Strange chewing, off behavior and eating/drinking less

[SIMZ]

Hi everyone! I'm a poultry person, but have a 7-year-old pet mini-rex male rabbit, and am hoping someone can help me out.

The last few days he's been acting a little off. He's not as friendly as usual and is eating and drinking MUCH less than usual. He's also sitting around like he's chewing gum - opening his mouth and sticking his tongue out. He's not making sounds with it. He can easily eat a baby carrot and a few Calf Manna pellets and chewed a hole in a chicken feed bag last night, so he's still somewhat acting normally.

I suspect a dental problem since he's also had a slightly watery eye with no other symptoms for the last couple of months.

He lives in a wooden hutch during the day in our garage. He has free run of the garage all night and is put back in his cage during the day. He eats Purina Rabbit chow pellets, with constant access to a hay bale and a few fruit tree sticks. He also chews and destroy various things around the garage as his hobby, so I'd think that would keep his teeth in decent shape.

What can I do? What can I check for? Any ideas? Thanks so much!

 

[Pastor Dave]

That sounds frustrating for you, and I wish I could think of a cause that you haven't mentioned. I haven't come up against this yet. If he is still eating ok, it could be a sore or dental issue that might heal with time.

I will tag some that may have experienced this bfore. @DutchBunny03 @Bunnylady @samssimonsays @HaloRabbits @Hens and Roos

 

[firedragon1982]

Possibly an abscessed tooth in the back? Short of a costly vet visit I have no ideas...

 

[Bunnylady]

Possibly an abscessed tooth in the back? Short of a costly vet visit I have no ideas...

Tooth issue is my best bet, too. It may not be an abscess; with the open roots, rabbit teeth can wear unevenly, just as a horse's can.

 

[SIMZ]

If it is a tooth issue, is a costly vet visit the only option or do they sometimes fix themselves?

What I've read seems like anesthesia would be involved at the least with molar problems.

What would you experienced rabbit owners do with a rabbit behaving this way?

 

[samssimonsays]

He could still have a good few more years to go yet in his life. It all depends on how much you are able and willing to spend on him. Anesthesia is risky for any rabbit but usually the only option. I agree with the above that it sounds like a tooth issue. Maybe just something lodged.

 

[SIMZ]

Thanks everyone!

 

[DutchBunny03]

Does he have any Netherland Dwarf in him? They are very prone to malcullusion(the misalignment of the teeth), so it may be showing up in him. Turn him over and check his teeth. Give him soft food(fruit, greens, water, hay), and closely observe his behavior. If he does have something lodged in his teeth, it should go away after a while.

 

[SIMZ]

Thank you for the reply! He is a Mini Rex. An experienced rabbit acquaintance suggested I treat him for bloat/statis and give him gas drops. I don't know if it was a coincidence or they helped, but after about 3 doses he started scarfing down food and acting much better. Today he seems back to normal and ate his normal bowl of pellets and drank a whole bowl of water just like he usually does. He also seems to be able to eat anything without a problem, so I don't know if it was something stuck in his throat/teeth/mouth, a tooth issue that got better, or something else that just resolved. I'm very glad that he's doing better!

 

[Pastor Dave]

That is wonderful. You had lots of good advice by only hearing a description on here. Now that you had good results, please join in and make yourself a home here and share in some interesting day to day happenings.