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Rabbit not eating vegetables and hay

22 9:47:45

Question
QUESTION: Hi Dana,
I have a 5 years old rabbit. I offer him a lot of vegetables every morning and night. But a week ago, he seems lost interested in the vegetables he used like to eat. He has had molar spurs last year. The vet said the dental problem is genetic and we do the teeth check every six months.
He refused to drink water, the vegetables are his only water intake and he's eating less than usual. I was worry about him.
Is there any possibility for other problems besides dental disease?

ANSWER: Dear Emma,

Please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

to learn how to find out if there's something other than dental problems going on.  But if he has a history of molar spurs, that's a very likely cause, and it's probably time for him to be checked again and have his teeth filed, as necessary.

For now, you can make pellet fluff that is easier for him to chew, despite molar problems.  Just put his regular pellets in his bowl, cover with water, and either microwave for about 5 seconds, or allow to sit for about 10 minutes.  When the pellets expand and are a soft "fluff", you can mix them up with a utensil, and serve them.  Bunny will appreciate being able to eat without having to chew hard pellets, at least until his teeth are fixed again.

You can also cut his fresh vegetables into very small, bunny-bite-sized bits and strands that are easier to chew.

I hope this helps.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Dana,
Thanks for your reply and help.
I've read your article "Detecting Illness Before it's an Emergency" before, it's very helpful. :-)
Unfortunately, the vet here is having Christmas holidays, not in our city. I've checked his molar myself, using a kind of otoscope. It shows his molar is having spurs but not really hurt the mouth. He had also suffered from the ear inflammation before. On May he was chewing very strange because of the ear ache.
He's now still eager to eat favorite treats and pellet, but much less hay and vegetables. And the urine is red than usual.

Answer
Dear Emma,

Yes, it always seems to be a holiday when a bunny decides to get sick.  :(

If you are able to see a spur, don't assume it isn't causing pain just because there is not an open sore.  A sharp spur poking into the side of your delicate mouth will hurt, even if there's no blood.  It should be filed smooth as soon as you can get bun to a good vet who can do the work safely.

Red urine can signify many things, and you can read more here:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-1/red-urine.html

Hope you and your bunny have a happy, safe holiday and that you both will be well in the new year.

Take care,

Dana