Re: Rabbit getting over GI Stasis, not eating on his own?

Question
Hi, First I want to thank you, between you and the vet it looks like my bunny is going to make it!!! It has been two weeks now, he acts and looks like he is back to normal, but he still will not eat on his own? I am syringe feeding him baby food and water about 9oz a day. How can I get him to eat on his own? He has timothy hay at all times and Timothy pellets also I offer him bits of carrots and parsley. He will eat very SMALL amounts of each of these items. Syringe feeding him is getting very tiring. Plus he fights now like crazy. I am afraid not to keep feeding him because I do not want him to get dehydrated. He is however still on medications, Reglan and a antibiotic twice a day. Could that be doing something to his eating habits? Please let me know if you have any suggestions. He does drink out of his water bottle but again in very SMALL amounts. Thank You Again!!! Julie  

Answer
Dear Julie,

Though he's acting more normal because his gut is moving again, his unwillingness to eat on his own STRONGLY suggests to me that he is suffering from some sort of pain somewhere.  I would first be sure the MOLARS are checked, as even small spurs can cause a very sensitive rabbit to stop eating.  You can read more here:

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

Other helpful diagnostics would include bloodwork to check liver and kidney function, radiographs to check for problems in the organs such as calcification of kidneys, respiratory or cardiac problems, or bladder problems.

One of the most cryptic health problems that can cause a LOT of pain is urinary tract infection.  We recently had a bunny who just stopped eating and would NOT eat on her own, despite all the diagnostics and treatments we could muster.  Then one evening she urinated all over the towel we were using to hold her, and it smelled like rotten cat food!  ARGH!  NASTY Pasteurella infection.  Twenty-four hours after we started her on antibiotics, she was feeling better and starting to show interest in food.

So this might take some detective work. The ileus might be under control, but whatever caused it is not yet solved.

I hope this helps. Please write back if you have other questions.

Dana