Rabbit under weight?

[Haru the Lionhead]

Hello guys, today I took haru to the vet, he said that she is healing well and there are no problems, but he told me that she is very thin, and i can see that too, she’s 3 pounds now, I googled it and it was the average weight for her age, but when I touch her back i can feel her spine is that normal? if not, what should I do to fix that? i saw some people saying that I should give her more pellets, I give her 1/8 now is it okay to give more?

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

I’ve got an underweight bun too. At the moment I’m feeding her about 1/2 cup of pellets (alongside unlimited hay) - though she’s about 6-7lb, so twice the size of Haru - so maybe you could feed Haru 1/4 cup. I don’t recommend too much pellets, so you can try other things like dry porridge oats and barley rings. It shouldn’t be too hard to get her to a healthy weight.

As for being able to feel her spine, you should be able to feel it under her fur but not prominently. Is my rabbit too fat or too thin? Monitoring Your Rabbit's Weight

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

I’ve got an underweight bun too. At the moment I’m feeding her about 1/2 cup of pellets (alongside unlimited hay) - though she’s about 6-7lb, so twice the size of Haru - so maybe you could feed Haru 1/4 cup. I don’t recommend too much pellets, so you can try other things like dry porridge oats and barley rings. It shouldn’t be too hard to get her to a healthy weight.

As for being able to feel her spine, you should be able to feel it under her fur but not prominently. Is my rabbit too fat or too thin? Monitoring Your Rabbit's Weight

I can’t really tell if her back is normal or not, but now that she’s shaved, she’s the size of a burrito

 

[JBun]

There should be flesh on each side of the spine. You should be able to feel the spine but it shouldn't protrude and feel sharp. The back along the spine should have a somewhat rounded feel to it. Sharp protruding spine and hips means the rabbit is underweight.

http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-weight.asp

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

There should be flesh on each side of the spine. You should be able to feel the spine but it shouldn't protrude and feel sharp. The back along the spine should have a somewhat rounded feel to it. Sharp protruding spine and hips means the rabbit is underweight.

http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-weight.asp

Is it okay to feed her alfalfa? if so, how much is okay for her age and weigh?

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

I just read the article, it says that green hay is better than yellow and that is has higher protein/fat values, I’m thinking that this could be the reason, because she looks well and she’s eating well too, her hay is mostly yellow, there isn’t any other options, and I can’t order from amazon, today I wanted to get her carefresh and the shipping was 300$ hay is the same, it’s very expensive. The site says that i can feed her alfalfa, or give her young rabbits pellets, what is better and how much should I give her. Before the surgery I couldn’t really feel her bones as much because of her fur.

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

I can clearly feel her spine and pelvis, when I touch her it’s like I’m touching a skeleton, but she also has a round belly, when I looked under weight rabbits up, the rabbits belly was curved in, and haru doesn’t have that

 

[gelliebean]

I can clearly feel her spine and pelvis, when I touch her it’s like I’m touching a skeleton, but she also has a round belly, when I looked under weight rabbits up, the rabbits belly was curved in, and haru doesn’t have that

I've been recommended black oil sunflower seeds. I also have an underweight bun. Doing research, it looks like the benefits outweigh those of feeding raw oats. The normal dosage is 6 seeds a day but I'm trying to research if it's fine to feed more since my girl is really underweight. I know overfeeding though, can trigger a molt.

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

I've been recommended black oil sunflower seeds. I also have an underweight bun. Doing research, it looks like the benefits outweigh those of feeding raw oats. The normal dosage is 6 seeds a day but I'm trying to research if it's fine to feed more since my girl is really underweight. I know overfeeding though, can trigger a molt.

What is that is it normal sun flower seeds?

 

[gelliebean]

What is that is it normal sun flower seeds?

They are not traditional ones you would see at the grocery store. They have a pure black husk, unlike the white and black ones you usually see. You can get them at horse feed stores but I'm going to Canadian Tire to get some. If you google "black oil sunflower seeds" you'll be sure to find some easily in your city. It's a common bird seed that's used.

