Bunny not eating hay 2 days after dental

[bunny momma]

I am having a lot of error issues accessing RU or posting, so I apologize for not responding sooner, yet Omi already said everything I would have said and more.
It is wonderful to hear the trusted vet was reassuring about Polly’s progress. Not all bunnies, including my late Raven, recover from dentals in a week. Her eating her normal number of pellets shows she can eat harder foods so less likely to be a tooth root issue, the pellets will help her to retain her weight, and she seems to be getting plenty of grass and forage.
Sending you and Polly lots of positive vibes for continued slow improvement.

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

I am having a lot of error issues accessing RU or posting, so I apologize for not responding sooner, yet Omi already said everything I would have said and more.
It is wonderful to hear the trusted vet was reassuring about Polly’s progress. Not all bunnies, including my late Raven, recover from dentals in a week. Her eating her normal number of pellets shows she can eat harder foods so less likely to be a tooth root issue, the pellets will help her to retain her weight, and she seems to be getting plenty of grass and forage.
Sending you and Polly lots of positive vibes for continued slow improvement.

Hi bunny momma! I'm also having troubles! The page says 'error' a lot of the time.

Thanks for your message!

Today she hasn't had her usual amount of pellets, ahh it's all so confusing! She's eating grass and forage, had probably half her usual pellets, then tipped the bowl over and hopped off. I'm trying not to get disheartened, I just want to see her chowing down on the hay again!

I don't know whether to get any different samples - I've got soft timothy, orchard, meadow, and oat hay, as well as their usual favourite, cotswold sweet hay from the little hay co. She hasn't touched any of it, aside from those few pieces she had the other day from the cheap bag of meadow hay. Is there anything else I should try? I've heard of heating the hay up, I just don't see her touching it and it feels very frustrating at times as I want to have the answers for her

I'm not sure now whether to return to doing a once/twice daily critical feed (smaller amounts)?

Thank you for your vibes

 

[Shimmer]

I would monitor her weight at least weekly until she's fully back to normal. If she's losing weight, increase the syringe feeds.
If she's maintaining her normal weight then she's eating enough, and it's a matter of keeping going as you are - frustrating as it may be.

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

I would monitor her weight at least weekly until she's fully back to normal. If she's losing weight, increase the syringe feeds.
If she's maintaining her normal weight then she's eating enough, and it's a matter of keeping going as you are - frustrating as it may be.

Thank you Shimmer! That sounds a plan. She has been outside with me (Malarkey her hun bun is only 2 years old and the naughtiest (but very cute) little bunny, so I had to keep him inside as he always rattles on their run door to come inside the house. I was with her for about 2 hours (whilst trying to work - haha!), and she had a tonne of grass, and she ate about 6 or 7 handfuls of the really green new grass from the edges of the garden too, it didn't seem like she ever got bored of it, but then the storm came, so we came in. I've since given her some dried echinacea and I'm prepping the critical care and her morning meds now!

Thank you again - I will absolutely keep at it as we are.

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

Thank you Shimmer! That sounds a plan. She has been outside with me (Malarkey her hun bun is only 2 years old and the naughtiest (but very cute) little bunny, so I had to keep him inside as he always rattles on their run door to come inside the house. I was with her for about 2 hours (whilst trying to work - haha!), and she had a tonne of grass, and she ate about 6 or 7 handfuls of the really green new grass from the edges of the garden too, it didn't seem like she ever got bored of it, but then the storm came, so we came in. I've since given her some dried echinacea and I'm prepping the critical care and her morning meds now!

Thank you again - I will absolutely keep at it as we are.

I've gone down the rabbit hole (pardon the pun!), of kidney problems, and am now worried it's that after having seen someone on RU talk about having a bunny with kidney issues refusing hay - because hay is dry and perhaps that's why Polly has gone off it? Maybe it's not dental problems she's having? Polly has only one kidney (she had to have a nephrectomy a few years ago - she is a very tough cookie). She never had kidney disease, or stones, but now I'm panicking thinking could it be that now?

I have panic booked a blood test today at our local vets later on this afternoon - not sure if it's the right thing to do but I absolutely can't bear waiting around, especially if something else is wrong

 

[Omi]

I've gone down the rabbit hole (pardon the pun!), of kidney problems, and am now worried it's that after having seen someone on RU talk about having a bunny with kidney issues refusing hay - because hay is dry and perhaps that's why Polly has gone off it? Maybe it's not dental problems she's having? Polly has only one kidney (she had to have a nephrectomy a few years ago - she is a very tough cookie). She never had kidney disease, or stones, but now I'm panicking thinking could it be that now?

I have panic booked a blood test today at our local vets later on this afternoon - not sure if it's the right thing to do but I absolutely can't bear waiting around, especially if something else is wrong

How did it go at the vets? I can imagine that kidney issues would be a nagging concern for you and so I completely understand you having the blood tests done. When will you get the results?

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

How did it go at the vets? I can imagine that kidney issues would be a nagging concern for you and so I completely understand you having the blood tests done. When will you get the results?

