Harvey not eating, help!

Morning everyone. I am hoping you coils give me some advice. When I went out to fed the bunsters on Thursday evening Harvey was just flopped in the corner not at all interested in food, he would usually be tearing robs my feet in circles with excitement. This was very alarming so I took him straight to the emergency vet. She said he wasn't running a fever or bloated and his tummy felt normal but that he had reduced gut sounds. She gave him a shot of metacam and two gut stimulants and sent me home with critical care to syringe feed him every 4 hrs.

On Friday night he would eat some fenugreek crunchies (Maybe half to 2/3 of one) but no pellets or hay. I had hoped for more improvement so I took him back to the vet who have me more critical care plus oral metacam, zantac and emeprid. He also told me to encourage him to move around to help get his guts moving. I asked about what might be causing out, there has to be an underlying problem right? He checked his teeth and temp and all was ok. He said sometimes we just don't know what it was and they just stay to eat again after treating them like we've been doing.

So yesterday Harvey was moving round a lot more. I continued with the critical care but by last night he was eating a few pellets, some apple and some hay. I was worried that giving him more critical care would mean he wasn't hungry and wouldn't eat hay (plus he gets really stressed by it) so I did not syringe feed him overnight.

And I think that was a mistake as he is now not eating anything but the tiny bit of fenugreek crunchie again [emoji26]

I'm so worried about him, and really scared he is going to die! And I don't know why he is not eating so I don't feel like I can fix it.

Does anyone have any advice about what this could be? Is there anything I should be asking the vet if I take him back? Any tips of how to encourage him to eat? I got some basil and parsley on the advice of the vet but neither bunny is at all interested and Harvey is very funny when it comes to trying food he hasn't had before.

I think he has be pooing a bit all along but they are very small. But it's so difficult to tell as I don't want to separate him from Coco.

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It's not always easy to decide when the best time is to stop the critical care for the reasons you've said.

Have you still got some Metacam and the gut meds to give him. I would certainly continue with those and restart the critical care, if you haven't already done so. Fluids are helpful, so any green foods you try to give him I would soak them in water first.

It's a good sign that he is pooing, even though they are smaller than usual. Yes, there is usually an underlying cause to these episodes, but it's not always easy to establish what it is. The vet thinks his teeth are OK, although it's not always possible to examine the back teeth properly. Has he had dental issues before?

Sending him lots of vibes.

Omi said:

It's not always easy to decide when the best time is to stop the critical care for the reasons you've said.

Have you still got some Metacam and the gut meds to give him. I would certainly continue with those and restart the critical care, if you haven't already done so. Fluids are helpful, so any green foods you try to give him I would soak them in water first.

It's a good sign that he is pooing, even though they are smaller than usual. Yes, there is usually an underlying cause to these episodes, but it's not always easy to establish what it is. The vet thinks his teeth are OK, although it's not always possible to examine the back teeth properly. Has he had dental issues before?

Sending him lots of vibes.

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I agree with Omi. Sending lots of vibes from me xx

Thank you both.

He hasn't had any dental problems before. The vet used one of those mental things with a lense you look through to view his teeth so I think maybe he could see ok so I'm hoping it isn't a dental problem.

He has eaten a little hay this morning though is still not eating pellets. I moved them into the conservatory yesterday so I can keep a better eye on him without it bring too warm to put them back out when he is better. The problem is as soon as he sees you looking he stops whatever he is doing and if I move towards him he runs and hides under the table as I have been forced feeding him [emoji852].

I have enough metacam etc for another couple of days so will keep that up, I'm just hoping he turns a corner soon.

Thanks for the advice [emoji846]

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bizziel said:

Thank you both.

He hasn't had any dental problems before. The vet used one of those mental things with a lense you look through to view his teeth so I think maybe he could see ok so I'm hoping it isn't a dental problem.

He has eaten a little hay this morning though is still not eating pellets. I moved them into the conservatory yesterday so I can keep a better eye on him without it bring too warm to put them back out when he is better. The problem is as soon as he sees you looking he stops whatever he is doing and if I move towards him he runs and hides under the table as I have been forced feeding him [emoji852].

I have enough metacam etc for another couple of days so will keep that up, I'm just hoping he turns a corner soon.

