Momma Bunny Not Eating!

[HopsandLops]

Our momma bunny Perry has stopped eating and drinking, nothing more then a nip here and there and maybe a drop from the water bottle. We noticed it about a week ago after some really soft poop, so we increase her hay and less on the veggies (as we thought that was what it was). Well her poop is back to normal, but she is not eating or drinking. We went to the vet this morning, as we noticed she has lost weight, and nothing can be found! They did a stool and blood test, and head to tail exam, but nothing can be found wrong with her. Oh did I mention she has a litter she is nursing, and they are not doing as well as we could hope, we have already lost another baby, making the total to 6 now. We have tried moving her to a new area and we can't get anything in her. She does take some veggies if we offer, but nothing more. Please help! Also what is the best to hand raise babies with at 3 weeks old, I know I need to get something in them asap?



HELP! :?

 

[tonyshuman]

That's strange. If she's pooping, she must be eating something, no? Is she offered as many pellets as she wants? Usually, when a bunny stops eating, they have GI stasis and they stop pooping too, which is what we see a lot.

 

[tonyshuman]

Hi, moved to rabbitry to get experiences of people who routinely care for baby bunnies--hope that's ok.

 

[HopsandLops]

Oh its ok! She has droppings but nothing to offen. The babies are looking skinny, and I am starting hand feeding today, well about 30 mins ago. She has unlimited pellets and hay, and I am breaking down to give her veggies, as she does eat them! She is just looking skinnier and skinnier, I keep refreshing her water every hour and even tried a bowl, which she did take a little from, but nothing like she needs. If nothing changes she is going back to the vet in the morning for a IV at least.

 

[tonyshuman]

I have heard that the best formula for bunnies is esbilac puppy powder. It worries me that she's not eating, she might have a GI slowdown. You could treat her with that assumption: fluids, some simethicone, probiotic, belly massages, etc.

 

[BlueGiants]

I would start syringe feeding the mom, Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, plain cooked pumpkin) mixed with a little Pedialyte to water it down. Feed her 2-3 times a day, whatever she will take. You have to keep material moving through the gut, and the pedialyte will help with electrolytes. Pumpkin is very high in fiber and will help "move things along". If she takes the pumpkin for 2 days, I'd grind up some pellets and mix with pedialyte until soft, and mix with pumpkin and feed her the mixture.

 

[HopsandLops]

Ok thanks, I have been using esbilac puppy for the babies and they took right to it. We took mom back this morning and she got some sub q fluids and I am going to head out for pumpkin and Pedialyte. We honestly can't figure out what's wrong with her, nothing medically can be found. I even called the surrendering owner to see is she had ever done with before (it was a no). We have also taken the babies away completely to hand raise them, I am keeping them with a warm snuggle safe and mom has one too as she is so thin. She is just not acting right, but our vet is just so confused and well we are going to take her to another vet very soon if nothing changes.

 

[BlueGiants]

The fluids are important. Sub-Q is great. Can the vet show you how to do it and give you a bag?

 

[HopsandLops]

Yeah she did show us how, Steve has that job, we have to do it two times a day (I am just going to hold her), and right at 6-10 ml each time and we go back Sat. if nothing changes. She also said to call her back if we feel any of the babies need any. The babies though are so willing to eat, haha chasing my hand around the box.

 

[MyRabbits]

I hope she starts eating again soon. Keeping fingers crossed for you.

 

[polly]

I tend to give lots of veggies if a mum goes off her food because they get more fluid content that way. Also put crit care in the water. I also found they tend to eat most of their own poops when they feel like this. Just s thought did they check her teeth at the back?

How is she doing ??

 

[HopsandLops]

Still not eating but honestly nothing has changed, she loves the mix. She is nipping at the pellets but nothing major. Going back to the vet tomorrow.

 

[BSAR]

Parsley will and pinneaple juice will help to get things moving long as well.

The babies are old enough to be eating hay and pellets along with milk. So make sure they have hay and pellets to munch on.

 

[HopsandLops]

I forgot to update this, she is eating again, slowly but eating pellets and hay.

 

[polly]

thats good news how are the babies?

 

[HopsandLops]

I am assumeing you don't read my blog, our puppy killed all but one of them. Lucky, the last baby, is doing well though.