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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Helping bun gain weight

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    • Emiline
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        Before I ask my question I’ll give you the background story. So my bun (4yr Holland Lop) was very sick and she was losing a lot of weight, I kept taking her to the vet and the vet said she could not figure out what my bunny had but she said that the blood test showed my bun was not producing enough red blood cells and her body was not absorbing protein from her food. My vet and I decided to just go ahead with a treatment of an antibiotic and a dewormer for four weeks. However my vet did say that she did not think my bun would make it much longer, but she also said miracles can happen. Well I think one did because it has been four weeks now and my bun is still alive and seems better. She has more energy and she has not lost any weight. But, my only issue is that she doesn’t seem to have gained much weight either. I have been giving her orchard grass, timothy hay pellets, some lettuce, and some critical care powder my vet gave me (although I wasn’t able to give her this for almost two weeks because I ran out). My vet says she really doesn’t want me to use alfalfa hay or pellets because of all the calcium. I am just wondering first of all, about how long should it take for my bun to gain her weight back? (she’s at 3.1Lb and should be between 4.5 and 5Lb) Should I be concerned that she hasn’t gained much weight? (she does run around a lot) and is there anything else I could give her to help gain weight. 


      • Sarita
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          What about increasing her regular pellets? To me that makes the most sense. I would also look at giving her more greens as well.


        • JackRabbit
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            What about oat hay tops (the part with the seedheads)? I was giving my bunnies three or four tops everyday for a few weeks and all three started getting downright chunky (little Kieko gained 1/2 a pound, and short Marlee was starting to look like a furry ball). I asked the vet about it and she said they were high in calories and to only give them as a treat. I looked online and found that the oat hay tops are great for “older bunnies that need the extra nutrition and calories”. They’re fine for all age bunnies, but will definitely pack on the weight (my bunnies are picky and won’t eat the lower calorie oat hay stalks).


          • Emiline
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              Thanks! Do you know where I could get oat hay tops?


            • JackRabbit
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                I actually bought oat hay in bulk from Sierra Valley Pet Hay. When mine wouldn’t eat the stalks, I just cut the tops off. I’ve also bought just the seed heads here in the Binky Bunny store — they are one of the options under the product Nibble Noms. Whether cutting the tops myself or getting the seed heads just in a bag (super convenient), my bunnies go nuts for them.


              • Beka27
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                  If she is now healthy, with proper diet, her weight will stabilize and should increase back to “her normal” over time. You don’t want to try to purposely “fatten her up”, especially not by increasing treats or things that might cause other health issues/digestive problems long-term. Like Sarita said, try increasing her normal pellets by a little bit (like a tablespoon extra per day). A wide variety of veggies and hay may interest her and increase the quantity that she eats of that, while still being healthy…

                  Also, 4.5-5 pounds is definitely on the high end for Holland Lops. Many of them top out at about 4 pounds. If she doesn’t get all the way up to 5 pounds again, she will likely still be at a healthy weight for her breed (unless she’s a mix with a larger rabbit).


                • JackRabbit
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                    I totally missed the 4.5 to 5 lbs! My holland lops are 3 lbs (Marlee) and 4.2 lbs (Moshi). Moshi is on the larger end for a holland and am pretty sure he’s been mooching off Marlee pellet-wise. Moshi is longer than Marlee, but his ideal weight is right at 4 lbs. You definitely don’t want your bunny to be too heavy.

                    What weight does your vet feel is ideal for your bunny?


                  • Emiline
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                      I had thought 4.5Lb was more of an ideal weight, my bad. I could have sworn that at one of her normal vet checkups my vet said she weighed 4.2Lbs and my vet said that was a little on the light side. I can ask her what weight she thinks my rabbit should be, maybe I didn’t hear her correctly. Thanks for letting me know though!


                    • Emiline
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                        Ok, so I was able to talk to me vet and she said to keep giving my bunny critical care and suggested giving her baby food as well. I will also increase her pellets. Thanks guys!

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                    Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Helping bun gain weight