mY raBbIt nOt EaTiNg

[bigfish]

hiya

Noticed that my rabbit wasn't eating his normal food but still drinking, His face looks swollen, Any idea of what it could be

Really unhappy bunny!!!

 

[GSD]

take it to the vets...he or she will tell you whats wrong!!!!!!

 

[OohFeeshy]

Is he eating hay and fresh? My rabbit wouldn't eat her pellets, but the vet said they can survive fine on hay and grass/fresh food.

 

[mm_simb]

If he's just not eating the food you're trying to give him I would try feeding him something else to give him a variety but if you think his face looks swollen then I'd take him to the vet to make sure.

I'm not sure if it's the same for rabbits as it is for hamsters and gerbils, but do they store their food in their cheeks also? Eitherway, I'd take him to the vet. Better safe than sorry.

 

[zelandonia]

If his face is swollen then it is likely a tooth root abscess or a sinus infection or something like that. If he is older and this developed slowly then it might be some sort of tumor. I agree that you should take him to the vet. He might need some sort of dental work to solve the problem. This procedure will help him feel better because he might be sore due to the swelling. He will also be able to eat again if you fix the problem. Good luck! Keep us posted!

z.

edit: That's a great suggestion, mm_simb, but rabbits don't store food in cheek pouches the same way hamsters do. I agree with you about the vet!

 

[bigfish]

well he no better and the person in charge is away so i've had to take charge. booked him in to see a vet asap. On examination his face has scabbed (flap under nose) but very sore as he wouldn't let me open his mouth to look inside.

keep ya posted...

 

[Auratus]

It is not good for a rabbit to go longer than 24 hours without eating! Force feed him if you can until he goes to the vet. Go to the store and find a force feeding formula. We use "Oxbow Critical Care" at work. If you can't find something like that get Timothy Hay and blend it in a blender with water and make almost a smoothie like substance and force feed him that in a syringe or turkey baster if that's all you have. Just bundle him up in a towel, put him under your arm and force it in his mouth. Rabbits that don't eat go down hill very fast and can easily become dehydrated. He most likey has some kind of tooth problem since their teeth (front and back) are ever growing.

Good luck!!

 

[bigfish]

Hey i can't get bunny to a vet until monday!!! i have been feeding him mashed carrot and peas with a spoon and hes taking in some but not enough.... he drinking quite abit of water tho!!!!

Will he be ok???

Hes pretty active hoping around his cage and hes been out of his hutch to investigate my lounge carpet.

 

[mm_simb]

You should get him to an emergency clinic. They're open every day of the week and 24 hours a day. You should look them up and get him there as soon as possible. But if you cant, I have no idea if he'll be ok. I'm sure someone else can tell you that.

 

[bigfish]

well heres an up date... took to him to a vet on monday and hes been admitted for an operation on his teeth. 1 tooth was broken and was at a 45 degree angle and had gone into his cheek!!! which caused a massive abcess (hence the swelling on his face) The vet said he should make it but their was a possible chance he may give up.

Told the vet that he was still weeing and pooping (very small pellets) he said that was a good sign that his system (gut was still working) and hadnt gone into statis???

Let you know more later!!!!! still waiting on news.

 

[wuvmybetta]

awww,poor little guy I hope the operation goes quickly and smoothly.

 

[RandomWiktor]

If he's not in stasis, that's a good thing. Hopefully with that nasty abcess drained and his teeth operated on, he'll be able to eat and get back on his feet quickly.

Now, the next step in my mind, hoping that he comes home, would be to examine his hutch for what may have caused the broken tooth. If he is knawing the bars, this is usually a boredom or stress behavior. This could be corrected by providing maple browse (well, I don't know if you have maples where you live) or commercial wood chews so he can exersize his chewing instinct. I don't know how big the hutch is and if you have an area where this would be safe, but time outside of the cage to get exersize and graze could also benefit him.

Good luck with your bunny and I hope he feels well soon.

 

[bigfish]

Well they put him under sedation at 1pm and the lady vet rang me and said his condition is stable and coping under the anestectic (sp?) but he mouth is pretty bad... pus was coming from his molars so maybe a tooth root infection (not sure) and his tooth at the front which was broken is at a 45 degree angle... and had gone into his cheek where another abcess had formed... pretty nasty, he must be in a certain amount of considerable pain she said (even tho he acted pretty normal) I think him grinding his teeth didn't help the infection.

Soooooo im just waiting!!! Have no idea how long the op is? as she didn't want to leave him under for very long.

 

[mm_simb]

So, how is he now? I hope he's feeling better.

 

[chris_1127]

fingers crossed for your rabbit! i have degus with problem teeth - they have a malloclusion of their molars - they dont meet properly and therefore don't wear down as they should. i have to keep a careful eye on them as when they overgrow they can grow into the roof of their mouths and cause similar problems. the result is that they both need to be put under a general anasthetic every 4-5 months to have their teeth filed, at about £25 a go each!!