Apple Juice in water?

[MyPets1031]

Toby has been very sick this past week. The vet thought it was pasteurella, cancer, or kidney failure.

A few weeks ago I noticed he was feeling skinny but assumed it was just old age (he’s 6) But last Tuesday he wasn’t acting himself. His nose, ears and eyes were all runny and he wouldn’t eat hay at all. The vet saw him that night and told us it was either a tooth infection or the roots of his teeth.

The next night he was falling over and couldn’t stand. I brought him back to the vet immediately and saw a different vet who said she thought he felt VERY skinny. She said she thought it was pasteurella and there was a chance we could save him but she wasn’t an expert and if we wanted another opinion to go to Como Park Animal Hospital. She treated him for pasteurella and gave him some pain meds and critical care and sent us home. 

Toby has been eating his hay again, his ears, nose and eyes are getting better and he’s eating veggies but we’re still force feeding him for the extra nutrients as he’s still very underweight. Almost two pounds. Anyway, I still can’t get him to drink. The only way he’s getting water is when I give him lettuce or other veggies, and I do make sure to drown them in water so he’ll get some fluids that way and from the small amount of water that’s in the critical care (I mix it with baby food.) Otherwise I’ve been forcing water and he hates it. 

So my question is, if I were to mix in a TINY bit of sugar free apple juice, or at least apple juice with no added sugar, would that be ok? And how much should I mix in if it is ok? 

Thanks

[Kbana]

I know other members have mixed orange juice in water to entice them. I would think apple would also be OK but maybe other members would know better as I have not had to do that yet…so sorry your bun is ill but glad he seems to be showing some progress. (((good vibes coming your way)))

[LongEaredLions]

If your bunny won’t drink, it would be ok to add a tiny bit of apple juice with no added sugar(Do not use the sugar free as it probably contains chemical sweeteners). Just add enough that it tastes only slightly like juice. If you do end up doing this, make sure he has unsweetened water as well. Hope you bunny gets better. (((((vibes)))))

[MyPets1031]

Thank you LongEaredLions. I mixed 2 parts water with one part no sugar added apple juice and forcing water went much easier tonight. I’m just going to leave regular water in his dish. I’m still hoping he’ll start drinking it on his own.

[bpash89]

Yep I did this in the summer (considered it as her treat for the day) to make sure she was drinking enough water.. Just makes sure it’s 100% juice. My bunny pretty much likes all juice (apple, grape, plum, grapefruit…) but as long as it’s only a little bit and diluted with water it should be fine.

[FooFoosMommy2]

When Foo had her kidney issues, and was supposed to be drinking more water than normal, we mixed organic sugar free apple juice with her water to get her to drink, just a little bit though. It got her to drink, which was the goal. I wouldn’t suggest continuing to do it, but until you guys get stuff figured out, its not going to hurt.

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