giz9
Member
I apologize if I come off as clumsy, but this is my first post.
My girlfriend and I have a gray, 2 pound (at least, he was) Netherland Dwarf, Otter Point, neuter male named Ollie. He is about 4-5 years old (a rescue) and he has been having difficulty eating his hay, lost interest in it, entirely, as food for several weeks. He has been on alfalfa-free pellets, as the vet said that they were giving him bowel infections, so he has not been on them for some time. Sadly, our vet and everyone in the area that we have contacted doesn't seem to have ANY alfalfa-free formula. Due to this, his weight has dropped dramatically.
We took him to the vet, who said that he would need money for blood work, which we are working on, to determine why he isn't eating his hay. He placed him on Oxbow Critical Care formula and we have been feeding him that for several days. He initially had interest in eating that alone, but it seems that he has lost interest in voluntarily eating that as well, so we are feeding him a syringe-full with a syringe of water every 4-6 hours.
My main question is this: would it be safe to return him to an alfalfa pellet formulation if he shows interest in eating it, given the condition he is in?
Thank you very much for your help. I am extremely grateful.
Further information:
Fecal and Urinary Output
- are the bunny's poops and pees normal? Some diarrhea after administration of the formula
- when did they last use their litterbox? Fairly frequently and recetnly
- any unusual behavior? straining to pee? unusual litter habits? No, aside from his apparent weakness and abstinence from food.
- what litter and/or bedding do you use? I believe the brand is Kaytee, but he stays with her in her room.
Medical History
- spayed/neutered? Neutered
- has s/he been to the vet or been sick before? Yes, as mentioned above
- is s/he on any medications? Only Oxbow Critical Care feed.
Diet
- what specifically does your bunny eat? Primarily timothy hay and alfalfa-free pellets.
- when and what did s/he eat last? We have been feeding him a syringe full of supplement food and one of water every 4-6 hours.
- any changes in the way s/he eats? (ie: not eating a particular food, odd chewing motions, etc) Not that I am aware of.
Other
- movement - any unusual movements? Is s/he hopping normally? He just appears weak.
- is the rabbit molting? He's shedding some
- any weight loss? Yes, dramatic.
- any sign of drooling? wet face? No
- runny eyes? Yes, but the vet said that it was likely a sinus duct that was clogged by tooth root overgrowth.
- wet nose? coughing? sneezing? No
- is s/he breathing normally It appears so.
Additional
- any plants, chocolate or other substances within reach? No
- has the rabbit been outdoors? No
- any other pets? if so, have they been ill? Her family has a dog, but he's simply diabetic and doesn't even enter her room, where Ollie stays.
My girlfriend and I have a gray, 2 pound (at least, he was) Netherland Dwarf, Otter Point, neuter male named Ollie. He is about 4-5 years old (a rescue) and he has been having difficulty eating his hay, lost interest in it, entirely, as food for several weeks. He has been on alfalfa-free pellets, as the vet said that they were giving him bowel infections, so he has not been on them for some time. Sadly, our vet and everyone in the area that we have contacted doesn't seem to have ANY alfalfa-free formula. Due to this, his weight has dropped dramatically.
We took him to the vet, who said that he would need money for blood work, which we are working on, to determine why he isn't eating his hay. He placed him on Oxbow Critical Care formula and we have been feeding him that for several days. He initially had interest in eating that alone, but it seems that he has lost interest in voluntarily eating that as well, so we are feeding him a syringe-full with a syringe of water every 4-6 hours.
My main question is this: would it be safe to return him to an alfalfa pellet formulation if he shows interest in eating it, given the condition he is in?
Thank you very much for your help. I am extremely grateful.
Further information:
Fecal and Urinary Output
- are the bunny's poops and pees normal? Some diarrhea after administration of the formula
- when did they last use their litterbox? Fairly frequently and recetnly
- any unusual behavior? straining to pee? unusual litter habits? No, aside from his apparent weakness and abstinence from food.
- what litter and/or bedding do you use? I believe the brand is Kaytee, but he stays with her in her room.
Medical History
- spayed/neutered? Neutered
- has s/he been to the vet or been sick before? Yes, as mentioned above
- is s/he on any medications? Only Oxbow Critical Care feed.
Diet
- what specifically does your bunny eat? Primarily timothy hay and alfalfa-free pellets.
- when and what did s/he eat last? We have been feeding him a syringe full of supplement food and one of water every 4-6 hours.
- any changes in the way s/he eats? (ie: not eating a particular food, odd chewing motions, etc) Not that I am aware of.
Other
- movement - any unusual movements? Is s/he hopping normally? He just appears weak.
- is the rabbit molting? He's shedding some
- any weight loss? Yes, dramatic.
- any sign of drooling? wet face? No
- runny eyes? Yes, but the vet said that it was likely a sinus duct that was clogged by tooth root overgrowth.
- wet nose? coughing? sneezing? No
- is s/he breathing normally It appears so.
Additional
- any plants, chocolate or other substances within reach? No
- has the rabbit been outdoors? No
- any other pets? if so, have they been ill? Her family has a dog, but he's simply diabetic and doesn't even enter her room, where Ollie stays.
ray:
