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Forum DIET & CARE Special Treatment for Senior Bunnies?

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    • Andi
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        I am just wondering what are some things people do different for their Senior bunnies, habitat, food any other care that may differ from what you do for a younger bunny.

         


      • Sarita
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          I don’t really do anything unless there is a physical need. Or my vet would instruct me too. Otherwise if they seem to be doing fine then I leave everything as is.

          I do bloodwork though annually at the vet though.


        • Kokaneeandkahlua
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            Ditto Sarita for sure. Vet exam and blood work and just being really observant-looking for signs of illness or just signs of not being content.

            Though I will share this-we did an alzheimers sensitivity training thing at work a while back. It was a virtual dementia tour where we had our shoes filled with corn (to simulate painful feet from neuropathy which is common in seniors) had vaseline covered goggles to simulate the many ways you lose vision as you age, had ear phones of a curfuffle of noises (To simulate what might be heard in any house without it making sense…) and gloves on to simluate loss of detexerity. Then we were given tasks to do.

            The point of it was to show that loss of faculties makes things painful, frustrating, upsetting and scary. And let me tell you-that was ten mintues and I wanted to CRY. So it made me really sensitive to thinking about what the needs of senior animals might be.

            Touching them more for instance-it’s comforting (if they like touch) and if they are losing vision that can help them feel better.
            Talking to them and saying their name-again comforting-and can also let you know you are there.
            Maybe more cushioning in the bed for comfort.
            Watching for signs of dementia…I’ve not heard of rabbits getting this, but other animals do for sure, so its’ likely not unheard of. My parents dog is starting to display some signs.
            Also senior animals are less likely to feel hunger/thirst so ensuring they are enticed to eat and watching their intake.
            watching for signs of depression-depression is part of the aging process and again that does occur in animals too.

            I’m just thinking a lot about the needs of senior animals lately so I love that you asked this. I’m sure there are more things we can think of too.


          • Beka27
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              Nothing different for my Maxie. I’m not sure of his exact age but I think he’s between 5-6 years old. Maybe older?


            • Andi
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                I have added extra bedding to make a softer house for Bubba, I am considering adding a higher % protine pellet with his regular ones as he has lost weight and I want to make sure he doesn’t loose anymore. It stinks b/c a temp Vet that saw him a long while back didn’t record his weight, and so we have nothing to go on for what was normal for him before. I had him and his brothers check-ups a little while ago, all are healthy
                Bubba’s 6 going on 7. I’ve wondered about his Vision some days. He’s never been a active bunny… just a lazy lop :p

                I’m finding it hard to pamper a old bunny who has never been affectionet, never seemed to enjoy anything but his regular ‘safe’ day to day never changing life. Except he still get’s excited for treats!


              • Sarita
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                  My rabbits hate to even be touched, it makes them grumpy. They pretty much cringe. So unless I don’t have to touch them I don’t. Mango is fine with pets but I’m normally cleaning his continual poopy butt which is probably why the poor guy hates to be touched.

                  If I felt mine were losing weight I would definitely add pellets or add higher protein pellets. They all eat their greens very well though and their hay. And they all love their treats.

                  I’m not entirely sure of my rabbits true ages but all came to me in 2003 so it’s safe to say they are 7 or more years old. I think they would hate to be called seniors though.


                • Andi
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                    Baby is older then Bubba (how much we don’t know) and I wouldn’t call him a Senior LOL… but Bubba is turning into an old man :p Pitters is probably MUCH older then everyone and with the way he acts sometimes you’d never know.

                    I have a 18% protine pellet I bought for Bo when he was loosing weight. I can mix that in small bits as a time for Bubb’s.


                  • RabbitPam
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                      I considered Spockie a senior bunny because he suffered several kinds of physical deterioration when he was 7.

                      One was diminished use of his back legs. So keep the spaces he can access low to the ground and comfortable.

