harplady
Registered: 04/18/07
Posts: 99
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Reply with quote | #1 |
My rabbit Niomi hadn't eaten for 3 days. She is kenneled with her sister Peaches, who has put on weight because she has been eating her sister's food. Yesterday, Niomi seemed depressed and so I rushed her to the emergency vet. She was checked out by two vets and both agreed that she is a healthy rabbit. No blood work or fecals were done. This morning Niomi is just fine, after no treatment. She is eating and full of energy, unlike the last couple of days. This has happened about four times before this year, but this is the first time I took her to see a vet for this problem. Not eating seems to be unrelated to weather. Any ideas on what is going on with Niomi?
Niomi and Peaches live outside in a covered kennel with a hutch. They are free to go in and out of their hutch at anytime, day or night, to play and graze in the grass. Niomi is the dominant rabbit of the two. Both rabbits are spayed.
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Charlcie
Moderator
Registered: 04/15/07
Posts: 120
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Reply with quote | #2 |
It does sound like Niomi is fine now. It also sounds like she gets plenty of excercise and roughage. What type of food does Niomi and her sister get? Moult will often cause depression of appetite, but since you mentioned this has happened 4 other times this year, that doesn't seem likely as the cause.
My sister has a house rabbit that goes off feed occasionally. In this case, I recommend a change such as a bit of apple or letting her out to run and explore. Those little changes seem to work.
Niomi might just be getting bored. It looks like the trip to the vet's office, even though they really didn't treat her, was enough of a departure from her daily routine to have perked her up.
Charlcie
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Charlcie
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com |
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harplady
Registered: 04/18/07
Posts: 99
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Reply with quote | #3 |
Niomi was still down hours after seeing the vet, and refused to take any kind of treats. I was wondering if a parasite could cause this kind of behavior? Should I be deworming her on a regular basis during the summer? I just picked up some dewormer, but I think I will wait a few days before I give it to her so she can put on some weight first. Niomi gets fresh hay daily, 1/2 cup timothy/alfalfa pellets and a variety of greens, broccoli, clover, turnup greens etc. I also going to give her some acid 4 pack, which I have not done yet.
I will move her "playground equiptment" around in her yard to give her more stimulation. I never thought of the bordom factor.
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Charlcie
Moderator
Registered: 04/15/07
Posts: 120
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Reply with quote | #4 |
Parasites can always be considered. It wouldn't hurt to give her an antithelmintic even if if just prophylactically. The fact that she seems to go off-feed and then comes out of it spontaneously is interesting. Her diet sounds good so I wouldn't change anything in that regard as it seems like she is getting lots of variety. Are you anywhere near where blackberries grow? Blackberry leaves are a good natural appetite stimulant and also helps with mild diarrheas.
Keep me posted.
Charlcie
__________________
Charlcie
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com |
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harplady
Registered: 04/18/07
Posts: 99
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Reply with quote | #5 |
Niomi was moulting when she stopped eating this time. I never took note of when she did it before. Perhaps it is related to moulting. I should have blogged "It happened four times within a year" and not "four times this year". My mistake! Thanks for your help. |
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