rabbit that cannot eat

Question
My rabbit was attacked by a dog 2 weeks ago.The attack was short and he was rescued, he suffered a slight shoulder joint injury and has recovered well from it.I have taken him to the vets everyday some times every other day because he cannot eat.I have been feeding him with baby food but he is going thin.The vet is stumped why he wont eat.He takes the food into his mouth and chews for ages and then it drops out.He has had x-rays and all the treatment that is possible but he will not kick start into eating.Have you ever encountered this problem before?
                      Thanks

Answer
Dear Jackie,

I'm not sure from your post, but is he able to swallow soft food (baby food), but not food he chews up himself?  If so, this sounds like molar problems.

The chewing problem may or may not have anything to do with the attack, but the coincidence is a little too much.  Has the bunny had head radiographs done?  It almost sounds as if he may have a broken bone somewhere (jaw?) that's causing him pain to swallow, and a hairline fracture will not show up immediately.  Only once it starts to heal will it appear as a calcified area on the radiograph.

It's also possible that he is having molar problems, such as a molar spur, a broken molar, or other oral problem that's interfering with his eating.  It's essential to have a good look *deep* into the mouth to check for anything like this.  It may or may not have anything to do with the attack, but chewing and then dropping food is quite typical of a bunny with molar spurs who can sort of chew, but not really swallow.

Please see:

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

I'd also suggest you get some Critical Care from Oxbow Hay Company.  It's the very best "emergency food" you can get for a rabbit, as it's high in fiber and nutrients, and rabbits love it.  It comes as a powder which you hydrate into a pudding-like good, and syringe feed it with a wide-bore syringe.  (We use a curve-tipped syringe with most of the curved tip cut off, since that gives a big enough opening for the little fiber bits that otherwise will get stuck in the tube.

www.oxbowhay.com

If he's not able to swallow *at all*, please write back and I'll refer this problem to some experienced rabbit vets for ideas.

I hope this helps!

Dana