                      He became incontinent gradually, so a litter pan with a low front was helpful for a while. also I stocked up on special rugs that are like puppy pads so he could not make it to the litter pan or climb in, but it wicked away pee and could be changed easily to keep him dry.

                      Sticking with routines are important. It is calming and they have their favorite things at certain times.

                      Paying attention, even if it’s not touching. I just always hung out on the floor when he was out so he could hang out under my loveseat and still be near me. I was available for snuggling or kisses. Talk to them.

                      Give icky medicines in tasty fruit treats to make it go down well.

                      Help with bathing. Bunnies can be miserable if unclean, they actually struggle less when older because the trade off is feeling good when they let you help, and they seem to know that.

                      I love senior buns.


                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                        Stormy’s getting up there too, although he’s not showing any signs of slowing down or being less bratty!

                        Sarita- What age do you suggest starting the yearly bloodwork? I’ve never had it done. What sorts of things do they check for?


                      • Sarita
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                          LPT – I would do one at 6 years old – this is basically going to be a baseline for any future illnesses – if your buns are healthy of course. Your vet will look for any elevations or anything that seem too low as well. I highly recommend doing this. It’s not cheap but it can be well worth the money spent.


                        • LittlePuffyTail
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                            I’ll talk to my vet in the New Year about getting it done. After my Christmas bills are paid off.


                          • allosamosaurus
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                              Here’s a question for anyone else out there with a multi-tier rabbit condo:

                              Do you use ramps for your older bunnies? Nibs is going on six or seven years and has been in a multi-tiered cage for the past three years. She has no problem jumping up and down or moving in any way.

                              Because she is older, I thought it might be nice to put ramps between the levels to make it easier for her to move around.

                              However, if she is doing fine and has no problems getting around to start with, and shouldn’t I encourage her to move around and keep limber?

                              Any thoughts?


                            • Sarita
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                                Sammy, as long as she is able I would leave the ramps. My Dutch pair is about 7 years old and move up and down their ramps better than ever.


                              • Beka27
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                                  You could maybe attach one ramp to one of the levels. She might not even use the ramp at all. But that would at least give her the option to try it out. If she ends up using it a lot, you could then add in the rest of the ramps.


                                • KatnipCrzy
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                                    If my bunny was getting older- and even my dogs- I would start them on Cosamin or Cosequin- there are no side effects and it is a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement that is proven to increase joint fluid and mobility.

                                    I have an older cat that I can’t get ANYTHING into her without a fight- so even though she has some arthritis, the daily struggle to get her to take the meds would probably do more harm than good. I will save my efforts for when she NEEDS meds like antibiotics.


                                  • Andi
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                                      I don’t have ramps for my younger bunnies, But i do have ramps for my older ones. Even if they don’t have mobility issues, i think it’s a preventative measure.


                                    • BunnymomKS
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                                        Just being more observant, mainly. Although this sometimes makes me more anxious – so I could use a little TLC myself!

                                        My current two are 8-1/2 and 6-1/2. I tend to hover a lot. My older one is going through a stasis right now and my younger one had one a couple months ago but is doing great. Miss Clover with the stasis is better one day, not so good the next, then better again – it’s been a roller-coaster ride. But I feel a bit more reassured reading how some buns take a little longer to come out of it, and now I remember sometimes in the past she did take a while. So maybe this is progressing how it should and I just need to keep an eye on things and do what she needs but try not to get terrified.

                                        You get really attached to them the longer you have them, which is why the anxiety is even more when they are sick. She has been with me through so many trials and transitions in the last few years. And I love her so much!

                                         

                                         


                                      • Sarita
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                                          I agree about the anxiety when they are sick! Can your vet determine why she keeps going through stasis?


                                        • jerseygirl
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                                            Sarita, you’ve mentioned before about something that helps with stomach ulcers. Like an anti-acid? Is this something your vet recommends with rabbits that have chronic GI problems?

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                                        Forum DIET & CARE Special Treatment for Senior Bunnies?