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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

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.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum DIET & CARE Super Thirsty Bunny!

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    • skunklionshow
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        Leo is very thirsty all the time.  He goes through about a bottle a day.  Granted his bottle is not the size of a rabbit bottle.  He has a small mammal/hamster size bottle.  We need to refill it everyday.  As soon as we fill it, he starts drinking right away!  He goes to the vet tomorrow for a pre-neuter check up, but I was wondering if anyone had any input?

        Also, he’s a beast when it comes to eating veggies and hay.  He won’t eat hay!  I just got a nice orchard blend that Jessica seems to enjoy, but he just doesn’t care for it.  He also hates Timothy and wouldn’t eat any of the bermuda blend.  I’m hoping to get some oat hay soon.  He also doesn’t seem to like any veggies or herbs.  He will eat dill in moderation…but NOT kale, romaine, cilantro, parsley, carrots, pea pod, greens.  He’s driving me crazy b/c I’m really worried about him getting all he needs.  It took a while for me to get Jessica into a hay and veggie routine…but Leo is so picky!  Any suggestions?

        I’ve tried taking out his pellets when I give him veggies, but I feel really bad.  I’ll check on him hours later and he still hasn’t touched his veggies.  I don’t want him to not eat, so I put the pellets back in. 

        Suggestions for super Picky eaters?


      • MooBunnay
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          Hi!
          What IS he eating? I know that when hamsters drink a lot of water it could be a sign that they have diabetes from having too much sugary stuff. I’d really recommend sticking to the diet recommended on this site – I had the same issue with Grace at first, she didn’t want the pellets (she peed on them haha) and wasn’t eating much hay or anything because she was used to a diet of kaytee sugary pellets and honey cakes. After about 3 days though she’s eating very regularly and has even lost a bunch of weight in only 2 weeks! Stay strong with the diet – he will start eating the healthy stuff. It sounds extra important now because it sounds like he’s trying to flush out his system.


        • Scarlet_Rose
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            How long have you had Leo and what was his life like before you brought him into your home?

            Definately talk to the vet about it and they may want to  check for diabetes (like MooBunnay suggested), but along with thirst is usually weight loss in the case of diabetes.  Is there a salt or mineral lick in the cage? If so, I receommend taking it/them out.  They are unecessary for a rabbit to have and cause cause undue thirst.  Bunnies get plenty of minerals and salts from the normal intake of their diet.  You may also want to consider a large crock that attaches tot he side of the cage in lieu of a bottle as well.  I found that bunnies often prefer them to the usual bottle. If not, would you consider getting a larger bottle to keep your bunny from running out of water? Is the backside of your bunny soaked or is the litterbox soaked with urine? If so, the vet may check for kidney stones, some type of kidney problem and/or suggest a blood test. To avoid "sticker shock" be aware that the blood test can be expensive.  I can think of a few other things, but it is best if the vet takes a look and I don’t want to cause unnecessary panic, try not to think the worst.

            I am glad that Leo is going to the vet tomorrow, might I suggest preparing for your vet visit tomorrow by writing down what he will eat and what his behavior is like? Also make note about when does he drink water? Is it non-stop all day, after eating etc.? Is he still active? What is different now than before?

            Is he eating his pellets?  Have you changed brands? Picky eaters can be difficult, but persistence and leaving the veggies there in lieu of you taking them away and him training you to give him only what he wants you to is a better alternative.


          • skunklionshow
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              Leo was a member of our pet therapy program.  Unfortunately, our therapy bunns do not always get the best and/or specific veggie selections.  I was the primary veggie provider and I had tendency to provide bunny salads 2-3 days a week.  Whereas Trigger and Oreo loved nearly every veggie they got, Leo was always a picky eater.  He seldom ate the salads I brought, but the other bunns ate every last drop. 

              In addition to my "salads" the kids brought in veggies for the buns or would provide them fresh fruits or veggies from their own lunches.  They all also got unlimited hay and unfortunately pellets.  B/c I wasn’t w/ the therapy buns 24/7, I wanted to ensure that they always had access to food and water.

              I’m afraid that due to his finicky ways, Leo tended to get the short end of the carrot stick.  This is why I wanted him to move in after I left that job.  He is still about as active as before.  However, he did get more exercise in our program, b/c he had free roam within a large classroom.  His classroom was alot larger than my living room.  Now he shares the living room w/ Jessica and the cats.  He also enjoys accessing the kitchen. 

              I’m planning on bringing a stool sample w/ him, b/c he has grape bunch poops.  I haven’t noticed any weight loss, excessive peeing, or bottle leakage.  He does have a mineral lick.  His previous owners (b/f coming to our program) kept a lick in his cage saying it was "his thing".  His pellets are the same as the ones we have at work.

              So, If I limit him to the 1/4 cup of pellets daily…he won’t get sick or starve if he doesn’t eat his veggies?


            • MooBunnay
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                Hello – no I would think that if you limit him to the 1/4 cup of pellets it would be very good for him – I looked around online and i couldn’t seem to find anything that indicated any medical reason that a bun wouldn’t eat his veg or hay…sometimes Grace leaves her veg in the cage for almost a full day and a half before she eats it, I don’t know why because its all limp then…but she eventually eats it!


              • Scarlet_Rose
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                  Well it sounds like the lick is what may be attributing to his water consumption.  I definately recommend taking it out and instead offering a treat from "mommy or daddy" instead to help bonding, especially since it sounds like he had a pretty active life as a therapy pet. Or in lieu of the lick, offer some noisy toys hung on the side of the cage or loose so he can throw them around.  I’m sure he’ll love it!

