Worried about Skye :-( - weight loss UD 8th July another GA

[catherine09]

I am hoping some of you might be able to give me some advice.

I adopted Skye (female, age unknown but approx 3-4, French lop) and her son Noah (male, about 9 months old, French x Conti) in December. When they arrived into rescue Skye was overweight (they found her in a small hutch and she had at least one litter), and when I picked her up she still had a few pounds to lose.

I have been feeding them unlimited meadow hay, about 2 handfuls of speciality hays (timothy/ings/oat) per day. In the morning they get about 6-8 fibafirst sticks between them and in the evening they get 2 small handfuls of Science selective (if you put this in a normal rabbit bowl it would fill 2/3rds), plus a small amount of either veg or more often forage.

Noah is thriving on this diet, and is a perfect size. Skye however, has dropped a lot of weight recently, and is now IMO too thin You can now feel the bones along her spine and her pelvis, and my efforts to increase her food intake have not worked in the past week.

She, in all other respects, is fine. Eating fine, drinking, pooing, weeing etc. She is active and not lethargic etc. Pretty much bowls me over for fenugreek crunchies :roll:

I have her booked in at the vets this week, but I just wanted a few opinions so I can go in armed with a bit of knowledge.

She had a dental at the rescue when she went for her spay, so I have an inkling this may be it, but the fact she is still eating with gusto makes me think it might not be.

I have an elderly piggy who is very thin, she was diagnosed with kidney failure in March 2013, so I'm terrified Skye might have something more sinister

 

[weedug]

Sorry, I've no idea, but just wondered if they were bonded and is she getting her share of the food?

Hope the vet visit goes ok.

 

[Babsie]

Can't offer up any possible reasons - but hope the vet visit goes well.

 

[catherine09]

Sorry, I've no idea, but just wondered if they were bonded and is she getting her share of the food?

Hope the vet visit goes ok.

I've thought that, but I watch them eat and whilst Noah does eat faster than her, she still eats only really just under half of what I give them, and I do sneak her extras when he's not around

The thing is, say she was missing out on 10% of her share of pellets per day as Noah is a faster eater, that wouldn't have caused this much weight loss so I think there must be something else

 

[chloemurray]

If she's had a dental in the past you're right, it may be that. When I got Ted he was overweight, and I started feeding him the same diet as my other bunnies (pretty much the same as you feed your buns) but as it was the complete opposite of what he was used to, combined with having more space to run around in, he dropped weight quickly and still hasn't gained much of it back despite being a healthy bunny otherwise. If Skye didn't have a massively great diet/much space before coming to you, the change in food etc might be partly to "blame", so to speak, for her weight loss?

 

[Neve]

If she's had a dental in the past you're right, it may be that. When I got Ted he was overweight, and I started feeding him the same diet as my other bunnies (pretty much the same as you feed your buns) but as it was the complete opposite of what he was used to, combined with having more space to run around in, he dropped weight quickly and still hasn't gained much of it back despite being a healthy bunny otherwise. If Skye didn't have a massively great diet/much space before coming to you, the change in food etc might be partly to "blame", so to speak, for her weight loss?

i agree with this. let us know what happens at the vet :thumb:

 

[Max1]

I really don't know why your bunny has lost weight, or what advice to give. This isn't likely but the only thing I can think of is worms, but if it were that, usually you would see other problems. However, I do think since she is a rescue bunny, if she has never been wormed before and treated for e. cuniculi, it might not be a bad idea to treat with fenbendazole just in case. Many rabbitries use it to treat rabbits on a regular basis as a preventative and its very safe.

 

[catherine09]

If she's had a dental in the past you're right, it may be that. When I got Ted he was overweight, and I started feeding him the same diet as my other bunnies (pretty much the same as you feed your buns) but as it was the complete opposite of what he was used to, combined with having more space to run around in, he dropped weight quickly and still hasn't gained much of it back despite being a healthy bunny otherwise. If Skye didn't have a massively great diet/much space before coming to you, the change in food etc might be partly to "blame", so to speak, for her weight loss?

