Shayne_
Warren Scout
Hey everyone, so background on both.
Darcie is a small dutch male (snipped) who is 6 yrs old, hes had health problems through his life and underlying worries about immune system etc. Hes just gotten over a case of mites (likely from hay) and during that treatment he got a resp infection, they have said it could be pastuerella from birth .. very unsure as history with underlying weakness.. After 5 weeks on Baytrill and changes to injections etc he has pulled through but during this found his back molars are in very bad condition and he has developed an abnormality on his face. The vet has said its from nerve damage due to the back teeth and the giving of medication also may have benefactored. The front teeth are in excellant shape which is why hadnt thought to check the back ones. Hes got a little weeping from the eyes and nose from the tooth damage partially blocking the tear ducts but no infections. Hes active, otherwise healthy and eats/drinks like a horse! Hes only just starting to drop food, mostly its carrots that he has difficulty with but not all the time.. He eats most of what he chews on, so laying off carrots for now. He is prefering fresh veggies over dry food which is and always has been since 4 months old, burgess excell super bunny pellets. (Although now its the one for older bunnies)
Loona is a lop eared Elderbun at 9 yrs + .. Unsure at age as she was approx 5-7 when got her. She is very healthy, great teeth front and back, good wieght, eats and eats and loves being in the garden (they have full run of house and garden) but she has suddenly come up with a few small issues that the vet checked out today. Her fur is getting that old feel and look about it, her fur around nose and eyes looks a bit faded/discoloured but like feet are really and shes slowing down, more flompy and easy to catch but still will run off lol.. The vet has cleared her of any health issues to worry about and said its general old age catching up on her.
Weve been advised to keep a close eye on both, feeding and drinking wise. If Darcie starts dropping food more or loses wieght then to go back and make decisions then. The vet agrees that he wont make it through surgery and keeping him comfortable is the best we can do until the time comes he is no longer his happy self and we make the decision.
What im really after is some advice on diet. At the minute they have constant access to the Excell pellets and a steady (I feel like im forever offering more) Veg.. They have carrots, spring greens, kale, mixed colour peppers, hay, the lawn and its never ending supply of grass, clover and then weeds i add in (All are checked rabbit safe such as dandelions and the clover) Green beans, rocket, lambs lettuce and spinach ( occasionally )
Is there anything suitable veg wise i can give that Darcie may not struggle with or help since hes not eating his pellets so much ? Also im wondering if its worth offering a seed mix style rabbit food to see if he will eat that with more ease, but i know its about bad for selective feeding etc.
Thanks in advance. Shayne
Also to add.. Darcie refused pretty much point blank and always has.. To eat hay.. He ignores it even the green excel and alfalfa with dandelions.. He picks out the dandelions .. Loona eats it all the time.
Also.. Added a couple of pics to the photos folder if want to see them
Darcie is a small dutch male (snipped) who is 6 yrs old, hes had health problems through his life and underlying worries about immune system etc. Hes just gotten over a case of mites (likely from hay) and during that treatment he got a resp infection, they have said it could be pastuerella from birth .. very unsure as history with underlying weakness.. After 5 weeks on Baytrill and changes to injections etc he has pulled through but during this found his back molars are in very bad condition and he has developed an abnormality on his face. The vet has said its from nerve damage due to the back teeth and the giving of medication also may have benefactored. The front teeth are in excellant shape which is why hadnt thought to check the back ones. Hes got a little weeping from the eyes and nose from the tooth damage partially blocking the tear ducts but no infections. Hes active, otherwise healthy and eats/drinks like a horse! Hes only just starting to drop food, mostly its carrots that he has difficulty with but not all the time.. He eats most of what he chews on, so laying off carrots for now. He is prefering fresh veggies over dry food which is and always has been since 4 months old, burgess excell super bunny pellets. (Although now its the one for older bunnies)
Loona is a lop eared Elderbun at 9 yrs + .. Unsure at age as she was approx 5-7 when got her. She is very healthy, great teeth front and back, good wieght, eats and eats and loves being in the garden (they have full run of house and garden) but she has suddenly come up with a few small issues that the vet checked out today. Her fur is getting that old feel and look about it, her fur around nose and eyes looks a bit faded/discoloured but like feet are really and shes slowing down, more flompy and easy to catch but still will run off lol.. The vet has cleared her of any health issues to worry about and said its general old age catching up on her.
Weve been advised to keep a close eye on both, feeding and drinking wise. If Darcie starts dropping food more or loses wieght then to go back and make decisions then. The vet agrees that he wont make it through surgery and keeping him comfortable is the best we can do until the time comes he is no longer his happy self and we make the decision.
What im really after is some advice on diet. At the minute they have constant access to the Excell pellets and a steady (I feel like im forever offering more) Veg.. They have carrots, spring greens, kale, mixed colour peppers, hay, the lawn and its never ending supply of grass, clover and then weeds i add in (All are checked rabbit safe such as dandelions and the clover) Green beans, rocket, lambs lettuce and spinach ( occasionally )
Is there anything suitable veg wise i can give that Darcie may not struggle with or help since hes not eating his pellets so much ? Also im wondering if its worth offering a seed mix style rabbit food to see if he will eat that with more ease, but i know its about bad for selective feeding etc.
Thanks in advance. Shayne
Also to add.. Darcie refused pretty much point blank and always has.. To eat hay.. He ignores it even the green excel and alfalfa with dandelions.. He picks out the dandelions .. Loona eats it all the time.
Also.. Added a couple of pics to the photos folder if want to see them
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