Bunny not eating or drinking

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

The past few days I've noticed my holland lop isn't eating or drinking. The only thing he will eat is veggies. Yesterday I think he took a few licks of his water, he hasn't touched his pellets or hay. I took him to the vet yesterday and I told her but she didn't seem worried. Should i be worried or is he just not hungry/thirsty? I'm considering finding a new vet.

 

[stacvourak]

Bunnies can dehydrate very quickly!!! What kind of fresh vegies are you feeding him? Remember, vegies have water in them, especially romaine lettuce. Before you give him the vegies, rinse them well and leave a lot of the water on them so he will be hydrated.. I would definitely find another vet that specializes in these types of animals and have him checked. I suggest blood work too. Like I said, make sure the vegies have plenty of water on them because bunnies can dehydrate in no time.. Good Luck! :nurse::dutch:happybunny:

 

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

isn't blood work really expensive? I'm giving him veggies and it looks like he's ate some hay and drank a little, he's just not interested in his pellets. And he doesn't seem as playful, he's just been sitting in the corner of his playpen.

 

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

This happened last winter, he stopped eating and was down to 2 lbs 3 oz. I didn't bring him to the vet but I brought him inside and got his weight back up to 2 lbs 15 oz. Now he's about 2 lbs 11 oz.

 

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

 

[Azerane]

If he's eating lots of fresh leafy greens and no hay, he's probably getting sufficient fluid from the greens which is why you haven't seen him drinking. However, the fact that he's gone off of his hay and pellets is a little concerning, my first thought is that it could be related to teeth, given that pellets and hay can both be quite tough to chew, whereas leafy greens are very soft. Might be worth getting a second opinion

 

[Bville]

isn't blood work really expensive? I'm giving him veggies and it looks like he's ate some hay and drank a little, he's just not interested in his pellets. And he doesn't seem as playful, he's just been sitting in the corner of his playpen.

Yes, blood work and other tests can be expensive, but I feel like if you take on a pet, you need to be prepared to spend the money on vet care. Is he pooping and peeing normally?

 

[ChocoClover]

Does he have G. I. Stasis of some sort? He might have a hairball as hs fur looks pretty long...

 

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

Does he have G. I. Stasis of some sort? He might have a hairball as hs fur looks pretty long...

I'm not sure if he does. He's eating veggies so I think I'll wait and see if he starts eating his pellets before I take him to the vet. is there a way I can treat him at home for GI stasis?

 

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

I just got home and I checked on him, the only thing he's ate is his veggies. He maybe ate some alfalfa but he hasn't touched his hay, pellets, or water. He also has little energy, he's just sitting in the corner. Are these all the symptoms of GI stasis? I'm not sure because he is eating veggies. Is there any other reasons why he wouldn't be eating or drinking? He is pooping and peeing but his poop is sooo tiny.

I can take him to the vet on Wednesday if you guys think I should (I just brought him to the vet on Saturday) but until then should i do something or is there a way I can get him to eat?

 

[JBun]

GI stasis occurs when a rabbits digestion slows down. Many health problems can cause this to happen. Most often it is due to an upset stomach from gas or incorrect diet causing problems, but there are other things that can cause it too, like dental problems or any health problem that causes a rabbit to be in pain. A rabbit in pain typically won't eat much or at all, thus resulting in stasis. A good rabbit vet can help determine the cause of your rabbit not eating, but it will likely require additional testing being done, such as xrays and possibly a blood test. A dental exam of his teeth is also needed.

Any vet that doesn't take seriously, a rabbit not eating, isn't a good rabbit vet. A rabbit not eating is always a serious matter, as things can quickly go downhill. You really need to see a different vet. At the very least, a rabbit not eating should be checked for a blockage, teeth should be checked, and the rabbit should be given a gut stimulant, pain meds(absolutely essential), and food mix to syringe feed with. You really shouldn't wait til Wed. There is obviously something still wrong with him, and depending on the severity of the problem, Wed. could be too late.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

 

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

thanks for the advice! the vet is only open until 4:30 and I work everyday and have school. the soonest I can take him is Wednesday.

 

[Sweetie]

Yes please take your bunny to a rabbit savvy vet. In the meantime, get a fresh pineapple and juice it, put it through a juicer. Syringe him some of the pineapple juice, it will help to break up the hairball or blockage. Keep him hydrated as much as you can. Is he a small rabbit or a medium rabbit? This will determine the amount of pineapple juice you can give him. Small rabbit, 5mL of pineapple juice; medium rabbit, 10mL of pineapple juice. Also I would give some baby gas meds just as a precaution, in case there is any gas. Get him moving around to loosen things up. No to gut meds, they can actually make things worse if not better. It sounds like your rabbit may have teeth issues and possibly the start of GI stasis. If you cannot get in sooner than Wednesday, please get a fresh pineapple and put it through the juicer and put the juice in a container and syringe the pineapple juice to your rabbit. Also do the gas meds. You will want to syringe water to your rabbit as well.

 

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

If he has a hairball why would he be eating veggies? I'm thinking it may be teeth issues. I will get pineapple juice and do that he is a small rabbit (2 lbs 11 oz). Here's a picture of his poop compared to my other Hollands.. his looks pretty small. Maybe it's just because he's smaller then them.

 

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

Is this considered an emergency? I could possibly take him tonight because I read on their website that they have 24-hour emergency service in case your pet is injured or ill. Should I call the vet and tell them what's going on? (this is a new vet because I haven't been impressed with the vet I've been going to)

 

[Sweetie]

I would do that. Smaller poops means that there is something going on with the digestive tract, could be a blockage forming or something. Also could be teeth issues, but I would get him checked. Rabbits can go downhill pretty quick when they are ill. It is best to be safe than sorry when it comes to rabbits.

The other day, Sweetie was a bit off, so I took her to the vet. Found out she is okay. I lost a bunny to him being off a bit, because I thought he would bounce back like he did before. I vowed I would never do that again, especially with Sweetie, because she is my heart bunny.

 

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

I brought him inside so I can watch him closer. I'll talk to my mom and we can maybe bring him tonight. if we can't and hes eating veggies will he be fine until Wednesday?

 

[Sweetie]

He should be, but it is best to get him in tonight as you never know what can happen in a couple days.

 

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

I guess we can't take him tonight, he's in my bedroom and he seems alright.

 

[Azerane]

Do you know what that white stringy bit in his poop was? It almost looks like a worm, might be worth taking a fresh sample with you when you head to the vet. But a vet visit is definitely recommended. On the off chance it is a worm, I would be careful about keeping things sterile between touching and feeding your different bunnies.