Yes, maybe. I have upped her food since I noticed her losing weight but it just hasn't been enough. I originally thought I had underestimated how much food big buns need but then Noah is perfect weight and I had a foster conti for a year and she was fine too on what I was feeding her, so it can't be that I'm underfeeding them.

I'm wondering if she has had lots of litters and it's just taken it's toll on her body, as that what has happened to poor Maisie pig who is skin and bones and no matter what I try I can't get weight on her gosh if people came around they might think I neglect poor Maisie and Skye

 

[catherine09]

I really don't know why your bunny has lost weight, or what advice to give. This isn't likely but the only thing I can think of is worms, but if it were that, usually you would see other problems. However, I do think since she is a rescue bunny, if she has never been wormed before and treated for e. cuniculi, it might not be a bad idea to treat with fenbendazole just in case. Many rabbitries use it to treat rabbits on a regular basis as a preventative and its very safe.

I'm guessing my vet is going to suggest worming the pair of them when I see him this week. I hope it's as simple as that but my gut feeling suggests otherwise...

 

[chloemurray]

Yes, maybe. I have upped her food since I noticed her losing weight but it just hasn't been enough. I originally thought I had underestimated how much food big buns need but then Noah is perfect weight and I had a foster conti for a year and she was fine too on what I was feeding her, so it can't be that I'm underfeeding them.

I'm wondering if she has had lots of litters and it's just taken it's toll on her body, as that what has happened to poor Maisie pig who is skin and bones and no matter what I try I can't get weight on her gosh if people came around they might think I neglect poor Maisie and Skye

No one could ever, ever think that you neglect them. Most "every day" people wouldn't even realise they were underweight xx

 

[catherine09]

No one could ever, ever think that you neglect them. Most "every day" people wouldn't even realise they were underweight xx

I suppose. I do have a lot of bunny visitors to come and see the boarding though and I'm worried they will see Skye and think I'm a bad bunny mummy

Anyway, vets have now confirmed they can see me on Weds evening (think I pushed in ) so i'll take them both down then.

Can anyone help me as to what the vet should be doing? Would they need to do blood tests? Obviously i'll make him check her teeth incase it is a dental she needs. I'm now wondering whether I should go staight to the specialist but can't get there til at least next week as 40 min drive away and they shut quite early :?

 

[catherine09]

Teeth are fine, no obvious tenderness in stomach area, vet can't feel any strange lumps so she is going in for blood tests next week. Vet warned me it may be something more sinister

She weighs 2.5kg that's a whole 1kg loss in 4 weeks

 

[Babsie]

Teeth are fine, no obvious tenderness in stomach area, vet can't feel any strange lumps so she is going in for blood tests next week. Vet warned me it may be something more sinister

She weighs 2.5kg that's a whole 1kg loss in 4 weeks

Fingers crossed . . .

 

[yaretzi]

Fingers crossed for decent news from the vets

 

[mini lop1]

hope you find out what is causing the weight loss soon, the blood tests may help with an answer, many vibes x

 

[catherine09]

I'm so worried about her. I feel like I've failed her

 

[shebunkin]

can't offer advice but thoughts are with you and buns.

Sorry can't offer advice but thoughts are with you and buns. Hoping she picks up. It must be very distressing for you although it sounds like she is happy enough, just the weight loss. Fingers crossed for a good outcome. Shebunkin

 

[chloemurray]

You haven't failed her! She's a rescue bun, do you know her past? It could be something to do with previous neglect, or any number of things... it's most likely genetic. There's no way it's anything you've done and you know that really xx

 

[yaretzi]

You haven't failed her... you've given her a fantastic, loving, caring home with a companion in a fantastic size setup. You've done so well by her. Even if this turns out to be something that sadly causes a fast decline, you've made her last months amazing for her. She has an owner that loves her to bits and provides for her, she couldn't want for more . Fingers crossed that it turns out to be something treatable for your poor poppet

 

[Amy104]

Oliver had blood tests last week. They shaved him under his neck and took blood from there. He was extreamly lethargic afterwards but was fine but the next day.

Fingers crossed you get to the bottom of it and its nothing sinister. x