Older bunny not gaining weight

[melbunny]

 Hi,

I’m new here and found this place in my search for answers to a question. My rabbit Brighton is 7 (8 in August) and i can’t seem to get him to gain weight. It’s something the vet and i have been fighting with him for the last year. It all started last summer when i scheduled his check up early because i noticed he seemed to be getting skinner. My vet then Dr. Carrie weighted him and he had lost quite a bit of weight. He went from 5lb 6. to 4.10lb. So i got a check up appointment in a month and got him weighted again where he was basically the same. I did the blood tests and they all came back healthy.  So she recommned giving him some alphalfa and some extra veggies. He gained weight the next two appointments and was back to 5.1 again in December. I took him for a check up at the end of January and he had lost some weight. So the new vet Dr. Jeanne (Dr. Carrie moved, but assured me that Dr. Jeanne was her mentor and would take good care of them) did x-rays of his tummy and body (not teeth. I’m scared to put Brighton under being so skinny,). She found nothing. So he went back on April 9th and he was back to 4.10lb again. She said from the blood tests and x-rays he’s healthy, but obviously a bit underweight. His spine shouldn’t be felt and he shouldn’t be so skinny in the hips. She recommended giving him baby food mixed with critical care every day. Unlimited alpalfa, and all the veggies he wants. The thing is he doesn’t seem to be gaining any weight. He gets parsley (curly and italian) every day. Carrotts, spinich, and lettuce every other day. Plus organic veggie baby food mixed with critical care every night. When i give him the critical care his tummy makes gurgle noises quite a lot actually. 

I’m a bit at my wits end. I have 5 other bunnies and none of them seem be this skinny. I have them split in to two groups. Brighton’s group is a bit skinner than the other three.Both Rachel and Essy are both smaller than they were last year.  Two of the other group are actually are on diets. Brighton just doesn’t seem to be gaining any weight. 

Does anyone have any idea why? He goes for his next weight in on May the 9th. I’m scared he is going to be skinnier or not have gained any weight despite the fact he’s getting extra food than he was before.

Melissa

[jerseygirl]

Welcome Melissa, I’m sorry to hear you’ve been having trouble with getting him to gain weight.

Have you had a fecal sample tested? I am wondering about some kind of intestinal parasite, especially if the other 2 rabbits with him have also lost some weight.

Do you notice anything in his eating habits that seem odd? That he could be having some molar issues?

Also, have his drinking habits changed at all?

[melbunny]

Hi,

I’m going to ask about that next monday. Going through the forms has had me wondering about that. He seems to be eating pretty normally, but he does have an annoying thing for cardboard (something that is going to be rectified when i take out the card board boxes and replace them with wooden ones at the end of the month). He’s had his teeth checked multiple times, but nothing is apparent on the surface both vets had said.  He drinks pretty well i believe. I’ve cought him drinking from his water dish multiple times. He certainly pee’s enough.  He and his group doesnt’ seem to be going after their veggies like they used to though. The other three doesn’t even leave a leaf standing. They thought always have a lot left over……

 

Melissa

[jerseygirl]

Might even be worth test Brightons and one of the others fecal samples. It there is something, you could just treat all in his group.

I asked about water intake for 2 reasons. Firstly because weightloss and increased water intake can indicate loss some kidney trouble. Raised blood urea nitrogen level also indicate this but it seems his test where clear in that regard.
The 2nd reason was rabbits can start drinking more to sooth the mouth due to dental trouble.
So if he has been drinking a lot more, it is worth noting.

[Sarita]

So, you’ve done bloodwork and had his teeth checked, correct and an x-ray. I think the fecal is worth a try. You’ve definitely done all the check-ups I would do.

How is his activity level?

[melbunny]

I’ll definitely mention that to Dr. Jeanne. It was actually some mentioned last time briefly during his visit. Might be lucky and Brighton gives us a specimen right there ^o~

Brighton is lazy. He’s been lazy since the day i got him. I’ll take him out of his pen to run around and he usually finds a corner and squats. He’s definitely not Brighton the explorer like some of my other buns (Leah is too much of an explorer).

[Sarita]

Yep, some rabbits are just natural born loafers. I’ll keep thinking on your situation and see if I can come up with anything at all.

[melbunny]

 Thanks! I appreciate it. ^^

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