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Older Rabbit - Eatting a bit Less?

N

nickybunny1

Mama Doe
Just wondering if older rabbits tend to eat a little bit less as they age. Cody is not as big a hoover for his pellets as he used to be . He will eventually eat them all but I am just wondering if that is what happens with age. He is around 7 and half now and does sleep a good bit more now. He still stuffs his face with all his veg . He is due his check up next week for his ear . He has been in remission with his inner ear infect now for around 5 months now but still has twice weekly depocillian .
 
I would not say that older Rabbits eat less, it has certainly not been my experience anyway. The only time it has occurred is when related to a Dental problem. Older Rabbits can develop Dental problems, even if they have never had any before.

Also, in my experience, a Rabbit with any type of ear pain/discomfort will go off hard feed.

I hope that Cody gets on OK at the Vets.
 
Thanks Jane. I guess I am in new territory with an older ish bun so just checking . He is more a grazer this past few months. Will defo get vet to check his teeth thoroughly also. He is such a good man and such a good patient .
 
nickybunny1 said:
Just wondering if older rabbits tend to eat a little bit less as they age. Cody is not as big a hoover for his pellets as he used to be . He will eventually eat them all but I am just wondering if that is what happens with age. He is around 7 and half now and does sleep a good bit more now. He still stuffs his face with all his veg . He is due his check up next week for his ear . He has been in remission with his inner ear infect now for around 5 months now but still has twice weekly depocillian .
Click to expand...

Hi Nicky, nice to hear from you and Cody again :wave:

My experience of older buns is that they certainly can graze more than they did when they were younger. They are sleepier, and perhaps a little forgetful (eyes and ears are perhaps not as acute as they once were).

However, as for their appetite failing, I would be wary of putting that down to old age. When you see the vet, make sure he gives a really good look at the teeth. This would be my number one priority.

If they are good, then there are things that can perk up their interest in food again to make sure that they don't go downhill through not eating enough. They need to maintain their strength.

Remind me how old Cody is again please?
 
nickybunny1 said:
Thanks Jane. I guess I am in new territory with an older ish bun so just checking . He is more a grazer this past few months. Will defo get vet to check his teeth thoroughly also. He is such a good man and such a good patient .
Click to expand...

Well 7.5 years is not old as such, but in my experience it is a stage where a Dental problem may start. However, given his history of ear problems I would be suspicious of ear problems being involved. I am sure your Vet will establish exactly what is going on xx
 
nickybunny1 said:
Just wondering if older rabbits tend to eat a little bit less as they age. Cody is not as big a hoover for his pellets as he used to be . He will eventually eat them all but I am just wondering if that is what happens with age. He is around 7 and half now and does sleep a good bit more now. He still stuffs his face with all his veg . He is due his check up next week for his ear . He has been in remission with his inner ear infect now for around 5 months now but still has twice weekly depocillian .
Click to expand...

Ah Nicky, just read your post again, and see he is around 7 and a half years old :)

That isn't old. I would think again of possible reasons for his change in attitude to his food.
 
Hello again Max !Thanks Max and Jane. I hope it's not his ear :( well I will be taking him on Tuesday and hope he will be OK til then when my usual vet is in. I usually sneak Cody a good handful of excel pellets as he isn't as keen on the low calcium ones for Oliver as I fee them together . But he hasn't been as keen this past few days. One other thing. His glaucoma wye which is on the same side as his bad ear was watering for about a week. The vet said to use the eye drops I had when Oliver had a watery eye a couple of weeks ago and then she will check him when i am down.Codys eye appears to be improving but I wonder is there any connection to teeth and a watery eye ?? Or even his ear or all 3??
 
nickybunny1 said:
Hello again Max !Thanks Max and Jane. I hope it's not his ear :( well I will be taking him on Tuesday and hope he will be OK til then when my usual vet is in. I usually sneak Cody a good handful of excel pellets as he isn't as keen on the low calcium ones for Oliver as I fee them together . But he hasn't been as keen this past few days. One other thing. His glaucoma wye which is on the same side as his bad ear was watering for about a week. The vet said to use the eye drops I had when Oliver had a watery eye a couple of weeks ago and then she will check him when i am down.Codys eye appears to be improving but I wonder is there any connection to teeth and a watery eye ?? Or even his ear or all 3??
Click to expand...

