Hi, First post here. I'm a bit at a loss with my bunny right now so any advice would be appreciated! Last week he completely stopped eating and wasn't himself. It's happened before and usually a trip to the vets sorts it but this time no luck. I took him back the next day and repeated treatment for gut stasis (pain relief, pro-kinetic(?) and recovery plus liquid feed). He was a bit better the next day and took him back in a third day for a check up. However, he's still not back to normal. He seems ok in himself but doesn't want to eat his usual food. He's not interested in his nuggets at all, doesn't seem to eat much hay but has eaten a bit of his straw! The only things he seems interested in is fresh coriander, basil and ocassionally a little bit of carrot.
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Rabbit barely eating
- Thread starter emmak
- Start date
Hello,
I'm sorry you're going through this. Stasis is super scary and frustrating to cure. A rabbit can take a while to completely recover from stasis and stress (like trips to the vet) probably won't help. To me it sounds like your rabbit is on the mend, though. I don't think you should be too worried. You probably just took the stasis a bit later than you did before which is why his system takes a while longer to recover (I've had a 'stasis bunny' before so I went through this quite a few times). A rabbit recovering from stasis won't want to eat nuggets. The fact that he mainly wants to eat fresh leaves is completely normal and healthy - he needs fibers and to hydrate his guts is crucial so that's the best choice. Give him lots of wet fresh leaves (grass if you have access to some) to encourage him to eat - one of my rabbits had a stasis episode after her spay last month and she only ate carrot tops for 2 days. If he doesn't show signs of pain, stop the Metacam as it can constipate a bit (continue if your rabbit is hunched or showing signs of pain, though, but I generally only give it on the first day). Is he pooping at all?
It can take a few days to get back to normal. Keep feeding the foods they are eating.
I always find carrott leaves (tesco usually sell them) are good for a rabbit that won't eat much.
Dandelions and grass will usually tempt them
If he gets worse, then go back to the vets
If you don't have one, find a vet who specialises in rabbits and exotics.
I always find carrott leaves (tesco usually sell them) are good for a rabbit that won't eat much.
Dandelions and grass will usually tempt them
If he gets worse, then go back to the vets
If you don't have one, find a vet who specialises in rabbits and exotics.
Craig 1965
Warren Veteran
hello and welcome. I am sorry that your first post is regarding your rabbit not eating.
I'm afraid I'm not that much of an eating expert, but I agree with the previous posts about statis recovery.
Personally I would try to avoid too many dandelion leaves as they can cause diahorrea and you'll end up with more issues. Too much carrot can also give issues.
Perhaps try some fresh greens but the best advice is plenty of hay - maybe timothy hay if you can get hold of some.
And the advice about an exotic vet specialist is great advice as their specialisation is more than a general vet. Something might be going on that a vet may be overlooking.
I'm sure there will be some great advice that will be given by other RU friends.
I'm afraid I'm not that much of an eating expert, but I agree with the previous posts about statis recovery.
Personally I would try to avoid too many dandelion leaves as they can cause diahorrea and you'll end up with more issues. Too much carrot can also give issues.
Perhaps try some fresh greens but the best advice is plenty of hay - maybe timothy hay if you can get hold of some.
And the advice about an exotic vet specialist is great advice as their specialisation is more than a general vet. Something might be going on that a vet may be overlooking.
I'm sure there will be some great advice that will be given by other RU friends.
jewaller
Alpha Buck
not eating
:wave:
dear emmak,--rabbits hide their problems,this inherent response makes our response more attentive,- http://www.medirabbit.com -there maybe a need for a facial radiograph-[teeth]-is the main reason for not eating-pain-is another..please review the website provided sincerely james waller from across the great pond usa
:wave:Thanks for all the advice and reassurance! I tried to find some carrot tops but didnt have any success. I did grab some fresh grass from outside though and he gobbled that all down! I'll keep him topped up with that as it's one of the few things he seems to like at the moment! The vet did check his teeth after I'd requested as that had been a problem before and said that she couldn't see any issues there. As for his poops, yesterday they were normal size but a bit lighter in colour whereas today they've gone very dark and small.
I tried to find some carrot tops but didnt have any success. I did grab some fresh grass from outside though and he gobbled that all down! I'll keep him topped up with that as it's one of the few things he seems to like at the moment! The vet did check his teeth after I'd requested as that had been a problem before and said that she couldn't see any issues there. As for his poops, yesterday they were normal size but a bit lighter in colour whereas today they've gone very dark and small.Thanks for all the advice and reassurance!
I would keep on giving a lot of grass as it keeps the guts moving (when one of my rabbits show signs of early stasis, I give a pile of grass as well and it's often enough to get things moving and avoid problems). The change of colour is normal, as hay will transform into quite light poops while grass / leaves will give you dark poops. If he hasn't eaten much yesterday, small poops isn't that surprising either. Considering your rabbit is eating and pooping, I would stop the Metacam now and taper off the Reglan (Emeprid) over the course of 3-4 days (vets often forget to say it, but you're not supposed to stop giving it brutally) as soon as you feel your rabbit is pooping about a normal amount. If your rabbit will eat grass and leaves (turnip or radish leaves are also a good choice, as are dandelions, parsley and mint), I would give a lot of those and stop force-feeding (or just do it once a day) to encourage him to eat on his own and avoid stress. If there is no underlaying issue, he should be fine in a few days.
mikek
Warren Veteran
good advice imo
