Help! Rabbit Ate Schleffera!

[OliverBun]

Hi guys,

My little 3.5lb bun just ate two Schleffera leaves. He ate them so fast I couldn’t get them away from him.I’ve given him some broccoli and lettuce to snack in hopes that this will dilute the effect.

Looking online it seems to be listed as toxic but may not be extremely dangerous and that maybe the leaves aren’t the toxic part?

What should I do? Should I take him to the vet?

[Bam]

I think it’s mostly bad because there are very sharp little chrystals of calciumoxalate in it, and that is sth that causes irritation to the mouth and possibly throat and/or gut lining. It’s not the toxicity thats worrying but the fact that the mucosa may swell and there may be difficulty breathing. It’s good that you’ve given him broccoli and snacks. How does he appear? How long ago was it?

 

Edit: looked it up now and in a person, there could be vomiting if enough material hit the stomach. Since a bunny canä’t vomit for physiological reasons, I think you should call your vet if you’ve a good exotics vet, and ask their advice. I don’t know if bunnies ever have their stomachs pumped out but since he can’t vomit, there would be no other way for him to get rid of the irritating agent. Bunnies as you know have sensitive tummies.

 

It’s quite possible that he will be fine on his own, but I’d not chance it. Dogs and cats and people are generally fine in 24 hours with no treatment exept symptomatic (if there’s difficulty brweathing) but bunnies have peculiar tummies and GI tracts.

 

Please report back!

[OliverBun]

He seems fine. He didn’t seem to have any pain in his throat or anything.But it’s also his “nap time” so it’s hard to tell.

I called my vet and they said that plant is indeed toxic (but they won’t give me any advice/info without me paying which is ridiculous).

So I then called the ASPCA. They said this plant is toxic to rabbits but it is not something that poses a severe threat to rabbits. She said the most to expect is soft stool or a decreased appetite for a few hours. 

[Bam]

Great!!!

(Terrible vet who wouldn’t tell unless you paid. I’d find another vet to take my regular business to.)

This is really great for other bunny-owners as well to know, since those plants are very common in homes.

I hope he’ll be just fine like nothing ever happened! Please let us know and thank you for reporting back!

 

Edit: Keep an eye on him and see to it that he keeps eating, loss of appetite may be an effect of this type of poisoning and as you know, rabbits must never not eat. I don’t mean wake him up when he’s napping and force food into him, just check so that he keeps eating and pooping normally!

[Beka27]

How is he today?

I have a schefflera and i didn’t even realize that plant is toxic! Whoops! I keep all my plants elevated, but this is great info to know!

[OliverBun]

He’s doing great! Just some minor “indegestion” yesterday. However his activity level is fine and his appetite is fine today.

I have lots of plants and they are all elevated. I try to really stay on top of keeping the floor clean, but a few leaves fell on the floor behind the couch. I only noticed he ate some because I could hear him munching on something.

The ASPCA is a fabulous resource, by the way. They have vets on staff 24/7 and can help with any questions involving your bun ingesting anything.

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