Still Not Eating After Dental. Please Help.

On Tuesday I returned home from holiday and collected my bun from the bun sitter. My first thoughts when I saw him were that he isn't well, his poops were dark and small and a small amount, he had eaten less hay that day and he wasn't interested in food. When the bun sitter arrived home she informed me that his appetite had decreased a small amount in the last few days. I rang the vet immediately and we got an appointment and he was booked in for a dental under GA the next day, to get us through the night we syringe fed and gave meloxicam. He wouldn't eat mushed up pellets, mushed up banana, grated apple. Any of his normal veggies such as mint, corriander, parsley etc.

He had his dental yesterday and came home from the vets at 5pm. We were advised to offer him all of his normal diet and to syringe feed if we feel it was necessary. He ate a strand of hay, a treat and a little bit of apple. His output was poor, so we syringe fed again. Today he is still not eating, he has eaten two treats, but no hay. He has had regular painkillers since he came home.

I have rang the vet and she is going to contact me again when she is out of consult. We have a post op check tomorrow but I am really concerned and I know it can't wait until tomorrow.

My next thoughts are things like fibreplex and maybe a stimulant etc? My vets, although they are trying to become more knowledable in rabbit care are not rabbit specialists.

Any help would be grately appreciated.

Thanks :wave:

I would suggest prokinetics (metoclopromide and Ranitidine) aswell as the regular analgesia and supportive feeds

Did the Vet tell you what was found during the Dental ? Any soft tissue damage from molar spurs-eg cuts/ulcers on cheeks/tongue will take a few days to heal.

Jack's-Jane said:

I would suggest prokinetics (metoclopromide and Ranitidine) aswell as the regular analgesia and supportive feeds

Did the Vet tell you what was found during the Dental ? Any soft tissue damage from molar spurs-eg cuts/ulcers on cheeks/tongue will take a few days to heal.

Click to expand...

Yes he had molar spurs which had caused damage to his cheek and tongue. I understand that it's still going to be uncomfortable for him to eat but I'm worried that lack of intake is going to cause GI stasis. I will suggest to the vet starting some maxalon and things :0) With the regards to dosing and frequency can you suggest what he may need, he is 2kg.

This is stressful for both bunny and mummy

Thankyou.

Nothing to add, as it seems you have everything under control, but wanted to send him some vibes. Hope he starts eating soon.

Unicorn said:

Yes he had molar spurs which had caused damage to his cheek and tongue. I understand that it's still going to be uncomfortable for him to eat but I'm worried that lack of intake is going to cause GI stasis. I will suggest to the vet starting some maxalon and things :0) With the regards to dosing and frequency can you suggest what he may need, he is 2kg.

This is stressful for both bunny and mummy

Thankyou.

Click to expand...

Your Vet should have a drug dose reference to consult

There are some here:

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Metoclopramide.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Ranitidine.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Meloxicam.htm

We are booked in today at 4.20pm. Spoke to the vet and he didn't seem overly concerned but he did suggest a stimulant.

The vet nurse appears to be as dull as a brush, she wanted to book me in for monday to have this injection :roll: That's a bit scary. May be a bit late then love.

Thanks for the vibes

Good luck.
My bun's just had a dental and I managed to tempt him with soggy pellets soaked in water and oats soaked in water. Nice and soft if his mouth hurt.

Jenova said:

Good luck.
My bun's just had a dental and I managed to tempt him with soggy pellets soaked in water and oats soaked in water. Nice and soft if his mouth hurt.

Click to expand...

He won't eat them Not even with banana mashed in either.

Thankyou

Have ya tried some dandelions or basil these 2 always work for mine I hope he starts eating soon bless him 

Hi Unicorn, I'm so sorry you're bunny is poorly. I'm sending all my vibes your way and I really hope little bun starts eating soon xxx

Thankyou Jaysmonkey :wave:

Hope he starts eating soon. Sending lots of vibes xx

You have probably tried these, but one of mine has a sensitive tum (Dolly Boobies) and blackberry (bramble) leaves and science selective soaked in warm water are the only things that will tempt her.
Good luck

Since having some meds hes eaten some bramble leaves, spring greens, a treat and a couple of stalks of hay. Painkillers due at 2230 and zantac at 01.20.

Do happy to see him eating a little. If still very intake by tomorrow 10.20 he will be admitted.

that sounds really promising. Hope he continues to improve.

So glad he has been able to manage something to eat...fingers crossed he is on the up now xxx

When I had my dental bun the Vet suggested that I bought some Dentinox (teething gel for babies). I had to put a spot of Dentinox
on a cotton bud and roll around the edges of my buns mouth. It helped to relieve the pain from where the spurs had cut his cheek and tongue.

It is great news that your bun is eating but if you are worried that not enough food is being taken still syringe feed. My bunny used to love Hipp Organic Apple and Pear food. He used to lap it from the syringe even when he was not interested in other food.


My vet is a Rabbit Specialist and he suggested the above. Remember that it has to be teething gel for babies.....adults are too strong.

shredded wheat and organic baby food..veggie ones with no garlic or onion i hope he picks up soon

My bun had a dental yesterday and he did not start eating until 3-4 hours ago. He had painkiller and was taking his critical care very willingly. He was more sleepy than anything else I think. He did not have any cuts etc, just uneven and some spurs.

Other suggestions on here are good and I would advise to always have a couple of packs of Oxbow Critical care in for emergencies. The fine blend one is nice and smooth if you have to syringe. The green one is aniseedy smell and "rougher"

I hope your bunny starts to eat of his own accord soon.

We've continued with his meds as prescribed and he's eaten bramble leaves, rocket, treats and after his painkillers and zantac this morning he's just started nibbling on some hay! I found him on the window sill this morning so seems he has some more get up an go in him.

I'm hoping for some poos now fingers crossed! We're off to the vets again soon for trip number 4, seems as if were going in the right direction though.

Going to do some more foraging after the vets and get some more bramble leaves, they are a big hit this house. Is there a limit, are they a diuretic or anything?

xxx