# Rabbit Not Moving but Breathing: What to Do Right Now A rabbit not moving but breathing is a medical emergency until proven otherwise. Rabbits are prey animals that hide illness well, so a rabbit that has stopped moving and is only breathing is often in a life-threatening crisis. Call an exotic or emergency veterinarian immediately while you prepare to transport. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Treat a rabbit that is not moving but breathing as an emergency. Call an emergency or exotic veterinarian right now, before you do anything else. - Check the mouth and nose for movement, and watch the chest and belly for a rise and fall. If there is no movement at all, start CPR-style rescue breathing only if a veterinarian directs you by phone. - Do not shake, bathe, force-feed, or give any medication. Handling stress can worsen shock and respiratory failure in rabbits [1]. - Keep the rabbit warm, quiet, and dark. Place it in a carrier with a towel and keep the carrier level during transport. - Go to the nearest clinic that treats rabbits, even if you are not sure the rabbit is critical. Minutes matter. ## What a Collapsed Rabbit Looks Like and What Is Normal ### Normal rabbit behavior and breathing A healthy rabbit is alert, curious, and moves around its enclosure throughout the day and night. Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk, and they rest in a relaxed loaf position with their ears up or slightly back. Normal resting breathing in a rabbit is quiet and usually not visible unless you look closely. You should not see the belly heaving, the nostrils flaring, or the head bobbing with each breath. If you want to understand what relaxed versus stressed body language looks like, see [Understanding Rabbit Behavior: Body Language and Vocalizations](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/small-mammal-care/understanding-rabbit-behavior-body-language-and-vocalizations). ### What "not moving but breathing" looks like A rabbit in this state may be: - Lying flat on its side or belly and not responding to your voice or touch - Breathing fast, slow, shallow, or with obvious effort - Breathing through an open mouth (this is always abnormal in rabbits) - Cold to the touch, especially the ears and paws - Limp when you gently lift a limb - Grinding its teeth, which can signal severe pain Some rabbits in this state are still conscious but too weak to move. Others are unconscious. Either way, this is not a "wait and see" situation. ## Main Causes of a Rabbit Not Moving but Breathing Many conditions can cause a rabbit to collapse. The table below lists the most common ones and how urgent each is. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Respiratory infection (pasteurellosis) | Sneezing, runny nose, eye discharge, noisy breathing, weight loss | Emergency if the rabbit is collapsed or breathing hard [2] | | Airway collapse (tracheomalacia) | Noisy or harsh breathing, especially on exhale, exercise intolerance | Emergency if breathing is labored [3] | | Heart or lung disease | Weakness, fainting, fast or labored breathing, blue gums | Emergency | | Hemorrhagic shock from internal bleeding | Pale gums, cold body, rapid weak pulse, collapse after trauma or liver lobe torsion | Emergency [4][1] | | Severe pain (dental, GI, urinary, or injury) | Hunched posture, tooth grinding, not eating, not passing stool | Emergency if collapsed | | Heat stroke | Heavy panting, drooling, hot ears, collapse in warm weather | Emergency | | Anesthesia or sedation reaction | Collapse after a procedure, slow breathing, slow heart rate | Emergency | | Transfusion reaction | Breathing difficulty or fluid overload after a blood transfusion | Emergency [4] | Pasteurellosis is common in pet rabbits and spreads through direct contact or respiratory secretions. Many healthy-looking rabbits carry the bacteria without signs, which is why outbreaks can be hard to predict [2]. If your rabbit has had a runny nose or eye discharge in the days before collapsing, tell the veterinarian. Tracheomalacia is a softening of the windpipe that lets the airway collapse during breathing. It can be hard to detect because signs are vague, and diagnosis often requires advanced testing [3]. If your rabbit has had a chronic honking or wheezing sound that gets worse with activity, mention it. ## Red Flags That Make This an Emergency Call an emergency clinic immediately if you see any of these: - Open-mouth breathing - Blue, gray, or very pale gums - No response to touch or voice - Body temperature that feels cold or very hot - Seizure activity or twitching - Collapse after a fall, fight, or accident - Known or suspected blood loss - Breathing that stops or becomes irregular Open-mouth breathing in a rabbit is a late sign of severe respiratory distress. Do not wait to see if it improves. ## What You Can Safely Do at Home While Waiting Your job is to keep the rabbit stable and get it to a veterinarian. Do not try to treat the rabbit yourself. ### Check breathing and pulse 1. Watch the chest and belly for 15 seconds. Count each rise and fall as one breath. Normal resting rate is roughly 30 to 60 breaths per minute, but a collapsing rabbit may be much faster or much slower. 