Did the vet check his teeth? It very well could be teeth problems – there has to be some underlying issue for this.

You have my sympathies on the hard time you’ve all been going through, and my admiration for your determination and persistance in very trying circumstances! You have a very lucky rabbit and wife!!!

I’m sure you will get more helpful and detailed information from other members who have much more experience with difficult health issues but until they post I’ll pass along a couple of things I’ve learnt from reading their posts in the past.

You may have tried doing this but you did not mention it in your post, you might try mixing the critical care with something he likes and offering it to him. I’ve seen other members mix with carrot juice, apple juice and/or sauce or mashed pumpkin. If he could eat it on his own instead of force feeding that would be a little something.

My only other immediate thought is that if his stomach still appears to be bothering him you could offer him a heating pad or hot water bottle to lie on. It is important that it be placed so that he can lie on it or not as he chooses, but it can help stimulate the gas to pass through his system. The method I’ve used successfully in the past is to put a hot water bottle in a cardboard box, either just big enough to hold the bottle, or with some crumpled paper around it, and put the box in with the rabbit. The box keeps the bottle warmer longer, and provides a nice warm but not hot surface for the rabbit to lie on if he wishes.

Is he drinking on his own again, that wasn’t very clear. Leaving any greens you offer nice and wet will also help to hydrate him. That he is eating and again passing droppings definitely sounds like a good sign to me, however, you do want to solve the problem and that means finding the cause.

Best of luck!, and I’ll hope you post with good news soon!

I’m very sorry you’re dealing with this. It is VERY stressful.
{{{Puppy}}} (I love the name).

I wonder if you should discuss with the vet about giving pain meds. And possibly Questran? (Questran help take out harmful toxins if there’s a gut imbalance). Likely there is if lots gas was being produced.
I know the thought of giving more things by syringe would not be appealing! Perhaps one of the other things can be reduced now that his gut is moving somewhat.
For any additional meds, the vet may agree to prescribe without Puppy being brought in again. It would be great if you could pick anything up from a closer clinic or pharmacy.

Were X-rays taken in the beginning or did first vet determine no blockage by feeling the tract?

what can I do to make the little guy eat. He is acting perfectly normal, aside from not eating obviously.

Are you still doing fluids? Maybe he feels full due to those??
Food wise, try offer greens that are not his usual favourites. I’ve found my buns would not be interested in the things they normally loved, but ate things that were on the bitter side. Try some dried things also. Dried willow, raspberry leaves…

More {{{vibes}}} for your little guy.

3.5 weeks is a very long time for a rabbit to go without eating – I’ve had a rabbit go a few weeks this way but never that long. I would say once you get him eating and back to normal it would be a very good idea to sedate him and have the vet do a very thorough dental by feeling his teeth because many times you cannot see problems with just the otoscope and the vet can look at those very very back teeth.

Okay, so on to trying to tempt him to eat – have you ever tried to tickle his nose with some fragrant herbs or greens to try to get him to eat – I sometimes do that with my rabbit – try breaking the cilantro or parsley so that the fragrance might tempt him.

So pleased about your good news, but definitely want to read that terrific post saying that he’s eating normally!

I thought I’d post this link since the page has a good list of vegetables, greens and fruits that are safe for a rabbit. I realize you have a good grasp on the topic already but I thought seeing a list might suggest something you hadn’t thought of trying. http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/

Also if he prefers dried food at the moment why not offer him some dried herbs such as parsley, thyme and sage?

Has he enjoyed other kinds of hay in the past? Maybe oat or meadow would appeal to him.

Not a lot of help I know but some times I find when I’ve been worrying about something a long time someone else’s suggestion may spark a thought or two simply because their ideas make me think along different lines.

Best of luck and do please keep us posted.

Good to read the update! Hopefully now his activity level has picked up, his appetite will follow.

Hi there,
How’s Puppy doing?

Puppy’s being interested in food but not eating does sound to me like a pain related issue. We’ll be thinking of you all tomorrow and hoping for a solution to the mystery/problem! Please let us know how it goes and what happens.

I hope it went well. {{{Puppy}}}