A bit of background: Butterscotch is 5 months old, neutered about 6 weeks ago, had seizures and kidney failure after the surgery, recovered with the help if syringe feeds. Was easily and quickly bonded to his brother Tofu 3 weeks ago. They lived together for 2 weeks with lots of loving, cuddling and grooming. Tofu died unexpectedly last week (cause unknown, vet not sure, ? Floppy rabbit syndrome suggested by someone on BB fits the picture?). Butterscotch currently has a pen that adjoins Shadow’s (his sister). All bunnies have always had unlimited pellets (local Farmer’s co-op brand, started switching to Martin little friends Original Rabbit food 3 weeks ago. Gradual change 1(new):3 (old) ratio first week, followed by 1/2 and 1/2 second week, 3:1 ratio last week, and only new pellets as if two days ago). They have also always had unlimited hay- alfalfa to start, added some Timothy past month- still get a combo of both. They get three kinds of veggies/day- usually a mix if romaine, red/green leaf lettuce, kale, dill, parsley, oregano, dandelion greens etc. (Amount is approximately equivalent to 3-4 romaine leaves/day). Also 1/4-1/2 carrot, 1-2 raisins +/- small piece of apple (size of a fingertip).
My problem: since Tofu died last week, I gave not seen Butterscotch eat ANY hay. He sits in his litter box, and moves it around, but does not chew any if it. Occasionally, he will break a piece in two and discard it, but that is all. I have tried switching to other types of hay, and have exhausted all the available hay within a one hour drive. These include Timothy (Oxbow, Living World and Brown’s), Alfalfa (Oxbow, Living World), brome hay, oat hay & orchard grass (all Living World), meadow hay (oxbow), and finally horse hay from the Farmer’s co-op. There is nothing left to try, and I am reluctant to order any on line since I have already spent a lot of money to no avail (Don’t get me wrong, if I knew he would eat a different kind- I would gladly pay for it… ). Other than not eating hay, Butterscotch is his usual self. He is eating 1/2-3/4 cup pellets daily (same as Shadow), lots of water (average 1/2 cup/day- same as Shadow), producing lots of urine and lots of poo (I have a grate over the litter box from BB, so the poops sit on top and are easy to see- he produces the same amount as Shadow does). He is active, zooming, binkying, grooming and otherwise normal Butterscotch.
One confounding factor is that while he was housed with Tofu, I know hay was being eaten, but cannot be sure Butterscotch was eating much of it. I did however used to see him sitting in the litter box chewing on hay- whereas now I don’t. I thought at first it may be a grieving thing- which it may be… But it has been a week and as I keep reading how important hay is, I am beginning to worry.
When Butterscotch was neutered, he had his teeth checked and they were fine- I,e. No malocclusion ect.could that have developed in such a short time? He us able to eat everything else- could he have a newly developed dental issue that only precludes eating hay?
I am very concerned because Butterbuns has always been somewhat nervous and sensitive. After he was so sick, and after what happened to Tofu, I am a bit hypersensitive. Unfortunately, my vet! The only rabbit savvy vet within a 4 hour drive, is in vacation.
Has anyone had any experience with this? What exactly is the hay necessary for? Is it just for dental filing, or are there nutritional needs that require hay per say, and not pellets made from hay? Can it be replaced by something else? How long can he go without hay before I have to really worry?
Please help.
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