2. Look at the gums. Gently lift the lip. Pink is normal. Pale, white, blue, or gray gums mean poor circulation. 3. Feel the pulse. Place two fingers on the inside of the thigh, high up near the body, where the femoral artery runs. You are feeling for a beat, not counting precisely. A weak, fast, or absent pulse is an emergency. 4. Check the ears and paws for warmth. Cold ears suggest shock. If you cannot find a pulse or the rabbit is not breathing at all, call the clinic and follow their instructions. Do not start chest compressions on your own unless a veterinarian tells you to. ### Keep the rabbit calm and warm - Place the rabbit in a carrier lined with a soft towel. - Keep the carrier in a quiet, dim room. - Do not wrap the rabbit tightly. You want it warm, not restricted. - If the rabbit feels cold, place a warm (not hot) water bottle wrapped in a towel next to it, not under it. - Do not use a hair dryer or heating pad directly on the rabbit. ### Do not do these things - Do not force-feed or syringe water. A collapsed rabbit cannot swallow safely, and fluid can enter the lungs. - Do not give any medication, including pain relievers meant for people or other pets. - Do not bathe the rabbit. - Do not shake or jostle the rabbit to wake it up. - Do not wait to see if it improves on its own. ### Transport safely - Have one person drive and one person monitor the rabbit if possible. - Keep the carrier level and secure. Do not let it slide or tip. - Call ahead so the clinic knows you are coming and can prepare. - Bring any medications, food, or bedding the rabbit was using, plus a written timeline of when the signs started. If your rabbit is undergoing or recovering from anesthesia, see [Anesthetic Complications in Rabbits: Emergency Management](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anesthesia-analgesia/anesthetic-complications-rabbits-emergency-management) for related guidance. ## What the Veterinarian Will Check and Test When you arrive, the veterinary team will move quickly. Expect the following. ### Immediate assessment - Heart rate and rhythm - Respiratory rate, effort, and sounds - Gum color and capillary refill time - Body temperature - Pulse quality - Neurologic response, including whether the rabbit reacts to stimuli Rabbits are sensitive to handling stress, and their cardiovascular system can become unstable quickly [1]. The team will keep handling to a minimum until the rabbit is more stable. ### Diagnostic tests Depending on the rabbit's condition, the veterinarian may recommend: - Blood work to check organ function, blood count, and electrolytes - Imaging such as X-rays or CT to look at the lungs, heart, and abdomen. CT is often preferred for lung disease, though anesthesia can change lung volume and cause lobe collapse, so the team will weigh the risks [5]. - Ultrasound to check for fluid in the chest or abdomen - Crossmatch and blood typing if a transfusion is needed. In one case series, crossmatch results were negative in all rabbits tested, but reactions still occurred, so monitoring during transfusion is essential [4]. - Airway evaluation if tracheomalacia is suspected. Newer sound-based methods may help identify airway collapse without invasive testing [3]. ### Treatment Treatment depends on the cause. It may include oxygen, intravenous fluids, antibiotics for bacterial infections such as pasteurellosis [2], pain control, warming, and in some cases a blood transfusion [4]. Anesthetic protocols are chosen carefully to maintain heart and lung stability, especially in rabbits that are already unstable [6][1]. ## Prevention and Monitoring You cannot prevent every emergency, but you can lower the risk. - Weigh your rabbit weekly. A drop of more than a few percent is a reason to call the vet. - Watch for early respiratory signs: sneezing, discharge, noisy breathing, or a change in activity. - Keep the environment cool in warm weather and provide shade and ventilation. - Schedule a wellness exam at least once a year with a veterinarian who treats rabbits. - Know your rabbit's normal breathing rate and gum color so you can spot changes fast. - If your rabbit has a chronic condition, ask your vet what signs mean "call now" versus "call tomorrow." If your rabbit is stable but not eating, the decision guide in [Dog Not Eating But Acting Normal: When to Wait and When to Call](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/dog-not-eating-but-acting-normal) covers similar triage logic, though the species and thresholds differ. