Rabbit / Small Mammal help
Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals can go downhill within hours — especially if they stop eating or pooping.
Go to a vet now if you see
- Not eating, or no droppings for 8–12 hours (rabbits and guinea pigs)
- Bloated, hard belly or hunched posture with teeth grinding
- Head tilt, rolling or loss of balance
- Labored breathing or breathing with the mouth open
- Heat stress: panting, drooling, limp
- Fall, dog/cat attack or crush injury — even with no visible wound
Safe first steps
- Keep the animal calm, quiet and at a comfortable room temperature.
- If overheated, move to a cool room and offer a cool (not icy) damp towel to lie on.
- Note when it last ate and pooped, and bring a sample of droppings to the vet.
Do not
- Do not induce vomiting — rabbits and rodents cannot vomit safely.
- Do not give human pain relievers.
- Do not wait overnight if a rabbit or guinea pig has stopped eating.
Step-by-step guides for rabbit / small mammal emergencies
Difficulty breathing
Open-mouth breathing, tail bobbing, gasping, wheezing, or bubbles from the nose are emergencies in almost every exotic species.
Bleeding & trauma
Small animals have very little blood volume. Even modest bleeding can be life-threatening in birds, reptiles, and rodents.
Suspected poisoning
Exotic species are highly sensitive to fumes, pesticides, metals, plants, and many human and pet products.
Burns & thermal injury
Burns from heat lamps, rocks, mats, or cooking surfaces are often deeper than they look and can take days to fully appear.
Seizure / neurologic signs
Seizures, head tilt, circling, star-gazing, rolling, paralysis, or sudden loss of coordination need same-day or emergency care.
Educational emergency support only — not veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. AI and community contributors can make mistakes and may not be veterinarians. In an emergency, seek professional veterinary care immediately.