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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 Rabbit barely eating and not drinking! *UPDATED**

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    • pixiebunni
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        Hello,

        My buns pixie has been very healthy for the whole time we have had her (since she was young – 1 year) and we have never had a problem. She is a REX rabbit with A LOT of shedding fur which I try to brush and keep track of. Recently she has stopped eating her fresh timothy hay almost completely, and won’t eat anything else besides pellets and grass. As well she has not touched her water in a day, and I am very worried.

        I took her to the vet yesterday (our vet has been our vet for over 15 years) and she is a capable exotics expert as well. She gave us critical care to syringe feed 3 times a day 10 ML a time. Our bunny willingly accepts the critical care, but still has not touched anything else. I have heard “Petromalt” works for impacted stomachs/ the beginnings of GI stasis while the “Papaya fruit plus” is better for prevention. She has NO dental issues and her eyes and nose are clear. I am starting to suspect hair balls or GI problems. She is still pooping but they are small and black (probably too little water/hay) I need something that could possibly restart her system and clear up a blockage fast. 

        Our vet clinic re opens on monday, and our vet said she would see her again if the critical care didnt work, but she is barely eating or drinking.

        Thank you

        *I posted the update below in the comments/replies section


      • RabbitPam
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          Getting a vet’s advice was the best move, and feeding Critical Care over the weekend is good for her. I would NOT add petromalt or Papaya fruit plus. The petromalt is not used much anymore, and at best is for a tiny touch of obvious indigestion, but often doesn’t help at all. It may clump the critical care in her system, and the CC is liquidy, where liquids are what push along the distress until she is better. She needs water and fresh hay in case she wants to eat again. See how she does on that until Monday, then call the vet if not improved.

          By grass, do you mean hay? Actual yard grass outside can be unhealthy due to airborne pesticides, which is why we recommend house rabbits that stay indoors. But if you mean hay, then Orchard Grass is a gentle type you can buy, and Timothy is the most popular. My bunny loves Oat, which is also very good for digestion.


        • pixiebunni
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            Yes I meant actual yard grass, she is outside all summer and eats it alot of the time. However she is eating only grass from out back yard that is surrounded by a 6 ft. locked fence. Also the grass is NEVER treated for anything and we check to make sure anything bad for her is removed. We have asked out vet about putting her out and letting her eat OUR grass and she okayed it, so I am going to keep doing that. We have never ever treated the grass and she is used to it.


          • JackRabbit
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              We just went through this with Kieko and were told to reduce pellets and increase salad to two times per day, and had us give her Critical Care twice per day. The vet also gave her fluids 3 times within a week. It’s good that your bunny is eating the critical care. Will she eat any of her veggies?

              Try a different type of hay — orchard grass or oat hay maybe? Orchard grass has no stems (all leaf) but is close to 2nd cut timothy fiberwise. Oat hay is apparently sweeter and most bunnies really like the tops. 3rd cut timothy is much softer, all leaf, less fiber, and hard to find except on-line(?).

              Hydration is important to keep the food (Critical Care is food) and any hay she eats moving through her system. If she’ll eat her veggies, make sure they are wet (that will get some water into her).

              Is there any way you could call the vet or another emergency vet for advice on hydration – even if it is a rabbit-savvy emergency vet not near you, they may be able to give some advice.

              I agree with RabbitPam on the Petromalt. It used to be used all the time but apparently it was found that it coated the fur in the stomach (as well as any hardened) food and actually prevented water from penetrating and softening the “blob” so it could pass. High fiber (hay, bunny salad) and good hydration appear to be the current line of thinking.


            • JackRabbit
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                How is your bunny doing? Is she still taking Critical Care ok? How about drinking?


              • pixiebunni
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                  Thanks for thinking of us ‘JackRabbit’!

                  She is doing better as far as I can tell, she is drinking water on her own now (after I started her off with a syringe of a tiny bit of pineapple juice mixed with water for temptation), and she ate her evening pellets as well as her CC. She started drooling out of the side of her mouth this afternoon and into this evening (but less so) any ideas on why?

                  She still has not touched hay at all (i even offered sweet orchard grass hay) but ate bits and pieces of some fresh lettuce. As well she has been pooping and peeing so I know at least some things are still getting through!

                  Looking up!

                  Thanks again to everyone for advice, even more is appreciated!! 


                • JackRabbit
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                    Glad to hear she’s drinking, eating, peeing and pooping! Wish she would eat some hay. Have you tried hand-feeding hay? Oat hay? (not many buns can resist those oat tops!)

