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Bunny not eating hay

Hi Folks. I am after any suggestions. One of my bunnies has been diagnosed with Pseudomonas. Whilst she eats well with regards to dried food, pellets and greens, her hay vons5umption is practically non existent and she loved it before. I have tried various types of hay, including ones with mint etc, but all to no avail. Any ideas what I might try to increase her fibre intake. Thank you so much for your help.
 
Hi Folks. I am after any suggestions. One of my bunnies has been diagnosed with Pseudomonas. Whilst she eats well with regards to dried food, pellets and greens, her hay vons5umption is practically non existent and she loved it before. I have tried various types of hay, including ones with mint etc, but all to no avail. Any ideas what I might try to increase her fibre intake. Thank you so much for your help.

Hello

What symptoms is she presenting with ?

I assume that your Vet has established whether Dental problems may be an issue for your Rabbit, as well as the bacterial infection ?

How much pellet feed do you give ?

A bit more detailed background information may help us to make some suggestions re trying to get your Bunny to eat more hay :)
 
Hi Folks. I am after any suggestions. One of my bunnies has been diagnosed with Pseudomonas. Whilst she eats well with regards to dried food, pellets and greens, her hay vons5umption is practically non existent and she loved it before. I have tried various types of hay, including ones with mint etc, but all to no avail. Any ideas what I might try to increase her fibre intake. Thank you so much for your help.


To increase her fibre intake and also wear on the teeth (important) I would first introduce Fibafirst sticks which contain fibre and food in a very palatable form.

http://supremepetfoods.com/fiba-first-2/


Then I would make sure your vet can ascertain whether there may be a dental issue going on that is preventing her from eating. Hay is usually the first to go when a rabbit has dental issues, as it's the side to side grinding action that's difficult for them. Pellets and greens are an up and down chomping action which is easier for a dental rabbit.

http://www.therabbithouse.com/blog/2011/10/07/grass-hay-tooth-wear/


Bear in mind that a vet who can only see a rabbit's teeth via an otoscope is unlikely to be able to fully assess the back cheek teeth.
 
Hi. Her teeth were checked by our vet last week and they were fine. She has approx 8 pellets a day. She poos and drinks well. She seems to have good and bad days. She is nebulized twice a day and is on Loxicom. Sometimes she is her lively self and other times she is v quiet. I just worry that her hay intake has decreased do dramatically.
 
Hi. Her teeth were checked by our vet last week and they were fine. She has approx 8 pellets a day. She poos and drinks well. She seems to have good and bad days. She is nebulized twice a day and is on Loxicom. Sometimes she is her lively self and other times she is v quiet. I just worry that her hay intake has decreased do dramatically.

What about Readigrass ?

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Friendship-Estates-Friendly-Readigrass-for-Small-Animals/c18127/

Has she had skull radigraphs taken ? From what you have said I am assuming that her symptoms are upper respiratory tract related ? If so then this can be related to a problem with the tooth roots. The tooth roots can elongate and penetrate the nasal passages. This then results in rhinitis and sometimes secondary bacterial infection. Tooth root elongation cannot be see without skull radiography.

See image bottom right

tB8kdlE.jpg


Does your Rabbit have access to grazing on fresh grass and if so is she still eating that ?
 
Hi. Her teeth were checked by our vet last week and they were fine. She has approx 8 pellets a day. She poos and drinks well. She seems to have good and bad days. She is nebulized twice a day and is on Loxicom. Sometimes she is her lively self and other times she is v quiet. I just worry that her hay intake has decreased do dramatically.


Hi Mebs

Why is she being nebulised? Is the infection in her nasal cavity or upper respiratory?

Regards her teeth, as I mentioned above (and you probably know) most vets can't see the very back teeth through their otoscope. They have to actually sedate the rabbit to open their mouth and look. Some vets can do this whilst a rabbit is conscious, but I am guessing your vet isn't one of these?

Do you feel that her not eating hay might be connected with her infection? What has your vet said?

And lastly, how old is your rabbit? Sorry for all the questions, and sorry if you've already said :)
 
She is 3 years old and a Netherland Dwarf. She hasn't had any radigraphs taken so I will mention that to the vet. She is being nebulized as this particular bacteria is resistant to every antibiotic and we are hoping it will ease her breathing and clear her airwaves. The infection is nasal. I think her lack of hay eating is connected to her infection, but I so want her to get a bit of fibre in her body.
 
She is 3 years old and a Netherland Dwarf. She hasn't had any radigraphs taken so I will mention that to the vet. She is being nebulized as this particular bacteria is resistant to every antibiotic and we are hoping it will ease her breathing and clear her airwaves. The infection is nasal. I think her lack of hay eating is connected to her infection, but I so want her to get a bit of fibre in her body.

A well respected and knowledgable member of RU , Username 'Santa' had a Nethie Doe called....'Santa' (!!) who had chronic upper respiratory tract disease and after numerous diagnostics including deep nasal swabs, skull radiographs and rhinoscopy (I think) the primary cause was found to be tooth root elongation. This is a relatively common issue for Nethies, especially those who are exceptionally brachycephallic.

Santa (human!) is exceptionally busy these days and she does not visit RU every day. But if you sent her a PM she would reply ASAP.

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/member.php?6187-Santa

And some additional information about Pseudomonas here :

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/Pseudomonas_Infection.htm

And on Nasal discharge/rhinitis

http://www.moorgatevets.co.uk/factsheets/Factsheets/Otherpets/24_295074.shtml

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id...&q=rabbit dental disease and rhinitis&f=false

If the Vet decides to proceed with skull radiography then I would also request chest Xrays are taken at the same time.
 
