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Refusing food, wet chin, hiding away...

Thumper98

Thumper98

Warren Scout
Hi everyone,

My girl bun Lilou is refusing her usual veg and hay and pretty much everything except pellets. This is not normal.. She is also eating very slowly (her brother is stealing all her food in the meantime) and been hiding away in her box, quiet. I also found her chin area a little damp.

I am glad she's still eating pellets well but am worried. Any idea what it could be before I head to the vet tmrw? I am suspecting its a dental issue - she had spurs a month ago which were treated. But could it be a jaw or tooth abscess?? Any idea? Positive vibes very welcome too :(

Thank you!

Bunny mom to Leo and Lilou:(
 
Those symptoms scream dental problems to me. As she has a history of spurs it may be that they have gotten out of control again and she needs another dental done ASAP. Unfortunately alot of bunnies with teeth problems need regular dentals throughout their lives.

Also be aware that while shes not eating much she may go into stasis, which you really want to avoid. It might involve syringe feeding her some fibreplex or critical care if you have any, if not pellets mushed up in warm water.

She needs to see a vet tommorrow at the latest, although if she stops eating completely, its an emergency vet today situation :wave:
 
Totally agree. There could be abcesses involved, but I think it's far more likely that it's just that the spurs have returned :wave:
 
Gemmapookie said:
Those symptoms scream dental problems to me. As she has a history of spurs it may be that they have gotten out of control again and she needs another dental done ASAP. Unfortunately alot of bunnies with teeth problems need regular dentals throughout their lives.

Also be aware that while shes not eating much she may go into stasis, which you really want to avoid. It might involve syringe feeding her some fibreplex or critical care if you have any, if not pellets mushed up in warm water.

She needs to see a vet tommorrow at the latest, although if she stops eating completely, its an emergency vet today situation :wave:
Click to expand...

I agree with the above.

Keep her gut going.


Hoping things get sorted asap. Fingers crossed. x
 
I agree, and I would also add that it would be worth getting some pain relief for her today because it will be hurting her if she is displaying these symptoms.
 
Thanks everyone!! Shes now in hiding again. Tempted her with more pellets (at this stage, a little extra calories is fine by me!) and she took them. Pooed a little too so not in stasis I think.

Vet first thing tmrw morning but she will have to take the train with me.. poor girl, will be a bit stressful for her. I have no more metacam at home. I wonder if its useful to ask for a bit more to stock at home for a rainy day like this?

Thanks for the vibes... Lilou appreciates it :wave:
 
Just wanted to add that I noticed that shes a little wet around her nose area too... is this also becos of dental or does she have snuffles? She isnt sniffling or sneezing though. Is this an emergency situation?? She just ate some pellets again. My poor baby girl :(
 
Thank you Sherlock! :wave:

After an arduous almost 4 hour journey under 35 degrees Summer heat to the emergency vet this afternoon, Lilou is feeling better. She was given an anti-inflammatory jab (Baytril I think?). Vet said no abcess and not possible for her spurs to grow back so much in 1 month, so we are suspecting a tooth root issue. However, that can only be verified with x rays and her being under GA :( So if she doesn't get back to normal, she's back to the vets!

Good thing is shes starting to eat more, pooing and all that.

Sometimes my bunnies really are a full time job! I am exhausted but would do anything for them! :love:
 
When Twinkle was still dribbling after a dental she was put on a course of antibiotic injections which cleared up whatever was making her drool, vet thinks probably an infection. Might be the case with your bunny if her nose is wet too.
 
Glad she is feeling better, it is actually possible for spurs to grow back in a month but if you are having x-rays done then you should ask them to check for them at the same time. Hopefully meds will clear anything up if it is not teeth/roots.

My dental bun has to have his teeth done under GA every 7-8 weeks but it has been less than this.
 
Well done getting your bun to vet. did they give you extra metacam?
I do believe spurs can grow back quicly.
Maybe your regular vet will be more experienced in bunnt dental problems.
Best wishes for your bunny.
 
Yes, was given extra Metacam as well as a small pack of Critical Care. This morning, she looked super hungry but as soon as I gave her food, she sniffed and lost interest. :( She did eat a small piece of carrot, some pellets, treats as well as a few pieces of chopped up endives. :) Then she ran off and hid again :(

Do you think its time for Critical Care? Or is that only for when she doesnt eat anything at all?

Am dreading having to bring her in to the vets again becos i would hate for her to have to go under GA but it seems, I might not have a choice... :(
 
If she is only picking, then make up a small amount of CC. Mine normally take it off a spoon so it is not as stressful as syringe. If it does not improve it sounds like further investigation is needed.
 
If anyone is still reading this, Lilou was back at her regular vet today. Once again they could not diagnose. However, they weighed her and found she had lost 200g - significant for a bunny. I think its partly also because her brother is a thug and eats 3 times faster than her and 3 times more. Its separate feeding for them now :(

Anyway, we are waiting to make an appointment with a 'rabbit tooth specialist' from the next town early next week. She will have to undergo GA to do an xray... I am so worried how she will take it... I hate it when they have to go under GA:? I just want her to be well!! :love:
 
im sorry ur buns unwell and its so distressing cos they cant tell us why......i know some people dont agree with this but have u tried giving her a dry weetabix to munch on? it might help with her weight loss......i read it somewhere that u cant give them often but as a treat its ok...it might keep her gut moving aswell
 
Thanks! I might try that if I can get my hands on weetabix here! So far, shes still taking some pellets and carrots but today she will start getting Critical Care to prevent her from losing anymore weight. :?
 
Is she on ANY pain relief right NOW?

Tooth issues are AGONY for rabbits.

Waiting til early next week to have any dental work done without pain relief is not good, withuot pain relief, almost unbearable for her :(

And spurs CAN grow back within 4 weeks - they can actually grow back within 2.
 
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