Rabbit not eating, again

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Vicky RVN — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:07:03 GMT

My fingers are crossed for him xxx

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:03:28 GMT

I took my bunny in to see the vet today. Just wasn't happy so thought I should. He said his teeth look slightly sharp again. We've taken some blood and he's in for xrays tomorrow. His temperature was slightly high

Poor little thing

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

A Little TLC — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:04:00 GMT

ooh my bunny used to looooooove herbs, she used to hop around the garden sampling them all hehe. everyone used to joke she'd be very tasty

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Fiona Leathers — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:44:06 GMT

You could try him on some Metacam and if his eating improves, it may show that he has pain somewhere, perhaps his teeth. With the removal of pain and therefore an increase of eating fibre, hopefully his teeth would grind down some more and not need a dental!

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Anonymous — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:40:52 GMT

Thanks for all of your input. He's still not eating much, just a bit at a time

I'm not sure about the whole calorie thing - he only has hay and some burgess supa rabbit. Mainly hay though. He's not over weight either. He's binkying a lot and seems really happy and chilled. He is eating but there's definitely something up. Maybe it is his teeth again - it just seems so soon. I guess I should take him in to see the vet again. Poor little thing.

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Fiona Leathers — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:16:15 GMT

I agree with Gillian & Dinky, rabbits need grass or hay in copious quantities and can llive quite happily with nothing else. If the rabbit isn't eating his caecatrophs its probably because his diet is too high in calories and therefore does not need to. The rabbit digestive system is designed to absorb some nutrients from the grass the first time round and then re-eat the caecatrophs to obtain more nutrients.

You will find that most rabbits that don't eat their caecatrophs are either because of this or they are too fat to get round (again diet too high in calories) or they have spinal pain.

If you really want to get his enthusiam back up, you could try feeding different green leafy stuff, I've found coriander or flat leafed parsley very good for getting anorexic bunnies eating again.

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:51:02 GMT

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

dinkyd — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:49:29 GMT

Lol no probs Gillian - i didnt connect it with him at all sorry- and i certainly wasnt referring to him!In my experience having watched vet colleagues it does very much depend on the bunnie but i really only meant it in the way of having a quick look for anything obvious - i absolutely agree it is not a method that can be used to to have a good look as even the smallest spur on a molar will cause discomfort in some bunnies and a vet not experienced with bunnie dentition could quite possibly miss it.In saying that i have seen it done many times on bunnies that are suspected to having dental issues from very experienced work colleagues!Yes I did state that and i still stand by that - of course it is only easy if the person is experienced and the bunnie cooperates lol!

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:47:20 GMT

[quote user="SaskiaVN"]I was also going to say that, yes, when I agree that grass is the only way to go for happy healthy bunnes, when they become inappetant for any reason, I would try anything - i.e baby food to prevent gut stasis until such times as rabbit beings eating normally again. [/quote]

I agree that feeding ANYTHING THEY'LL EAT if they are in gut stasis is usually par for the course. My comment about grass was to Button - she asked if there is something in grass that helps teeth. But there is no magic ingredient IN grass - except for grass! Actually, its abrasiveness is due to high silica content (methinks ) combined with a fairly low protein level. Lots of chewing required!!!!!

I would say, though, be careful with babyfood - it is so easily digestable/fermentable that you may cause a bit of bloat, making the situation worse. Try to stick to the products made specifically for lagomorphs/herbivores if possible!

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:39:14 GMT

I do apologise if I have offended you. Not my intention.

I thought everyone would realise what I was referring to - Marc Abraham criticising another vet on the program 'Undercover Vets' when the other vet suggested a rabbit should have a GA to fully examine its dentition - he insinuated the other vet was ripping off the client (who was actually a mystery shopper with a healthy rabbit - very unethical in my view!) and stated that it was easy to examine a rabbit's mouth with an auroscope. Simple as that. As I have no idea who you are dinkyd I wouldn't dream of insulting you personally. Or your previous colleagues. Whoever they are.

Having said all that, you DID state that it is easy to examine a rabbit's mouth with an auroscope to check its teeth. I still disagree.

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

dinkyd — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:18:55 GMT

Im sorry i dont agree.Personally I found the remark quite offensive and insulting.There was no need to insinuate that i sit and watch bad vets on tv and then give out bad advice- sorry not my style.I have worked with excellent vets and i also took this as insulting previous colleagues- however it was meant this is how i took it.

