Underweight Jersey Wooly

[PirateNinjetti]

Hello everyone! I’m new here. I have 2 rabbits – a male Dutch (with maybe a little lion head) and a female jersey wooly. Eli (male) is very healthy and at a nice weight and Elphie (female) is underweight. When I went to the vet, I was told to completely remove all fruits and vegetables from their diet permanently, feed only hay for 2 days, and then stick to only feeding hay and a small amount of pellets. Elphie eats a lot and her vet visit came back that she didn’t have any other issues that may relate to her being underweight. Do you have any ideas on how I can help her put on some? Right now they’re both only eating pellets and hay. Should I add alfalfa hay? She apparently used to be a breeding rabbit before I brought her home with me (poor little baby) and both her and Eli are pretty laid back and sedentary (he’s quite a bit older I think – but I don’t know his age). She’s not spayed, but he’s neutered. The vet told me that it’d kind of be a waste to spay her and that it wouldn’t do anything (although I thought they lived longer?). I’m not sure if those factors have anything to do with her being so tiny (under 3lbs), but she always is first to start eating and doesn’t have a problem drinking either. Any answers are appreciated!

Thank you,
Shelby

[jerseygirl]

Welcome Shelby. Your pair sound really cute!

Does your vet feel Elphie is underweight?
What type of hay do they eat?
What age is she?

She’s not spayed, but he’s neutered. The vet told me that it’d kind of be a waste to spay her and that it wouldn’t do anything (although I thought they lived longer?)

You’re right. It would prolong her life. The risk of developing uterine cancer is very high.

[tobyluv]

I don’t understand why the vet told you to permanently cut out all fruits and vegetables. Too much fruit isn’t good because of the sugar content, but leafy greens and veggies are an important part of a rabbit’s diet (unless they can’t tolerate certain greens) plus it gives them a variety of things to taste and eat. It also seems strange that the vet told you it would be a waste to spay her.

[Bam]

I have to jump in and say I agree with Jersey and Tobyluv. Hay is very very good for bunnies, but I don’t understand why an under-weight bunny should only eat a small amount of pellets. Unless she has tummy trouble like poopy-butt (sticky poop, excess cecals).

I’m guessing the “waste” in spaying her is that she can’t become pregnant by Eli since he’s neutered. But an intact girl will still have raging hormones, she may be aggressive towards Eli, she may pester him to have sex with her which may be very bothersome for him – plus female bunnies run a very high risk of getting uterine cancer at a youngish age (3,4), which is why it’s recommended to spay female buns even if they are to stay single buns all their lives.

[LBJ10]

I agree with the others on everything. I just wanted to add that you might want to add something with a little extra protein since long haired rabbits can use it. Maybe sprinkle a little bit of alfalfa over their hay as a topper.

[Eepster]

I’m more concerned that your vet used the word “waste” to say not to spay her than that he might not think spaying her was a good idea. While there may or may not be a good reason not to spay her, his attitude about it is bothersome.

Generally it is best to spay females. Having been pregnant multiple times, does reduce her risk of cancer, so depending on her age and general health it might not be as beneficial in her particular case as it is for most rabbits. The vet should be aware of and talk to you in detail of the risks vs. benefits though and not just say it’s not worth it.

A hay only diet would be for reducing the weight of an overweight bunny, or to sooth one with digestive issues. For an under weight rabbit, extra treats would help build her back up.

Are you sure she is actually underweight? You haven’t given us an exact weight. Jersey woolies are a dwarf breed and she should weigh considerably less than your dutch.

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