                  If he doesn’t eat his veggies, he will be just fine, just keep trying with a small piece of something every once in a while.  Pellets were designed for rabbits that do not receive veggies and so are nutrionally packed with everything that they need.  So no need to worry there. How much does your little fella weigh and is he overweight?

                  As for the "grape clusters" those are his cecotropes and generally they ingest them. If he over producing them, then he has too much protein in his diet.  What is the protein content of his bunny pellets?


                • skunklionshow
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                    I’m going to have to check the nutritional info on his pellets.  I can’t remember the brand off hand.  I know its not oxbow or kaytee…I think it might be nutri-bun or nutri-pellet.  I keep it in its own container, so I’ll have to check next time I hit the pet store.

                    I tend to throw the limp veggies out.  I guess I figured that they weren’t interested b/f so why would they when they go limp.  I’ll leave them in incase he likes them that way. 

                    He used to have some baby keys, but they’ve gotten lost while he was living at school.  I will get him so more toys soon.  We did put some paper balls in his cage yesterday and he’s had a ball throwing them around ripping them up.  I think he really enjoys the paper interaction.  It won’t be hard giving him treats b/c he LOVES Jessi’s dried cranberries AKA craisins.


                  • BinkyBunny
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                      Yes, the mineral lick should go out! No need and it can contribute to long term digestive issues. So he’s not peeing any more than normal? Excessive drinking can mean health problems and so I would tell your vet how much he drinks, and let him know he also get veggies since they also have a high water content. I know that’s the last thing you need to worry about, a health problem, but it’s better to be safe than sorry .

                      keep us updated.


                    • skunklionshow
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                        Just got back from the vet.  Apparently Leo is a super snaggle tooth.  The majority of his teeth are so jagged and uneven that he needs to get his teeth filed down immediately!  He is schedule for surgery on Thurs.  She suggested that this may be the reason for his "picky" eating habits (no hay or veggies).  She thinks that he may be overcompensating by drinking extra water b/c he’s not getting any water from veggies.  She stated that sometimes buns won’t drink from their bottles w/ such awful teeth b/c it hurts to bite down on the pipe/mouthpiece thingy.

                        My poor guy!  I told her that I keep picking the million dollar pets.  B/t Jess and Leo, I’ve spent more on bunnies than all 4 cats for the year!!!!  So his neuter is on hold until my finances and job plan are solidified.  I’m hoping to neuter in Sept or Oct by the latest.  She told me that the teeth are the priority now and w/ Jess’ spay it s/b ok in the burough!

                        He’s on motility meds and antibiotics for the next week.


                      • BinkyBunny
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                          Oh geeze louise!! I’m so sorry skunklionshow, that stinks! Is it his front incisors only, or do the molars have spurs on them too? Have they cut into his gums yet? Well, it’s definitely a priority as even if he could eat, if they start cutting, it can cause abscesses.

                          Rucy has to get her spurs trimmed every few months, and I can always tell when she’s ready to get them trimmed before her regularly scheduled tooth trim because she begins to drool and her eyes water.

                          I know that with Rucy the give her some pain medications to use for just a couple of days because motion of grinding off the spurs can make her mouth sore.


                        • skunklionshow
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                            Basically his whole mouth is snaggle tooth central.  The vet said that its both upper and lower teeth, including incisors and molars.  She stated that 2 of his teeth looked like stairs (3 steps).  My poor little man!  She said that a moist chin & gunky eyes is a good sign that its teeth probs.  He goes in tomorrow night for his surgery on Thursday.


                          • BinkyBunny
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                              Sending quick healing vibes his way! Poor Luey…and your poor pocketbook – sending “more in than out” vibes for your wallet.


                            • Scarlet_Rose
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                                Poor Leo! I am so sorry to hear the little fella is having such trouble but am very glad that it can be fixed. Sending healing vibes his way for a speedy recovery! Let us know how the operation goes!


                              • skunklionshow
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                                  Leo’s surgery went VERY well.  I picked him up last night.  The vet said his mouth was really bad.  She stated that it is very possible that he will require regular filing/cutting for his teeth, like every 4-6 months.

                                  He’s on cage rest until tomorrow.  He’s also on motility meds, antibiotics, and pain meds.  My poor little man.  He hates his meds, but he loves his craisin treats!

                                  Jessi is dying for him to be off of cage rest.  She lays next to his cage.  She’s gotten wise and now lays on the side b/t the wall and the cage, so I can’t shoo her back to her cage so well.  She’s very sneaky!  Also when its med time (she’s still on antibiotics for her pee probs), she hides under the chair by Leo’s cage.  She won’t come out until she hears the "craising shake". 


                                • BinkyBunny
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                                    I’m glad thte surgery went very well. And how cute of Jessi to hang out next to his cage. Sending over healing vibes!

                                    Rucy has to also get her teeth filed. Lately it’s been every 3-4 months. It’s expensive each time. I just started saving all my change in a jar. It’s amazing how much it adds up in a short period of time.

                                    I can always tell when she’s ready for filing because her eyes water, and she even will begin to drool sometimes.


                                  • Scarlet_Rose
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                                      Awe that’s good to hear he made it out of surgery well and is in the process of healing.

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                                  Forum DIET & CARE Super Thirsty Bunny!