She is 3 years old and a Netherland Dwarf. She hasn't had any radigraphs taken so I will mention that to the vet. She is being nebulized as this particular bacteria is resistant to every antibiotic and we are hoping it will ease her breathing and clear her airwaves. The infection is nasal. I think her lack of hay eating is connected to her infection, but I so want her to get a bit of fibre in her body.


I think nebulising is a great way forward. The other thing you can ask your vet about is Bisolvon. It's a mucolytic, and will thin mucous and help it to pass easily. It works incredibly well on those nasal passages which are hard to reach.

Some more info here:

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Respiratory/Bacterial/URI.htm


I've also found this article particularly helpful:

http://www.veterinarywebinars.com/m...oads/2016/03/Study_Notes_Ear_Nose_Rabbits.pdf
 
Thank you folks for your advice. I have messaged Santa and am awaiting a reply. I am watching her like a hawk and I am definitely going to push for her teeth to be radiographed on our next vet visit.
 
We are off to the vet today gor a check up. She is still.off her hay and is now very annoyed with me, as I brought them inside last night. I turned the heating off so they didn't get hot. Sometimes I look at her and she seems quite happy and others she seems so down. I am going to ask about radiogaphs today and I think she has lost a little weight. I will.report back later.
 
We are off to the vet today gor a check up. She is still.off her hay and is now very annoyed with me, as I brought them inside last night. I turned the heating off so they didn't get hot. Sometimes I look at her and she seems quite happy and others she seems so down. I am going to ask about radiogaphs today and I think she has lost a little weight. I will.report back later.

I hope the Vet can shed some light on what may be going on xx
 
We are off to the vet today gor a check up. She is still.off her hay and is now very annoyed with me, as I brought them inside last night. I turned the heating off so they didn't get hot. Sometimes I look at her and she seems quite happy and others she seems so down. I am going to ask about radiogaphs today and I think she has lost a little weight. I will.report back later.


Hope the vet can get some idea of what's going on for her.

Good luck today xx
 
Hi All.
Just a quick update on Emily. After my massive panicking, my little furball has put on weight. When we were at the vet's, another nose swab was taken and this time it came back as responsive to a variety of antibiotics. So we are continuing with the nebulizing and are on a course of antibiotics side by side. She does seem a bit brighter and I am hoping this may be the corner turned. The vet wants to see how this goes and she will be returning for a check up shortly.
 
Hi All.
Just a quick update on Emily. After my massive panicking, my little furball has put on weight. When we were at the vet's, another nose swab was taken and this time it came back as responsive to a variety of antibiotics. So we are continuing with the nebulizing and are on a course of antibiotics side by side. She does seem a bit brighter and I am hoping this may be the corner turned. The vet wants to see how this goes and she will be returning for a check up shortly.

I really hope that the antibiotics and nebulising will get on top of the infection. Good news that Emily has gained some weight :)
 
Hi All.
Just a quick update on Emily. After my massive panicking, my little furball has put on weight. When we were at the vet's, another nose swab was taken and this time it came back as responsive to a variety of antibiotics. So we are continuing with the nebulizing and are on a course of antibiotics side by side. She does seem a bit brighter and I am hoping this may be the corner turned. The vet wants to see how this goes and she will be returning for a check up shortly.


Hiya :wave:

I'm pleased to hear that Emily has put on weight :)

Nebulising and antibiotics is a good regime and I am hoping things work out well for you all :)
 
I think we are sick bun twins :lol:
I also have a nethie with pseudomonas who is nebulised twice daily. He also gets bisolven and has just been in for x rays and another swab as it's a couple of years since his diagnosis so is also on a longer course of abx and metacam permanently. He has been having a particularly bad flare up this past couple of months but it's never affected his hay eating.
I'm glad your appointment was positive :thumb:
 
Hi bunslave. Does your bunny get a snotty nose, sometimes make rasping noises(don't think it is the duck quacking sound) and still sneeze, even if he/she isn't having a flare up? In all fairness, her snotty nose seems to be going thankfully but the sneezing and rasping, although less, are still there. Also does your bunny have good, lively days and then sometimes quieter ones? Sorry for all the questions, but this is all new to me and I am still getting used to it. Thank you.
 
Hi bunslave. Does your bunny get a snotty nose, sometimes make rasping noises(don't think it is the duck quacking sound) and still sneeze, even if he/she isn't having a flare up? In all fairness, her snotty nose seems to be going thankfully but the sneezing and rasping, although less, are still there. Also does your bunny have good, lively days and then sometimes quieter ones? Sorry for all the questions, but this is all new to me and I am still getting used to it. Thank you.

Hi Mebs. He has had white discharge from his nose but that seems to have stopped since starting this course of antibiotics. He is still having some sneezing fits though again not as bad as he was. Still sounds like a boiling kettle when I pick him up and snorts quite a bit which initially panicked me but vet assures me it hasn't travelled to his chest and lungs. The last x rays did show some change to his airways but given the shape of the this breeds' head, it was always possibly going to be a problematic.
He is much the same in himself day to day though resting more as he is 7. Doesn't stop him when spring fever hits :)
The nebulising and meds are definitely helping and as his vet is an exotics specialist he is probably on larger and longer doses than a lot of vets would prescribe which helps.
Just as a by the way, another bun of mine stopped eating hay 2 weeks ago. Still taking pellets,herbs and treats but refusing any hay. I've tried allsorts but no joy as yet although his bloodwork has just come back showing some sort of infection somewhere. So he is also on the same meds as my other bun. Maybe your little one has got something else going on as well. Hope you see improvement soon x
 
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