(Minor?) Emergency: Sub-adult Mini-Rex got into the raisins…

[Sky]

As is often the case; my inaugural forum post does not come in especially pleasant circumstances. I’m pleased to say that in a lifetime of owning rabbits this is the first occasion upon which I’ve had something quite like this happen, so I’ll count myself lucky on that note. 

One of the treats that (infrequently) I offer my buns are raisins. Warring opinions on the matter aside, these treats are reserved for exceptional occasions. Unfortunately, the love affair born of this introduction has come upon a dark turn.

SOMEHOW; my household’s mini-rex (free roam, albeit in a single contained room) managed to successfully remove the lid of a screw-top plastic treat jar, containing (you guessed it!) raisins. I’m working from home and not in the room, and my significant other is in and out of there throughout the day — Never has there been any pointed issue to come of this arrangement with interest to safety-behaviors from the offending mini-rex. 

Ironically both buns in the household have a vet visit scheduled for tomorrow afternoon for their RHDV2 vaccinations tomorrow, and you can be sure this will come up at that time. For the immediately afternoon however, what I need to know from anyone out there to have insight on similar situations: Should I be immediately concerned and be getting the gang packed up for a quick trip to the bunny-ER? This little guy has never exhibited any manner of gastrointestinal distress or issue of any kind health wise whatsoever — I’d like it to stay that way.

Any and everybody, please weigh in with anything HELPFUL that you can provide in way of advise, urgent action prompt developed by way of personal experience, anecdote, etc… 

Thank you muchly!

[Wick & Fable]

Unless there is something I haven’t come upon, aside from raisins having a lot of sugar (aka being a very nice treat), there’s nothing toxic nor dangerous about consuming them. There are definitely cases where a rabbit gets its hands on an open treat jar, bowl of fruit, etc.. Unless there are signs of GI distress, it’s likely OK and he just has been very spoiled. Be sure he continues to eat normally and back off on the treats for a while so sugar intake is back to normal!

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.

[LBJ10]

He will surely be on a sugar high… but I doubt anything else will come of it. Like Wick said, just keep an eye out for signs of gastric distress. They aren’t toxic, but too much sugar can lead to upset.

[Sky]

Sugar high indeed — What an afternoon this ultimately became. He seems fine now, albeit unhappy that the jar of sinful delights (which he somehow managed to unscrew the lid and, I’m assuming, throw across the room) is no longer anywhere to be found. 

To clarify, this was a substantial volume of raisins that this little guy took down. We’re talking a fourth of a good 8 oz. jar of raisins; little dude’s eyes were bugging out so intensely we thought he was going to pop.. He didn’t though, and was digging into his hay supply (per the norm) within an hour of the startling demonstration of gluttonous ingenuity. 

Thanks very much for the feedback, friends; I knew I was likely over-reacting shortly after starting this thread but.. You know how it goes when you love a thing as much as bunny people tend to love their bunnies. Have a wonderful weekend!

[DanaNM]

What a stinker! Glad he seems to be doing fine now. 🙂

 

. . . 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.  

[Bam]

Give the sub-adult offender a kiss, he seems like a very resourceful little fellow!  Fingers crossed he’ll come out just fine. You may see some strange poop or extra cecotropes, because the sugar disrupts the microbial flora in the cecum some. The best remedy for this is, as you know, hay. There are probiotics suitable for rabbits but hopefully hay will take care of this.

[Author]

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