George, my gorgeous 5 year old lop/lion cross, was admitted to the vets 2 days ago after gradually eating less and less hay over a period of about a week. X-rays revealed kidney stones on one side, although his teeth were very sharp as well. Bloods seem ok. He's in recovery and improving but I'm not sure what the next steps will be re the kidney stones. Anyway, this has made me think, I've lost 2 rabbits to kidney disease since 2020 (although others have been and still are absolutely fine). This has made me wonder if what I am feeding is causing what now appears to be a relatively high incidence of kidney issues.
Firstly, I have been feeding crau hay for about a year now, as it was the only hay my previously ill rabbit would eat towards the end of her life, and its just kind of stuck with the others because they absolutely love it. I've always thought it was a little higher in calcium but now found out its actually very high in calcium (similar to alfafa in percent), so I need to find a way to withdraw this in a structured way without doing more harm than good. What is the recommended method - I'm guessing mixing with other 'normal' hay over time, but what mix of normal hay to crau hay, and over what time span, e.g. in a series of ever reducing stages?? They always get offered meadow hay and timothy hay as well as crau , but do vastly prefer the crau as its very palatable, and ironically good for ill rabbits. I'd be really grateful for advice here.
Secondly, I give my rabbits barely any pellets, 1-2 teaspoons per day at the most, so I'm assuming that's not an issue (?). But I do feed greens. per bun I would say a small handful of either parsely or coriander every day, a few sprigs of mint each day, and carrot top greens from one carrot 2-3 times a week. Also seasonal weeds like dandelion leaves, plantain, thistle leaves, raspberry leaves (I think they're ok, even good). From what I understand, parsely and carrot tops can be high in calcium but the effect is not as harmful as in dried hay/pellets due to the mositure content which effectively 'dilutes' the calcium. Is this correct, or am I mistaken and need to cut back on greens as well? They get access to fresh grass every day (about 1-2 hours depending on my movements), and eat that also depending on the weather etc.
I will be really grateful for any advice on how to let me be 'cruel to be kind' in a responsible manner!
Firstly, I have been feeding crau hay for about a year now, as it was the only hay my previously ill rabbit would eat towards the end of her life, and its just kind of stuck with the others because they absolutely love it. I've always thought it was a little higher in calcium but now found out its actually very high in calcium (similar to alfafa in percent), so I need to find a way to withdraw this in a structured way without doing more harm than good. What is the recommended method - I'm guessing mixing with other 'normal' hay over time, but what mix of normal hay to crau hay, and over what time span, e.g. in a series of ever reducing stages?? They always get offered meadow hay and timothy hay as well as crau , but do vastly prefer the crau as its very palatable, and ironically good for ill rabbits. I'd be really grateful for advice here.
Secondly, I give my rabbits barely any pellets, 1-2 teaspoons per day at the most, so I'm assuming that's not an issue (?). But I do feed greens. per bun I would say a small handful of either parsely or coriander every day, a few sprigs of mint each day, and carrot top greens from one carrot 2-3 times a week. Also seasonal weeds like dandelion leaves, plantain, thistle leaves, raspberry leaves (I think they're ok, even good). From what I understand, parsely and carrot tops can be high in calcium but the effect is not as harmful as in dried hay/pellets due to the mositure content which effectively 'dilutes' the calcium. Is this correct, or am I mistaken and need to cut back on greens as well? They get access to fresh grass every day (about 1-2 hours depending on my movements), and eat that also depending on the weather etc.
I will be really grateful for any advice on how to let me be 'cruel to be kind' in a responsible manner!
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