Rabbit not drinking -URGENT-

[Oscar]

My Rex doe Lucy has not been drinking anything the last couple of days. I am starting to worrie the water level has not gone down in her bowl. I was wondering if she is sick or f this is a sign of her being pregnant, because I did breed her a few days ago. Do I need to worrie or not she is going to be one of my show rabbits and I love her. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

 

[ladysown]

Oscar... would be more helpful if you had started your own thread.

Have you checked if the water bottle is working? Sometimes they stop for random reasons.

get her a water bowl and see if she'll drink from that. It is NOT a sign of pregnancy.

 

[Miss M]

As Ladysown mentioned, I split this off into its own thread.

The OP does say that the rabbit has a bowl.

Ladysown is right, this is not a sign of pregnancy. It is an emergency, and you need to get fluids into her as quickly as you can.

You can tempt her with tea, Gatorade, Pedialyte, water with a little molasses, fruit juice, whatever will get her drinking. If she will not drink on her own, you will need to force fluids by syringing them slowly into the back of her mouth.

 

[BlueHaven]

If she does not have a salt spool give her one to lick on a little. That may get her drinking.
I don't usually give my rabbits salt, as their food contains enough. Your rabbit just needs a kickstart.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

A friend of mine had this happen once, and it was because the rabbit had dropped a chunk of white salt into her crock. It wasn't obvious because the salt melted, but the water itself was super salty so the rabbit didn't want to drink it, of course.

Hopefully you have already tried the ideas that Miss M suggested, and she is drinking. :clover:

If not, another thing you might try is to offer her a small amount of fresh greens (unlimited if she is used to eating fresh food already) rinsed with water and still wet. Red or dark green lettuce or parsley would be good options.

If you do already feed her fresh greens/vegetables she may be getting most of her water that way.

If she truly hasn't been getting fluids, she also will be off her feed and will be losing weight. If you run your hand along her spine it should feel like gently rounded bumps. If it is spiky she is thin.

 

[Petlover500]

Not sure if this will help, but lemon essential oil entices drinking.
If you have any available, just drop 1-2 drops in his bowl and give it a little mix. It should attract him to it and help him start drinking again.

 

[EnglishSpot]

Apple cider vinegar added into water adds a flavor they love! Two tablespoons for every gallon of water!

 

[Zass]

Since we're giving advice, mine love a little bit of ordinary apple cider (not vinegar) or apple juice added to their water, and they really love unflavored pedialyte.

 

[Oscar]

Thanks for all of the ideas Would making her drink from a surenge be a bad idea if all of the great ideas don't work or do I need to see a vet? I have changed her water many times

 

[jimmywalt]

I didn't see if you clarified....... are you using a "Bottle" or "Bowl"?

If bottle - tap the bottom to make sure that water is coming out. Sometimes they stop because of an air lock.
If a bowl - wash it good and then give fresh water.

You said she stopped drinking. Has she stopped pooping too? If you don't know, change the cage immediately so you can watch for this. We had this problem and found the "sliver bullet" from a person who has raised rabbits for 30 years. He suggested using a syringe with yogurt. We had to force feed, but it worked within 24 to 36 hours and our bunny is fine now!

I would try to syringe her some water, maybe with pedialyte mixed in.

Good luck!

 

[Oscar]

Yes, i am using a bowl and i will wash it out asap! i surenged her some water this morning and she drank little. I just don't get it her water level in her bowl has not gone down but she is really healthy, she hasn't lost weight and she is still eating, if anything she has gained weight. If the water level has gone down its because she always puts her food bowl in her water bowl when she is done eating. :x

 

[jimmywalt]

Yes, i am using a bowl and i will wash it out asap! i surenged her some water this morning and she drank little. I just don't get it her water level in her bowl has not gone down but she is really healthy, she hasn't lost weight and she is still eating, if anything she has gained weight. If the water level has gone down its because she always puts her food bowl in her water bowl when she is done eating. :x

Make sure to clean her cage and then in 24 hours let us know if she's peeing & pooing......

 

[Oscar]

Ok will keep updated

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I just don't get it her water level in her bowl has not gone down but she is really healthy, she hasn't lost weight and she is still eating, if anything she has gained weight.

If that is the case, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Petlover500]

Yes, i am using a bowl and i will wash it out asap! i surenged her some water this morning and she drank little. I just don't get it her water level in her bowl has not gone down but she is really healthy, she hasn't lost weight and she is still eating, if anything she has gained weight. If the water level has gone down its because she always puts her food bowl in her water bowl when she is done eating. :x

If she does that, maybe you want to try switching to a water bottle?
They are usually less messy, and hold more water

 

[Miss M]

A rabbit that truly stops drinking will normally stop eating within a couple of days, so I'm a bit flummoxed. :shrug:

 

[jimmywalt]

Peeing & pooling normal amounts in last 24 hours?????

 

[Oscar]

Still not drinking that i know of. <br /><br /> -- Mon Oct 26, 2015 7:30 pm -- <br /><br /> Still not drinking that i know of.

 

[macksmom98]

Yes are all the bathroom functions happening like normal? There is no other way the rabbit could be getting water?

 

[Miss M]

If she's still doing well, I think she's got to be getting water somehow.

What do you feed her (including any treats, fruit, or vegetables)?

Is she still peeing and pooping normally?