stasis is always secondary to something else. Radiographs and blood work from last year can be used as a comparison are not necessarily indicative of now, as things can change quickly. Any exposure to carpeting or fabric? With the pain you described, a veterinarian is recommended today. As prey animals, rabbits decompensate quickly. Good luck.

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