Certainly dental issues can cause eye issues. The tooth roots press on tear ducts and only an X-Ray would show up what was going on for him. Tooth roots/elongation cause so many issues in our rabbits <sigh>

I think it's a good idea to sneak a few of his favourite pellets in advance of any vet visit :thumb: Would you be expecting him to have a GA at all on Tuesday, or just a check up at this stage?
 
Hi Max well I would speak to the vet early before I travel down as I don't have my appointment booked yet so he may need a GA. I am afraid to put the Code under as he hasn't had a GA other than his neuter at the sanctuary I will monitor his eye to see if it continues to improver. What to the tend to do with elongated tooth roots or are all cases different? As he has the ear infection that we r holding at bay with the depocillian would it be wise for xray now that a watery eye is in the equation?
 
nickybunny1 said:
Hi Max well I would speak to the vet early before I travel down as I don't have my appointment booked yet so he may need a GA. I am afraid to put the Code under as he hasn't had a GA other than his neuter at the sanctuary I will monitor his eye to see if it continues to improver. What to the tend to do with elongated tooth roots or are all cases different? As he has the ear infection that we r holding at bay with the depocillian would it be wise for xray now that a watery eye is in the equation?
Click to expand...

Very difficult to do anything about elongated roots. An X-Ray would show they were there'd also whether there was a 'hidden' dental issue that wasn't spotted previously.

Personally I would be as reluctant as you for Cody to have a GA, unless really necessary for a dental or other procedure.

I'm glad the Depocillin is holding the ear infection at bay.
 
Fingers crossed it's not that. He's not really interested in his pellets much today :( Still enjoying his veg tho. Not eatting his hay bales today.
 
nickybunny1 said:
Fingers crossed it's not that. He's not really interested in his pellets much today :( Still enjoying his veg tho. Not eatting his hay bales today.
Click to expand...


... at least he's still eating, thank goodness.

Roll on Tuesday. Is it still a very long journey for you?
 
Yes still eatting but again only eatting a few pellets if they r softened. And still hos veg thankfully. He sprinted out for his morning grape so thats good. Yes Max still 60 mile drive to vet. Think there is less poo from Code also. Will now have to pen him in to check his output. I hate doing that but there's no other way to show what is Cody's and what is Olivers. Hope is still can stay stable ish like this til Tuesday . We were doing well for a good while !!!
 
nickybunny1 said:
Yes still eatting but again only eatting a few pellets if they r softened. And still hos veg thankfully. He sprinted out for his morning grape so thats good. Yes Max still 60 mile drive to vet. Think there is less poo from Code also. Will now have to pen him in to check his output. I hate doing that but there's no other way to show what is Cody's and what is Olivers. Hope is still can stay stable ish like this til Tuesday . We were doing well for a good while !!!
Click to expand...

Yes you certainly were!

I sympathise with the long drive and the wait to see your vet, but I'm sure you and Code can hold on. Syringing and all that will keep him going, even if it wears you down ... I hope it doesn't xx
 
Thanks Mini lop. Thankfully he us eatting the grass I picked outside and all his veg. Plus eventually plus pellets. Thankfully haven't had to syringe feed so far. Yes Max u remember I don't do well in crisis but I will do what I have to for the boys. Cody is just testing me today !!
 
Sending loads of vibes for Cody. I'm sorry you have such a long drive to the vets. That in itself must be quite stressful. I hope you manage to keep him eating without having to resort to syringe-feeding.
 
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