 

[JBun]

A pot belly with wasting along the back and hindquarters(spine and hips) can be from parasites. You may want to have your vet do a fecal float test to check for parasite eggs. That could also explain the weight loss issues you are having with your rabbit. Yellow low nutrient hay can also contribute to nutrition and weight loss issues. Yes, green good quality hay is the best to have, but for some people that isn't an option and other methods of weight gain need to be used.

Whether to do alfalfa hay or increase pellet amounts, depends somewhat on what your rabbits urine looks like and what the poop looks like. If there is very much white calcium sediment in a urine spot from your rabbit, alfalfa hay may not be the best thing to give. If your rabbits poops are very small or your rabbit is prone to stop eating and getting GI stasis, more pellets may not be a good idea.

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

A pot belly with wasting along the back and hindquarters(spine and hips) can be from parasites. You may want to have your vet do a fecal float test to check for parasite eggs. That could also explain the weight loss issues you are having with your rabbit. Yellow low nutrient hay can also contribute to nutrition and weight loss issues. Yes, green good quality hay is the best to have, but for some people that isn't an option and other methods of weight gain need to be used.

Whether to do alfalfa hay or increase pellet amounts, depends somewhat on what your rabbits urine looks like and what the poop looks like. If there is very much white calcium sediment in a urine spot from your rabbit, alfalfa hay may not be the best thing to give. If your rabbits poops are very small or your rabbit is prone to stop eating and getting GI stasis, more pellets may not be a good idea.

I just asked a friend and I’m getting confused, is she underweight or not, yes her back is bonie, but as I said she has a belly and her weight is the average for her breed and age, if it’s parasites, are there any other signs? she’s eating and playing, she’s just gassy all the time and her poops changes all the time, sometimes it’s round and perfect, sometimes it in different sizes and shapes.

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

Also, she was never fat and then got thinner, she was always the same, she grew bigger, when i got her she was almost 5 months she was 1.2 kg now she’s almost 8 months and she’s 1.3 kg

 

[JBun]

Frequent episodes of a gassy upset stomach and odd shaped poop, can be indicators of intestinal parasites. Sometimes you will see evidence of them in the rabbits poop but not always, and not if it's due to coccidia as that requires a microscope to see. Coccidia can be a cause of a pot belly, bony spine and hips, and odd shaped poop. So this can certainly be a possibility if your rabbit does in fact have a pot belly and is bony. She could be the right weight for her size, but still be too thin if there are parasites involved. Because either the parasites will add weight depending on how badly infested, or parasites can cause excess fluid build up, which will add weight. The links below describe the 3 more common intestinal parasites in rabbits, though there are certainly others that can affect them.

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Parasitic_diseases/Pass/Pass_en.htm (piinworm in rabbits)

MediRabbit (tapeworm in rabbits)

MediRabbit (coccidiosis in rabbits, contains graphic medical related photos)

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

Frequent episodes of a gassy upset stomach and odd shaped poop, can be indicators of intestinal parasites. Sometimes you will see evidence of them in the rabbits poop but not always, and not if it's due to coccidia as that requires a microscope to see. Coccidia can be a cause of a pot belly, bony spine and hips, and odd shaped poop. So this can certainly be a possibility if your rabbit does in fact have a pot belly and is bony. She could be the right weight for her size, but still be too thin if there are parasites involved. Because either the parasites will add weight depending on how badly infested, or parasites can cause excess fluid build up, which will add weight. The links below describe the 3 more common intestinal parasites in rabbits, though there are certainly others that can affect them.