Thanks Omi!

I rearranged it as I also want an ultrasound, so going tomorrow morning! Apparently it’s same day results

 

[bunny momma]

As long as she is pooping well and maintaining her weight, I would not give more critical care. It is adding moisture to her gi system. If she is craving moist foods, you can try soaking her hay in some water and see if she will eat it once it is softer, though I do not know if it would be much different than her eating grass while it is available.
She may have concluded fresh grass and greens are easier to digest because of their extra moisture content, plus the moisture helps her kidneys process byproducts of medications and metabolism .
Some kidney issues can be treated, though I am still sending vibes that the blood work and sonogram will show her kidneys and liver are normal.
I hope the blood work and sonogram will calm your fears too.
When we do not have a definitive answer, our minds sometimes go to the worst case scenario even when other options are possible.

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

As long as she is pooping well and maintaining her weight, I would not give more critical care. It is adding moisture to her gi system. If she is craving moist foods, you can try soaking her hay in some water and see if she will eat it once it is softer, though I do not know if it would be much different than her eating grass while it is available.
She may have concluded fresh grass and greens are easier to digest because of their extra moisture content, plus the moisture helps her kidneys process byproducts of medications and metabolism .
Some kidney issues can be treated, though I am still sending vibes that the blood work and sonogram will show her kidneys and liver are normal.
I hope the blood work and sonogram will calm your fears too.
When we do not have a definitive answer, our minds sometimes go to the worst case scenario even when other options are possible.

Thank you bunny momma! I’m hoping to get atleast some sleep tonight!? She has been munching on a lot more this evening - less fussy I feel? But I hate to start to feel positive too soon - still no hay though!

Thank you so much, I’m looking forward to getting the appt over with and hope she doesn’t get too stressed. I don’t know who will need the pet remedy spray more out of the two of us!

Hoping the weather is nicer tomorrow morning too so I can get her out on the grass again.

 

[bunny momma]

Thank you bunny momma! I’m hoping to get atleast some sleep tonight!? She has been munching on a lot more this evening - less fussy I feel? But I hate to start to feel positive too soon - still no hay though!

Thank you so much, I’m looking forward to getting the appt over with and hope she doesn’t get too stressed. I don’t know who will need the pet remedy spray more out of the two of us!

Hoping the weather is nicer tomorrow morning too so I can get her out on the grass again.

I hope you are right about her being less fussy and you will have a nice day for her to graze on the grass.

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

I hope you are right about her being less fussy and you will have a nice day for her to graze on the grass.

Thanks bunny momma!

Anxiously waiting for her currently in the vets

 

[joey&boo]

Waiting is horrible. How did the results go for Polly?

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

Waiting is horrible. How did the results go for Polly?

No results yet! Thanks for asking! They said they want to send off her scan and give us results on Monday. This is because I took her to our local vets who aren’t exotic specialists unfortunately, but they’re sharing her results once interpreted to our other vets who are specialists!

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

Hello all!

Had Polly’s results back last night and all seems clear, the vet said ‘really good’ actually! She was sweet and called us after-hours to let us know. She said her kidney looked good on the ultrasound and no signs of sludge or calcification at all, and the pre-existing mass in her liver had stayed the same over the last 2 years, so we assume the antibios are working (fingers crossed!)

I feel greatly relieved and sort of can’t believe it too, so don’t want to get my hopes up too much (strange I know!)

Yesterday, we had a really good day and she had hay out of both litter trays as well as the hay rack. The unfortunate news is it was a sample hay of sweet green hay, not their usual hay, they’ve never had it before actually, and both seemed to like it, but the sample bag is finished now and actually both buns are eating less hay today - grr!! I’ve ordered another sample bag before I commit to a new full size as we currently have 8 boxes of different hay in the utility. Would they really be this fussy? I’ve not seen them touch the new Timothy or meadow hay I put out today. Or, their old favourite hay (Cotswold sweet)

So I think it might be hay type related now? Going to try a few more over the next few days. The vets also think it could be arthritis related so she is doing some research on different pain meds we could do and should be calling today!

 

[Omi]

A good update and such a relief.

Well it sounds as though, yes, they can be this fussy haha. Annoying though it must be, I think you've just got to try to find a hay that they both like. And yes, I think it's sensible to just get a small quantity of the current favourite, in case the preference isn't long term.

I should also discuss with your vet about trying acupuncture or laser treatment for the Arthritis. Depending on how confident the vet is, as well, Arthritis could be confirmed by x-ray, although I can understand the concern about her having another GA so soon after the previous one. Maybe later.

 

[bunny momma]

It is good to read that the results of Polly’s scan were good
It sounds very frustrating. Sending vibes

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

It is good to read that the results of Polly’s scan were good
It sounds very frustrating. Sending vibes

Thanks bunny momma, and Omi! I got a full box of the hay Polly seemed to be eating from the sample packs I got, and she was having it (much less than usual) but eating it, for the last two days? Yesterday morning I stopped her calpol, and not sure if it was a coincidence but she didn’t eat any hay (by the looks of it from our bunny camera) overnight, and only had a few strands this morning when I coaxed her onto the litter tray.

