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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 9sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 2 months ago by DanaNM.

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- 12/27/2018 at 1:22 AM
  Karak
  Participant
  6 posts
  Hello! I am in desperate need of advice for a heartbreaking scenario… This forum has been so helpful to me in the past so I figured this was the best place to ask.
  
  My little partner, Junior, is a show 7 yr Netherland Dwarf rabbit. Here’s the problem: He hasn’t eaten at all or drank much in 9 days… and I have tried EVERYTHING to get him to eat. (Force feeding doesn’t work, he’s an odd lil bun and even has vets purplexed, if you try to sryange feed him he WONT swallow, he will spit it out or hold it in his mouth)
  
  Yes, I know it’s INSANE for a rabbit to go that long without eating ??? what happened was everyday he was running around with almost his normal amount of spunk and energy so I thought that he would eat again.
  
  So I should take him to the vet right? I would love to… but I just can’t afford it…. His last bills from a few years ago where $300-400 from his battle with GI stasis. I don’t have that much in my bank account
  
  It’s day nine and he still has some spunk and energy (how???) I’m very familiar with rabbit illness (champ showman and taught lectures and classes) but this has me stumped. He has NO symptoms of anything besides losing his appetite. He was still pooping and peeing after he stopped eating so it shouldn’t be GI or a blockage. (He is grinding his teeth a bit on day 9 now)
  
  He still has a bit of energy and sass, so i didn’t really want to euthanize him while he is such a fighter. But don’t want him to suffer either and I wish he could get better. What would you do?
  
  Thank you!
- 12/27/2018 at 5:52 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17029 posts
  I moved your post to the Q&A-section,it will be seen by many more people here.
  
  Your bun does need to see a vet. Would Care Credit be an option? A very last resort could be to surrender your bun to a shelter. That would of course be very sad, but it could perhaps save his life. Don’t wait until he gets too weak.
  
  I don’t understand how he has gone 9 days without eating anything. I know buns can go for a long time without pooping, but I’ve never heard of a bun that hasn’t eaten in 9 days. Is he still pooping? Could he be eating a small amount of hay when you are asleep? Has he lost a lot of weight?
  
  I’m assuming you have tried all kinds of treats and favorite foods, pellet mush with plain canned pumpkin or baby fruit puree etc. Force feeding a bunny that absolutely wo’nt swallow would be risky due to the risk of aspiration, so I can see how you are reluctant to do that. Oftentimes a bun spits out most of the syringed fiood but still manages to get some into the tummy. It’s weird that he wont swallow though, he ought to be hungry by now. You could make some hay tea for him (boil water, pour on hay, let steep, sieve off the hay and serve the “tea” when it’s cooled) or you could add some apple juice to his drinking water, just to give him some nutrients and calories. Serve fresh water also, some buns won’t touch flavored water.
  
  A bunny can stop eating for many reasons. Teeth problems are common. This could very well be a teeth problem because he seems to be in too good shape for it to be some inner organ malfunction etc. Buns often get molar spurs that can hurt their tongue or cheeks when they chew. You can’t see a rabbit’s molars without instruments, for example an otoscope, so you can’t check the teeth yourself.
  
  Sending many healing-vibes for your (((((bun)))))
- 12/27/2018 at 8:34 AM
  Karak
  Participant
  6 posts
  Thank you so much for your advice!
  
  It’s such a tough dissission and I really appreciate your feedback.
  
  Hmmm…. I can look into the credit card thing, although he is a bit old and I wonder now with as week as he is and how long it’s been since he’s eaten, how long that would actually extend his life with such a high cost. But I’ll see if there’s a somewhat cheaper bet around here and look into the card. I just really wish these things weren’t so insanely expensive. I looked into the shelter thing, they either wouldn’t accept him or it him to sleep now :,(
  
  I know it does sound crazy! I have NEVER seen or heard of a bunny going ten days now without food. I thought it was impossible and that’s why I’m so confused. He eats a specific measured amount everyday, so there is just a daily amount of food in his cage, and the amount hasn’t changed in that long. So there is no other possible way to get food 😮 How he is still alive I have no idea. He hasn’t pooped or peed in days. He’s lost a lot of weight by now but doesn’t act weak at all. I don’t get it.
  
  True, that sounds like what is most likely is. If I took him to the vet would it even be possible for him to bounce back after this?
  
  I agree with that, yes I’ve tried every mixture and rabbit safe veggie. He does like hay so I’ll try the tea idea, thank you!
- 12/27/2018 at 10:14 AM
  Karak
  Participant
  6 posts
  UPDATE: He actually liked a little of the tea and drank a sip on his own Hoping he drinks and eats a little more.
- 12/27/2018 at 2:50 PM
  Karak
  Participant
  6 posts
  Any more advice?
  
  I am so shocked, but your tea idea worked wonders! He actually swallowed most of it and even drank and took some nibbles of food.
  
