Eclipse eating anything but hay, removed pellets?

[Rainn]

Eclipse has always been a big hay eater, she loves eating it 24/7. I always order 3rd cutting from Small Pet Select, or sometimes their premium soft version and she loves both types. However, since I got last week’s shipment she has stopped touching it. I’ve gone completely pellet-free for her diet as per her vet’s suggestion, I supplement her hay with small amounts of herbs and just give fresh veggies, because she is pretty heavy and needs to lose weight, but pellets keep her lazy. Since she stopped eating her hay four days ago I have given as much critical care, gas drops, veggies, and water as she will take along with pain meds. I am confused because she will eat this 4 year old bag of Oxbow hay I gave to her out of desperation but will not eat her usual type aside from a few nibbles. Her poops look pretty good and she has a good appetite and is very very hyper still so not an emergency, but still I’m having her seen in case it’s stasis or something. What could possibly have caused her to drop hay when everything else looks healthy?? She was seen by a vet a month ago and they said her teeth looked perfect. She’s not going to see her usual vet today, I’m taking her to my first rabbit’s vet who literally only ever prescibed antibiotics and pain meds and never took xrays or anything, but this is the only exotic animal clinic we could get a hold of today 😭 If it’s just stasis, then pain meds, critical care and baytril are all she needs anyways. She has been shedding quite a bit. But could it be something else?? What am I missing?

[LBJ10]

So she won’t eat any hay? Or just THIS hay? Usually when a bunny stops eating hay (but may still eat other things), we assume some kind of dental issue. Your vet may have said her teeth looked “perfect”, but it’s really hard to tell if they don’t do a thorough exam. That being said, sometimes bunnies will snub a particular batch of hay for seemingly (to us, anyway) no reason. I know it sucks to throw out a newly acquired batch of hay, but that is something to consider. My bunnies have certainly snubbed their fair share of hay over the years.

[Rainn]

Thank you for your response! She’s been munching on Oxbow hay and even completely chewed, ate, and swallowed a whole willow stick without leaving crumbs but just won’t have it with her regular hay. I ordered her a new batch so hopefully it’s just that 🙁 I don’t mind throwing stuff out , just want her to eat normally. Also ordered her a sampler that has a bunch of different types, in case she’s bored of her usual hay. Today the vet said everything looks normal and she might’ve had an upset stomach that slowed her eating down but to keep giving critical care and pain meds for the next few days, and if it doesn’t improve to come back so that’s what we’ll do. She’s drinking water on her own and even turned her nose at critical care in favor of the oxbow hay today so she’s almost normal.

[DanaNM]

If she is eating other brands of hay then I suspect it’s a bad batch! I would def contact the seller.

. . . 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.  

[BrunosMama]

Hi Rainn!

I know I’m a little late to the conversation, but I just wanted to share that I have had buns do this before, too. It usually turns out to be a particular batch they find offensive, even if it’s the same that they always eat lol. I think your idea of trying some new hays to pique her interest is a good idea!

At least it sounds like everything was on the right track in your last post! I hope it continues that way. 😀

[Author]

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