Thanks for the advice [emoji846]

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Just a thought, has the vet prescribed metacam twice a day? My rabbit savvy vet does, as it gives better pain relief coverage that way. I would speak to them to see if the pain relief frequency needs to be altered or increased at all, on case they were conservative with the dosage. Some bunnies will eat pellet slush or recovery food from a saucer if it’s mixed with mashed banana, or my bunny likes the Aldi apple,carrot and parsnips baby food pouch mixed with pellet slush.

I would also ask the vet if you could continue with the gut meds, if you've run out. Sometimes it needs to be continued for a few days.

I would keep going with the meds (pain relief and gut stimulants) and syringe feeding until he is obviously eating well for himself. In my experience, it takes at least a week of full meds etc to get back to normal, sometimes longer. If his poos are still small, he's not eating enough and I would keep up with the syringe feeds - anything else he eats is a bonus at this point. Syringe feeding doesn't usually stop them eating other stuff if they are feeling well again, and he needs to be getting enough fibre through his gut to keep it functioning normally. When you think he is better, keep a close eye on him for a couple of days just to make sure everything is really back to normal. Sometimes there is no apparent reason why this happens. Hopefully it is a one-off episode, but you spotted it in time and did all the right things. Your vet has given you good advice - just keep going.

Zoobec said:

Just a thought, has the vet prescribed metacam twice a day? My rabbit savvy vet does, as it gives better pain relief coverage that way. I would speak to them to see if the pain relief frequency needs to be altered or increased at all, on case they were conservative with the dosage. Some bunnies will eat pellet slush or recovery food from a saucer if it’s mixed with mashed banana, or my bunny likes the Aldi apple,carrot and parsnips baby food pouch mixed with pellet slush.

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Thanks Zoobec. I have called the vet this morning to ask and she will call back when she is out of her appointments.

I will definitely try the mashed banana, he has never had banana so he will probably love the sugar.

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Omi said:

I would also ask the vet if you could continue with the gut meds, if you've run out. Sometimes it needs to be continued for a few days.

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Ok, I'll ask this, thanks Omi.

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Shimmer said:

I would keep going with the meds (pain relief and gut stimulants) and syringe feeding until he is obviously eating well for himself. In my experience, it takes at least a week of full meds etc to get back to normal, sometimes longer. If his poos are still small, he's not eating enough and I would keep up with the syringe feeds - anything else he eats is a bonus at this point. Syringe feeding doesn't usually stop them eating other stuff if they are feeling well again, and he needs to be getting enough fibre through his gut to keep it functioning normally. When you think he is better, keep a close eye on him for a couple of days just to make sure everything is really back to normal. Sometimes there is no apparent reason why this happens. Hopefully it is a one-off episode, but you spotted it in time and did all the right things. Your vet has given you good advice - just keep going.

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Then you Shimmer that is really reassuring [emoji846]

My husband is working from home tomorrow so can syringe feed him during the day. But after that we are both back at work. Do you think a gap of 9 hrs would be ok or should I take time off work later this week?

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Thank you everyone, I'm feeling a lot better about things now. I spoke to the vet (a different one) who agreed i should give the metacam twice a day and to keep going with the critical care and gut stimulants this week, so I can go in and pick more up mid week. I'll try him on the mashed banana and pellets now [emoji846]

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bizziel said:

Then you Shimmer that is really reassuring [emoji846]

My husband is working from home tomorrow so can syringe feed him during the day. But after that we are both back at work. Do you think a gap of 9 hrs would be ok or should I take time off work later this week?

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I would see how he is by then, and how much he is eating on his own. If he is stable and eating something, use your judgement. He can always be fed immediately before you leave and after you get back, with extra feeds while you are home. If he isn't picking up, I would try to get him at least one feed half way through the working day.

Shimmer said:

I would see how he is by then, and how much he is eating on his own. If he is stable and eating something, use your judgement. He can always be fed immediately before you leave and after you get back, with extra feeds while you are home. If he isn't picking up, I would try to get him at least one feed half way through the working day.