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Parasitic_diseases/Pass/Pass_en.htm (piinworm in rabbits)

MediRabbit (tapeworm in rabbits)

MediRabbit (coccidiosis in rabbits, contains graphic medical related photos)

Okay now I’m extremely worried, I texted a vet but I’m not sure he’ll answer, tomorrow the vet is closed, the emergency vet doesn’t really do anything, so I have to make an appointment, they’re not answering so I would have to go there the day after tomorrow to make an appointment for I don’t know when, is it okay to wait until then! Also as I said before she hasn’t really changed, so if she has parasites it would’ve been more than a month, how much time is considered too late?

 

[JBun]

Your rabbit is eating, pooping, and behaving like normal. Don't stress. Make the appointment when you can. She's gone this long, it should be fine. And realize, I can't see or feel how your rabbit's body condition is, so everything I'm saying is just a guess based on your description of symptoms and what I know. I could be wrong and maybe these things aren't really the way your rabbit is and your rabbit is fine.

But if you really do feel like her belly is distended and not normal, you feel she is bony and not plump and rounded like a normal rabbit should be, and you feel her poop is irregularly shaped and not normal, then I would say it is a good idea to have her poop checked.

You may be able to just bring in a fresh poop sample for testing and not actually have to bring your rabbit in. Ask the vet when you phone them if you can bring in a fecal sample to have a fecal float test done. Should be easier and cheaper, and you shouldn't have to make an appointment so should be able to bring it in any time they are open.

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

Your rabbit is eating, pooping, and behaving like normal. Don't stress. Make the appointment when you can. She's gone this long, it should be fine. And realize, I can't see or feel how your rabbit's body condition is, so everything I'm saying is just a guess based on your description of symptoms and what I know. I could be wrong and maybe these things aren't really the way your rabbit is and your rabbit is fine.

But if you really do feel like her belly is distended and not normal, you feel she is bony and not plump and rounded like a normal rabbit should be, and you feel her poop is irregularly shaped and not normal, then I would say it is a good idea to have her poop checked.

You may be able to just bring in a fresh poop sample for testing and not actually have to bring your rabbit in. Ask the vet when you phone them if you can bring in a fecal sample to have a fecal float test done. Should be easier and cheaper, and you shouldn't have to make an appointment so should be able to bring it in any time they are open.

I didn’t mean that her belly is distended, her belly looks 100% normal, that’s why I was confused if she’s under weight or not, because when I googled underweight rabbits i saw that their belly is curved up, like.. no belly, and she doesn’t look like that, and her poops are 80% normal, when i look at the litter box i see a pile of healthy poops, and one or two misshapen or weirdly shaped poop. I’m trying to convince myself that everything is okay but the gas problem.. I gave her two doses of gas drops six hours ago, and I just heard her stomach gurgling again.
I just took an ugly picture of her, i don’t have much experience, if you see anything abnormal.. the first photo is now, and the second one is before she was shaved, her weight is the same in both photos

 

[Lucas the Bun]

Haru is likely fine, those pictures are a general and it’s suppost to show the the same rabbit, as if it was over weight, a healthy weight, or thin, (it was edited to give an example of each).

I suggest getting a scale & weigh her each month. Keep track of her weight on a note pad. (Amazon.com)

Additionally, she was just shaved so she looks different without all that floof.
Generally owners can see if a rabbit looks thinner or fatter just by spending lots of time with them. (It’s still advised to weigh them though)
(With shorter fur breeds though, with floofy lion heads like Haru you can’t really see her shape through the fur)


Now, since her stomach was still gurgling.
Is she pooping?, if so great, her Digestive System is fully functioning.

The Dosage for Symethicone is 1-2 cc (give or take)
Every hour for 3 hours.
If she hasn’t gotten better by that time she probably won’t improve.
Try massaging her belly.

You could also check her diet:
- Is she being given any food she is not used to,
that can cause gas
- Gassy Vegetables
- Pellets with Extra Additives could cause gas

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

Haru is likely fine, those pictures are a general and it’s suppost to show the the same rabbit, as if it was over weight, a healthy weight, or thin, (it was edited to give an example of each).

