Metal Licking???

Hi Everyone

I've just discovered Daisy under the bed in the spare room licking a plug that was on the floor. I moved said plug so shes now in the living room licking the radiator pipe :?

She has a tumour in her mouth (bone cancer in her jaw) so it on Metacam at the moment but could the metal taste or the coolness of it be giving her comfort or a sort of relief?? Should I invest in a salt block maybe?

Heres the culprit with the radiator pipe!!


Thanks!

Some rabbits just like to lick odd textured things. A lot of them like denim but I've also had buns enjoy licking leather, rubber and smooth plastics. Metal isn't much of a stretch I don't think. You could be right about the coolness, why not test it by giving her a frozen water bottle and seeing if she goes for it? Perhaps she's also licking as a distraction from pain? Poor pet, she is lovely but her face does look sore. Perhaps she needs her Metacam dose upped? Is she showing any other signs of pain, lethargy, not flopping, eating less etc? I wouldn't think she needs a salt block, rabbits get all they need from a normal diet.

Thanks Coineanach.

She is on a double dose of Metacam - once with breakfast and once with tea - each day. I have Tramadol ready to give to her when the Metacam alone isn't enough but she does seem to fine for the moment.

She is eating more slowly than before and has definitely become more picky with her food so I basically give her what ever she wants just to ensure her guts are still moving.

I have never given salt blocks before as my buns have always had a good diet - I just wondered if it was an option.

I have to say that for some reason she loves to lick the knees on my PJ's when i've got them on - very strange but both her and her mate, Denzil (he passed away last year) were obsessed with my PJ's!

Forgot to add that I am taking her to see a specialist tonight - I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can for her!

I am also on tramadol, I'll have a bunny painkiller twin! :lol: Glad to hear you have it all planned out, sounds like your vet is on the right track too as some only advise metacam once a day instead of every 12 hours. I've never given tramadol myself but know a few members here have had it for their fluffballs so hope you get on well with it.

Is there anything they can do for Daisy or is it a case of end of life care? If the latter I'd certainly give her whatever the heck she wants, I was in the same position with my heart failure bun and she ate all sorts of rubbish towards the end of her life. Her last night she spent stealing my haribo! :shock::lol:

If she is eating more slowly have you considered pureeing her food and chopping her hay into very small pieces to mix in? Ella's baby food can also go down very well, it was recommended to me on here for mixing with meds, that didn't work but it did go down very well as food. I know some members who have buns with dental issues also soften pellets in water to make them easier to eat.

Good luck at the specialist tonight!

Yes. Hope the specialist visit went well.