Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

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.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

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 Someone please help me and Barney. :(

Viewing 42 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • AnnaW
      Participant
      569 posts Send Private Message

        Barney is STILL under the weather, he’s pooing but just in big lumps not singular poos, he is definitely weeing. I just literally had to force feed him some water through his bottle as i dont have a syringe. He’s still not really eating, i dont know what to do.  

        He only had his teeth checked last week, i’m at my wits end The vets here are not good at all, and there are no rabbit savvy ones which is why i took him home to Essex for that vets appointment, otherwise i would take him in tonight.

        Someone please tell me what i can give him to make him better?

        Thanks  


      • jerseygirl
        Moderator
        22338 posts Send Private Message

          I just quickly read your other thread to get a bit of background.

          Can you find some rose or bushes or bramble (raspberry) bushes?
          The leaves can help with stomach problems and the fibre is good. Especially if you can’t get him eating hay. The rose petals too. That was one thing I could get mine eating when they were off their food. And willow sometimes.

          Also, pure hay pellets if you can find them. May find through horse feed stores. I’m not suggesting these for long term. It just may be more appealing in this form right now and will get the all important fibre in.

          Protexin Pro-Fibre pellets *might* help…
          I don’t think they’re given as a general feed, theyre more a supplement.

          Is he on Burgess Excel pellets. I know it’s a common UK brand but had read some buns do get messy poo from it for some reason.


        • AnnaW
          Participant
          569 posts Send Private Message

            I’m in university halls so no bushes around unfortunately!! Yes he is on Burgess Excel pellets … the only other things i have is grim cereal stuff that his owners gave me, and hamster nuggets! What shall i do!?


          • AnnaW
            Participant
            569 posts Send Private Message

              I have human diarrhea tablets but i dont know if a tiny amount of one of these would be safe, and am too scared to try without anyone’s say so


            • jerseygirl
              Moderator
              22338 posts Send Private Message

                I’m really not sure if safe or helpful.
                Is the poo sort of solid?
                Diarrhoea is more watery and unformed.


              • AnnaW
                Participant
                569 posts Send Private Message

                  Yeah it’s definitely sort of solid, its not proper diarrhoea as in watery in the true sense. He just isnt very interested in food at all and i’m freaking out, i’ve cleaned up his bum several times (and his cage as he’s smeared it everywhere, probably due to feeling discomfort)
                  Thanks for replying x


                • jerseygirl
                  Moderator
                  22338 posts Send Private Message

                    Its sometimes suggested plain rolled oats can help firm up the poo. But its not something you would want to feed regularly.
                    If things don’t improve with diet changes, you might want to have his poo tested for coccidia.

                    Have you tried offer a bowl of water?


                  • AnnaW
                    Participant
                    569 posts Send Private Message

                      I have offered some water, i’ll see if he takes any. He literally wont even take his favourite things at the minute, so i have no hope for rolled oats


                    • AnnaW
                      Participant
                      569 posts Send Private Message

                        I’m in complete despair and in tears. Things were going so well for us and he was looking so much healthier and now this. He’s eating SO little, am i going to lose him? He’s still his normal hoppy self, i just want things to be back to normal.


                      • Deleted User
                        Participant
                        22064 posts Send Private Message

                          Anna, hang in there. It does sound to me as though you need a quick trip to the pharmacy, …. or can someone go for you? If he continues not to drink then giving him water by syringe is the easiest way to handle that. And he Has to Stay Hydrated.

                          As I mentioned yesterday a dose of simethicone may help him, and if it isn’t what he needs then it won’t hurt him. You can get a liquid for babies (which I don’t know much about) or a tablet like GasX and dissolve it, … either way you do need a syringe.

                          Cuddling him and giving him gentle tummy massages (if possible for as long as fifteen minutes) may also help and should comfort him. (Probably help you too, its hard not to get really upset but you’ll be able to think more clearly, observe more and make him feel safer if you can try to stay calm and focused.)

                          Can you phone the vet you took him too before? I understand they aren’t close enough for a visit but some times talking to someone who knows what they are doing can be a big help. If not that vet then some other one with emergency hours? Often they are just as happy to keep it on the phone and will do all they can (in my experience anyway) to help you skip an out of hours visit.

                          By the way, things like syringes are just good to have around, … means you are always ready.

                          Please let us know what happens.


                        • AnnaW
                          Participant
                          569 posts Send Private Message

                            Ok I will go to the pharmacy tomorrow as soon as i am up, if i get Simethicone what kind of dose should i give him?? Cuddling him has definitely helped me, i just hate to see my little guy in distress! I may phone the vet tomorrow and see if she has any advice, and will get some syringes for future use – and to give him water too!
                            Do you think it’s best to give him dry pellets or ones mushed with water and apple? I have tried both in the hope that something will work
                            Thankyou x


                          • AnnaW
                            Participant
                            569 posts Send Private Message

                              He is spending a lot of time in his litter tray looking as though he is waiting to go but nothing it happening …
                              Maybe he is constipated!


