Removing or reducing pellets from diet?

[Katie779]

Sorry I’ve only been posting recently with questions! Been super busy with school. 

Holly had another episode with stasis (or pre-stasis?). She was refusing food and sitting hunched, just like last time. Fortunately, I gave her a little simethicone, some critical care and oral fluids and got her moving around and she’s completely back to normal as of today.

My question is, since this has happened twice so far, and she’s not even a year old yet, would it be a good idea to remove or drastically reduce her pellets? Right now she’s getting a 1/4 cup a day. I’m also splitting up her salads into two smaller portions (one in the morning and one in the evening) instead of giving her just one salad a day. 

Or was this mini episode more likely due to molting? 

Just trying to avoid more of this kind of thing. 

[Mr Jingles]

My mother’s rabbit was recently hospitalized due to a tooth issue that caused GI stasis.  The emergency vet told her that she can remove all pellets from the buns diet but do it slowly.  So she now feeds him 1/8 a day and he is now eating much more hay.  

[Deleted User]

Oh Katie, not again??? Naughty Holly!
Is Holly a ‘mini’ lop??? I’m sure she is – I only give Henry 1/8 cup of pellets. I wouldn’t take them away completely, just reduce them.

I’m the worst for giving advice about this and you know I don’t know. So I’ll just tell you about Henry. He moults 24/7, 12 months of the year, but being stinking hot here (Summer in Australia and we are enduring a heatwave in Queensland) Henry is enduring a super moult with tufts of hair protruding from his body. When we pat him, we pluck him! It’s ridiculous!
His food – we give him his 1/8 cup for brekky each morning with an assortment of veg for his dinner each night. His hay available all the time. That’s it, nothing special. I don’t think anything your doing is wrong, not even the pellets, but I would reduce those if she’s a mini.
This is what I do with Henry and I’ve never had a health issue with him. But then, I’m sure Henry has a tummy made of steel??? Maybe Holly’s tummy is sensitive? What did the vet say??? Could it be a tooth problem?
Yep, I agree with Mr Jingles – cut down to 1/8 cup of pellets, get her to eat more hay and see if that makes a difference?

Gosh Katie, I’m so worried – you know how precious Holly is to me. I bet her ears are still as beautiful as ever! And I hope your doing well with school. Miss you!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I think you should ask your vet about the pellets.

My buns were getting gas/gi issues too often and my vet suggested I drastically reduce the pellets. They only get about 1 TBSP 2x day now. Olivia actually gets less than that. It really seems to have helped reduce GI upset. Pellets are not needed in a healthy adult bun who is getting unlimited hay and several nutritious veggies.

[Katie779]

Hey, Andi! Holly is a Holland Lop (hence, “Holly” haha!).
I think I’ll start slowly reducing her pellets to get down to at least an 1/8 cup, and I’ll give my vet a call to double check this with him.
Her teeth were just checked 3 months ago, so I don’t think a problem could have developed that quickly, could it? Her vet always tells me her teeth look really good, but to have them checked every 6 months or so because Hollands are prone to issues.

LittlePuffyTail, could I not be giving Holly enough of a variety? She currently gets a spring mix everyday, which I add an herb to like basil or mint (and of course unlimited hay). GI issues are so stressful! haha

[LittlePuffyTail]

House Rabbit Society recommends at least 3 different veggies per day. It’s a good idea to rotate what you feed, as well. Make sure any new veggies are introduced slowly.

Yes, they are very stressful. I’ve had many sleepless (and expensive!) nights due to GI issues.

[drwil]

Everyone seems to have this same issue. Worse each bunny seems different even ones from the same litter. Some cannot handle lots of veggies whereas others will not drink water so they must have lots of greens. Other posts are right saying you do change things slowly.
I have this happen so much the vet gave me a large bottle of lactulose and simethicone. As soon as a bunny refuses food and feels cold she gets dosed.

[Author]

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