Current Supportive Care

[ladysown]

So this winter for me has been hard.. the up and down weather is messing with my rabbits. They are housed outdoors in a tarp type shelter.

Therefore I decided to change things up a bit.

Since I've made these changes I haven't lost a single rabbit.

1. Kits are on medicated feed. Nothing else I was doing to help them with the up and down weather helped. AND I don't know why it's helping but it is. Gives them a boost or something not sure. I've tried a whole whack of things with them, but medicated feed is the only thing doing the trick.

2. pineapple juice as a regular additive in their water. Not sure if it's doing anything other than encouraging them to drink more... but it seems to helping them out. Tried apple cider vinegar as it was a boon in the past, but this round of rabbits was unimpressed with the apple cider vinegar and all but one really like the pineapple juice.

 

[MaggieJ]

Thanks for posting about this, Ladysown! Always great to share positive tips that are working well. :goodjob:

 

[macksmom98]

Glad those small changes are making a big difference for you! This is a hard time of year for most animals, a couple more months and we will ne through the worst

 

[Zass]

What medication was added to the feed?

 

[ladysown]

I'd have to check the label.. not entirely sure off the top of my head.

found it....

Robenidine hydrochloride 50mg/kg

 

[Miss M]

I had to look that one up. It's an antibiotic used to treat coccidiosis, but it probably helps with other things, too.

I'm so glad you found something that worked for those poor buns! Wildly varied weather sure can do a number on them.

Very interesting about the pineapple juice in the water, too. I know I've had rabbits turn up their noses to ACV before. I've added various juices to the water of one rabbit to help get it to drink more... never really thought bigger than that. Now I know to keep a more open mind. Thank you for sharing.

 

[the reluctant farmer]

2. pineapple juice as a regular additive in their water. Not sure if it's doing anything other than encouraging them to drink more... but it seems to helping them out. Tried apple cider vinegar as it was a boon in the past, but this round of rabbits was unimpressed with the apple cider vinegar and all but one really like the pineapple juice.

The pineapple juice has bromelain, which is an anti-inflammatory and digestive aid, plus vitamin c, b vitamins, and potassium. ACV has acetic acid, which is antimicrobial, and a tiny bit of potassium and some amino acids and antioxidants. Both have qualities that would help but may address different root causes. I'd guess the pineapple juice not only tastes yummy to them but may be helping a bit with any intestinal issues as well as any diestive side effects (if there are any) from the medication in the feed. Very smart. This sounds like a good combination. Thanks for sharing this and helping the rest of us out!

 

[EnglishSpot]

Where do you get your pineapple juice from? Canned? Juice section of the store? Just curious.

 

[alforddm]

I may have missed it but how much pineapple juice are you adding their water?

 

[ladysown]

i buy six packs of juice from Costco. I put a 1/3 of a carton in a two gallon water picture.

If I have a rabbit looking peaky I give more.