                            • Deleted User
                              Participant
                              22064 posts Send Private Message

                                As mentioned I’m no expert but really sounds to me as though he has gas, or hasn’t been processing his food enough which causes a condition incorrectly but commonly referred to as a hairball.

                                Cuddling him and making sure he knows you are there and care about him (in a hands on personal way) will help, … won’t fix the problem but does make things better for Both of You.

                                Since you’ve got a little time before you think you can take the next steps please read this article: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/113683/Default.aspx It was posted by one of the forum leaders and you’ll find helpful advice and suggestions to address your issues in section IV. I believe it covers subjects like dosage too, although I know that the tablet was One 125 gram dissolved in two cc (or ml, same thing) of water. But whatever is bothering him keeping water going in is very important.

                                With your comments on diet yesterday you may also want to read this article: http://rabbit.org/sluggish-motility-in-the-gastrointestinal-tract-2/ That link was posted by another forum leader (Sarita I think) last week to help a member who’s rabbit had had stomach problems and its very informative. If you are going to be up and anxious you might as well put in some time finding out how to avoid another night like this, … least that’s how I’d feel.

                                I really don’t know about your pellits verses mashed pellits, I’m not real happy with either suggestion, but that’s just an internal response on my part, I have no experience or information to use to advise you. I have found that generally when an animal isn’t eating and doesn’t want to there’s a darn good reason why they don’t and its best to work with them to solve the problem/only feeding if it will specifically address the issue, rather then trying to get them to eat. I know DOING Something, Anything feels better, but honestly as hard as it is some times being supportive and observant is the best thing you can do for them.

                                Do keep rubbing his stomach. Bringing circulation to the area and hopefully helping things to move is always good.

                                I’ll be around for a bit, though I hope someone who has a better idea of what you are going through may pick this up.

                                Let us know what is happening.


                              • jerseygirl
                                Moderator
                                22338 posts Send Private Message

                                  How’s he doing Anna? {{{Barney}}}

                                  Although his poos aren’t the healthiest looking, it is good he has passed some recently.

                                  So true how they snub the usual favourites when they’re not feeling right. It makes it frustrating for us. Try offer things you thought he’d never like or has turned down before.
                                  Any chance there are dandelions growing around the place?
                                  I’m not sure if you can by dandelion greens there in stores but I often see it named chicory here.

                                  Simethicone wouldn’t hurt but it’s not a cure-all so don’t bank all your hopes on it. I think you have Infacol there the same as us. It’s a bit stronger then GasX or Ovol. I normally give 0.4-0.6mls. If Barney’s a little guy, i’d start with 0.4mls.

                                  I have found that generally when an animal isn’t eating and doesn’t want to there’s a darn good reason why they don’t and its best to work with them to solve the problem/only feeding if it will specifically address the issue, rather then trying to get them to eat. I know DOING Something, Anything feels better, but honestly as hard as it is some times being supportive and observant is the best thing you can do for them.

                                  GreyDove makes an excellent point and it may be too earlier for force feeding. So keep notes of when and what he last are and when he pooped. It’s easy to forget when you’re stressed about them. I think i would make a vet appointment for later in the day or the next day. That way i could cancel if things come good but feel better knowing I have one in advance if things deteriorated.


                                • NewBunnyOwner123
                                  Participant
                                  1930 posts Send Private Message

                                    Even if the vets are not the most rabbit savvy in your area any vet is better than no vet. They usually know the basic care. Like giving sub q fluids in him. If he isn’t drinking you need to be syringing him water or get him to the vet to allow them to rehydrate your baby boy. And a vet can get into contact with a rabbit savvy vet to ask for advice on what to do for your rabbit. I’m just saying, he has been off for longer than a day. I think it’s time to take him to the vet, get him back on track, and switch his diet slowly since that brand is known to cause poopy bum.


                                  • Bwbedard
                                    Participant
                                    31 posts Send Private Message

                                      Time for a vet visit for sure. You can never be to careful and rabbits have a tendency to hide how sick they are to avoid being preyed on. If he is showing any sings of distress it is time to get him checked out.


                                    • Deleted User
                                      Participant
                                      22064 posts Send Private Message

                                        Jersey Girl I agree with you completely, and have to add when I was recommending the simethicone I was thinking more in terms of getting through the night, … and observing the results.

                                        Really hope he is better Anna, but sounds like you will want to know what caused these problems so they can be fixed. Do post when you can.

                                        Jersey Girl, out of curiosity why dandelion greens in this instance? Mine love their dandelion leaves as part of their nightly salad, I can’t wait (never dreamt I’d be saying this) until they start coming up in my lawn. Luckily they are available in the grocery here (in Canada) and so is chicory. Looking forward to a greens shopping trip this weekend.


