Stopped eating pellets and greens, but is still eating hay?

[HipHopBunny]

Hello everyone!

Yesterday morning I first noticed Silver’s withdrawal. She stayed in a corner instead of wanting to come out and eat their morning salad. This concerned me, and I thought at first it was a gas problem – though she hasn’t had any in the past. Nevertheless, I gave her some tummy rubs to see if that would help.

She did come out throughout the day, and was otherwise acting somewhat like her normal self. I did note that she was eating hay and drinking water. When the evening came I scattered their pellets around, and once again there was no response from her. I even held some pellets in my hand for her, and she still didn’t eat them. She’s usually the biggest pellets advocate, so I was extremely worried at this turn of events.

This morning I’m getting the same reactions as yesterday. I did some research, and found that it could be a dental issue. Can dental issues arise out of the blue like this? I would have thought that there would’ve been some fore-warning if that’s what it is.

Thank you in advance!! Any advice is really appreciated.

[Bam]

Dental problems can arise out of the blue – or rather, it’s the manifeststions that arise out of the blue. It can happen from one day to another, and I know this because it was how my Vilde’s dentai issues presented.

Rabbits go on until they nolonger can.

[HipHopBunny]

Thank you for your response! 🙂

I worked with Silver a bit this morning on eating some greens, and made some small improvements! She tentatively sniffed the bowl before pulling out a piece for her to eat. She ate the whole piece, then went away to sit down for a bit. I took another small piece from the bowl and, upon much prompting, she ate that one, too. I’m taking this as a small sign of success, though I’m not sure if it’s much of a victory? When I looked up some signs for dental issues to see if she was exihibiting those, I didn’t see the following: weight loss, drooling, grinding teeth, increase in drinking, or matted fur.

So now I’m not sure if it is a dental problem, or something else? Would blending up some carrots, or soaking some pellets in water help? I’ll definitely continue to work with her on eating throughout the day.

[Bam]

A dental problem can manifest before the signs you mention, and it’s wise not to wait for those manifestations. In most cases you only need one or two molar burrs and that fixes the problem. Its wise to get a rabbit savvy vet to have a look. If its a young bun, the teeth can get back on the right track after a few burrs, 3-6 months apart. Moderator Wick will vouch for this, given the experience she’s had with her bun Wick.

 

[GlennTheLionhead]

I wouldn’t necessarily rule out dental issues due to her not showing the other symptoms. The symptoms you found when you looked it up sound like more severe symptoms whereas lack of eating can be an early symptom. I only speak from experience as when i notice one of my rabbits eating a little less hay than usual I took him to the vets and they found spurs which he needed burred down a few days later. He did not present any other symptoms at the time though.

 

[Bam]

Glenn is right, if you act on early symptoms you hopefully never ever have to deal with the more profound issues such as overgrown tooth roots, abscesses, crowded teeth etc.

[HipHopBunny]

Thank you both for your advice! 🙂

I think that you’re right – the signs she’s showing now are probably the early stages of a dental issue. I live in a small town, where only one vet takes rabbits, though I’m not sure if this issue is too serious for them? I imagine that the process with require some form of anethesia, and I had to take my girls to a vet about an hour away to get them spayed.

The earliest I could take her would be this wednesday (provided that works for the vet – I’ll have to call them when they’re open tomorrow), or the 25th. Will she be able to wait that long? I’m hoping that the vet will accept an appointment on wednesday, but I’m not sure. If I’m only able to book an appointment on the 25th, is there something I could give her for nutrient suppliments in the meantime? Blended carrot, or soaked pellets?

Thank you both again for your responses!!

[LBJ10]

The sooner the better. This will ensure the problem doesn’t progress and she can simply go back to eating normally once the problem is resolved. I would monitor her in the meantime. If she is still eating, then you should be OK. If you notice a decline, then you can supplement with Critical Care (or pellet mash).

[HipHopBunny]

Thank you for your response!

She has been eating this evening. I gave her a leaf of lettuce and, with a little prompting on my part, she ate the whole thing. A little while later, I scattered their pellets everywhere and she joined in along with the others in eating them, too. Though she did stop eating sooner than she would have, and went to sit in a corner. I’m taking this as a good sign that she’s eating, at least. 🙂

I did notice a few small – almost black – poops by her. Since I have my three girls living together and sharing the same litter box, I can’t tell whose poop is whose, but all of the poops in there do look healthy. I’m not sure if these poops are a sign of malnutrition from her not eating earlier, or what they represent?

She seems otherwise animated and lively, and can still whole-heartedly give me her annoyed look when I accidentally startle her.

[Bam]

Small poop will result if a bun hasn’t been eating properly before. Black poop tend to signify too little fiber – which is to be expected of course, if she’s not been eating much. The fact that there is poop is great though, it means stuff is moving through.

 

[DanaNM]

I’m glad she’s eating a bit better! I just wanted to mention that some bunnies will go off their pellets first when they start to go into stasis, so it could be something else going on besides a dental issue.

If she isn’t eating as much as normal, I would syringe feed her (either pellet mash or critical care).

. . . 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.  

[HipHopBunny]

Thank you both for your replies! 🙂

So for the past four days Silver’s been acting and eating normally. She’s not showing any signs at all that something is/was wrong. I know that rabbits can try to hide their pain or discomfort, but she’s not giving off even the slightest sign of anything amiss. Maybe she ingested too much material from her chewing habits? They did all find a blanket a few days prior to my posting, and annihilated it.

While I am very happy that she’s appearing healthy, I don’t know if I should cancel the appointment that I made for next Friday? The trip would be four hours, and I don’t want to stress her out if it isn’t nessessary.

Thank you all again! 🙂

[DanaNM]

I’m glad she’s back to normal!

If she’s due for a check-up anyway, I don’t think a vet visit could hurt. But it does sound like maybe the blanket could have had something to do with it.

You could also get advice from the vet on what to do in the future. They may be able to provide you with metacam and/or fluids to give at home as a first if she ever shows some signs again.

. . . 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.  

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