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:11:11 GMT

Dinky, I dont think Gillian meant anything personal in her post, just stating facts from a vet point of view

I was also going to say that, yes, when I agree that grass is the only way to go for happy healthy bunnes, when they become inappetant for any reason, I would try anything - i.e baby food to prevent gut stasis until such times as rabbit beings eating normally again.

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

dinkyd — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:54:48 GMT

Um no actually i have not. Have better things to do with my time than watch vet tv programmes.See enough vets at work thank you very much.

I mean it as in to have a very quick look and if anything obvious then it will be seen.Yes having a full ga is the only way to have a proper look however i got the impression she didnt want to do this at this early stage.I was only giving my opinion but clearly wasnt helpful and will keep my trap shut.

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:49:01 GMT

[quote user="dinkyd"]Your vets dont need to sedate him to examine his teeth it can be done conscious using an auroscope and they should easily see if their are any spurs on his teeth digging into his tongue/cheeks.[/quote]

You've been watching too many bad TV programs about vets!

Although you can sometimes see the problem, it is actually very difficult, if not impossible, to have a good look at a rabbit's molars using an auroscope. An exam under GA is the only way to have a proper look.

Grass is the ONLY correct diet for bunnies - grass, grass and more grass. It is very abrasive and keeps the teeth worn down. Everything else we feed them is a compromise - but, need I say it again, grass is best!!!! (And by grass, I mean rye grass, timothy etc, not alfalfa!!!)

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

dinkyd — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:54:33 GMT

Hi Button - in my last practice we seen lots of bunnies- was a very busy practice - we had a specialist as well.Rabbits teeth continually grow and yes it is very highly likely it is his teeth again.We had a few rabbits that came in regularly for sedation and dental work.We had a bunny that would come in monthly and other that would be in every six to eight weeks.The first signs of problems showing are them going off their food.I would encourage you to take him in before he looses his appetite even more and hes not eating anything- usually find they are more keen to eat the softer foods- baby food is not ideal as it has absolutely no fibre in it at all -if you were going to syringe feed anything i would use recovery/critical care.Your vets dont need to sedate him to examine his teeth it can be done conscious using an auroscope and they should easily see if their are any spurs on his teeth digging into his tongue/cheeks.This would account for him possibly not eating his caecotrophs or there may well something else going on all together.Good luck and fingers crossed for him.

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Saskia Quinn — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:57:51 GMT

Button,

how about trying some baby food? I dont mean syringe feed him as I dont think he is at that stage - just spoon a little into his bowl, nice fruit flavoured desserts.

I would also recommend dandelion leaves, which was mentioned earlier.

I would imagine if he eats the hay every day, his teeth shouldnt become a problem only 4 weeks down the line, however, I wonder why he isnt eating his caecotrophs? Is he overweight? Have you checked him bum to make sure its clean and no faeces matted? The first thing I always noticed with my Arnie & Bluebelle (now rip) was that they would salivate. It was always a sure sign with them that the teeth needed attention.

Hope he gets back to full health soon.

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

A Little TLC — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:37:34 GMT

my bun used to looooove banana... esp after she had just had her teeth done... and digestives hehe

only a lil, im not naughty

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Steph Worsley — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:43:04 GMT

I've seen dentals done on all sorts of rabbits, however grass is part of their natural diet and will help along with loads of hay to keep his teeth down.

I also reccomend the burgess forage...good combination as is isn't as dry as hay and not as wet as grass

it may be ...unfortunately that he is prone to dental probs you do get that with some rabbits, is it his front or back that caused the probs last time?

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Anonymous — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:33:25 GMT

Thanks. I am worried. He's eating now but there's just no enthusiasm and with him that's definitely not normal.

I had some fibreplex stuff left from when my other little'en was castrated so I've given him some of that. It's just a worry as it's exactly the same signs as a month ago when he needed a dental. Just can't believe his teeth are playing up so soon again (if it is that?). I'm totally skint though too which is rubbish, but don't worry - I will pay whatever is needed for him and go without food to help him!

My vet did comment the other day that the only rabbits he's ever done dentals on are house rabbits. I'm wondering if there's something in grass that help their teeth? I have a huge yard so am in the process of growing some grass in trays....

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Dodo bird — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:12:57 GMT

maybe try him with some dandilion (if theres any still about) just to help with gut stasis ... ? hope he goes on ok

Re: Rabbit not eating, again

Anonymous — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:08:27 GMT

Meant to say - is it really possible for his teeth to of grown that quickly again? He has a supply of fresh hay all the time and wooden toys that he chews. Don't know what else to do