                                      • AnnaW
                                        Participant
                                        569 posts Send Private Message

                                          Thanks so much for all your replies!
                                          I woke up this morning and had completely had enough, so off we went to the vets! They gave him 2 injections, and gave me 2 bottles of drugs to syringe feed him that will stimulate his bowel and stomach, as well as 4 bags of critical care and a big syringe to feed him with. They were brilliant, checked every possible route of illness and found nothing, so as long as these drugs work, all is ok!!! xx


                                        • AnnaW
                                          Participant
                                          569 posts Send Private Message

                                            Oh, if you wanna know what the drugs are –
                                            Emeprid and Ranitidine.
                                            I am having trouble feeding the critical care – i’m scared of doing it so that he breathes it in!! Tips please? xx


                                          • Roberta
                                            Participant
                                            4355 posts Send Private Message

                                              Syringe feeding needs to be done with them upright otherwise they can aspirate the fluid and develop pneumonia.
                                              Method one. Place your bun on a table or bench where they are stable (put a towel or blanket under them) gently insert the syringe in the side of their mouth well behind their front teeth. Make sure they can’t bolt off the surface and hurt themselves. You could also have him in your lap whilst your partner gently inserts the syringe into the side of their mouth.
                                              Method two. Place your bunny in a corner of your lounge or sofa with a towel or blanket rolled up and placed as a barrier to for the other two sides of the area (the couch arm and back being the first two sides) get down on your knees to bun level and insert syringe in side of mouth.


                                            • Roberta
                                              Participant
                                              4355 posts Send Private Message

                                                There are some very good youtube videos on how to syringe feed. Hopefully someone here has the links


                                              • Deleted User
                                                Participant
                                                22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                  Oh Anna, I am so glad, … really think you did the right thing!

                                                  Do Please arm yourself with some first aid info and essentials to have on hand so that another time you know what is going on, have an idea of what you should do, and know when its time to book that vet appointment.

                                                  I’ve never used critical care so someone else will need to advise you on that one. Do keep liquids going in him, … and I’m sure he’d like plenty of time with you near and/or petting him. Bet he’ll be happy and bouncy very soon. Do please post his progress, I for one am very interested in how he does.

                                                  Best of luck!


                                                • AnnaW
                                                  Participant
                                                  569 posts Send Private Message

                                                    Ok, the first bit i tried to do i had him kind of cradled in my arm so not entirely upright, he seemed to spit most of that out anyway. When i am home from work i’ll try again with him standing, he’s being a little beast about it so i thought having him standing would make it worse due to gravity!


                                                  • AnnaW
                                                    Participant
                                                    569 posts Send Private Message

                                                      And thanks! I think i did the right thing too, in my opinion you should not have an animal if you arent prepared to take it to the vets when poorly!!! I will update this thread on how he is doing regularly, but for now, its off to work! Thanks guys x


                                                    • Deleted User
                                                      Participant
                                                      22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                        For syringe feeding I always wrapped him in a towel (no paws to cope with) held him upright in the crook of my left arm, ( I am right handed), held his head steady with my left hand, and inserted the syringe with my right hand into his cheek. I went slowly making sure he was swallowing the liquid. A variation on how I dose my Yorky, since my little dog Really Doesn’t Like Meds! That always worked for us.


                                                      • LittlePuffyTail
                                                        Moderator
                                                        18092 posts Send Private Message

                                                          I’m very glad you got him into the vet. If there is no other option, a non-rabbit vet is better than no vet at all.

                                                          Getting the amount of CC in an unwilling bunny is difficult. I usually put bunny on a towel on the kitchen table and use a feeding syringe (can be bought at pet stores, has a bigger opening) to slowly administer the CC in the side of their mouth. Be careful to do it slowly and let bunny chew before giving more. It’s very time consuming but has to be done. Also make sure to do many small feedings per day as indicated on the package.

                                                          How are his poops today?

                                                          (((((Barney))))))


                                                        • AnnaW
                                                          Participant
                                                          569 posts Send Private Message

                                                            Thanks guys, just home from work so i’m going to wrap him in a towel, give him a bit of food, then some meds, then more food, then the other meds. I hope he knows this is tough love and mumma isnt just being a cow! x


                                                          • AnnaW
                                                            Participant
                                                            569 posts Send Private Message

                                                              Barney is doing better today, he seems to be responding to his medication and has done some little poops – way better than what he was doing!! He even ate some bits of rocket last night I’ll update on how he goes


                                                            • Emmie
                                                              Participant
                                                              461 posts Send Private Message

                                                                Anna, I had a lot of difficulty with syringe feeding Thane back when he was sick. What works for me is to take him to an unfamiliar room and wrap a towel around him, pop the syringe in the side of his mouth and gently push the liquids in.


