Can someone help us?

[zippy-kat]

Hi and thanks for checking this post. Here's the problem:

My bunny, Sophie, has always had a picky tummy and is prone to gastric upsets. Currently, we are recovering from another round. Her appetite is almost back to normal but I can't get her to drink (much) on her own. She will drink a little bit of tang, other than that I am having to force liquids down her. Our vet has checked her mouth but can't find anything wrong.

I don't think it's a case of her waiting for me to 'nurse' her--she fights me with a passion when she sees the syringe coming!

Any ideas on how to get her drinking on her own again?

Any info/advice is greatly appreciated!

[Ben E Gas]

syringe? the poor bunny. I even run when I see that thing. Oh and my cat, forget about it, you better have armor on if you try and give him a shot.

You mean he won't even drink water? I never heard of giving a rabbit tang. Are you sure that's not what is upsetting the bunny? Can they have sugar?

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[zippy-kat]

No needles are involved...just wanted to clarify that! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif (We're using a sryinge to squirt water into her mouth.)

RE: Tang--it was recommended (by the vet) for Vitamin C. I'm pretty sure it wasn't the Tang that upset her--she didn't receive any until after she was feeling ill. But you're right about the sugar--I'm not sure how much is good for her. I sure hope the vet knew what she was talking about!

Sophie has perked up in the last couple of days THANK GOODNESS! She's beginning to be more active and her appetite is coming back as well. I just can't seem to get her to drink her 'normal' amount?! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/confused.gif

[Ben E Gas]

ooooooh. that makes me feel better about the needle.

Glad to hear that bunny is getting better.

[Karen]

I would make sure your vet has a lot of experience with rabbits, as I know bunnies don't tolerate sugar well - mine is limited, by weight, to 3 raisins daily.

What does your bunny usually eat? If she's getting lots of fresh greens, perhaps she doesn't need to drink that much?

[zippy-kat]

Sophie eats timmy hay (free access) and alfalfa based pellets. She also recieves fresh parsley and spinach as a treat.
According to the vet, Sophie is a bit underweight, so at this point I'm not too concerned w/ her gaining wt. However, I am wondering about the Tang/sugar (she hasn't received any since I read Ben's post).

re: vet--She has several other rabbit patients and was recommended to me by another vet. Hopefully, she was recommended beacuse of her knowledge and not just out of 'networking'.

Sophie has really improved over the last few days. (She was a little fireball this morning! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif )And she has begun to show interest in her water bottle again!!

I'd like to extend a special THANK YOU to all who took the time to reply!! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/wink.gif

[Ben E Gas]

I must be honest. I'm not a vet. So double check on that sugar thing. It may be good for bunny, it may not.

[Daisylover]

So glad to hear your bunny is better. I have 5 buns of my own and and volunteer at a rabbit sanctuary for 5 years as well. I have never heard of giving a bunny Tang. I would seriously doubt that a sugar based product is good for the bun. I have done extensive reading on rabbit diet, and high sugar fruits, grapes among them, are strongly discouraged, as are cereals, corn and bread. Please go to www.rabbit.org (http://www.rabbit.org) and view House Rabbit Society page, it is excellent source of bunny info.
Nor should bun have alfalfa...too much calcium in it which can cause liver damage. Buns should only have unlimited timothy hay, fresh veggies, and, contrary to the pet food manufacturing industry, NO pellets. No cedar or pine shavings in their litter box. The shavings when mixed with the urine produces fumes which have been proven to cause liver damage and death.
You are right in having fresh water available but buns as a rule don't drink a lot of water
anyways. Do not force water on the bun.
I would also recommend you find another vet, one who specializes in exotics such as rabbits. Your vet may mean well but without the speciality training she could do more harm than good. Best wishes.

[zippy-kat]

THANKS for the link! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif

VERY informative!!