I did notice her hunbun malarkey has been chasing her off the litter tray when he sees her on it - not sure why, he doesn’t do it everytime but enough to worry me.

She had lots of grass in the garden and forage so far, had her pellets and lots of twigs, but she didn’t want her joint tablet (those oxbow ones) and they have hay as the main ingredient, so not sure what that’s about. She did have her joint tablet yesterday though!? It’s all very confusing. I’ve given her the usual meds and added calpol back in today to see how she gets on with that.

Her fecal tests came back clear though which is good news!

Also, I’ve been by myself with the buns as my usual helpers who do Polly’s meds with me are all away, so I’ve been giving her meds with one hand and holding her with the other (bit tricky!) because she is still refusing to touch banana - we sometimes give her a thin slice of banana with her meds in but she had stopped having this when she was feeling under the weather. It’s weird as she loves the banana usually - she didn’t even want the slice without her meds on.

 

[a reader of books]

I've just had a read through your thread. It's so lovely to see how dedicated you are to Polly and trying to figure out what is going on with her. It's really good that all her test results came back clear. That must be a real relief, even though at the same time it leaves you with no answers as to why she's not eating hay the way she normally does. I think if she were my bunny I'd ask the vet to take an x-ray of her head and see if there's something internal going on that could give her pain while eating. My vets usually do it without GA, so maybe that could be an option. Pain from any kind of issue is usually not consistently the same level all day long, and she might sometimes decide that pain is worth it if it's something she particularly wants to eat at that moment, so I wouldn't rule it out because sometimes she does eat some hay or other hard/tough things. My Casper doesn't eat hay because of elongated tooth roots, but he does eat things like rather tough grass sometimes that you'd think are equally hard to eat, or hard pellets that would seem more painful to eat to me, and he doesn't eat hay with more pain medication, either, so sometimes things can seem pretty puzzling, as we don't know what their reasons are for choosing to eat something or not.

I'm not sure how it would explain her not wanting her banana, though, as that's something soft, but maybe she has come to associate it with medication and refuses it for that reason? I've had that happen, where they didn't want favourite treats anymore because I'd used them to try to trick them into taking their meds.

Does she have hay available in other places than the litter tray, for when Malarkey chases her out? I wonder if he can maybe tell she's not 100% well, as it can sometimes cause them to be a bit mean to their friend.

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

I've just had a read through your thread. It's so lovely to see how dedicated you are to Polly and trying to figure out what is going on with her. It's really good that all her test results came back clear. That must be a real relief, even though at the same time it leaves you with no answers as to why she's not eating hay the way she normally does. I think if she were my bunny I'd ask the vet to take an x-ray of her head and see if there's something internal going on that could give her pain while eating. My vets usually do it without GA, so maybe that could be an option. Pain from any kind of issue is usually not consistently the same level all day long, and she might sometimes decide that pain is worth it if it's something she particularly wants to eat at that moment, so I wouldn't rule it out because sometimes she does eat some hay or other hard/tough things. My Casper doesn't eat hay because of elongated tooth roots, but he does eat things like rather tough grass sometimes that you'd think are equally hard to eat, or hard pellets that would seem more painful to eat to me, and he doesn't eat hay with more pain medication, either, so sometimes things can seem pretty puzzling, as we don't know what their reasons are for choosing to eat something or not.

I'm not sure how it would explain her not wanting her banana, though, as that's something soft, but maybe she has come to associate it with medication and refuses it for that reason? I've had that happen, where they didn't want favourite treats anymore because I'd used them to try to trick them into taking their meds.

Does she have hay available in other places than the litter tray, for when Malarkey chases her out? I wonder if he can maybe tell she's not 100% well, as it can sometimes cause them to be a bit mean to their friend.

Thank you so much for your message Reader!

That’s really kind of you to say. I just hate when they’re not 100%!

This afternoon Polly has had more hay - took herself to the litter tray, started picking and chucking some bits of hay, then eating some long pieces which was good to see.

I’ve got two litter trays and a hay basket in their room, as well as one of those hanging felt hay feeders - I can definitely add another area though! Or maybe switch things around a bit?

Good point re the X-ray- I don’t think our vets do x-ray without anaesthetic but it’s something I could ask about? I just want the least stress for her, but it’s so hard when trying to get to the bottom of an issue as it usually involves a vet trip (or 4!).

For some reason I keep thinking she may have arthritis in her jaw? But it’s only a theory I had because I saw her dropping the stems of coarse pear leaves (after her dental) but eating the softer apple leaves, along with less hay eating. However, like your bunny, she does sometimes do confusing things like chowing down on pear and apple twigs absolutely no trouble at all - so maybe it’s not that?

Again; thank you for your message!

 

[bunny momma]

It sounds promising that she is eating the new hay and is still enjoying the grass. I hope she continues to do well.