Any Rabbit advice ?

girlpower

Thanks Amy, just back from the vets and seen your post, you have said almost exactly what the vet did.
I have always fed her the amount if dried food it says needs on the packet or if sometimes a bit less depending on how much veg she is having. The vet said to still give her some but cut it down a lot. A very small handful which I would imagine is the same as a tablespoon. That way she will eat more hay.
The vet did not mention her weight but I asked her as she does look to me like she has put on a bit (I know it's normal to do that in winter & winter coat can make her look bigger). When asked the vet checked her records and said she had put on a little but not a huge amount & change in diet will sort that out.
The vet mentioned as you also pointed out that the teeth can cause the problem and she checked them. Mostly ok but teeth on one side are slightly smaller than the ones on the other side. She said they were not bad enough to need dental work but they will need to keep a check on them.
As for the brand dry feed, started her on Russell Rabbit, would not eat the pellets (actually eat hardly ate any of the mix), started getting one from local pet shop and she was fine on that (although still reluctant to eat the pellets), now been on that for most of her life. Then the new manager at the pet shop kept telling me that best feed is pellets especially if she is fussy/selective with her food, he said the best one is Excel & gave me a small sample pack, Excel is also what they sell at our vets so I tried her on a few pellets and she actually ate them. This was about 4 weeks ago, have only been giving her a small tea spoon full a day mixed in with her regular food. I have stopped giving her the Excel pellets now.
Thanks for the advise on veg, how much of them do you feed?
The trip to the vets wasn’t too bad, I had expected her to be horrified by my bunny’s bottom but she said it wasn’t too bad, she got the shaver out but only took a tiny tuft of fur off, got a prescription for her but it’s in a powder form so just need to add it to her water for the next 5 days.

chelle230

glad she's ok. sounds like you have the problem sorted now, which is great, so with us all you've managed to get some good advise and bun should be back to normal pretty soon

girlpower

chelle230 wrote: »

glad she's ok. sounds like you have the problem sorted now, which is great, so with us all you've managed to get some good advise and bun should be back to normal pretty soon

Oh I do hope it is sorted or soon will be, thanks chelle and everyone else that posted for advise & taking the time to post on here.

amy104

Thanks Amy, just back from the vets and seen your post, you have said almost exactly what the vet did.

You have a good vet then! :rotfl:

Seriously tho rabbits are still classed as exotics and you'd be surprised how many vets are a bit unsure when it comes to them, so sometimes it pays to know your stuff.

Mostly ok but teeth on one side are slightly smaller than the ones on the other side.

I imagine the vet is refering to spurs. If they are only mild then as long as you can get her hay consumption it should solve the problem. If shes not keen on hay you can by sample packs from The Hay Experts to find one she likes, or grass will do the same job.

he said the best one is Excel

I think vets are paid to say this. Personally I've not had problems with it but know people that have. Allen and Page has a fab fibre content but its quite low in protein so some of my buns lost condition on it. I now use science selective which is great and it is very popular with even the fussiest of buns. If you want to change you'll need to do it gradually so mix a bit of the new stuff into what she's used to.

Thanks for the advise on veg, how much of them do you feed?

Mine get a fairly big bowl per pair, but you will need to introduce is slowly if your bun isn't used to it. Also some rabbits have better tolerance than others.

got a prescription for her but it’s in a powder form so just need to add it to her water for the next 5 days.

Do you know what this was? I'm guessing something like Bio-Lapsis. Its got probiotics to help the gut and the electrolites in it should also stop her getting dehydrated if her bum is really messy.

amy104

On backs worked for us. We used to lay bunny on his back along our legs (sitting down) whilst we cut his teeth. He would almost go to sleep.

Can I also add that I'm not to keen on trancing. The rabbit isn't sleeping, he's playing dead so the predator (you) will relax its grip and he can get away. To me this shows the bunny isn't relaxed as you might think but is actually very frightened and alert. I'd also advise leaving any dental work to a vet.

girlpower

Quote:

Originally Posted by amy104 You have a good vet then!

Seriously tho rabbits are still classed as exotics and you'd be surprised how many vets are a bit unsure when it comes to them, so sometimes it pays to know your stuff.

Yes vet this time was great, have seen her once before but there is another one there who is not so patient with my little girl.

You certainly know your stuff, so glad to have found you & all the others who have posted.

[/QUOTE]I imagine the vet is refering to spurs. If they are only mild then as long as you can get her hay consumption it should solve the problem. If shes not keen on hay you can by sample packs from The Hay Experts to find one she likes, or grass will do the same job.[/QUOTE]
　

She said there were no spurs and front teeth fine, it's just that teeth on one side are quite a bit smaller than on the other side.

[/QUOTE]I think vets are paid to say this.[/QUOTE]

Sorry I wasn't very clear about the Excel, it was the Manager at the local pet shop who told me better to feed pellets and suggested Excel. However it is the brand our vets sell so they are not likely to advise against it. I am just giving her a small amount of what she is used to till we get this sorted.

[/QUOTE]Do you know what this was? I'm guessing something like Bio-Lapsis. Its got probiotics to help the gut and the electrolites in it should also stop her getting dehydrated if her bum is really messy.[/QUOTE]
　
Once again you are spot on, it is Bio-Lapsis.
Was a bit worried she would taste the difference in her water & not drink it but she appears to like it

amy104

All sounds good, hope your little girl is feeling better soon.

dandy-candy

I have the most fantastic friendly rabbit but it has been so wet here lately that he hasn't been able to use his outdoor run so as a compromise I am letting him explore the playroom but I am wondering if anyone can suggest toys to keep him amused? He did have a rabbit "toy" which was a bundle of willow sticks which he would gnaw and toss about but he has got bored of them now - any ideas I can buy or make would be most welcome!

borderlakland

lots of toys about that you can put his food in, and he will have to roll them round etc to get food out, we used to hide food under cardboard boxes. anything light enough for him to chuck around, big tubes to run through.

Jessw0

I have two house bunnies and they are kept entertained with all sorts of household things that often come free...
Cardboard tubes you get from wrapping paper or loo roll, stuff some carrots and hay inside.
Phone books, they love to dig the paper and chew it to bits
Newspaper screwed up in balls, one of mine will play for ages if you throw her a bit of paper she will throw it to the side with her teeth.
Hang things from the top of a cage or get some treats on the end of string to dangle so they have to work for it.

There are loads of videos on youtube where some buns are taught tricks for food and even showjumping!

Hope that helps!