                    I don’t have any experience with drooling. My first thought would be tooth-related, particularly since she’s drooling *and* not eating hay (more work to chew than some other things?). Was your vet definitely able to check her back teeth and jaw? Hopefully some of the more experienced BBers will have some insight on drooling.

                    In the mean time, I’d keep doing what you’ve been doing and take her back in to see the vet on Monday. It’s always a good idea to have emergency vet options — maybe your vet for advice on who to call if you have a night/weekend emergency?

                    Fingers crossed that things continue to improve!


                  • pixiebunni
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                      *UPDATE**

                      Since last night she has barely pooped at all and refused her pellets this morning (which has never happened before), as well she stopped drinking again so I had to syringe feed her water and she will take it that way. However she did start eating some hay from her timothy hay stock so I am hoping that will help push through whatever might be blocking her. She has stopped drooling as well thank god. We do have an emergency vet to see, but the price is way too high. Hopefully she can head over to the vet clinic tomorrow morning and stay hospitalized until I can pick her up at night. 

                      Well off to go force feed some more critical care. Any more help anyone?  

                      THANKS!


                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                        Has your bun pooped yet? Is she eating veggies? If you can get her to eat greens, make sure to serve them wet.

                        Drooling and change in eating habits, to me, screams Dental Problems so I would def get the vet to check her out even if she starts eating/pooping normally again.

                        Hope your buns feels better soon.


                      • pixiebunni
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                          She did poop very little this afternoon (so she has pooped in the last 12 hours) and they were small and black like before. She will not eat veggies or much else and hasn’t eaten hay at all. However she will let me syringe feed her water so that is what I have been doing. We took her to our vet and she checked out her teeth and didn’t see an issue. As well I am continuing to force feed CC.

                          I am taking her into the vet clinic tomorrow morning and leaving her over the day as no one will be at our home to watch her. They will be doing another teeth check, xrays and possibly blood work if nothing turns up. Since she only is drinking for me, they might have to pump fluids 

                          Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing?


                        • JackRabbit
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                            It’s easy for them to do fluids – they inject under the skin and it absorbs that way. Less stressful for the bunny. Hopefully they will do what’s needed to get a really good look at her back teeth.
                            I’m with LPS — it sounds so much like a tooth issue.

                            Just hang in there and keep up the good work!


                          • pixiebunni
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                              I know procedures for how they treat everything (I work in that vet clinic actually) so I am hoping she gets good and quick care in the morning before they get really busy, just hoping it isn’t serious!  

                              Thanks to everyone for all the support and information!


                            • LongEaredLions
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                                (((((Get-Better vibes for Pixie)))))
                                Make sure to update us on how the vet trip goes.


                              • LittlePuffyTail
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                                  Good luck at the vet! Hope they get your girl fixed up and feeling better soon!


                                • pixiebunni
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                                    *UPDATE*

                                    Hi everyone! Thanks for the advice and concern regarding my special friend

                                    After I dropped her off at the clinic this morning they took Xrays and found some gas in her stomach as the result of a possible impaction/minor blockage. After that she started eating,drinking and pooping on her own again! The Doc said the stress from the clinic might have kick started her system and she is back to being normal as of now with some pain meds. I was so glad to hear it!

                                    Thank you for all the advice you have all given and I really appreciate all of the support. Hope everyone’s buns’ are doing well!


                                  • LongEaredLions
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                                      Glad she’s doing better!


                                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                                        I’m glad to hear she is doing better!!! That’s happened to me and a stasis bunny a few times. I bring them to the vet, they are lethargic and not eating and as soon as we get home, they perk up and are totally back to normal. They just want me to spend money?? I think the car ride may play a factor in helping stimulate the GI tract as well.


                                      • Standard_Procedure
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                                          To prevent a blockage in the future, get yourself some Oxbow Papaya Fruit Plus Tablets. They have the good enzymes from fresh pineapples but in higher dosage, and without the sugar.


                                        • Velvet
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                                            Velvet turned her nose up on those papaya pills, had nothing to do with em.


                                          • JackRabbit
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                                              I know what you mean LPT! I had Kieko at the vet for gi stasis and Moshi for an ear infection. Next thing I know, Marlee is huddled in a corner, wont eat, wont come out. I took her to the vet thinking gas and start of stasis. The vet couldn’t find anything wrong. Get her home and she’s fine. I think she just wanted me to spend money on *her*, like it was her turn! Gee, if she wanted money all she had to do was ask!

                                              Pixiebunni — is your bunny still doing ok?

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                                          Forum DIET & CARE Rabbit barely eating and not drinking! *UPDATED**