I suggest getting a scale & weigh her each month. Keep track of her weight on a note pad. (Amazon.com)

Additionally, she was just shaved so she looks different without all that floof.
Generally owners can see if a rabbit looks thinner or fatter just by spending lots of time with them. (It’s still advised to weigh them though)
(With shorter fur breeds though, with floofy lion heads like Haru you can’t really see her shape through the fur)


Now, since her stomach was still gurgling.
Is she pooping?, if so great, her Digestive System is fully functioning.

The Dosage for Symethicone is 1-2 cc (give or take)
Every hour for 3 hours.
If she hasn’t gotten better by that time she probably won’t improve.
Try massaging her belly.

You could also check her diet:
- Is she being given any food she is not used to,
that can cause gas
- Gassy Vegetables
- Pellets with Extra Additives could cause gas

She’s pooping but there are poops like.. misshapen, two sticking together, oval, long, large, medium, small..
the poops in the litter box.. she poops and sits on them while eating so most of them are flat I can’t really tell if they’re ovals or not
Her gas drops are 40mg I give her half ml, it could be the pellets because she’s been gassy since the surgery, after the surgery I was giving her more pellets and veggies than before because she loves them and i was trying to make her eat, before the surgery I used to give her half 1/8, but after the surgery I had already increased it so I kept giving her 1/8 because that’s the amount that she is supposed to have, of course I increased it gradually, I’m not giving her pellets or veggies today to check if something changes, if so.. I’ll go back to half 1/8, if not.. then that’s a problem and I’ll need to see a vet.
About her bonie back.. I don’t think that increasing pellets is an option now, should i get her alfalfa?when she was five months i gave it to her for maybe two days, it was 30% of the hay that she’s having and the rest was timothee she wasn’t litter trained so I could clearly see her pee, she peed once, and there was sludge in the pee, I immediately stopped the alfalfa, and continued to monitor her pee, and it was fine, so I didn’t take her to a vet, that’s why I’m a bit worried about the alfalfa, if I’m going to give it to her, I’ll give her only one cup a day or something

 

[Haru the Lionhead]

Haru is likely fine, those pictures are a general and it’s suppost to show the the same rabbit, as if it was over weight, a healthy weight, or thin, (it was edited to give an example of each).

I suggest getting a scale & weigh her each month. Keep track of her weight on a note pad. (Amazon.com)

Additionally, she was just shaved so she looks different without all that floof.
Generally owners can see if a rabbit looks thinner or fatter just by spending lots of time with them. (It’s still advised to weigh them though)
(With shorter fur breeds though, with floofy lion heads like Haru you can’t really see her shape through the fur)


Now, since her stomach was still gurgling.
Is she pooping?, if so great, her Digestive System is fully functioning.

The Dosage for Symethicone is 1-2 cc (give or take)
Every hour for 3 hours.
If she hasn’t gotten better by that time she probably won’t improve.
Try massaging her belly.

You could also check her diet:
- Is she being given any food she is not used to,
that can cause gas
- Gassy Vegetables
- Pellets with Extra Additives could cause gas

It’s been 12 hours since she ate her pellets, three hours ago she was in pain, her stomach was gurgling, so I gave her a belly massage, after that she was okay, she’s playing and eating fine, I put the hay outside of the litter box so u can see her poops, till now most of them are round, the ones that aren’t round, you would have to look closely to see that they aren’t, even the size.. it’s not the same size but it’s very close, I picked up fresh warm poops to take a closer look, they look fine, no mucus, blood, or anything alarming, i was relieved that it was just a pellet problem, then I went to check the other poops and i saw something
It looks like pinworm, I checked the other poops, they are all clear, it’s only on this one
I feel a bit better now that I know what’s wrong with her and that it’s not coccidia
Now I have new questions
What should i do?
I’ll take her to the vet as soon as I can, but like.. when should I do other than that, like cleaning her stuff and like that