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Slow eating

Alicia

Alicia

Mama Doe
Beans is very slow at eating. He’s been to the vets and she said whilst she can see some points on his teeth there’s nothing that looks like it should be causing problems. She’s said to feed him separately and if he’s no better in 2 weeks she wants to take bloods. I’ve been feeding him separately for a few weeks already. Does anyone have any experience of this?
 
Alicia said:
Beans is very slow at eating. He’s been to the vets and she said whilst she can see some points on his teeth there’s nothing that looks like it should be causing problems. She’s said to feed him separately and if he’s no better in 2 weeks she wants to take bloods. I’ve been feeding him separately for a few weeks already. Does anyone have any experience of this?
Click to expand...

Are you weighing him every 2-3 days ?

Slow eating is usually Dental related and it is impossible for a Vet to obtain a full view of a Rabbit's oral cavity whilst the Rabbit is awake

''An initial examination of the cheek teeth can be carried out
in the conscious animal, with use of an otoscope, although it
must be recognised that visibility and detection of abnormalities
will be limited. It is estimated that conscious examination will
reveal only 50% of abnormalities, however. If dental disease is
suspected or lesions are detected in the conscious examination,
examination under deep sedation or anaesthesia must be
performed. This requires the use of specialist gags and cheek
retractors to enable good visualisation (Fig 3). Even then, it is
estimated that only 75% of lesions will be detected, with the
remainder only being picked up on post-mortem examination
(D A Crossley personal communication)''

Full article here :

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


A full blood profile may be useful, but IME Dental issues are the most common cause of slow eating. Weight loss that occurs as a result of systemic disease does not usually include 'slow eating' but things like eating less in quantity, but not necessarily slowly or eating a normal amount but still losing weight.
 
Thank you, I am trying to but I’ve not got the right scales really so I’m not sure how accurate it is.
I’ll look for some new scales today. When I take him back I’ll push for him to be sedated to have his teeth checked. I’d rather that was done first then bloods if nothing shows up. He’s still eating but he’s slower, although some days he’s quicker than others. Someone suggested softening his pellets with water, would you agree? Another person suggested that he may be bored of his diet but I don’t think that’s possible really, he has quite a varied diet and he’s eaten the same pellets since he was born nearly 2 years ago why would he suddenly change now?
 
He has an appointment next Monday to possibly discuss options going forward but I’m quite worried. The vet said before she couldn’t feel anything in his bowel although he has been doing some very small poos and was eating fairly well if he was given enough time to do so. I’m worried that this is quite serious and I’m not sure whether waiting until Monday is a good idea, I don’t know what we’re waiting for, I don’t think any of the possibilities are things that will sort themself out. I don’t know whether to phone this vet tomorrow and ask for a sooner appointment or cancel it altogether and try a different vet
 
I, too, would feel anxious about leaving it so long. Have you tried asking on here for a rabbit-savvy vet in your area?
 
Are you based in Hampshire? I only ask as I’m sure I commented on a post about a rabbit named Beans in a local rabbit rescue group the other day!

Hoping he perks up soon x


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I am! I’m on the border of Hampshire. It probably was me, I have been posting everywhere because I’m at a loss of what to do with him really. He’s eating, just slowly, so everyone I’ve spoken to thinks he’s fine but I don’t think he is but don’t know why. Is there a list of rabbit savvy vets?
 
I am looking on the RWAF website and have found one that’s very local. As long as they’re on the list does that mean they’re good or are they ranked at all? I can’t see anything and maybe I’m looking into it too much I just don’t want to risk going to the wrong vet
 
Ah on the border, you're probably a bit far from my local vet, who is brilliant. From what you've said, it really sounds like it could be his teeth and I totally get why you're concerned. Are you anywhere near Andover? John Chitty at Anton Vets is who I've been seeing for my rabbit with heart problems and he is excellent. A RWAF vet would also be worth going to though if not.
 
I’m quite far from Andover unfortunately. I don’t mind travelling I just worry about using lots of different vets, thank you for the recommendation I will bear it in mind
 
Also have just reread your first post and it sounds very similar to my rabbit Snowy when she had spurs on her teeth last year. They were very very small but she'd stopped eating some of her favourite foods so the vet filed them down and she was back to normal afterwards. Some rabbits are just more sensitive than others.
 
I’m still very confused. He’s been to a rabbit savvy vet who told me to change hay, so I’ve got a variety of different hays. He couldn’t see any problems with his teeth. Beans does eat some hay but doesn’t show much interest in pellets, he eats his treats but I try and make sure they’re high fibre, good treats. He’s now gone from eating slowly to throwing his bowl everywhere when I give him his food.
 
No not yet, the vet is reluctant to do it because he’s not showing any signs of teeth problems apart from eating slowly. No dribbling or anything, although I think I might ask if they’ll do it anyway.
 
It’s a tricky one, you don’t want to put him under necessarily but need to get to the bottom of it and also put your mind at rest as you know him the best. Keep us updated xx


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Thank you. I feel a bit lost with him to be honest, I’ve seen two vets and both of them have said they don’t really know. He’s still eating quite slowly and I think he’s got worse, or perhaps more picky. He’ll eat his veg and herbs and treats really quickly and will nibble at hay but barely eats any pellets. I don’t want to cut down all of his extras if I can help it because he does like them and I want him to gain some weight. I don’t really know what to do
 
I thought I’d update this, he went to a rabbit savvy vet who couldn’t find anything wrong with him. He said to try getting more hay racks and water bottles and to try different hays, he now has a much better hay and an extra hay rack and he’s eating a lot better. He eats lots of hay, has gained weight and I don’t have to separate them to feed him his pellets anymore and he finishes them quite quickly
 
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