rabbit eating english ivy and ?

Question
QUESTION: A friends rabbit is living outside in their yard eating English Ivy (among other things) for months.  I see it is listed on the toxic list, yet for now, the rabbit seems to be ok.  I have tried to advise them about the dangers this scenario presents in whole, to no avail.  For now, I want to address the most pressing issue, the ivy eating.  Please let me know how this will effect the rabbit and what can be done (obviously, aside from convincing them to not let the rabbit run free).  Time is essential here I would guess.

ANSWER: Hi Kim,
well, I see English Ivy listed as a toxic plant in many places (primarily the berries and leaves).  Not all plants have the same level of toxicity, but the House Rabbit Handbook lists this as a class 1 toxic plant, a plant that is in the highest category of toxic plant.  It recommends for ingestion of class 1 plants ot get to the vet or emergency vet as soon as possible.

Whether or not it kills him depends on how much he ate and what parts he ate.  Since their gut is constantly working I can imagine it will not take more than a day or two to see some effects.  He may have some resistance to it but this is a plant toxic to basically all animals.

If the owners won't listen unfortunately you really can't do anything.  I don't know if this constitutes negligence where you are or not.  They are knowingly letting their rabbit (it almost seems they don't care at all) eat a plant they know will harm or kill it.  You may have a chance with your local animal control people.  Ask them, the worst they tell you there's nothing they can do.

If you are still bothered, if you think they kind of 'want it' to die or don't care what happens, offer to buy him and get him to a vet.  I'm not saying it's your obligation, but you seem to care for this little guy more than his current owners.  In any case, you've got two things you can do if you feel you need to do something.  Animal control, or offer to buy him and get him out of there and get medical care for him.

Let me know what happens.  Lee

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

QUESTION: I've spoken to the friend and since the rabbit has been doing this for a while (and eats quite a bit of it) it seems he thinks nothing needs to be done.  I've suggested that the rabbit needs to have hay as it's primary feed with some pellets, even offering to get it, but no luck.  I'm guessing the rabbit is eating whatever it can find to take the place of the missing hay.  Since it is not showing signs of distress (not to say that it won't die from this eventually), is it possible that it is not in danger?  Have you ever heard of a case of death from chronic poisoning versus acute?  I'm not making much headway with the owner (sadly for his daughter's and her pet rabbit's sake). Thank you for your help anyway.  I'll keep trying.

Answer
Hi Kim,

it was kind of you to offer to get hay for a rabbit that isn't even yours!  They are grazers and they can eat grass, bark, scrub, etc.  They are designed to eat low calorie foods, the grass is probably fine.  He probably isn't getting the optimal amount of fiber because he doesn't get hay, and this leaves him potentially prone to certain problems that could get serious if they don't resolve themselves.

My question is are you absolutely sure it's English Ivy?  The other question is are you sure it's a domestic rabbit or part wild?  The wild rabbits may have some more 'immunity' towards it if it really is English Ivy.  All I know about it is it is listed as a class 1 toxic plant for all pet animals and people.  Class 1 being the highest most toxic group of plants.  

The only thing I can think of you to do is show them a few articles from the House Rabbit Society web site (www.rabbit.org) about the importance of hay in the diet.  Also the dangers of English Ivy.  Print them out and explain to them this was why you areconcerned about their little guy, you don't want to see him die early, unnecessarily (and painfully).

Thanks for caring about this little guy.  Lee