Rabbit Gradually Stops eating after treatment. Treatment not working.

Question
Dear Dr. Krempels,

I have a dwarf lionhead rabbit named Boomer who has started getting picky with his food, until one day 2 weeks ago he stopped eating all together. Vet found Boomer had fever and gave him anti-inflammtories to bring fever down. Gave Boomer Baytril (antibiotic) by mouth for 5 days. On the third day he was eating normally. After 5 or 6 days after treatment Boomer stopped eating again. No fever this time but was given a shot of steroids along with an injected course of antibiotics. He ate more heartily this time and I thought that he had recovered. However last night and this morning I am noticing he hasn't touched his usual treats and is starting to slack off eating again. I feel it's the steriods making him eat/feel better. Have you come across this type of problem before? I don't want to loose him.  

Answer
Dear Anthony,

Lionhead rabbits are notorious for dental problems that not only make it painful to eat, but can elicit enough stress to cause secondary problems such as infection or ileus.  Please read:

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

and

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

And feel free to share with your vet.  This one is especially for vets:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.pdf

Please also see:

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

I hope this helps.

Dana