Critical Care

[Kenzie]

Hi guys.

I’m currently treating my rabbit, Dusty for GI stasis and overgrown teeth and I was given critical care. The back of the bag says to give him 3 Tbsp of dry product per kg of body weight. He is a little over 4 lbs so the last few days I have been giving him a total of 6 Tbsp of the powder dry for the entire day. I split it up into 4 times a day with 2 tbs in the morning and night and 1 tbs twice in between.

Today I went in for another appointment and had to get more of the critical care because I had run out in only 3 days doing what I have been doing before. However, my vet said I was not giving him enough and wrote down on my instructions to give him 8.0 ccs four times a day. I know 1 cc is equal to 1 mL so I took a tablespoon of Critial care and mixed it with 3 tablespoons of warm water and syringed up 8 mL and it filled only half the syringe…. Before I would be feeding him 4 whole syringes in just one of the four sittings a day. This seems like an extreme difference… My vet is closed right now and I am not sure of what to do so I figured I’d ask here. 

Thank you for your help

[DanaNM]

Hmmm, it can be a little tricky to do the conversion between tablespoons dry and volume when mixed. A typical amount to aim for is about 10 cc (mL) at a time, 3 or 4 times a day, depending on the bun’s stress level etc.

I’m confused as you are, because the amount you were giving seems like more than that, but the vet said you weren’t giving enough, and told you to give a smaller amount? Is it possible the vet misunderstood you?

Maybe he thought you were referring to mixed tablespoons instead of dry?

If your bun will take the full amount you were feeding, I would keep it up. The more you can keep him eating the better if he’s not eating at all.

. . . 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.  

[Kenzie]

I think you’re right, he must’ve thought I meant already mixed now that you mention it. This is my first serious issue with my rabbit since I’ve had him for six years so I think I’m just over worried about everything. Thank you so much for your help!!!! ?

[Wick & Fable]

I feel very irresponsible because I never measured out CC powder and liquid… my original vet essentially gave “pancake batter” directions, and I followed suit! I am in agreement that it’s most important to get your rabbit to eat the full amount you’re feeding. Water changes the texture, but the CC powder is what matters the most.

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.

[FluffyBunny]

Hmm, I’m in the same boat as Wick. I’ve dealt with 2 cases of GI stasis and several bunnies who needed long-term force feeding, and I was always told to just feed them as much as they’d eat without too much resistance. The most important thing is just getting food in their GI tract at least once every couple of hours.

[Author]

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