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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum DIET & CARE HELP! Oliver needs Critical Care & isn’t cooperating!

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    • Bunbun500
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        My baby bun Oliver is almost 5 months old. We brought him home when he was 3 months and he was a very good eater! Ever since I tried introducing veggies he stopped eating his hay and pellets regularly. Some days he would eat, some days he wouldn’t. Taking advice from a topic I posted earlier in the week, I stopped trying to introduce the veggies hoping he would go back to his hay and pellets. I was wrong. He didn’t touch his pellets, hay, or water all day Tuesday. I called the vet and brought him in late that afternoon. My vet did a regular exam and said he was definitely under weight and could have mild dehydration. She prescribed him Critical Care until he can start eating hay and pellets regularly on his own. She also said I could give him unlimited veggies until he is better. I’m a little worried to do this since he has only been introduced to kale, parsley and carrots so far. Anyways.. 

        I have not been able to syringe feed him all morning. I wrapped him up in the bunny burrito and he was calm, but every time I got near his mouth he was not having it. I am afraid to put him on his back in the burrito because I don’t want him kicking out and hurting himself or choking. Lets just say I feel very defeated right now and I don’t know what to do. Should I take him into the vet to get help with this or is there something else I can try? 

        My girl Winnie just got spayed last week and I was able to syringe her just fine, but Oliver is much more sensitive. I’m not sure what to do at this point. Help! 


      • Stickerbunny
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          See if you can get someone to help you hold him. It is a lot easier with two people. You want the syringe in his cheek, a lot of buns hate being forced to take anything, my Stickers was such a horrible brat about taking her baytril. If you put the syringe in their cheek they can’t spit it out and then push a little, wait for them to swallow (important! don’t want to choke them or make it all come out dribbling out their mouth cause they refuse to swallow), then a little more, wait, little more, wait. If you don’t have a helper, try to get him up on a table or something so he’ll be still and see if you can’t get the syringe in his mouth that way.

           If he’s dehydrated, wet the greens he gets down REALLY well before giving them to him. 

          And just curious, did the vet check his teeth? If he’s not eating well he may have something wrong with them that is causing him pain. 


        • Sarita
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            I found this video, see if this technique will work for you:

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iGZVYVm5Bg 


          • bullrider76543
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              I am sooo sorry hope that your bun gets better!!! (((healing vibes)))


            • Usagi5
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                Usagi got underweight a couple months ago and had a low temperature, so we used Critical Care. I know this may sound funny, but when I put the critical care in a bowl he refused to eat it, but when it was on a small plate with no edges he ate it really fast! My vet also said to use a little bit of banana, baby food, pineapple and pumpkin with nothing added.


              • Nova
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                  The link Sarita posted is EXCELLENT. Sometimes though, in the case of my Phenom little bun who hates syringe feeding, it takes two people. One of us needs to restrain her in the bunny burrito with arm firmly around her and the other hand cupping the back of her head firmly (but not hurting her) so she does not rear back with her head, then the other one of us gently holds the bottom of her chin to completely stabilize her head and then use the other hand to syringe feed. Don’t syringe feed too quickly or they can choke.

                  Bunnies can’t stand their noses being touched and this areais sensitive to them, so it is why many buns have a hard time with meds and syringes. If you still can’t get anywhere, call your vet so they can help, and she may need some rehydration again by that time too.


                • Bunbun500
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                    Thanks everyone, that video was certainly helpful! He is actually eating his pellets now and his veggies, still not really touching the hay. Should I still be giving the critical care?


                  • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                      If he’s eating something he should be ok-syringe feeding can be stressful, so if he’s eating I would skip it. What kind of critical care do you have? mine love the -uh I think strawberry banana flavor. I can mix it up and put it on a plate and they will just eat it-you could try doing that to see if he’ll just eat it. It might be a nice weight and fibre supplement (since your vet said he’s a bit underweight).
                      {{Vibes}} Keep us posted on your progress!


                    • Bunbun500
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                        It does seem to be very stressful on him. Last night he was doing pretty good still, eating hay even, so I decided to not give him any this morning. Mine is the strawberry banana too. He actually seemed to like it better when he could lick little bits off my arm, maybe I will try the plate thing later in the day. Thanks!

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                    Forum DIET & CARE HELP! Oliver needs Critical Care & isn’t cooperating!