• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

Lack of appetite and small poops *RIP little bunny*

B

Buzzwizz619

Warren Scout
Hi, my recently aquired neglected bunny rabbit (see welcome post) was doing really well...until last night.
She gained 140g in 7 days, was eating a good amount of pallets and finally started eating hay (Alfalfa)

She ate as normal over night monday and tuesday morning as her dandelion leaves as normal but when i for home at 3ish she hadnt eat any hay. (timothy is available but atm priority was on getting her eating any hay/grass even if it was alfalfa) got in from work and gave her corriander (shes had before) and spinach (new food but only ate about1 small leaf if that). Then i think i spooked her with the hoover as she went into hiding.

From there her eating went downhill, she wouldnt touch hay and only ate a few blades of grass and pieces of corriander . Very few poops from when i came home until about 9pm. At 9pm i started her back on zantac (BID), metaclopramide (BID)and fibreplex (SID) (she only stopped it all sunday), couldnt hear any noises in her gut at all so started syringe feeding critcal care. 2 hours lateri could atleast here something (not entirely sure what im listening for but i know silence is bad)

Did a quick urinalysis which was all fine, over night she ate a few bits of coriander/grass and cabbage but not alot and all her poops were very small and dry.

Gave meds and CC again this morning and she ate abit of grass, went to work and mum came check her at lunch time. Very little of the grass and dandelions were gone and all her poops were very small and dry so my BF brought her to work to me.

The vet said her gut sounded fine but to continue with the meds and started her on metacam (SID 0.3ml/kg). She thinks its possibly pain from her incisors but ATM she still needs to get stronger before she can have them removed (had them trimmed and molars burred wednesday)

She BAR but since yesterday afternoon has been very inactive, she pretty much just sits there and thats VERY unlike her.

Vet has also advised giving her alittle bit of pinapple juice to help her gut.

Ive just been tesco and brought her some basil and she had been quite enthusiastic about eating that but shes she very quiet and has tiny poops.

Is there anything else i should be doing? we arent a bunny practice so any advise is greatly appreciated
 
Last edited:
Hi, I wouldn't recommend pineapple juice to be honest as the sugars in it could ferment in her stomach and therefore make the problem worse.

Some folk massage their rabbits' stomachs when they have a problem but I don't because unless you know precisely what you are doing you could injure them. Thumper, one of our rabbits, has repeated GI stasis and aside from giving her pain relief when she shows signs I don't do anything other than take her to the vet - in fact she was there last week and also ended up at the emergency vet later on.

Tiny poops are poops so that is good. Is she up to date on her pain relief as being quiet could indicate that she's still in pain? You must keep on top of pain, that's a priority. I gave Thumps pain relief at home, waiting 2hrs before going to the vet (which allows it to kick in). Our vet then gave her a different pain relief by injection which is stronger than what you're allowed to have at home, so maybe she just needs more pain relief?

Other than that I don't know, sorry, other than if you're still worried is to take her back to the vet.
 
Coccidia springs to mind as her symptoms are similar to a rabbit on another forum. Can your vet test for this?
 
I agree with Tonibun, what you've described of your bun (including the other thread with her liking you stroke her btw) reminds of the first rabbit I had. She was underweight and had been neglected. Unfortunately at the time I wasn't experienced enough to recognise that her quiet behaviour was because she was poorly. She had been to the vet on four separate occasions for vaccinations, spay and 2 x post spay checks and they didn't notice anything was wrong. Unfortunately I came home one afternoon (only 5 days after she had been checked post spay) to find her collapsed and she passed away as I was driving to the emergency vet. The vet carried out a PM and coccidiosis was diagnosed. It's common amongst younger rabbits and tends to spread in cases of neglect (poor / lack of hygiene helps spread the disease)

I'd advise that get your rabbit checked out and if your practice isn't used to rabbits perhaps get a referral to a rabbit savvy vet / change practice?
I hope she gets better soon.
 
In cases of gut stasis fluid therapy (IV or SQ) can be an enormous benefit, even if the Rabbit is not systemically dehydrated. When gut motility slows down ingesta within the gi tract rapidly dehydrates thus making it less likely to break down/pass through.

There is another prokinetic which can be used- Cisipride (Prepulsid)

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Cisapride.htm


These links may be useful :

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=3846185&pid=11147

https://www.vin.com/apputil/content...=29493&id=3846186&ind=70&objTypeID=17&print=1

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/wsava/2008/lecture10/70.pdf?LA=1

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Dental_diseases/Differential/Rabbit_dentistry.pdf

https://www.vetstream.com/treat/lapis/freeform/dental-malocclusion-overgrowth

http://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/ROWinter10p7.pdf

If you are in the UK then without wishing to add to your stress and anxiety the potential of RHD2 needs to be considered. I am assuming the Rabbit will not have been vaccinated ?

