Urgent: Skinny bunny?!?

[Chloe]

Hi, so I have just got 2 new bunnies a week ago tomorrow now and they’re both lionhead buck brothers, who were 6 months old 3 days ago. They are both really small, and when I first saw them I thought they were babies, but according to their birth certificate we were given, they were born on the 10th May 2016.

Now one of the brothers, Smudge is a perfect size, he’s not too skinny or chunky, he’s a relatively perfect size (have owned rabbits in past) for his breed (they are full lionheads). However, his brother, Smidge, though doesn’t look it due to his fur, he is smaller than Smudge and I can feel every bump in his spine, as well as his hip bones. I know from experience I shouldn’t be, and he feels like skin and bone under his fur.

I know it’s not worms as they have never been outside in their lives at all, and it’s not an eating problem as I watch both of them eat their pellets morning and night (so as to make sure no bullying occurs), they’re both absolutely great together, and will be neutering them soon, but this has got me really worried as it definitely can’t be good to put such an underweight rabbit under anaesthetic (I’ve already had my past rabbit die during a spay operation )

They both love their hay, they’ve been receiving veggies every other day as normal, (cabbage, kale and celery).

Please tell me how I can fatten him up?

[Gina.Jenny]

barley rings, sold for horses, are really good for getting weight on a bun, plain porridge oats can also be used. As with any new food, introduce gradually

[Chloe]

Thank you, I didn’t know they could have porridge oats? Or at least I thought they could cause bloat. I’m going to the National pet show on Sunday so I’ll pick up some barley rings then

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

I would call the vet for some advice on a weight-gain plan and ask about the optimum weight that your rabbit should have. Weigh him accurately by placing him in a bowl on a kitchen scale, keep track of his weight and look out for changes in poop.

The vet will probably recommend some extra snacks, a few extra pellets and more veggies. Rabbits love sweet things like fruit, raisins and carrots, but they should only be fed in very small quantities to prevent gas and diarrhea. A friend of mine always used dandelion leaves to improve a rabbits weight, but make sure that there are no pesticides/weedkillers on the leaves.

I totally understand your fear about the anaesthetic. A good rabbit-savvy vet will always weigh a rabbit before an operation, and inquire after its general health. If the rabbit has obvious health problems or is under/overweight the operation may be cancelled. Best weigh your bun beforehand and start with his weight gain regimen as soon as possible.

[tobyluv]

Even though your rabbits have never been outside, I wonder if any of their littermates could have had worms and passed them along to your underweight bunny? Maybe you should have a fecal test made on his droppings just to be sure. The vet could also perform a blood test on him before his surgery to make sure there is nothing wrong.

[Chloe]

Thank you all! There poops have actually gotten better, when I first got them and until this morning their poops have been small and not very “round”, but I thought it was just because they’re just a naturally small breed? But now there poops are looking much better and like any normal buns poops should look like. I have increased both of their pellet intake now to 30g a day from 20g (the amount they’d always been fed) and are on burgess excel, so their pellet is good quality.

As always they have an unlimited supply of hay. And I wasn’t planning to neuter them for another 3 weeks just because I can only do it when my dad is off, and the vets only do it on weekdays (so it’ll be the 28th of November). The vet there is also a bunny vet so they’ll know what they’re doing.

I fed them half a carrot each today, just to help with weight gain but I only ever give treats to the buns once a week, every 2 weeks if I decide to give them fruit.

[Author]

Messages