Bailey’s just not quite right – input appreciated

[ScooterandAnnette]

Hi everyone, hoping you can give us some input on Bailey.  We’ll be taking him to the vet tomorrow – even if we thought that his condition was critical the emergency vet doesn’t see rabbits so we couldn’t take him in before then anyway.

 Bailey is 7 1/2 now.  He’s been slowing down a lot lately, and enjoying spending most of his time just lounging around.  But today is different.  Today he’s not eating very much, and what he does eat he’s eating very slowly.  We tried to have a look to see if maybe there was a problem with his teeth (there never has been before) and we’ve noticed that he isn’t opening his jaw very much at all, especially not in comparison to the other buns.  He took a craisin earlier, chewed it a bit and then it fell out of his mouth, still mostly in one piece, just a little chewed.  We’ve given him some critical care.  He was fine this morning with his banana, but we don’t think he’s had much of an interest in hay lately.  He’s been like this the last couple of days – sometimes interested in his pellets, and other times not.

ETA:  We just gave them a bit of cantaloupe, and he was interested in it and licked at it but didn’t bite into it at all.

Does this sound like this is old age and getting close to “it”?  Or does it sound more like he’s got a tooth/mouth problem?  Or maybe a side effect of pain from something like arthritis?

– Annette

[Sarita]

Dental problems in older rabbits seems to be a very prominent problem because their bones are degenerating (much like us as we age) and many times their teeth to tend to move or even change texture (at least that’s what I’ve seen in my seniors).

Arthritis is certainly another possibility.

Please let us know what the vet says. Vibes to Bailey.

[RabbitPam]

I’m sorry to hear Bailey isn’t feeling well, and I’m glad he’s seeing the vet today.
It does sound like a tooth problem, and that can develop with aging. Spockie had great teeth until he was about 7, but then one started growing long and hurt him so he had to get it filed and treated. However, my vet said that with age the teeth also eventually stop growing, so once fixed, it did not grow back and bother him again. I was prepared for monthly treatments but they were not necessary.

{{{{{{{{{{{Healing vibes for Bailey}}}}}}}}

[ScooterandAnnette]

Thank you so much for the vibes, unfortunately Bailey didn’t make it to the vet. Less than 10 minutes after I called them he was gone.
– Annette

[RabbitPam]

Oh, Annette. I just read your other post and I am so sorry.

If it’s OK, I am going to move that post from the Lounge to the Rainbow Bridge section so others can offer their condolences.
Love to you and Scooter. He had a wonderful home and life with you both.

[RabbitPam]

I am attaching the link to Annette’s other post, which is now in the Rainbow Bridge.

Please offer your help in sending sweet Bailey across the Bridge, where he knows how much he was loved by our dear friends, Scooter and Annette.

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/121031/Default.aspx

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