Need some suggestions please...

[Rustina]

SO,
I have aquired a very underweight rabbit.He is currently quarantined. I have offered a variety of small amounts of yummy things of the dry nature ( don't want to start any diarrhea ). He seems interested in life,and wants head pets. Seems interested in food but doesnt seem to eat alot of it. He seems weak and is a bit wobble-ish but doesnt fall down or anything. Drinks well.No teeth grinding.No obvious illness......

I was considering giving him Nutrical.He needs some help I'm "hopeing" he was just starved by an ignorant person and not ill.

I don't wanna do too much too fast an make him sick.

Can you offer suggestions of supplimentations to help give him a boost that might make a diffrence. I want to give him a chance rather than just have to end his poor lil life.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Nutrical, probiotics, and electrolytes might help. I would also offer him oats and BOSS. Parsley stimulates the appetite as well.

Good luck with the little guy.

 

[ZRabbits]

Have to say Wheat grass has been a big appetite stimulant here. When Kreacher and Neville were ill, wheat grass did wonders to stimulate their appetite and kept them eating. Now it's a staple here. Always have it growing inside and outside in their run.

Wishing you all the luck with your new guy.

Karen

 

[Tegan]

I know you said no teeth grinding...but have you looked at his teeth? He may just be physically unable to eat.

 

[Miss M]

Dandelions are usually a big hit, too. Hope he improves! :clover:

Tegan's got a very good point! You do need to check his teeth for malocclusion!

 

[Rustina]

Thanks to everyone for suggestions !! He is still with us this morning, so I'm still hopeful, yes Tegan and Miss M the very first thing I did was give him a good once over to be sure there were no obvious issues teeth are always what I check first on skinny fellers. Excellent suggestion.

So far he has had 3ccs of Nutrical, a cheerio (plain) and about a table spoon on oats and BOSS mix. Hoping to get more in there!!!
So far no poopy butt, keep your fingers crossed!
Will be trying some parsley when i get back from the store dandelion too!!

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

I'll keep a good thought for him. Best of luck!!!!!! Do keep us posted on how he comes along, ok?

 

[Rustina]

He is still with us !
The poor lil trooper is hanging in there. I have added some yogurt to his daily "pestering" (which is what my mom is calling me syringe feeding him )I also replaced his water with clear pedialite and he seems to like it. He keeps his head in the bowl most of the day eating oats and BOSS, but he is still weak, but seems in good spirts, cleans himself after his pestering sessioins lol . He refuses any green foods and hay.
Still hoping he improves!

 

[ZRabbits]

Good to hear your lil trooper is still hanging in there. Good sign that he cleans himself after the "pestering" sessions.

Hoping his strength keeps building and he starts getting interested in hay.

Karen

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

i would deworm the rabbit.

 

[Rustina]

Thanks MAR , he has already been dewormed <br /><br />__________ Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:46 pm __________<br /><br />I think he is out of the woods.He is sooo much stronger, now his only problem is that he just cant keep his head out of the feed bowl !! yay ! He is eating hay, pellets, and of course oats and BOSS. He has also picked up on the dandelions but is still turning up his nose at plantain or grass....lol.
I was thinking of re de-worming him in another week ( just to be sure?).
Since he has made it though the worst I think its time for a name. Any suggestions?

 

[skysthelimit]

I like to worm two weeks apart, when I do worm. if you have an lemon balm, it's always a winner. Glad he is doing better.

 

[Disney]

Honestly, the first thing that comes to my mind is E.Cuniculi (wry neck) i would check him for that.
Many rabbits carry it and it often comes to light when the rabbit experienced some kind of stress.. followed with weight loss and not being able to walk properly.. if the signs are there, the possibility is there too.

 

[Rustina]

@ Disney, How would I check him for Wry neck? Vets office?
I was thinking his wobbly-ness was weakness, after de worming and a couple days of food the wobbly stopped. Other than difficulties walking and a turned head,what other signs would wry neck appear as? He didn't seem to have any other issues (i.e. no snoty nose, weepy eyes, loose bowels ). I did find out that earlier in month a couple weeks before I took him he had heat prosration and was only saved by cold water dunking, don't know if that might have affected him as well....

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Glad he's still with us! Maybe Trooper would be a good name?