Bunny is losing weight fast!

[Emiline]

I have a 6 year old female Holland lop and I noticed that she is quite skinny lately. I just took her to the vet a week ago and she weighed 3.82 pounds. The vet did not seem too concerned and she said my bunny actually has great muscle tone in her hind legs. My rabbit is still eating and drinking normally and her behavior hasn’t changed. She did get sick with EC about two years ago which caused her to lose weight and drink excessive amounts of water. I don’t know if this weight lose is due to EC coming back, since she is still drinking normal amounts of water, or if it’s because of her diet. Her digestive tract is very sensitive and recently I have had to take lettuce out of her diet for a few days and just give her hay to put her digestive tract back on track. Obviously I have been giving her more lettuce now but I can’t give her too much at once. I wonder if this is maybe the cause of the weight loss? I also read somewhere that too much lettuce can actually cause weight loss because lettuce has few calories and is mostly water, is this true?

What could be wrong? and what is the best way to give her calories without upsetting her digestive tract too much?

[Mikey]

Could be a sign of Stasis or a parasite, but it could also be the lettuce if you feed her more than she eats her hay and pellets. Your bun will need a trip to the vet for a few tests if taking lettuce out of her diet doesnt show any improvements 

[Muchelle]

Lettuce and salad in general are very little caloric and contain a lot of water, so they’re not of much nourishment if not used as a “filler” food in between hay and pellets.If she can stomach it, I would suggest to move on to celery or fennel, that have more calories and fiber. They shouldn’t upset her because they’re well tolerated even by kits, you could try to give her small softer pieces and see how it goes.

Do keep us updated, good luck! I really hope she is fine

[Bam]

If she’s losing weight with no other symptom, you could give her a little bit more pellets. Lettuce have very few calories.

But it is worrying when somebody (not just a bun) is loosing weight for “no reason”. Try and weigh her every week or twice a week and note down the weight. If she continues losing weight, make a vet appt.

[Paradigm]

I think the others have good suggestions.

One thing I would say is – has she been molting recently? George and Charlie are looking a bit thinner at the moment (though their spine feels perfectly healthy) and I’m pretty sure it’s all the hair they’ve been shedding.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Another reason a bunny can lose weight, and this is quite common in older buns (over 6), is a dental problem. My Bindi sometimes loses weight when he needs his molar spurs trimmed.

[Emiline]

I’m taking her in to the vet tomorrow to get weighed and I will have them do a fecal test as well. I will also try and give her some celery and fennel. I have also been giving her critical care. She is molting at the moment which does usually make her look a little thin, but she feels more boney than usual. She does not get pellets because of her digestive sensitivity but I could try and introduce them, very slowly.

Thank you all so much! I appreciate all advice!

[Emiline]

Her vet did check her teeth too and said they looked great so I know I can rule dental problems out.

[Muchelle]

You could try to buy quality hay pellets, that are just pressed hay without extra additives. Maybe she’ll find them intriguing to eat! They would also keep her teeth in check, so that she will avoid spurs problems. I’m based in Europe so I can’t be specific about any brand if you’re outside EU. Maybe Oxbow produces them?

If she has a sensitive stomach and she’s molting it could be she’s having a bit of trouble with the fur, make sure you’re brushing/plucking out her dead hair daily (or as much as she’ll let you without getting stressed), it will help her a ton ^^ Do keep us updated!

[Emiline]

So I took her to the vet this morning and she only weighed 2.60 pounds considering she weighed 3.82 pounds two and a half weeks ago her weight loss is more than just her diet. Her vet is going to call me later to discuss what to do.

[Bam]

That really is a significant weight-loss

Please keep us updated. Sending her so many healing ((((vibes))))

[Azerane]

That is a drastic weight loss, I wonder if it could be intestinal parasites. Hoping your vet can figure something out for her.

[Odette]

I hope you get a quick answer to the cause of her weight loss and a plan to get your bunny’s weight stabilized.

[Mikey]

I hope they find out what is causing the weight loss. I too think it could be parasites (((((vibes)))))

[Emiline]

Thank you all! I’ve been so worried. I will have the results from her fecal test tomorrow but for now my vet has given me panacur (dewormer) and an antibiotic. This is the same treatment I gave her hen she had EC so hopefully it works. Again, thank you all for your help!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I suggest getting some bloodwork done if the weight situation continues. That’s usually my vet’s second go-to after the teeth are ruled out.

[Emiline]

Her fecal test came back negative but that doesn’t rule out EC, which is what my vet and I both think it is so hopefully the meds work!

[Bam]

We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the meds to work!!

[LittlePuffyTail]

(((((Weight Gain and healing Vibes)))))

[Emiline]

I got some very sad news. On Friday my little girl had a very bad stroke and passed away on the way to the emergency vet clinic. :'(

Thank you all for your support and advice, I really did appreciate it, and I wish I had better news

[Bam]

Emiline, I’m so very sorry to hear this. It seems e cuniculi was the right diagnosis. I’m sorry the meds didn’t help, but they don’t always, it’s a devious parasite -as I know you are well aware.

Thank you for the update.

Binky free, sweet little bunny girl.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry for your loss.

((((Binky Free)))))

[Azerane]

I’m so very sorry for your loss You did all that you could. Binky free, beautiful girl.

[Odette]

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet girl, Emeline.

((Binky free, love))

[jezabel loves moxie]

I’m so sorry. This is so sad, Sending you lots of hugs.

For my own knowledge, how did your bunny get it in the first place and it came back?

[jezabel loves moxie]

Great insight, thank you

[Author]

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