Additional information here :

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/infectious-disease/rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-health/rabbit-vhd/

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-health/further-reading/rvhd-further-reading/

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...RHD2-my-experience-of-symptoms-and-treatments

https://www.facebook.com/groups/174...dzgcP7WuIIWFZVqPVNNVceXALbv6UKad7qQ5nugrGkATQ

http://rhd2map.buntools.org.uk/

I hope that your Bunny will soon be feeling much better xx
 
Buzzwizz619 said:
Hi, my recently aquired neglected bunny rabbit (see welcome post) was doing really well...until last night.
She gained 140g in 7 days, was eating a good amount of pallets and finally started eating hay (Alfalfa)

She ate as normal over night monday and tuesday morning as her dandelion leaves as normal but when i for home at 3ish she hadnt eat any hay. (timothy is available but atm priority was on getting her eating any hay/grass even if it was alfalfa) got in from work and gave her corriander (shes had before) and spinach (new food but only ate about1 small leaf if that). Then i think i spooked her with the hoover as she went into hiding.

From there her eating went downhill, she wouldnt touch hay and only ate a few blades of grass and pieces of corriander . Very few poops from when i came home until about 9pm. At 9pm i started her back on zantac (BID), metaclopramide (BID)and fibreplex (SID) (she only stopped it all sunday), couldnt hear any noises in her gut at all so started syringe feeding critcal care. 2 hours lateri could atleast here something (not entirely sure what im listening for but i know silence is bad)

Did a quick urinalysis which was all fine, over night she ate a few bits of coriander/grass and cabbage but not alot and all her poops were very small and dry.

Gave meds and CC again this morning and she ate abit of grass, went to work and mum came check her at lunch time. Very little of the grass and dandelions were gone and all her poops were very small and dry so my BF brought her to work to me.

The vet said her gut sounded fine but to continue with the meds and started her on metacam (SID 0.3ml/kg). She thinks its possibly pain from her incisors but ATM she still needs to get stronger before she can have them removed (had them trimmed and molars burred wednesday)

She BAR but since yesterday afternoon has been very inactive, she pretty much just sits there and thats VERY unlike her.

Vet has also advised giving her alittle bit of pinapple juice to help her gut.

Ive just been tesco and brought her some basil and she had been quite enthusiastic about eating that but shes she very quiet and has tiny poops.

Is there anything else i should be doing? we arent a bunny practice so any advise is greatly appreciated
Click to expand...



Sorry to hear this.

The one thing I've found invaluable is to add in Infacol, an infant gas medication, to this regime. Tummy rubs have also proved really useful in cases like this too.

Infacol.co.uk - you can buy it in Boots, and I give 1ml every hour for three doses. You can give it freely as it's not absorbed but helps the painful gas to pass.

Some info here - fluids are especially important to hydrate the gut contents:

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

Yes, my own vet has advised pineapple juice, as it helps break down the mucous that can bind hair together. I have found it can be helpful in certain circumstances.

Best of luck with your little one xx
 
There was very little improvement overnight although she was slightly more active when free ranging. Took her back into work today and got a different vet, who has rabbits herself, look at her. Her gut sounded fine and she couldnt feel anything stuck insider her, she has started teeth grinding though so is now on Vetergesic twice a day (luckily because i work there she doesnt need to be hospitalised).

At the moment they still think the issue is her teeth, she had her incissors trimmed on wednesday but they are already wearing unevenly (1 bottom one missing, the other misaligned) . I held a dandelion leave out for her earlier and she was trying it eat it but her incisors were just denting the leaf and not actually cutting through it. she can eat corriander though but maybe thats easier to just get to her molars?

Her poops are no longer tiny and dry, they are bigger, clumpy and moist i showed them the vet and she said thats the ones shes meant to eat. I cant figure out if the fact that shes atleast producing these poops even if she isnt eating them is an improvement or if its a bad sign? i cant be a 100% but i dont think shes been producing them the last few days as i havent seen her eating them like i usually see.

im so confused :/
 
Buzzwizz619 said:
There was very little improvement overnight although she was slightly more active when free ranging. Took her back into work today and got a different vet, who has rabbits herself, look at her. Her gut sounded fine and she couldnt feel anything stuck insider her, she has started teeth grinding though so is now on Vetergesic twice a day (luckily because i work there she doesnt need to be hospitalised).

At the moment they still think the issue is her teeth, she had her incissors trimmed on wednesday but they are already wearing unevenly (1 bottom one missing, the other misaligned) . I held a dandelion leave out for her earlier and she was trying it eat it but her incisors were just denting the leaf and not actually cutting through it. she can eat corriander though but maybe thats easier to just get to her molars?

Her poops are no longer tiny and dry, they are bigger, clumpy and moist i showed them the vet and she said thats the ones shes meant to eat. I cant figure out if the fact that shes atleast producing these poops even if she isnt eating them is an improvement or if its a bad sign? i cant be a 100% but i dont think shes been producing them the last few days as i havent seen her eating them like i usually see.

im so confused :/
Click to expand...

Could your Vet contact a Rabbit Specialist for some advice ? Not sure where in the UK you are located.

Has the Vet taken your Rabbit's temperature and done a blood glucose reading ?

Not sure if you have had a chance to read the links I posted previously ( post 6 on this thread)

I assume you know that Vetergesic can cause marked sedation, so dont panic if your Bunny becomes even more subdued.
 
