My bunny ate tobacco

[NunusOwner]

Something bad happened. I’ve left an opened can of dried tobacco (the one used to stuff cigarettes) on the bed while I turned away for, without exaggeration, one single second. After I blinked and looked back the bunny was already on the bed and munching on the contents of the can. She is not even supposed to jump on the bed, I thought we had established that long ago.

Anyway. That was almost a full day ago. She eats, poops, is active, doesn’t walk funny etc. Everything looks normal. Should I be concerned?

[Roberta]

I would definitely be mildly concerned. How processed is the tobacco ? Is it one with a lot of additives ? How much did she manage to ingest ?
Monitor her closely and make sure you keep up a good supply of water, hay and lots of moist greens to keep things moving through. Look for any changes in behavior or temperament that may indicate a response to toxins. Check out the product online and write down any additives used in it then give your vet or a vet a call and see what they think, it might be necessary to take your bunny in for medication like suspended charcoal or what ever is appropriate. I would do it as soon as possible, in fact just phone the vet asap. A full day it may be too late to prevent any damage done but you might be lucky if there are no toxic additives.
Any time a bun eats something that may be poisonous it is always a good idea to call your vet straight away in case there is something they can be given to prevent the toxin getting into the organs via the stomach.

[NunusOwner]

It is processed, ready to go into a cigarette, like a commercial brand. She ingested about 5g. I do monitor her. No changes in temperament. Did give her lot’s of hay and a lot of lettuce yesterday. She always has available water. As soon as I notice something is off I call a vet.

[Roberta]

You should be able to phone the vet now, without charge, just to ask them if there is anything you should watch for.

[Eepster]

Tobacco is toxic to most animals, not totally sure about rabbits.

Is there an emergency after hours vet near you? Poison control will tel you if something is toxic to dogs and cats, not sure if they know about bunnies.

[Robert]

if it was a full day then you are near the clear, nicotine should pretty much be processed through the liver and the leaves should have passed though the intestinal tract

a kinda of bright note is nicotine is also a mild laxative

[NunusOwner]

Yes, fortunately nothing has happened. phew

[Deleted User]

Just watch out if your lighter goes missing……..

The addiction is horrible!

[Author]

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