Hi, All!
I have a one year old Holland lop, and I think he MAY be having some dental issues. He, by nature is a somewhat picky bun, but in the recent months, I seemed to have found (or thought I found) hay that he really liked. He has really upped his hay eating...but it has decreased again here in the recent handful of days. It is a newer box of hay, so I ordered more, (coming tomorrow) to see if maybe this corrects his eating. Maybe it is a "bad" batch?
However, I have noticed with him that he WANTS to eat hay...he is interested when I bring him some, he picks around for a while, and seems to be eating the smaller strands. I also am seeing where he will snap pieces of hay in half, maybe take a couple of bites, and then drop the rest out of his mouth...and repeat. Normally, I will see him eat the whole long strands of hay. I have reintroduced orchard hay to him, and he is eating some of it.....it is softer and smaller than his current timothy hay. He is still loving other things, like his pellets. I know these things are easier to chew though.
Back in August, when he went to see one of his vets, she noted that while his teeth overall looked really good, she did notice a couple of molar spurs in the back, however, at that time she did not think they looked too concerning (she said she had seen much worse in her practice). I am wondering if maybe they have gotten worse?
His poops have overall been a bit smaller, because he isn't eating as much. Also, his water consumption has been down too some....which definitely correlates with less hay eating.
Ugh.....Him and I have been to the vet too many times here in the recent months...I'm not thrilled at the idea of having to return, yet again... but if needed, I obviously will. I'm hoping I can hold out on a vet visit until at least Thursday, so I can see if the new hay helps, and I work through Thursday. So I am not around as much to tend to him, if needed.
Thank you!
I have a one year old Holland lop, and I think he MAY be having some dental issues. He, by nature is a somewhat picky bun, but in the recent months, I seemed to have found (or thought I found) hay that he really liked. He has really upped his hay eating...but it has decreased again here in the recent handful of days. It is a newer box of hay, so I ordered more, (coming tomorrow) to see if maybe this corrects his eating. Maybe it is a "bad" batch?
However, I have noticed with him that he WANTS to eat hay...he is interested when I bring him some, he picks around for a while, and seems to be eating the smaller strands. I also am seeing where he will snap pieces of hay in half, maybe take a couple of bites, and then drop the rest out of his mouth...and repeat. Normally, I will see him eat the whole long strands of hay. I have reintroduced orchard hay to him, and he is eating some of it.....it is softer and smaller than his current timothy hay. He is still loving other things, like his pellets. I know these things are easier to chew though.
Back in August, when he went to see one of his vets, she noted that while his teeth overall looked really good, she did notice a couple of molar spurs in the back, however, at that time she did not think they looked too concerning (she said she had seen much worse in her practice). I am wondering if maybe they have gotten worse?
His poops have overall been a bit smaller, because he isn't eating as much. Also, his water consumption has been down too some....which definitely correlates with less hay eating.
Ugh.....Him and I have been to the vet too many times here in the recent months...I'm not thrilled at the idea of having to return, yet again... but if needed, I obviously will. I'm hoping I can hold out on a vet visit until at least Thursday, so I can see if the new hay helps, and I work through Thursday. So I am not around as much to tend to him, if needed.
Thank you!
