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Rabbit flops over and not eating too good.

P

patchy

New Kit
My rabbit who is 4 yrs is not eating too good. Been to vet, teeth ok, no mass felt in stomach and blood normal. He is drinking but wont really eat much unless i force it on him. He then suddenly flops over for a few seconds. He seems lively enough but i worried about the lack of food he is eating. the vets thinks it could be his heart and there is not much you can do for rabbits with heart probs, so my vet says. Any ides on how to make him eat more. he likes parlsey and eats but not much else at the moment. he was fine up until 2 days ago.
 
I would take him to a vet who is a specialist in exotics and rabbits in particular. They can go downhill very quickly. If you need advice on a vet maybe post another post on here asking for rabbit savvy vet in your town.
 
How is his output - wee / poo - compared to normal?
Were his back teeth examined?
Blood sugar checked or just a routine blood scan?
Was EC considered?
Has any treatment been given? Diagnosis can be difficult in rabbits, but often the first port of call is a general antibiotic (eg Baytril) and pain relief (eg Metacam), along with syringe feeding if an intestinal blockage has been ruled out.

There are some medication options available for heart problems in rabbits - but it would have to be a firm diagnosis.

I would suggest another vet visit ASAP and/or a referral to a rabbit specialist. Your vet can phone another to ask for advice if they need to or you ask for a referral. Or you can just go to someone who has more experience with rabbits - people on here may be able to recommend a vet near you if you start a new thread asking for a 'rabbit savvy vet in xxxxxx'.
 
patchy said:
My rabbit who is 4 yrs is not eating too good. Been to vet, teeth ok, no mass felt in stomach and blood normal. He is drinking but wont really eat much unless i force it on him. He then suddenly flops over for a few seconds. He seems lively enough but i worried about the lack of food he is eating. the vets thinks it could be his heart and there is not much you can do for rabbits with heart probs, so my vet says. Any ides on how to make him eat more. he likes parlsey and eats but not much else at the moment. he was fine up until 2 days ago.
Click to expand...

I am sorry that your Rabbit is not well. It sounds as though your Vet may be a little limited in their Rabbit knowledge. There are plenty of treatment options for a Rabbit with heart problems. Although I am not sure what made your Vet think your Rabbit has a heart problem ?

There is clearly a reason for the lack of eating/falling over and a Rabbit Savvy Vet would run some diagnostics to try to ascertain exactly what is going on. When you say your Rabbit 'flops over', do you mean he losses his balance ?

Is his poo output very small now ?

If you say what geographical area you are in someone on RU may be able to recommend a more 'Rabbit Savvy' Vet for you to consult. There is a list of Vets recommended by Rabbit Owners here :

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/vetfinder/vets-owners-recommendations
 
Shimmer said:
How is his output - wee / poo - compared to normal?
Were his back teeth examined?
Blood sugar checked or just a routine blood scan?
Was EC considered?
Has any treatment been given? Diagnosis can be difficult in rabbits, but often the first port of call is a general antibiotic (eg Baytril) and pain relief (eg Metacam), along with syringe feeding if an intestinal blockage has been ruled out.

There are some medication options available for heart problems in rabbits - but it would have to be a firm diagnosis.

I would suggest another vet visit ASAP and/or a referral to a rabbit specialist. Your vet can phone another to ask for advice if they need to or you ask for a referral. Or you can just go to someone who has more experience with rabbits - people on here may be able to recommend a vet near you if you start a new thread asking for a 'rabbit savvy vet in xxxxxx'.
Click to expand...


Shimmer has given excellent advice here :)

Please start a new thread in Rabbit Chat to find a vet who can help your rabbit.
This sounds to be a very urgent matter!

Good luck and welcome to the Forum :)
 
rabbit flipping over and not eating well

hanks for all the repies. When he falls over he just flops on his side all of a sudden. vet has checked his teeth and run a full blood count and checked his stomach for bloating. She has put him on a antibiotic incase of infection and and gut stimulant to keep it moving incase of early signs of GI stasis. He is drinking but his poos seem smaller. I guess that would account for the lack of food. She has advised crital care food which i am having a job giving him., I end up with more on me than in him. I wrap him up as advised in towel but he wiggles free. he will eat but i have to put the food litterally in his face and he will chew it a bit. I tried parsley on his greens last night and he ate a little bit. I have tried the dried herb mixes for rabbits to put in there hay which he did love but now just looks at it. I live in the North east of england (Sunderland).
 
rabbit that flips over on previous thread ( by patchy)

I live in sunderland england. Hope some knows good rabbit vet to get him sotred out.
 
