• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

Rabbit Not Eating Much: Now Getting Better (U/D Post #26)

S

Snouter

Mama Doe
Our mini-lop rabbit is not eating much today, so I should be grateful for some advice and opinions.

She is already booked in for the first available vet appointment early this evening. The vets are definitely rabbit savvy (the local rescue use them for their rabbits).

The basic facts are:

  • Rabbit type: Mini-lop (female), two years old.
  • Spayed and all health checks and vaccinations are up to date.
  • Food: SS pellets, unlimited timothy hay, green veg, some fruit (small quantity).
  • Accommodation: House rabbit but with daily access to a large secure garden, outside hutch and hiding space.
  • Poops/wee were normal (and in normal quantities) up till and including this morning.

During the day she has become somewhat lethargic and sits quietly. Still hops around but not at the usual rocket speeds.
Still eats some food but not as much as normal.

Any ideas what the cause(s) might be so I am forewarned before seeing the vet?

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Could be many things, but possibly dental? Possibly a blockage/partial blockage. Possibly gas.

I would suggest giving her a heat pad to sit with, but it may be you need to take her down as an emergency if she deteriorates further. Also, a water bowl (if she uses a bottle) and encouraging her to drink are vitally important.
 
Reduced appetite is a very vague symptom unfortunately. It can be a response to stress, pain or almost any disease process.
The best thing is to do as you're already doing - get a thorough examination from a vet (including back teeth checked) to try and find out if there is a medical cause and get her on treatment to support her intestinal function. Also think about if there have been any changes in her environment or any possible cause of stress (even relatively small things like having a dog barking next door or strangers visiting can be stressful to some bunnies).
 
Thank you for the replies so far.

A water bowl is now in place as well as the usual bottle.

No environmental changes (that I can think of). She normally runs towards our cat. (Perhaps not the brightest thing for a bun to do, but they have never fought - the cat just walks past).
 
Agree with Sky-O. My first thought would be teeth problems. Is she tooth grinding at all? This is a sign of bun being in pain. Has she started to eat slower at all? Does she leave big leafy veg and/or pellets? These are common signs of tooth problems

Does he tum feel bloated at all? If so you could get her to move about which may help.

Make sure your vet checks buns teeth properly and has a good feel and listen to her tum. They may, or should, give her a pain killer and a gut stimulant injection.

Lots of vibes for your girlie x
 
Michelleox said:
Agree with Sky-O. My first thought would be teeth problems. Is she tooth grinding at all? This is a sign of bun being in pain. Has she started to eat slower at all? Does she leave big leafy veg and/or pellets? These are common signs of tooth problems

Does he tum feel bloated at all? If so you could get her to move about which may help.

Make sure your vet checks buns teeth properly and has a good feel and listen to her tum. They may, or should, give her a pain killer and a gut stimulant injection.

Lots of vibes for your girlie x
Click to expand...

No signs/sounds of teeth grinding.

Yes, she's eating a bit slower. She has carrot tops (the green leafy part) plus carrot plus a variety of green veg. Not usually big leaves. She also has SS pellets.

She is just eating a lot less than she usually eats.

She's not bloated - we checked. We've got her to move about. She does do this, but not as much as normal.

Off to the vets shortly.:)
 
Last edited:
Back from vets.:D

Thorough check-up by vet followed by injections for pain relief and gut motility plus some pro-biotics on order for later in the week.:)

:wave:Thanks everyone.
 
What did the vet think was wrong with her?

Hopefully the jabs will start working very shortly and she'll be back to normal :)
 
Michelleox said:
What did the vet think was wrong with her?

Hopefully the jabs will start working very shortly and she'll be back to normal :)
Click to expand...

The vet thought that she might have been "frightened" by something and that this caused the problem.

We are now trying to work out what it could have been. She currently copes perfectly well with:

  • Motorway traffic noise in the distance.
  • Aircraft climbing/descending from an airport 10-15 miles away. (Day and night but not too loud).
  • The odd cat and barking dog sounds (when they visit neighbours).
  • Variety of visiting humans (under supervision).
Will see how she progresses and will take her back to the vet if there is no improvement back to normal or a decline.

These vets are very good with rabbits. Knowledgeable, handle rabbits carefully and immediately used Lapinject when requested to do so for her injections.:D
 
No improvement overnight, so back into the vets and admitted this morning. Stasis.:shock:

Now going to get:

  • More pain relief.
  • Syringe feeding.
  • Sub-cutaneous fluids.
  • All-day observation and further treatment if necessary.
Hope this sorts her out.:?
 
Last edited:
Lots of vibes for her, i'm sure a little day long stay at the vets will sort her out and she'll be home again later xx
 
Update #2: Home and Eating

After not eating for 24h, refusing all food and either sitting hunched or lying flat out, the little critter started eating dandelion leaves at the vets.:roll:

So, not all of the anticipated treatment was required.:?

Now home and eating some greens (rocket and dandelion leaves) and had a wee of Niagara Falls volume. No poops yet, but with the amount of veg consumed must be imminent.:)

Fibreplex to be given 3x each day.


"Bongo" bunny is not yet 100%, but much better than she was.:):)

:wave:Thank you everyone for your concern.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Showing no symptoms - then stops eating
Replies
18
Views
974
bunny momma
bunny momma
keletkezes
Barrie has lost a lot of weight
Replies
17
Views
456
a reader of books
a reader of books
K
Is my rabbit in shock?
Replies
6
Views
782
Shimmer
S
Back
Top