Spine Showing on Older Bun

[LopsAreGreat]

My bunny is almost 8 years old, this coming March he will be 8. He recently had fur mites, and we were putting on some oils from Small Pet Select, and he didn’t really have any more dandruff. But I think he still has some fur mites left but I don’t like the ivermectin treatment since he is older, but I don’t think that the fur mites is the cause of his spine showing. Because he’s older, I’m thinking that’s the main reason you can feel his spine so well. He feels like a good weight when we hold him, and is 7 pounds, he’s a mini lop. He’s good with appetite, hydration, exercise and all that. He’s always kind of had a hunch in his back making it more easy to feel his spine, but’s it’s been more prevalent lately. Do you think this is due to old age?

 

[JBun]

It can be old age. They can sometimes have a harder time keeping weight on when they're old. Though usually at this point they are also starting to slow down and be less active. Is he still eating plenty of food and getting unlimited hay? Most common cause of an underweight rabbit is they aren't being fed enough or the food they are getting doesn't have adequate nutrition. An example would be the rabbit isn't being free fed hay and not enough pellets are being fed to make up for that. Or if free feeding hay, someone getting a batch of hay that is too mature(all stems) and lacks nutrition, and isn't getting enough pellets to make up for the reduced nutrition from the hay.

Health problems are also possible. Most common would be dental problems if a rabbit is showing signs of eating less than is normal for them. Next most common would be intestinal parasites. Then kidney and liver problems, tumors/cancer, thymoma, are some other possible illnesses that can lead to unexpected weight loss. If he is still really active and not acting like he is old, it could possibly be a health issue and not old age. Only way to rule out health issues would be to take your bun to a knowledgeable rabbit vet, have the teeth checked, maybe get a fecal float test done to rule out intestinal parasites. Then if those are both normal the more expensive tests would be needed(blood work, xrays).

https://www.rabbitnetwork.org/educa...abbit-health-articles/weight-loss-in-rabbits/
https://rabbit.org/vet-listings/

 

[LopsAreGreat]

Ok, thank you for the input. He is eating still normally, we check his teeth often and they always look really healthy. He’s always had a really healthy history, but he could have some underlying problem which I hope he doesn’t. Thanks again!

 

[Howard cordingley]

I have an old rabbit too 11 and he has regular dental treatment he can’t chew hay so we feed him science select pellets which are softened in warm water for few seconds then I drain water off. He’s been on these 12 months and loves them. He’s getting all the vitamins from these. He weighs 2.2kg. He is a lion head. Why not try yours on these? He sounds underweight. Mine also has a seedless grape each day as a treat. He’s happy loves running about. Here he is rubbing his chin on a chair

 

[LopsAreGreat]

I have an old rabbit too 11 and he has regular dental treatment he can’t chew hay so we feed him science select pellets which are softened in warm water for few seconds then I drain water off. He’s been on these 12 months and loves them. He’s getting all the vitamins from these. He weighs 2.2kg. He is a lion head. Why not try yours on these? He sounds underweight. Mine also has a seedless grape each day as a treat. He’s happy loves running about. Here he is rubbing his chin on a chair

Aww he looks adorable! I’ll look into that! He eats hay just fine but maybe he needs a little extra something so I might do that for him! Thank you for the reply! Your bunny is adorable

 

[Howard cordingley]

Aww he looks adorable! I’ll look into that! He eats hay just fine but maybe he needs a little extra something so I might do that for him! Thank you for the reply! Your bunny is adorable

Thanks yes try the soft pellets especially if he develops dental problems later in life. He’s very friendly was found abandoned in some woodland 2 years ago and someone posted finding him so I took him in and despite cet bills of £700 he brings joy!