skinny rabbit?

[magicstorm101]

Lately, my sisters rabbit has been loosing a lot of weight-way more than natural. We can see his hips and easily feel his spine. He’s been eating more than usual but drinking regularly.his fur is no longer smooth,but clumpy and dull. My mother says it might be because we stopped feeding them pellets for a few months,and fed them hay and veggies, but the thing is my own rabbit is healthy. I’m starting to think he might have a tapeworm. She says we won’t take them to the vet untill we see if its just a nutrition issure from lack of pellets,but I’m very worried for him. What if it is a tapeworm? Would we be able to even wait till next month to take him? What could this possibly be?

[tobyluv]

The best thing for your sister’s rabbit is a visit to the vet, and that should be done right away. The vet can get a fecal sample to see if it might be tapeworm, then give him medicine for it. Tapeworm can usually be cleared up quickly with medicine. The vet may also take a blood sample and will check for any problems that might be the cause of the weight loss and dull fur. To wait at all to see the vet could be very dangerous for the rabbit. I hope that he can go to the vet immediately and will receive whatever treatment he needs to get healthy again.

[mia]

If it’s “way more than natural” than see a vet immediately. Clumpy and dull may just be that the bun is skinnier rather than a real change in fur.

One of my buns can be with little to no pellets while my other bun must get pellets. Each bun has different needs so comparing to your own bun doesn’t rule out diet issues.

[Deleted User]

I second Tobyluv. You should take your sister’s bun to the vet right away. My little girl is on a pellet free diet and she has a beautiful silky, soft coat. So the lack of pellets–if being supplemented with enough vegetables–should not be what is causing the skinniness and clumping/dull coat.

[Beka27]

Are they housed together, could your rabbit be eating more than his/her share of the hay and veggies? Does your sister’s rabbit eat hay and veggies with the same enthusiasm? Does it seem that her rabbit has any issues with chewing/eating?

Were the number of pellets gradually reduced or were they just stopped suddenly? People will usually keep feeding pellets, but greatly reduce the amount, sometimes as low as a teaspoon or tablespoon a day, down from the recommended 1/8-1/4 cup. A quality pellet isn’t bad, and can provide great nutrient content when fed in moderation.

[tanlover14]

I have to agree — the bunny should be taken to a vet right away. Bunnies usually don’t show illness until they are VERY ill so I really worry that the little thing won’t be able to wait that long to see a vet.

Also, you said they are on a veggie diet with no pellets… I would make sure your vet agrees with this diet. Typically a bun with no pellets needs a wide, vast variety of veggies so they are still getting the right amount of vitamins and nutrients. You want to make sure your bun is acquiring all of these through the variety you are giving them.

[Bunslave54]

I agree that a vet visit is a must. As long as there is plenty of hay and a good variety of veggies there should be no reason for weight loss like that and a change in fur condition. I have had a rabbit that was not feed pellets and by no means did she get skinny after removing them from her diet
 

[BinkyBunny]

Posted By Beka27 on 01/25/2013 04:43 AM

Are they housed together, could your rabbit be eating more than his/her share of the hay and veggies? Does your sister’s rabbit eat hay and veggies with the same enthusiasm? Does it seem that her rabbit has any issues with chewing/eating?

Were the number of pellets gradually reduced or were they just stopped suddenly? People will usually keep feeding pellets, but greatly reduce the amount, sometimes as low as a teaspoon or tablespoon a day, down from the recommended 1/8-1/4 cup. A quality pellet isn’t bad, and can provide great nutrient content when fed in moderation.

I am interested to know the answers to this too!  

[magicstorm101]

I’m sorry I took so long to reply….

Yes,the pellets were taken away suddenly,for about a month,due to the avaliablility of them in our area,so we had to go someplace else to find the kind we used that were cheaper. We have them now.(that was our fault)

Also,his behavior never changed,it was if he didn’t notice. He was acting very normal,and I had to actually get a good look at him for me to notice it myself.we have given him the pellets,and he’s getting a bit bigger,but he still looks odd,like his weight is returning,but he’s not filling out. Also, his breathing is very rapid all the time,even when he appears to be relaxed,which worries me. My mom says well take them to the vet the day they were scheduled,but I really want to take him sooner.

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