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Well, I finally got my digital scales in the mail today. I wanted to be able to keep track of Gracie’s weight while I’ve been trying to get her tummy in control. She’s had the old poopy butt since I got her at the end of October.
I’m pretty upset now because if both scales at the vet’s and mine are in sync, Gracie has gone from 4.5 to 4 pounds and the vet said she was underweight at 4.5. I knew she felt thin and I’ve bought her 4 kinds of hay in an attempt to get her to eat more and more. She had 4 good days out of the past 5, which is huge because it was every single day, but she lunges every time I give her a bit of something other than hay. Heaven help your fingers if they get in the way. So I’ve continued w/ small offerings of pellets and have started giving her some parsley too. I don’t know why I chose parsley, but anyway…I’ve found dandelion greens at the local grocery store…winter doesn’t stop them from carrying anything any time for the right $$. Gracie loves them and I thought maybe they would be good because I read dandelions are good for upset stomachs. I’m going to buy more this weekend but I was finding that I can dry them out and I was wondering if anyone knew whether It Might be easier on her tummy to be given dry greens instead of fresh. -
I would assume that fresh ones are better because of all the water that is held in veggies. The important thing with rabbit digestion is keeping hydrated so everything in the digestive tract is easily pushed through the body. Although, a lot of people believe things like mint and fennel are good for upset rabbit stomachs when they’re feeling bad. Not sure if this is proven or just an old wives tale.
I’m sure others with more knowledge will come along but thought I would help by pushing this thread with a comment and whatever insight I could offer
Can you talk with your vet about some healthy foods to get her weight up? I believe a lot of rescues use things like sunflower seeds (without the hulls) to help build up weight.
http://rabbit.org/overweight-and-underweight-rabbits/
^ Here’s an article that may be helpful!
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Thanks folks. I’ll check into hay toppers and I also,want to see about drying things on a larger scale. It’s easy this time of year when it’s so dry inside w/ the furnace going. I just put them between paper towels and leave them on the dining room table for a few days. Don’t know if this will work as well once summer comes along with its humidity. Guess I could try putting it in the oven as well. Keep your fingers crossed for her tummy!
oh and will definitely call the vet she has proven to be a fountain of knowledge as well as you guys
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