Entice the overweight rabbit to a different area by offering just a few little pieces of greens, keeping Dr. Brown’s comments above in mind. Other signs and symptoms may include: For example, stuff an empty plastic-wrap tube with hay. It’s when their poo is smelly or runny that you should be concerned. My bun was never a fan of softer hays but luckily the Coarse Orchard Grass crunches like Timothy! Jessica H. (Washington), "Awesome Timothy Alternative! Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. An overweight bunny must lose weight the same way an overweight person does — by eating right and exercising. Dental problems in rabbits can be complex and result in serious conditions. Mixing the two foods allows for gradual introduction of the new pellet. You could have your veterinarian do that or you could have it sent to a local veterinarian school for an autopsy. The last month or so he has seemed to lose some weight and is shedding something fierce. There are many different conditions that may cause weight loss in your pet, these can be caused by: Pseudo-anorexia – if your pet is suffering from weight loss due to this form of anorexia they may still have a drive to eat, however, due to an underlying condition are unable to It's a good idea to weigh your rabbit … Without intervention, gastrointestinal hypomotility (slowdown of transit times in the digestive system) can lead to GI stasis (shutdown). In addition to any underlying health issues, it’s important to look at all the factors that might be contributing to the rabbit’s eating behavior. A loss of appetite may be something not to worry about or may be a serious issue in rabbits; you should keep a close eye on Hazel for the time being and encourage her to eat. . When it comes to long-term relationships and marriage, men win … Rabbits should always be fed a diet that is primarily grass hay, offered in unlimited amounts. Take note of any changes with as much detail as possible so you can give as much information as you can to your vet. Even if your rabbit is eating but you notice that they are losing weight, call their vet immediately. In addition, feeding too many greens will fill up a rabbit, making him less likely to eat hay, the most important part of the diet. If an obese rabbit is put on an inappropriate diet and loses weight too rapidly, the rabbit can become ill very quickly and be at risk for hepatic lipidosis. Quality hay is not always available locally or throughout the year, and quality can vary for various reasons, such as climate, soil, and the way the hay is handled and stored. Make sure it's bottom isn't poopy. A less obvious source of pain can be caused by elongated tooth roots, with or without abscesses, also caused by lack of eating hay; this can only be diagnosed with a lateral-lateral skull X-ray. The taste of the water could have changed, your rabbit could be consuming enough water through the food that they eat, or something could be wrong with the water bottle or bowl itself. Weight loss can result from a reduction in muscle mass, often due to inadequate exercise caused by decreased mobility, lethargy, pain when moving, or because the rabbit is caged too much of the time. Failure of internal organs can also lead to weight loss. A non-profit rabbit rescue and education organization. Claire C. (Ohio). Hay that is green and leafy (as opposed to golden) will have the highest protein/fat values; second cut grass hay is usually higher than first cut. Separating the rabbits also allows each to eat at his or her own pace. Normally rabbits only lose weight real fast if they are not eating or if they have diahrrea. Hind leg weakness or paralysis is a common disorder that is seen in rabbits and can have many different causes. My rabbits would not eat any hay. If the rabbit has a buddy (of any species), social time will become more enjoyable when the overweight rabbit is able to move more easily. Eliminating stress to the extent possible is important for every bunny and especially for the underweight rabbit. Even if the diet were supplemented with some pellets and leafy greens, the rabbit would likely suffer muscle problems and weakness. He still acts normal every other way..running around, drinking,etc. One way to entice a hesitant rabbit is by offering the hay as part of a homemade cardboard toy. Consult a Vet If Your Rabbit Is Eating But Not Drinking Water This article addresses the most common issues, including signs of dental disorders; pain management (analgesia); diagnosis, treatment, and home care of dental problems, including malocclusion of incisors and of molars; euthanasia; and prevention of dental disorders. Hay, of course, should be the main food for rabbits. In many instances the rabbit will show no external signs of the virus, however, when symptoms do present they include weight loss, swollen eyelids, paralysis, ocular haemorrhages, convulsions and fatal bloody discharge from the nose. First, get your rabbit on a proper diet that has enough protein. In fact, all of the hay that Rabbit Hole Hay has to offer is high quality! If your rabbit refuses grass hay, don’t become discouraged. My rabbit isn't eating. She is involved in exotic animal care at rescue organizations and shelters. It is preferred to discontinue leafy greens during a serious weight-loss program. Wild rabbits usually cover a … It’s important to realize that treatment is not simply a matter of increasing caloric intake. Author (with collaborator Nancy LaRoche) of Rabbits: Gentle Hearts, Valiant Spirits – Inspirational Stories of Rescue, Triumph, and Joy, Marie has also written rabbit-related stories and articles for other publications. Spunky's health picture is very complex. It's often fed to young rabbits bu… If the pellets are alfalfa-based, I recommend a gradual change to a timothy-grass-based food. Diarrhea, but Still Eating. Feed your rabbit more grass hay because greens and vegetables are low in calories. Any time a pet starts losing weight you will want to get a veterinarian to check the animal out so diseases can be ruled out. It has less fat than these popular meats, and its cost is roughly the same as that of chicken. Sounds like it could be teeth problems. I had long stopped snaring rabbits, as I was in no need of protein (only fat), and in fact still had several on my cache. ever since the 10th December (thumper being put to sleep) mischief just doesn’t seem to be himself he is eating like normal but he seems to be losing weight and not gaining any weight at all. The most rapid way to accomplish healthy weight loss is to feed a diet of quality grass hay only. My rabbit is still eating and drinking normally and her behavior hasn’t changed. Most of these involve either pain that will make it difficult for the rabbit to eat or a build up of toxins in the body that affect the brain and other organs, making the rabbit feel either nauseated or not hungry. Remember, a slight change in weight for your rabbit is very different for them than it is when we humans have a slight weight change. It can't gain weight if it is not eating. The symptoms the rabbit displays are dependent on the underlying cause of the condition. It’s fresh and long strains instead of all chopped up like most hay you purchase in a store. Dr. Tomáš Chlebeček discusses the impact of pain on weight loss: If the rabbit is exhibiting pain, the cause must be determined and addressed or the rabbit will rapidly decline. A rabbit diarrhea home treatment is to change their diet. For additional information, reference “Disorders of the Cecum” as well as diet-related articles and FAQ sheets on this website. This may sound extreme but you must take immediate action. A high-fiber diet reduces dental and other health problems. You must take them to the vet immediately. There are many factors to consider when treating a rabbit for weight loss. A proper diet and other considerations are also important, as Dr. Chlebeček explains: It’s not necessarily a good idea to increase the amount of processed pellets in an underweight rabbit’s diet. He needs to see a vet asap to get his teeth checked and to find out the cause of his weight loss. I don’t know if this weight lose is due to EC coming back, since she is still drinking normal amounts of water, or if it’s because of her diet. we can now feel his back bone and see his hips and his tail seems to be loosing fur i mean big clumps of it im suprised he even has a tail, he loses fur from the rest of his body but thats normal. The cat's ribs should be felt when you touch the cat's torso. Bread or toast – Too many carbohydrates that turn into sugar in your rabbit’s body Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Hatchet and what it means. Weight Loss Diet for Overweight Rabbits. Your little bun has a sensitive immune system but unfortunately can’t use words to tell you that they are sick. Depending on the cause, some animals may have thickened and/or scabby skin. There are other considerations. Them, such as maloccluded incisors marie Mead has been in the intestinal tract will overwhelm the beneficial,... 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