Underweight Bunny

[MaxRabbit]

Hi
We're new to rabbits - we bought a 2year mini lop as a family pet about ten days ago. Since we've had him, he's always been pretty sedate - doesn't hop around a lot, but seemed happy. A couple of days ago I noticed he looked like he was gasping for breath. I took him to the vet and she started him on antibiotics - he had his 2nd injection this morning. His breathing seems better now, but she also said he's really underweight - the most underweight rabbit she's ever seen - and if he doesn't put on weight quickly there is probably an underlying cause and she would recommend putting him down. We're gutted, he's such a cool wee dude and my kids adore him. Does anyone have any advice or ideas to help Max?

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

Hi
We're new to rabbits - we bought a 2year mini lop as a family pet about ten days ago. Since we've had him, he's always been pretty sedate - doesn't hop around a lot, but seemed happy. A couple of days ago I noticed he looked like he was gasping for breath. I took him to the vet and she started him on antibiotics - he had his 2nd injection this morning. His breathing seems better now, but she also said he's really underweight - the most underweight rabbit she's ever seen - and if he doesn't put on weight quickly there is probably an underlying cause and she would recommend putting him down. We're gutted, he's such a cool wee dude and my kids adore him. Does anyone have any advice or ideas to help Max?

--i wish i had a magic wand,but i donot..--his health will hopefully stablize-i trust the injections are a (PENICILLIN-G)-not to be confused with regular penicillin---,he must be fed critical care with probotics until pooping regularly-with lots of water and 24 hr care,,--weigh him very regular-(daily)- here is a link http://www.medirabbit.com this is a very good medical website for rabbits,,----this-link- will help you raise and care for your bun--also check out http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html please let us know how it goes --sincerely james waller--:heartbeat::happybunny:

 

[JBun]

What do you feed him each day, the amounts, and how much does he weigh, and are his poops normal?

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/drop/Drp_en.htm

 

[MaxRabbit]

He has unlimited grass hay and pellets, and a good supply of varying green veg. He gets a few bits of apple here and there. He weighed 1.45 kg at the vet this morning. I think his poo is normal - like I say, I'm super new to rabbits so I'm not sure. Obviously this is a problem that started before we owned him, but I'm not sure if it's a result of mistreatment or an underlying illness. I will look into the critical care feed - I did ask the vet if there was anything specific we should be giving him and she said just the pellets and green veg so I wonder if we can actually get that here (I'm in New Zealand)

 

[JBun]

If he's eating on his own, then you don't need the critical care food. It's to syringe feed to rabbits not eating on their own. Are the pellets you feed alfalfa or timothy based? And about how much in a day do you think he eats of them? if the poop looks normal round balls and isn't mushy or soft, then they are fine.

 

[MaxRabbit]

I'm not sure? They're 'pet team' rabbit & guinea pig mix, it just says 'assorted sized pellets' 'blended from a premium mix of ingredients'. I've been told rabbit & guinea pig mixes are not ideal, so I will find another pellet to give him

Edited to add - I'm not entirely sure how many pellets he eats a day as my kids are always topping up the bowl. Maybe like 1/4 cup?

 

[JBun]

If you change foods, you'll want to make sure to slowly transition over about 2 weeks time. An alfalfa/lucerne based pellet will have more protein in it and help with the weight gain. You may also want to add a little alfalfa/lucerne hay to his diet(as long as there are no bladder sludge issues). Introduce it in small amounts and if there is no digestive upset, you can slowly increase the amount. It may just be that he will gain weight now that he is on a good diet and has plenty of food.

 

[MaxRabbit]

Hopefully! Thanks - will let you know how we go

 

[tonyshuman]

There probably is something going on other than a respiratory infection, which I assume is what your vet gave you the antibiotics for.

Here are several things that can cause noisy breathing:
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Respiratory/Differential/respira_diff.htm

I would try to change the pellet, since my bunnies would eat as many pellets as they could if I free-fed them, and most bunnies I've encountered are this way. I only feed a tablespoon per 4-5lb bunny a day and it's one of their favorite times of the day. They would definitely eat more than 1/4c a day if I let them.

It is possible there is a problem with his trachea that's causing swallowing to be difficult, and that's why he's underweight and had the gasping episode. I would expect an x-ray would be helpful in figuring this out. A relatively common cancer in bunnies is cancer of the thymus, an organ near the heart. It can grow to occupy a large portion of the chest cavity and make breathing and swallowing difficult. We lost a bunny to this a couple of years ago. It was visible on x-ray but you'd want to make sure he's well enough for anesthesia before going in for the x-ray. It may also be good to check for intestinal parasites as they can cause general underweight condition.

 

[ladysown]

query....if he was severely under weight he'd be boney. is he boney? or is he just small.

boney means....feeling the backbone and ribs without even really trying to.
Should have some padding between his bones and your hand.

If he's really thin you'll need to add some protein and energy to his diet but do so carefully.

regular uncooked oatmeal is a good place to start. Just a teaspoon per day. you can gradually work your way up to about a tbsp.
I'd personally cut back on the hay since he might well be filling up on the hay and not eating the other good things he needs.

OR... he could have coccidia or worms which can cause weight loss...but normally with that you'll have a distended belly.

I would have a difficult time understanding the "a tablespoon per 4-5lb bunny". A 4-5 lb bunny should be getting 1/2 cup pellets per day as part of a well balanced diet. If feeding more of a natural diet he'll need grains, alfalfa hay, minerals, salts etc it's a bit more a balancing act to feed a natural diet...it's more than just greens and hay.

 

[MaxRabbit]

Hi - a sad update, we took Max to a second vet today, she said he's suffering and strongly recommended we put him to sleep this afternoon. We're waiting for my son to come home from school to say goodbye then will take him back down

 

[annabelle00]

Don't know if this will help anymore but I'll post it anyway http://riseandshinerabbitry.com/2012/06/09/medicinal-herbs-for-rabbits/

 

[JBun]

I'm so sorry about your bun, but if he was suffering then it's the best thing to do for him.

 

[tonyshuman]

I'm so sorry. It does sound like he is quite sick, though, so it is probably for the best.

 

[HEM]

We are so sorry to hear about this
Hoping that your son takes it ok

 

[Nancy McClelland]

You have our heart felt condolences. Sometimes, no matter how hard we strive, it's just not to be. Rest in peace little man.