Rabbit not eating pleaaaase help :(

[AnnaW]

Hi there, i’ve got my 8 year old bunny Biscuit, and when i took him to the vets about a month ago they said he had malocclusion and would need surgery. I then went on holiday and haven’t been to the vets since, but am going to try and take him tomorrow, or as SOON as they have an appointment! Anyway, in the last 2 days he has stopped eating his pellets, but will still eat things like treats if i feed them to him by hand. I know he’s having a lot of trouble chewing, but i can’t work out why he wont eat his pellets, he used to wolf them down! 

He’s still drinking, and running around like normal, so i just wondered if anyone has an explanation, or a substitute for treats that will keep him full-ish until i get him to the vets!

Thankyou! 

[Monkeybun]

His malocclusion is probably makign it uncomfortable for him to chew. I would suggest syringe feeding him some crushed pellets mixed with water, he’s gotta get his food somehow.

[AnnaW]

okay thanks for your advice! i’ll try that!

[jerseygirl]

Oh, I agree. It does sound like he wants to eat but is just finding it uncomfortable. With a malocclusion its very likely he’s developed some molar spurs.
It’s funny but pellets are often the 1st thing they snub when unwell and the last thing they start eating again when recovering. Even my pellet-crazed girl didn’t want them after a dental procedure. She was trying to eat paper before pellets!

Another way you can try give the pellets is to soak them and offer them in a bowl.
Here’s some techniques from a stasis article for making a pellet mush: (http://www.mybunny.org/info/gi_stasis.htm)

Microwaved pellet mixes. In a small bowl, add about 1-2 tablespoons of your rabbit’s pellets and enough water to cover them, with a tiny bit to spare. Microwave for 15-20 seconds, until water is absorbed and pellets are puffed almost completely apart (looks a bit like fluffed rice). Fluff with fork an allow to cool until luke- warm and give to bunny. Often the aroma will entice bunny to eat.
Sometimes adding a bit of sugar-free applesauce or sugar-free fruit juice to the pellet mix will entice bunny. Ask your vet if this is okay in your rabbit’s specific case, as sometimes sugary fruits can add to an existing problem.

Syringe formula  Using a your coffee grinder, add the timothy pellets and grind them until they are in a fine, powdery-like state. Even then you will sometimes need to sift through them to pick out larger chunks which will not go through the oral syringe.
Add 2-4 tablespoons of the powdered mix to your bowl or cup (save the rest in a ziplock for later).
Add warm water (or Pedialyte), slowly, as you mix – until the mix is about as thick as semi-congealed pudding. Wait 3-5 minutes for pellets to absorb water.
Add more water until the mix is once again like semi-congealed pudding. Wait another minute or so…
Now add the juice, a little at a time, waiting 30 seconds to 1 minute, until your mix is the consistency of semi-congealed pudding. It should be liquidy enough to flow well through the oral syringe, but not so watery that you won’t be getting actual food into your rabbit.

NOTE: If you are unable to make your own syringe formula, OxBow Hay Co. makes a wonderful syringe feeding formula called “Critical Care” which can usually be purchased through your rabbit vet. This is GREAT stuff, however, over a long period of time it can become quite expensive.

Real important to keep getting food into him. I hope the vet appt goes well for Biscuit!

 

[KatnipCrzy]

malocclusion is painful at certain stages- so I think it is a pretty clear indication that he needs to be seen by his bunny vet ASAP to be treated- and in the meantime/AKA overnight- follow the pellet mush recipes provided to keep his gut moving and keep him hydrated to avoid GI complications in additions to the dental work he will need. Not eating/being frail will only make the dental work riskier- but more necessary. Please keep us updated.

[AnnaW]

thankyou all so much, i mashed up his pellets with bits of mashed apple for the last few days, the apple encouraged him to eat it
as we speak, he is just coming round from his anaesthetic after having his teeth filed and the front ones clipped, so so relieved he came through the procedure okay! i get to go and collect him at 4 (UK time) bunny will be back in mummy’s arms
so so relieved he’s come through it okay, my family and I had an awful time yesterday having to get our Persian cat Meg put to sleep, it was awful, but she was old and had liver failure so it was the right thing to do.

[Beka27]

I am so sorry to hear about your cat. It is a heartbreaking decision to have to make, but you did the right thing.

Keep us posted on how Biscuit does.

[AnnaW]

It truly is, she was an absolute character. We rescued her and our remaining cat from a Cat’s Protection shelter, and fell in love with them both. I’m not sure how to insert a picture, or i could show you how beautiful she is! I will, thankyou for your help and interest!

[jerseygirl]

Yikes, double the stress! I’m sorry you had to say goodbye to your cat.
This guide from the Tech section might help on uploading a picture. We love to see all pets, not just rabbits. : )
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/114117/Default.aspx

Thanks for the update with Biscuit. I hope he recovers speedily and is back to his usual self. The info I paste above mentions Oxbow Critical Care which I believe you can get in the UK. There is another similar product by Supreme Science called Rabbit Recovery. Both those would be suitable to have on had if you ever have to syringe feed. It’s great Biscuit went for the pellet/apple combo!

[AnnaW]

This is her and I at some point last year, when she was completely healthy  I hope you’ll think she’s as beautiful as i do! Such a lovely character, VERY vocal and always purring and meowing, she’s just perfect  

Thanks for the well wishing for Biscuit, he’ll be home in about an hour and a half, so i’ll update how drowsy he is then! The vets want to see me when i go to collect him, to tell me what i should feed him etc, but thanks very much for the advice, i’ll certainly get some of the Critical Care if neccessary! I don’t really care what it takes, as long as he’s healthy again! It’s been a real scare over the past few days with animal health, i love my little binky bunny!

[tobyluv]

I am sorry about Meg. She was beautiful.

I hope that Biscuit is doing well and will recover nicely.

[AnnaW]

Thankyou, i think so too!
He’s doing very well, home now and is chewing on a few bits of grass, has had most of his pellet mush and is drinking well Brave boy!

[Sarita]

So sad about Meg, she was gorgeous.

Vibes to Biscuit, I’m glad he’s doing better.

[AnnaW]

Thankyou, as you can see she was such a character! Haha!

And thanks very much for the vibes, he’s looking a lot less wobbly now, and has even had some only half-mushed pellets! Good boy

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

She’s beautiful, I’m very sorry for your loss. You did the right thing and I know she had a very good home and life with you.

Your bunny is just Stunning!! I’m happy his surgery went well and he’s recovering

[AnnaW]

Thankyou, we felt it wasn’t right to let her live in such pain! And thanks i think he’s rather handsome myself! His surgery went fine even though i worried for the whole day, but he’s recovering nicely, drinking and eating some special pellet and apple porridge i made him

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad Biscuit’s surgery went well. ((((Continued recovery vibes))))))

[AnnaW]

Thankyou

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