Buzzwizz619 said:
There was very little improvement overnight although she was slightly more active when free ranging. Took her back into work today and got a different vet, who has rabbits herself, look at her. Her gut sounded fine and she couldnt feel anything stuck insider her, she has started teeth grinding though so is now on Vetergesic twice a day (luckily because i work there she doesnt need to be hospitalised).

At the moment they still think the issue is her teeth, she had her incissors trimmed on wednesday but they are already wearing unevenly (1 bottom one missing, the other misaligned) . I held a dandelion leave out for her earlier and she was trying it eat it but her incisors were just denting the leaf and not actually cutting through it. she can eat corriander though but maybe thats easier to just get to her molars?

Her poops are no longer tiny and dry, they are bigger, clumpy and moist i showed them the vet and she said thats the ones shes meant to eat. I cant figure out if the fact that shes atleast producing these poops even if she isnt eating them is an improvement or if its a bad sign? i cant be a 100% but i dont think shes been producing them the last few days as i havent seen her eating them like i usually see.

im so confused :/
Click to expand...


I'm sorry to hear this.

I do find that Vetergesic makes bunnies very drowsy, and some more than others. You probably already know this, and sorry if so, but some bunnies can be spaced out for days after one injection.

Are you able to syringe feed her? Is she on fluids?

A blood glucose test will help to ascertain if there's any blockage ...

Blood glucose is measured in mmol/ml (millimoles/litre)

Normal: 4-8 mmol/ml

2-4 mmol/ltr – needs food – rabbit is experiencing gut stasis
If less that 2 mmol/ltr, call vet

8-15 mmol/ltr Rabbit is stressed, but can stay at home
More than 15mmol/ltr, less than 20 – Call vet, start to worry…
More than 20 mmol/ltr, needs surgery.
 
Unfortunately my little bunny was PTS Thursday evening. Im not sure what happened but she went downhill fast!
She was stable (taking syringe feed well and pooping to some extent and her gut sounded fine) until 3ish Thursday afternoon, from there she rapidly deteriorated.
- She stopped eating anything at all even Basil and Corriander
- She was teeth grinding
- She stopped taking the syringe feeding and was spitting it out/ teeth grinding really badly
- Her poop because reallllllly loose
- She went very flat, to the point where she was just lying down stretched out
- Her eyes were vacant
- Most interestingly she gained 60g in 24 hours

I have no idea what was actually wrong with her, but even the Vet said that for her to still be in so much pain after Vetergesic there was something far more serious going on with her than just her teeth.

So we decided that it was in her best interests to be PTS, it absolutely broke my heart but she deteriorated so severely so quickly it was the kindest thing to do for her.

Atleast she knew was it was like to be happy and loved even if it was only for a week :love:
 
Buzzwizz619 said:
Unfortunately my little bunny was PTS Thursday evening. Im not sure what happened but she went downhill fast!
She was stable (taking syringe feed well and pooping to some extent and her gut sounded fine) until 3ish Thursday afternoon, from there she rapidly deteriorated.
- She stopped eating anything at all even Basil and Corriander
- She was teeth grinding
- She stopped taking the syringe feeding and was spitting it out/ teeth grinding really badly
- Her poop because reallllllly loose
- She went very flat, to the point where she was just lying down stretched out
- Her eyes were vacant
- Most interestingly she gained 60g in 24 hours

I have no idea what was actually wrong with her, but even the Vet said that for her to still be in so much pain after Vetergesic there was something far more serious going on with her than just her teeth.

So we decided that it was in her best interests to be PTS, it absolutely broke my heart but she deteriorated so severely so quickly it was the kindest thing to do for her.

Atleast she knew was it was like to be happy and loved even if it was only for a week :love:
Click to expand...

I am so sorry to read this tragic update :cry:

RIP little Bunny x
 
Buzzwizz619 said:
Unfortunately my little bunny was PTS Thursday evening. Im not sure what happened but she went downhill fast!
She was stable (taking syringe feed well and pooping to some extent and her gut sounded fine) until 3ish Thursday afternoon, from there she rapidly deteriorated.
- She stopped eating anything at all even Basil and Corriander
- She was teeth grinding
- She stopped taking the syringe feeding and was spitting it out/ teeth grinding really badly
- Her poop because reallllllly loose
- She went very flat, to the point where she was just lying down stretched out
- Her eyes were vacant
- Most interestingly she gained 60g in 24 hours

I have no idea what was actually wrong with her, but even the Vet said that for her to still be in so much pain after Vetergesic there was something far more serious going on with her than just her teeth.

So we decided that it was in her best interests to be PTS, it absolutely broke my heart but she deteriorated so severely so quickly it was the kindest thing to do for her.

Atleast she knew was it was like to be happy and loved even if it was only for a week :love:
Click to expand...


I am so sorry.

Yes, she knew love before she passed, and thank you for that x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

rosaleen
Feeding bunny with sticky poops
Replies
14
Views
509
rosaleen
rosaleen
J
Bunny still isn't right following vet stay
Replies
17
Views
269
a reader of books
a reader of books
S
My Rabbits broken leg advice
Replies
9
Views
323
Barn Yard Bunnies
Barn Yard Bunnies
Back
Top