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is wrong with your specific rabbit. Only a veterinarian who examines your rabbit can do that. Call an emergency clinic now if your rabbit is not moving but breathing, is breathing through its mouth, has pale or blue gums, feels cold, or has stopped responding to you. Call your regular veterinarian the same day if your rabbit is moving but very weak, has a runny nose or eyes, is breathing noisily, or has stopped eating. Schedule a routine visit if you notice mild changes in appetite, activity, or breathing that have lasted more than a day. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How do I know if my rabbit is breathing or just still? Watch the chest and belly for a full 15 seconds. If you see no rise and fall, and you feel no air at the nose, the rabbit is not breathing. Call an emergency clinic immediately and follow their phone instructions. ### Can a rabbit recover from collapse on its own? Some rabbits with mild causes can improve with rest, but you cannot tell the difference at home. A rabbit that is not moving but breathing needs a veterinarian to find the cause and start treatment. ### Should I try to give my rabbit water or food? No. A collapsed rabbit cannot swallow safely, and food or water can enter the lungs. Keep the rabbit warm and quiet, and let the veterinary team handle feeding and fluids. ### Is mouth breathing always an emergency in rabbits? Yes. Rabbits breathe through their noses. Open-mouth breathing means the rabbit is in severe respiratory distress and needs oxygen and veterinary care right away. ### What should I bring to the emergency clinic? Bring any medications, a written timeline of when signs started, and a sample of the rabbit's most recent droppings if you can collect one. Also bring the carrier the rabbit was in, so the team can see how it was transported. ## Related Articles - [Anesthesia for Laboratory Rabbits: Protocols and Monitoring](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/laboratory-animal-science/anesthesia-for-laboratory-rabbits-protocols-and-monitoring) - [Understanding Rabbit Behavior: Body Language and Vocalizations](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/small-mammal-care/understanding-rabbit-behavior-body-language-and-vocalizations) - [Anesthetic Complications in Rabbits: Emergency Management](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anesthesia-analgesia/anesthetic-complications-rabbits-emergency-management) - [Rabbit Behavior Training](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/rabbit-behavior-training) - [Rabbit Care: Respiratory Infection Symptoms & Antibiotic Protocol](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/exotic-small-animals/rabbit-care-respiratory-infection-symptoms-antibiotic-protocol) - [Why Is My Rabbit Not Moving? Causes and When to Worry](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/small-mammal-care/rabbit-not-moving-lethargic) - [Why Is My Rabbit Lying on Its Side and Not Moving?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/small-mammal-care/rabbit-lying-side-not-moving) - [How to Tell If Your Rabbit Is in Pain and Help It](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/small-mammal-care/rabbit-pain-signs-and-relief) ## References 1. [Anesthetic Protocols for Enhancing Physiological Stability in Rabbits During Hemorrhagic Shock](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41122131/). Veterinary medicine international, 2025. 2. [Lung and Airway Disorders of Rabbits - All Other Pets](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/rabbits/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-rabbits). Merck Veterinary Manual. 3. [Respiratory sound analysis in a rabbit tracheomalacia model](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41786863/). Scientific reports, 2026. 4. [Blood transfusions in domestic rabbits provide clinical benefit but are complicated by transfusion-associated dyspnea or cardiac overload: 21 cases](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42248204/). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2026. 5. [Evaluation of the Effects of Sedation and Anesthesia on Total Lung Volume and Attenuation in Rabbit Lung CT Exams](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39682438/). Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2024. 6. [Comparative study of three anaesthetic protocols (dexmedetomidine/ketamine, dexmedetomidine/midazolam, midazolam/ketamine) in dwarf rabbits undergoing elective orchiectomy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41344605/). Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997), 2026. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Rabbits](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/rabbits)