9 year old mini dutch rabbit won't eat
by Janet
(Kittanning, Pa. U.S.A.)
I have a nine year old mini dutch, male. The last few days he would eat only lettuce, apple bits and small pieces of banana. He normally loves his pellets but he won't go near them. Tonight he wouldn't even take the lettuce, so I went outside and cut him some grass because one other time that and a little Crisco seemed to help him. but that didn't help either. I gave him the Crisco in some lettuce two days ago, nothing. His poop (what there is of it) is dry, so I got a new water bottle and even tried a water bowl. I can't get him to a vet for two days. Any advice for me and my little Jasper?
***** Karen Sez *****I guess you don't need to be told that Jasper is very old in bunny years. It might just be nearing the end of its life.
On the other hand, you'd like to do what you can in case there's any hope for turning things around. So let's brainstorm a bit.
How are Jasper's teeth? Is he able to chew? If the bunny is developing a tooth spur or a malocclusion in its molars, it could be it can't chew without sharp jagged edges hurting him. If you work a few pellets, a piece of banana and some water into a mush, will he eat it?
Adding a bit of solid fat is a good idea - I'd recommend coconut oil over Crisco, which is an unhealthy trans-fat. Another option could be black oil sunflower seeds (bird seed). (If the teeth are maloccluded, the oil seeds will probably be too difficult for the rabbit to masticate.)
Supposing his teeth are fine, however, I'm concerned that the rabbit is becoming dehydrated. If his intestines slow down and then stop, this will not bode well for the rabbit's survival. I appreciate the lengths you are reaching toward in order to help your rabbit get better.
You sent your note a few days ago; did Jasper see the vet? What did the vet say? Is the bunny on the mend, or has he died?