rabbit on hunger strike

[Lbolar]

Well,

Ralphie is off to the vet tomorrow due to not eating. I'm so worried and bewildered by all this. He seems to eat and drink a little at night but during the day he won't touch his food or water. I've tried EVERYTHING. I've tried pineapple juice and water through a syringe but he won't let me go near his mouth, I've tried pumpkin, yogurt, new hay and pellets, purified water. I don't know what it is. But today he started running around the apartment like his old self. Is this a good sign that nothing too serious is wrong? And does anyone have any last suggestions to make sure he makes it till tomorrow to see the vet?

 

[Nicky Snow]

any poops? do you have any Nutri-Cal?

 

[bunnydude]

Try syringe-feeding some water. Just don't go too fast (you don't want water in the lungs).

 

[Lbolar]

yes, that's the odd thing. His litter box does have healthy sized poops from last night and this morning, so I know that's a good things. But he hasn't touched food since about 9 this morning. I looked EVERY where for nutrical and every pet store near me was either out of it or didn't carry it :X Can anything be substituted for that?

 

[Lbolar]

I'm having such a hard time with the syringe. He closes his lips and teeth and moves his head away like a toddler! Any tips for that or a particular position he should be in?

 

[Nicky Snow]

does he drink from a bottle? if so maybe try offering him a dish of water. you might even add some vanilla extract to the water to entice him to drink.

 

[seniorcats]

Have tried rolling him in a towel, leaving his head free, holding the back of his head and putting the syringe in the corner of his mouth? It's much easier to put the syringe in the corner of the mouth than the front. Also, if you can get a pet nurser (sold in the pet department of Wal Mart) or a 'play' baby bottle, you might have more luck.

 

[Lbolar]

Okay, I'm going to try both those things right away!
Thank you so much. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[HoneyPot]

Ok I'll tell you how my vet showed me to do this - and it worked!

get a towel, lay it on a table and put the bunn on the towel with his butt facing you, so you are standing behind him. Fold half the towel up so that it is covering the bun up to his neck.

And this is the part that I had to learn - you HAVE to be the boss and win the first fight to keep the bun still.

Lean over the bun so that if he tries to back up, he hits your stomach and has no where to go. Press the towel down so he is secure and hold his head with one hand. Keep a hold of his head so he has to stay still.

Take the syringe and gently put it on his front teeth and move it to the side (right or left beside their big front teeth) and find the little space between the top and bottom teeth - the syringe tip will slide right in.

Syringe a little bit at a time - remember their mouths are super small.

The most important part is that you HAVE to win and be the boss.Remember that it's not about being bigger/heavier or overpowering them with strength, you don't want to hurt them, you just have to be persistent and firm. Don't let him go when he tries to get away.

Misty would quiet down and take a lot of the syringing, then try to fight - but once she saw that I was unrelenting, she just sat and took the syringe.

I was never able to do until recently, so good luck - and keep trying.

____________
Nadia

 

[Lbolar]

Thank you! I just tried that with a bottle with a long skinny nipple on it. I also added a drop of vanilla. I got him to drink about 3 tablespoons which is not alot but better than nothing and I'm going to try again in a few minutes.

He is doing binkies on the floor. I'm assuming this means that he's not on the edge of death like I feared But i'm still definitely taking him to the vet first thing in the morning to be on the safe side. Thanks for all your wonderful advice!

 

[naturestee]

Hooray for binkies!

I wonder what's causing this, though? I hope the vet can figure it out.

 

[Lbolar]

i know...it's very weird and unlike the symptoms I've normally heard about with this kind of problem. But the vet should know. I'm actually going to a rabbit specialist so she really should be knowledgable.

 

[seniorcats]

HoneyPot wrote:

Ok I'll tell you how my vet showed me to do this - and it worked!

get a towel, lay it on a table and put the bunn on the towel with his butt facing you, so you are standing behind him. Fold half the towel up so that it is covering the bun up to his neck.

And this is the part that I had to learn - you HAVE to be the boss and win the first fight to keep the bun still.

Lean over the bun so that if he tries to back up, he hits your stomach and has no where to go. Press the towel down so he is secure and hold his head with one hand. Keep a hold of his head so he has to stay still.

Take the syringe and gently put it on his front teeth and move it to the side (right or left beside their big front teeth) and find the little space between the top and bottom teeth - the syringe tip will slide right in.

Syringe a little bit at a time - remember their mouths are super small.

The most important part is that you HAVE to win and be the boss.Remember that it's not about being bigger/heavier or overpowering them with strength, you don't want to hurt them, you just have to be persistent and firm. Don't let him go when he tries to get away.

Misty would quiet down and take a lot of the syringing, then try to fight - but once she saw that I was unrelenting, she just sat and took the syringe.

I was never able to do until recently, so good luck - and keep trying.

____________
Nadia

Excellent and very clear instructions Nadia. I will print these for future reference. May I quote you if the occassion arises?

Ann

 

[TinysMom]

Lbolar wrote:

i know...it's very weird and unlike the symptoms I've normally heard about with this kind of problem. But the vet should know. I'm actually going to a rabbit specialist so she really should be knowledgable.

Please let us know what the vet says. For some reason...I keep wondering if it could be a dental problem. I wish you the best of luck.

Peg

 

[Lbolar]

yeah i was wondering about that. He's so young and small that I'm not sure what normal teeth should like an feel like at his age.

 

[rabbitgirl]

The two front teeth should be even, straight, and able to tuck inside the bottom lip.

There are two small "peg teeth" right behind the incisors (scared the livin' out of me first time I noticed those! they look like splinters)

Your vet should be able to tell you if the back teeth are ok. Back tooth cutting is a vet's affair!!!

Rose

 

[rabbitgirl]

Oh, stupid me! I just realized no one's asked if there was any weight loss? If he's not eating, he should lose weight quickly--mine show a difference in a day or two if they go off feed.

Rose

 

[Lbolar]

nope...no weight loss whatsoever and he's still completely full of energy. He actually looks just like your rabbit...or at least the one in the picture!

 

[rabbitgirl]

Really? A Palomino?

Lack of weight loss is a good sign. He must be getting something, but vetting on the teeth issue should shed light on things. Hope your vet's good!

Is fur healthy and shiny?

Rose

 

[HoneyPot]

seniorcats wrote:

Excellent and very clear instructions Nadia. I will print these for future reference. May I quote you if the occassion arises?

Ann

HI Ann, yes, feel free to use my instructions whenever you want! I'm glad I was finally able to get something to work - hopefully it can help other people.

________
Nadia