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Ok, thanks Shimmer [emoji846]

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Sorry I am late to all this, you have already received good advice from Omi, Shimmer & Zoobec. These links may also be useful to have a read through

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

- https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/...6185&pid=11147

https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/...eID=17&print=1

Normal and abnormal faecal output - http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_dise...rop/Drp_en.htm

I hope that your Bunny will soon be feeling much better xx

bizziel said:

Thank you everyone, I'm feeling a lot better about things now. I spoke to the vet (a different one) who agreed i should give the metacam twice a day and to keep going with the critical care and gut stimulants this week, so I can go in and pick more up mid week. I'll try him on the mashed banana and pellets now [emoji846]

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I'm so glad you are feeling better now - it's a worrying time, but I am sure you will get through this!

Sorry if it's already been mentioned, but I use organic baby food pouches when my rabbits need syringe feeding, and mix it with mashed pellets or Critical Care (which I have to say they don't like much!).

I also use Infacol, which gets rid of gas and makes rabbits feel more comfortable:

Infacol.co.uk

You can give one ml every hour for three doses and it doesn't interfere with any other meds. Specialist rabbit vets have agreed that it does no harm and can often help. It's something I always keep in my rabbit first aid kit!

There might be some useful info here:

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/article-ROWinter10p7.pdf

https://rabbit.org/gastrointestinal-stasis-the-silent-killer-2/

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

Wishing you ongoing good luck! x

Jack's-Jane said:

Sorry I am late to all this, you have already received good advice from Omi, Shimmer & Zoobec. These links may also be useful to have a read through

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

- https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/...6185&pid=11147

https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/...eID=17&print=1

Normal and abnormal faecal output - http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_dise...rop/Drp_en.htm

I hope that your Bunny will soon be feeling much better xx

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Thanks Jane, I'll have a look at those. I've realised I'm poorly educated when it comes to sick bunnies.

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MightyMax said:

I'm so glad you are feeling better now - it's a worrying time, but I am sure you will get through this!

Sorry if it's already been mentioned, but I use organic baby food pouches when my rabbits need syringe feeding, and mix it with mashed pellets or Critical Care (which I have to say they don't like much!).

I also use Infacol, which gets rid of gas and makes rabbits feel more comfortable:

Infacol.co.uk

You can give one ml every hour for three doses and it doesn't interfere with any other meds. Specialist rabbit vets have agreed that it does no harm and can often help. It's something I always keep in my rabbit first aid kit!

There might be some useful info here:

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/article-ROWinter10p7.pdf

https://rabbit.org/gastrointestinal-stasis-the-silent-killer-2/

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

Wishing you ongoing good luck! x

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Thank you Max. No he doesn't seem very keen on the critical care I have to be honest! I'll give the baby food a go [emoji846]

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Jack's-Jane said:

Sorry I am late to all this, you have already received good advice from Omi, Shimmer & Zoobec. These links may also be useful to have a read through

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

- https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/...6185&pid=11147

https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/...eID=17&print=1

Normal and abnormal faecal output - http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_dise...rop/Drp_en.htm

I hope that your Bunny will soon be feeling much better xx

Click to expand...

Thanks Jane, unfortunately the final three links don't seem to be working for me.

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MightyMax said:

I'm so glad you are feeling better now - it's a worrying time, but I am sure you will get through this!

Sorry if it's already been mentioned, but I use organic baby food pouches when my rabbits need syringe feeding, and mix it with mashed pellets or Critical Care (which I have to say they don't like much!).

I also use Infacol, which gets rid of gas and makes rabbits feel more comfortable:

Infacol.co.uk

You can give one ml every hour for three doses and it doesn't interfere with any other meds. Specialist rabbit vets have agreed that it does no harm and can often help. It's something I always keep in my rabbit first aid kit!

There might be some useful info here:

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/article-ROWinter10p7.pdf

https://rabbit.org/gastrointestinal-stasis-the-silent-killer-2/

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

Wishing you ongoing good luck! x

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Thank you Max, some really useful things here.Harvey has just had his first(gentle) tummy massage. He didn't seem to mind though I don't think he really enjoyed it!

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bizziel said:

Thanks Jane, unfortunately the final three links don't seem to be working for me.

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Yes you are right, Jane's links aren't working.

I think this one will work better?

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/drop/Drp_en.htm


The other two links I believe are from a vet only site, where you have to join:

https://www.vin.com/vin/