Bunny stopped eating

[breezy B ranch]

we have a 1 year old dwarf lion head. Up until a few days ago he was eating fine. Pellets and timothy hay. Then all of a sudden he stopped eating. He is drinking water still and is running around acting normal. He will eat fruit and celery. I'm not sure what type of lettuce is safe to try. I got a new brand of pellets today but he seems uninterested. Any suggestions? FYI we do not give him treats a lot only maybe once every week or two. So I know it is not because he is spoiled on treats. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!! We found this bunny the day before Easter hopping in the middle of a dirt road with his eyes glued shut from infection. We have nursed the little guy back to health. And despite what everyone thought he is not blind. We are worried and would love help from people that know more than we to.
Thanks!!!

 

[animalmom]

Are you sure he is drinking? Rabbits won't eat if they can't drink... but you say he is eating fruit and celery. How are his bunny berries? Are they the same size as usual, different shape -- like football shape instead of round, much smaller than usual?

Has he been shedding a lot, and are you brushing him to help get out the loose fur?

I'd be thinking about calling your vet. The little guy can't live on fruit and celery. I'm thinking this sounds like a digestive problem... maybe he is starting a hairball. Please, please, I'm not a vet, nor do I play one on TV. Lots of us can make guesses, but this little guy deserves better than that. Sounds like he's had enough bad time in his life already.

If his tummy is off a little, you could try giving him some probiotics... Florentero is labeled for rabbits. I've use it on a buck that was going through some antibiotic treatment. After he figured out it wouldn't hurt him, he liked it. It is in a dialed syringe type device and you just squeeze it on top of his food.

I know you can get Florentero online. VetApprovedrx.com is where I buy it. I think it is a little pricy, but...

If it was me I'd be calling my vet.

Regardless, do keep us posted on your little guy, please.

 

[alsea1]

Once a rabbit quits eating right you don't have much time to get it back on track.
I have had problems with cocci. The rabbit may also have other types of worms that may be affecting him.
Def. give probiotics.
I have used sulmet and corid with the rabbits with success if it is cocci.
Rabbits have a very delicate digestive tract.
Has he been grinding his teeth at all. If he does this could be pain. Rabbits do not tolerate pain very well either.
Until he gets back on track I would try to get some ben e pak into him.

 

[breezy B ranch]

He is not grinding his teeth. He is drinking because we have been watching. I tried a new food and he has eaten a little of it. We also gave him some alfalfa treat sticks and he eats the whole thing. They are about 2in long and about as big around as a dime. He is still pooping. The size is smaller but still a round ball. His personality is still the same. He has not become listless or grumpy at all.
Thanks for the input.

 

[alsea1]

Sounds like he just does not care for the pellets.
I had a doe that was a bit picky for awhile.
Mine would only eat fresh grass.

 

[breezy B ranch]

We did not know we needed to help with his hair. He is mat free. We started brushing him tonight. We do know enough to keep his nails short and have blocks for him to chew to keep his teeth down. What do you do for a hair ball and what are the signs? Also we live in southern Arizona and don't really have access to grass is there any thing you can suggest such as spinach or kale? We noticed tonight that it looked like he might have ate some of the Timothy hay I leave free feed for him. I will keep trying different foods and keep a close eye. I will try and find probiotics locally so I can get them on board asap. I will also make an apt with a vet. There is only like one in town that takes rabbits. Also I may try to find a book on lion heads to make sure we know what we need specifically for the breed.
Thank you!!!!!!

 

[breezy B ranch]

Easter is still doing good. I'm off to the store to get some Kale and Parsley to help with eating. I'm also fencing off a bed room so he can have run of it and get more exercise to see if that helps as per a rabbit web site. I'll be calling the vet in a bit its still to early here to call. No one is open yet. I'll keep you up dated.
Robin

 

[alsea1]

LOL. He is going to be a very spoiled boy.
I imagine he will be fine with all the things your doing.
As for hairballs, I'm not sure.

 

[breezy B ranch]

Well Easter is eating and pooping again! Whew Who!! Thursday we noticed his eyes looked funny though. We went to the vet Friday and she said his gut sounds good, no teeth problems and a good weight. He does have an issue where his eyelids roll in a bit and he got a double eye infection. She said she did not recommend surgery like you would do with a dog, but just to use antibiotics and always keep his hair out of his eyes. We may go through this once in a while. If we stay on top of it and keep an "eye" lol on it he will be fine and have a good quality of life. Thank you for helping me out!! We were very worried and you all helped me out and for that I am great full!!