8 year old bun not eating as much

This is a continuation of a post I started a couple of weeks ago.
I have an 8 year old House Rabbit, who has been off his food for the nearly 4 weeks.

He has been very prone to GI Stasis throughout his life but the vet (who has over 40 years experience, so I do trust her diagnosis) has said it isn’t this this time and that there is nothing obviously wrong with him, like GI Stasis, dental problems, arthritis etc.

He has been given a few gut stimulant and vitamin B5 injections, and one steroid injection, due to some muscle lose.
She has put it down to him getting old and fussy with his food.

He is still eating carrots and Timothy hay, but has gone off his nuggets and parsley.

He is also still hopping around, obviously not a massive amount considering his age.

Although he is probably not getting any worse I am concerned that he will stop eating completely.
He has been on Bio lapis for nearly 4 weeks so his gut is getting what it needs with the lack of food he is consuming.

Has anyone seen this before, and does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Has the Vet run any diagnostics such as a full blood profile ?

Jack's-Jane said:

Has the Vet run any diagnostics such as a full blood profile ?

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No, but urine samples have been taken in and they were ok.

I would suggest a full blood profile to check liver/kidney function and to see if there is any evidence of inflammation and/or infection going on.

Also, it is rarely possible to be 100% certain that a Rabbit's teeth are all OK whilst said Rabbit is conscious. Older Rabbits can develop molar problems even if they have had no previous history of Dental issues.

Has the Vet ruled out a cecal impaction ? Another problem that older Rabbits can develop, especially if they have always been prone to 'sluggish guts'. Cecal impaction is insidious in onset, often symptoms can mimic those associated with Dental problems.

What is your Rabbit's water intake like ?

Jack's-Jane said:

I would suggest a full blood profile to check liver/kidney function and to see if there is any evidence of inflammation and/or infection going on.

Also, it is rarely possible to be 100% certain that a Rabbit's teeth are all OK whilst said Rabbit is conscious. Older Rabbits can develop molar problems even if they have had no previous history of Dental issues.

Has the Vet ruled out a cecal impaction ? Another problem that older Rabbits can develop, especially if they have always been prone to 'sluggish guts'. Cecal impaction is insidious in onset, often symptoms can mimic those associated with Dental problems.

What is your Rabbit's water intake like ?

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His water intake has gone down, he was a big drinker before though, but he had his urine tested in the past for kidney function and that was ok.

She said his stomach felt normal, that is as far as i know on the cecal impaction front.
And he had had his teeth only whilst conscious.

Does he have a water bowl or a sipper bottle? Reduced appetite can occur if a Rabbit is not drinking. To encourage him to drink more I would offer him his water from a bowl if you are not already doing so. Also, Rabbits with Dental issues sometimes become reluctant to use a sipper bottle...................

Jack's-Jane said:

Does he have a water bowl or a sipper bottle? Reduced appetite can occur if a Rabbit is not drinking. To encourage him to drink more I would offer him his water from a bowl if you are not already doing so. Also, Rabbits with Dental issues sometimes become reluctant to use a sipper bottle...................

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He uses a bowl, and although he is drinking less his hydration levels were fine according to the Vet.
I have asked the Vet to ring me to tonight so i can discuss the possibility of dental problems again.
Thanks for your advice Jack's Jane.