What causes loss of appetite in rabbits?
Stress – stress is a common cause of reduced appetite in rabbits and is often triggered by what seem like minor events to us, such as a change in housing, loud music, or a new pet joining the household. Gut stasis/ileus – gut stasis (also called ileus), is when the guts slow down, or stop moving completely.
What to do for a rabbit that won’t eat?
Help! My Rabbit Won’t Eat
- Provide a variety of quality fresh grass hays and leafy greens.
- Avoid processed foods, fruits, grains, sugars or lucerne hay.
- If the appetite does not improve within 12 hours, or if the rabbit is quieter than usual please see a vet ASAP.
Do rabbits stop eating when they are in pain?
rabbits that are in pain will stop eating and go very quiet. The pain could be anywhere, and post-surgical pain is a common reason for rabbits to turn down food, although joint pain is also common.
Why is my rabbit acting weird and not eating?
If you notice that your rabbit is refusing to eat or has lost weight, it’s possible they’re suffering from anorexia (a loss of appetite) or pseudoanorexia (the inability to chew or swallow food). Signs and symptoms include fecal pellets that are small in size or quantity as well as halitosis (aka ” bad breath”).
How do I know if my bunny has GI stasis?
Rabbits with GI stasis can quickly become lethargic and may exhibit signs of pain such as teeth grinding and a hunched posture. They may also begin to produce excessive gas and sometimes soft stool or diarrhea.
How do I know if my rabbit has a blockage?
Rabbits with an intestinal obstruction present severe abdominal pain and as a result will become anorexic, unwilling to move and grind their teeth in pain (bruxism). They will also press their abdomen on the ground, have a bloated and distended abdomen, and cease production of faecal pellets.
How do you know if your rabbit has a stomach ache?
Signs of abdominal pain may include bruxism (teeth grinding), pressing their abdomen on the ground or a hunched posture. General treatment involve rehydrating the rabbit and re-establishing a healthy gut microbial environment. Nursing also includes care to prevent secondary skin problems.
How do you treat rabbit GI stasis at home?
The best cure for GI stasis is prevention. Be sure your rabbit companion gets plenty of dietary fiber from fresh grass hay. Feed high fiber (22% or higher crude fiber) pellets. Be sure your rabbit is drinking sufficient water to keep ingested food hydrated and moving smoothly.
How much does it cost to fix GI stasis?
Apart from being a very serious condition, gut stasis can be expensive to treat. Just the medications alone can cost around $150–200. If hospitalisation is needed, you could easily spend several hundred dollars and if surgery is needed, this can be thousands.