                                                              • Deleted User
                                                                Participant
                                                                22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                  Anna that’s terrific news! Do please update regularly!

                                                                  Good luck and keep up the good work. I know how much fun the dosing is, but watching the results is always such a reward.

                                                                  And best of luck switching his diet when he feels better.


                                                                • AnnaW
                                                                  Participant
                                                                  569 posts Send Private Message

                                                                    He’s such a little beast, everytime i wrap a towel around him he takes a big mouthful of it in his teeth so i cant put the syringe in!! So the towel is now a no go, damn clever bunny! He’s doing better again today, much more himself and definitely looking happier. Still not eating like his normal self but we havent finished the medicine yet x


                                                                  • Emmie
                                                                    Participant
                                                                    461 posts Send Private Message

                                                                      Brilliant!! I’ll be praying he continues to get better.


                                                                    • AnnaW
                                                                      Participant
                                                                      569 posts Send Private Message

                                                                        Thankyou! Me too He’s been chomping little bits of carrot today, i know they’re not meant to have too much carrot but at the minute anything he eats i’m happy about!! As soon as he’s completely better i’m hitting him with a new diet that includes lots more hay!!!!!!


                                                                      • Deleted User
                                                                        Participant
                                                                        22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                          Anna I’m so happy he is continuing to get better! Sorry about his figuring out how to make the towel work for him and not you. However, having problems dosing them always cheers me up, means they are feeling better when they have enough energy to give you a hard time. Good luck keeping it up and stay in touch!


                                                                        • AnnaW
                                                                          Participant
                                                                          569 posts Send Private Message

                                                                            Me too! Looking forward to him being back on the pellets and hay, eating normally again!! I will do, i’ll update you all as soon as he starts progressing more


                                                                          • AnnaW
                                                                            Participant
                                                                            569 posts Send Private Message

                                                                              Barney is improving daily, he is eating slightly more pellets now and definitely loving his rocket again. Still not as enthusiastic as he was about food, but i cant expect too much i suppose! One thing is that he still isnt drinking … I’m not sure whether the meds are confusing what his tummy wants or what, but i have given him 2 little syringes of plain water tonight just for my peace of mind! His last dose of medicine is tomorrow morning, and then i’ll be away from him from tomorrow morning until Thursday 7.30!! Going to get my friend to come in and check on him, top up any food that he has eaten etc
                                                                              Hopefully soon he’ll be back to normal!

                                                                              He was actually so feisty last night that he snatched the syringe off me in a rage, and ran around my bed with it in his mouth like a trophy! So glad to see my naughty little Boo getting back to normal.
                                                                              x


                                                                            • MoveDiagonally
                                                                              Participant
                                                                              2361 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                Glad he’s doing better!


                                                                              • jerseygirl
                                                                                Moderator
                                                                                22338 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                  Good to hear Anna.

                                                                                  Something to try is a small bowl with some bottled water. Just incase he’s refusing the local water for some reason.

                                                                                  If he’s not eating a lot of hay at the moment, that seems to effect their water intake. They go through more when eating more hay it seems…


                                                                                • AnnaW
                                                                                  Participant
                                                                                  569 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                    Very pleased to announce that apart from still not being very thirsty, Barney is back to his old self!
                                                                                    I just got in from work and he wolfed some pellets as if he hadnt been fed for days, so pleased to see him back to normal
                                                                                    Thanks for all your support, could not have done it without you all x


                                                                                  • AnnaW
                                                                                    Participant
                                                                                    569 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                      Scrap that, he has just had a HUGE drink!! What a good boy x


                                                                                    • Deleted User
                                                                                      Participant
                                                                                      22064 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                        Oh Anna I am Delighted!, … such fabulous news to begin a morning! Do please give him his favourite pat or hug for me and tell him how happy I am to know he is all better.

                                                                                        Just remember tummy rubs and hot water bottles, and keeping water going in if he ever has another rough patch, always good standbys until you have a clear idea of what is happening, … and hopefully now that you know and are prepared you’ll never again need to be!


                                                                                      • AnnaW
                                                                                        Participant
                                                                                        569 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                          I will, thankyou! Yes, i still have 3 sachets of critical care type stuff left, so i’ll be saving those for if i ever need them again (hopefully not though!)
                                                                                          Now that he’s back to normal I need to get some proper weight back on him, i hate being able to feel his pelvis and spine so prominently


                                                                                        • LittlePuffyTail
                                                                                          Moderator
                                                                                          18092 posts Send Private Message

                                                                                            I’m with your Anna. I’m dealing with a too-skinny Bindi Loo. It’s awful to be able to feel so much bone.

                                                                                            ((((Weight Gain Vibes)))))

                                                                                        Viewing 42 reply threads
                                                                                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                                                                                        Forum DIET & CARE Someone please help me and Barney. :(