Old Bunnies

Question
My bunny is nearly 10, female, lives outside in her hutch but can go in her run during the daytime. She eats carrots, cabbage, grass, hay and rabbit muesli but over the last 4 weeks has got gradually thinner.  I saw the vet 2 weeks ago and she said bunnies do get thinner when they get old.  Should I be worried - I can feel her backbone a lot now. I'm thinking of bringing her indoors so I can keep an eye on her.  

Answer
Helen - 10 years old is old for a bunny.  Bringing her indoors might make her nervous if she is not used to it. If she is used to being indoors and it is cold out by all means bring her in. To make her last last years more comfortable I would recommend that you stop giving her cabbage - which can cause gas that an aging digestive system would not be happy with, and put apple cider vinegar into her water - 6 ml / liter at all times.  Most old bunnies die of calcification of the urethra - they get very thin and then get edema ( where they feel as if they have liquid under the skin ) this is caused by the ducts that take urine from the kidneys to the bladder get hard with calcium deposits.  Tempt her with some fresh papaya if you can get it.  That will give her a fresh clean intestine and they love it .  I admire that you love your bunny enough to worry about her - I wish all people would love their animals so.

Happy New year

Sheila