In reponse to thread regarding rabbit flooping over and not eating too well.

hanks for all the repies. When he falls over he just flops on his side all of a sudden. vet has checked his teeth and run a full blood count and checked his stomach for bloating. She has put him on a antibiotic incase of infection and and gut stimulant to keep it moving incase of early signs of GI stasis. He is drinking but his poos seem smaller. I guess that would account for the lack of food. She has advised crital care food which i am having a job giving him., I end up with more on me than in him. I wrap him up as advised in towel but he wiggles free. he will eat but i have to put the food litterally in his face and he will chew it a bit. I tried parsley on his greens last night and he ate a little bit. I have tried the dried herb mixes for rabbits to put in there hay which he did love but now just looks at it. I live in the North east of england (Sunderland). I have rang other vets for advice on this and they say 'we need to see the rabbit' first. I have already spent alot on blood test etc all of which came back normal.
 
patchy said:
hanks for all the repies. When he falls over he just flops on his side all of a sudden. vet has checked his teeth and run a full blood count and checked his stomach for bloating. She has put him on a antibiotic incase of infection and and gut stimulant to keep it moving incase of early signs of GI stasis. He is drinking but his poos seem smaller. I guess that would account for the lack of food. She has advised crital care food which i am having a job giving him., I end up with more on me than in him. I wrap him up as advised in towel but he wiggles free. he will eat but i have to put the food litterally in his face and he will chew it a bit. I tried parsley on his greens last night and he ate a little bit. I have tried the dried herb mixes for rabbits to put in there hay which he did love but now just looks at it. I live in the North east of england (Sunderland). I have rang other vets for advice on this and they say 'we need to see the rabbit' first. I have already spent alot on blood test etc all of which came back normal.
Click to expand...


Hi patchy

If the vet says it's a good idea to syringe feed your rabbit, you could try mixing the Critical Care with something like Ella's Kitchen organic baby food. I find the apples and bananas go down well.

http://shop.ellaskitchen.co.uk/products/bananas-bananas-bananas

Many rabbits don't like the taste of CC

You could also soak and mash his usual pellets and mix with baby food or orange/apple juice.

Another thought ... When you ring up, insist on speaking with the vet. The vet has seen your rabbit, you shouldn't need to go in just for a conversation. Get past the receptionist and the nurse and get the vet to ring you back - it's important :)
 
patchy said:
hanks for all the repies. When he falls over he just flops on his side all of a sudden. vet has checked his teeth and run a full blood count and checked his stomach for bloating. She has put him on a antibiotic incase of infection and and gut stimulant to keep it moving incase of early signs of GI stasis. He is drinking but his poos seem smaller. I guess that would account for the lack of food. She has advised crital care food which i am having a job giving him., I end up with more on me than in him. I wrap him up as advised in towel but he wiggles free. he will eat but i have to put the food litterally in his face and he will chew it a bit. I tried parsley on his greens last night and he ate a little bit. I have tried the dried herb mixes for rabbits to put in there hay which he did love but now just looks at it. I live in the North east of england (Sunderland).
Click to expand...


I have replied on your other two threads, patchy :wave:

I have also started a thread in Rabbit Health on your behalf to get you a rabbit savvy vet asap.

Good luck xx
 
I use King’s Road vet in Southwick. I always ask to see Wendy Rowntree she is very good with my rabbits and I would not go anywhere else. My rabbit is going to have tests done on Tuesday and Wendy is coming in on her day off to do them.

Tony
 
Jack's-Jane said:
Honor Etherington, Vets for Pets Sunderland

https://www.vets4pets.com/find-a-practice/vets4pets-vets-in-sunderland/

Judith Brown, First Vets-Forest Hall

http://www.firstvets.co.uk/staffs/10-firstvets-forest-hall

Deborah Stafford, Gilmoor Vets- Durham

http://www.gilmoorvets.com/durham-practice.html
Click to expand...

I would agree with these suggestions. If you can get to Gilmoor Vets in Durham, they are one of the few Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund 'Gold star' veterinary practices, which mean they have met stringent standards for the quality of their rabbit treatment and facilities. I hope your little one can be helped
 
Rabbit that was flopping over and off food

Little guy seems brighter. Eating something. Seems to like parsley over hay. Was running around garden last night and grooming his mate. Still on gut simulating meds from vet. I hope it continues.
 
patchy said:
Little guy seems brighter. Eating something. Seems to like parsley over hay. Was running around garden last night and grooming his mate. Still on gut simulating meds from vet. I hope it continues.
Click to expand...

Is he still falling over ?

I am glad that he seems a bit brighter. Are you going to get a second opinion from another Vet ?
 
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