Bunny not eating hay 2 days after dental

[a reader of books]

I'm glad Polly was eating some more hay, that's so good. It sounds like she has plenty of spots to get hay! I definitely get that you just want the least stress for her. If your vets don't do x-rays without anaesthesia, I think x-rays are often done with just a light sedation, not as heavy as they have when they have a dental, for example, since they only need to lie still for a little bit.

I don't have any experience with bunnies having arthritis in their jaw, but my bunnies with arthritis have often had better and worse pain days, so that could be why she sometimes eats hay and sometimes not. She might also just love pear and apple twigs enough to tolerate some pain for them, but isn't willing to do the same for other things. I know these things can be very confusing to try to figure out! It would be nice if we could speak bunny and ask what was going on with them, wouldn't it? I would, however, also find it very odd if my bunny was behaving like Polly when she usually loves hay, so I completely understand your thinking something's not right and I would just follow your gut there, as you know her best.

I hope she's been eating more normally.

 

[bunny momma]

I hope Polly has continued to maintain her weight and she is still able to enjoy lots of fresh grass and some of the special hay you purchased.
How is her drinking? I know she may not drink as much if she gets lots of moisture from the grass and any syringe feeds, yet perhaps she feels better with extra hydration??
The fluids in the grass may be helping her remaining kidney process byproducts of metabolism and medication and allowing her to feel her best.
Sending lots of positive vibes to you and Polly. Malarkey has to be cute if he got that name.

 

[Zoobec]

I hope Polly is doing well. I have had a rescue dental bunny in the past, he took some time after dentals to recover back to eating, one time he had bad mouth ulcers too, which he was on pain meds and antibiotics for. He did like the sweet green hay from nature’s own, it was a big favourite!

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

@Zoobec @bunny momma @a reader of books

Hello everyone - thank you so much for checking in, you’re all so kind. Bunny people are the best!

Polly has been gradually eating more hay - not to the amount she usually does just yet, but she’s not far off. I’ve noticed she goes gaps without having it, then just as I’m starting to panic, she gets up and goes to the hay rack which is always a relief. I’ve got the buns a big low litter tray and I’m hoping to get a second one now - we’ve been still giving the 4 different types of hay (and might just continue this for a bit!) she’s just on metacam and her usual antibiotics now - I’ve been gradually phasing the calpol off - if I find she reduces hay eating after the calpol stops, our vet has said we could trial gabapentin for her arthritis. She is also back to taking her joint tablets now so hoping they start to make a small difference atleast.

Thank you all again!

Photos of the buns - Polly is our black bun and Malarkey is white - he is SO cheeky. Polly when we first adopted her would always jump on to the window sills and try to escape all the time, and her hunbun Earl would watch wondering how she got up there, but as she’s getting older she doesn’t do that anymore - but now Larky is making up for it in the escape artist area as he’s a much younger bunny. They also both seem to enjoy chewing the rugs currently - a new worry

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

Closeup of our gorgeous Polly pols!

I hope you and all your buns are good!!

 

[Omi]

Super photos. I'm glad that Polly is doing better now. She certainly is a beauty and Larky has the look of a cheeky bunny

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

Super photos. I'm glad that Polly is doing better now. She certainly is a beauty and Larky has the look of a cheeky bunny

Thank you Omi!! I’m still on obsessive hay watch but I don’t really ever see a time when I stop doing that Hope you and yours are doing well too!

 

[bunny momma]

It is lovely to hear that Polly is doing better eating the hay. As long as you have the four types of hay, I would continue to offer them all until you are comfortable eliminating one or more type.
Also, when I get a new supply of a type, I try to mix it with the existing supply of that type because hay can vary from batch to batch.
Polly and Malarkey are very cute. Malarkey must enjoy sitting on the windowsill. I hope the chewing stops along with your worries, and Polly continues to do well.

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

Hello all,

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but our gorgeous, special girl Polly passed away this afternoon at the vets. We are absolutely heartbroken and I can’t even really find the words to describe how I’m feeling right now (I’m sure you can all relate). I had to go away this week, and my parents were on bunny watch. The day before we left she started to eat a bit less hay, which immediately rang alarm bells, but as her previous tests came back okay I hoped it was just a blip. She had stopped eating by this morning, so we agreed and my parents took her to the emergency vet - they said her liver felt unusual and she was in a lot of pain. They admitted her to give pain relief, and she had a cardiac arrest a few hours later. I am absolutely broken and am currently out of the country. I’m not sure how I’m going to cope without our little girl. I am just so devastated because I absolutely never wanted her to pass in the vets, and the thought of her being by herself, without us there, makes me sick to my stomach. I’m not sure I’ll ever get over it. My parents have the hardest job and are now on Malarkey watch, Polly is back home with us now and is in the bunny room with Malarkey until tomorrow.

Thank you all so much for your support back and forth before.

 

[Zoobec]

I’m so sorry for your loss you did everything you could for her xx

 

[bunny momma]

I am so sorry to read your post. You gave her wonderful care and with all the recent tests coming out fine, there is no reason you could have known she was going to pass during your absence. Your parents must be very upset too.
There was no way to know her vet visit was going to end in a cardiac arrest.
I hope in time you will focus on all the happy times you had with Polly. Sending you and Malarkey lots of gentle hugs as you process your grief.

 

[Omi]

Oh I am so sorry to read this A cardiac arrest is such a shock for others.

Polly was very beautiful. I am also sorry that you were working away and out of the country. I have had a bunny die under those circumstances and it feels devastating.

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

Thank you all so much for your lovely words, I am really struggling, I can’t believe she won’t be here when I get home, but I know time will help. Polly was the loveliest and bravest miracle bunny, she was my everything.

 

[Zoobec]

She sounds like she was a very special bunny, and a big part of your life. Sadly a lot of us understand some of what you will be going through. It might help in time if you would like to post a tribute thread to her in the rainbow bridge section of the forum. Sending hugs to you xx

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

Thank you again for your lovely words everyone. It sounds silly but we’ve been giving Polly meds twice a day for two years and I can’t even imagine life without that as a routine, it just sounds silly to write it down but I’m just going to miss everything about her. Larky is doing okay, a bit angry apparently bless him. My parents not so good, but I’ll be back with them all soon.

 

[bunny momma]

I found that when we have a bunny who needs extra medical care, the care strengthens our bond with them and their bond to us too. So it is understandable that you will miss giving your lovely Polly that care.
Be kind to yourself.

 

[Cinnabun14]

I'm so sorry to hear this, especially with you not being able to be there. Tons of hugs for you, your family, and Malarky

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

I found that when we have a bunny who needs extra medical care, the care strengthens our bond with them and their bond to us too. So it is understandable that you will miss giving your lovely Polly that care.
Be kind to yourself.

Thank you bunny momma, I think you’re right. I just struggling currently, and because I wasn’t there my mind is filling in the blanks and is not being too kind to me.

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

I'm so sorry to hear this, especially with you not being able to be there. Tons of hugs for you, your family, and Malarky

Thanks so much Cinnabun. It’s really really hard, can’t quite believe it just yet. Really appreciate the hugs

 

[PollyandEarlGrey]

I think that is what it is. For two years twice a day, we gave her meds and cuddled her, how can I not have that now? I’d give anything for her to be back with us. Thank you

I found that when we have a bunny who needs extra medical care, the care strengthens our bond with them and their bond to us too. So it is understandable that you will miss giving your lovely Polly that care.
Be kind to yourself.