  You are probably right, and that it looks like he might have a teeth issue. He is an ex show bun and had some past teeth trouble (his breeder never once gave him hay) Is there anything I can do about that without the vet?
  
  After looking into it, I wouldn’t be able to take him to the vet for under $600 :0
  
  Thank you so SO much again for the advice!!!!!!
- 12/27/2018 at 8:08 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  After looking into it, I wouldn’t be able to take him to the vet for under $600
  
  Is that if you think he has teeth problems?
  How much is a general consult?
  You can take him in to be examined and be given some pain meds. That won’t come to $600. He is grinding his teeth. He need pain management in the very least.
  
  While teeth is likely, you cannot be certain that is absolutely the issue. Maybe there is something caught in his mouth preventing him from being able to chew. Maybe his normal food irritates his mouth and he has been eating litter or bedding material. Maybe he was eating his own poop for a few days..
  
  Only a vet can tell you what’s going on after examining him. It might not be as bad or as costly as you think. If it is, then you can opt to make him comfortable with pain meds that would hopefully get him eating soft foods on his own. It would give time to try look into funds.
  
  If it is worst case scenario, you can have him humanely put to sleep. It is difficult to do but sometimes it is very clear that is what we need to do for them .
  This should also not amount to $600.
  
  What would you do?
  
  I would let him be seen by a vet and find out what my options are.
  
  Sending many good health {{{vibes}}} for your rabbit.
  
  ETA: you mention he ate a little after the hay tea. Have you tried soaking his feed in hot water, letting it break down and cool then giving to him in a dish?
- 12/27/2018 at 9:21 PM
  Karak
  Participant
  6 posts
  Yes, that would be around the cost, assuming it was teeth issues. However, you are correct and that I shouldn’t assume that’s the problem.
  
  I’ve gone to a few vets in the past years, only rabbit savvy ones now and even the simplest check ups (just to look at him and prescribe one cheap med$ have added up to $300+ A consultation alone usually is around $140+ to the vets I go, then you add the extra fees, medicines, and it adds up to a few hundred dollars fast. $$$ Most vets charge several hundred additional to file their molars (if that’s what you call it and it that’s the problem) I just don’t have that kind of money even for the simplest vet option… If I could afford that it’s definitely what I would do and I agree with you there it’s the best option.
  
  He’s not grinding his teeth today, maybe I could find some rabbit pain meds for him? (I know many breeders who should have something to help with pain) that’s a great idea.
  
  Good point, I can’t be sure what it is. That’s the weirdest thing; he has only been in his spacious cage with a coated wire bottom for the past days. (I usually let him run around in a large pen in the backyard or my room but I haven’t let him much recently to monitor him) Since his bedding is below the wire, he would not have access to his bedding and poop to eat. He has literally ate nothing in ten days besides what little I can syringe (and the tea now) :/ it’s insane.
  
  Wow 😮 you are so knowledgeable! I love your last paragraphs, it seems like the best advice. Get him out of pain and get him eating fast basically, but if he is in too much pain consider putting him to sleep. I would be heartbroken at the later, but it would be best for him if he is in too much pain.
  
  Thank you I will try that!!! I SO appreciate you taking your time to give me advice! Junior and I are so thankful <3
- 12/27/2018 at 11:35 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  Depending on what it is, he can definitely recover. If it’s teeth, he may just need one molar trim. For buns that get dental spurs late in life, they often just need one trim and then they are fine.
  
  Does he have access to hay? Are you offering veggies? What about fresh grass?
  
  The sooner you take him the better chance you have. I would have taken him to the vet the first day he was off his food.
  
  The longer you wait the harder it will be to treat him. Some vets will allow you to make payments. I would at least call the vet and explain the situation. Vets are not heartless and may be able to work something out with you.
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 12/28/2018 at 1:34 AM
  Karak
  Participant
  6 posts
  Thank you! Alright, I’ll call up a few vets tomorrow and get more accurate estimates. I just sold an artwork and should be able to afford a vet now
  
  Yes ma’am he has access to hay, water, pellets, bunny crack (a great mixture of oats and sunflower seeds he usually cannot resist) and I’ve been giving him a fresh bowl of various rabbit safe and favorite fruits, veggies and mixtures. I’ve spent hours the past days creating new and various tempting mixes and food three times a day… ALL of which he refuses.
  
  He is finally swallowing the “tea” and finally some soft food. I took some advice from above and soaked some of his favorite food, and if I syringe feed him he will eat it.
  
  What type of fresh grasses?
  
  Good idea, I’ll do just that Hoping I can work something out
  
  Thank you so much for your advice!!!
- 12/28/2018 at 11:45 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  Glad he has eaten bit of soft food
  
  Any grass that isn’t near a road or treated with pesticides might help trigger him to eat a bit. You can treat it as any new fresh veggie.
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
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