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Anorexic Milton
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noah...@yahoo.com
May 13, 2012, 11:37:43 AM5/13/12
to
my little guy, Milton, has gone off his food. i adopted milton in
february. he came with a clean bill of health from rabbit rescue. he
is a fine little bunny but from day one he has never been interested
in hay or vegetables. i guess that may be because he had a limited
diet at the shelter before he came home with me. he would however eat
food pellets and occasional fruit treats. i do always keep hay in his
habitat hoping he'll get a taste for it.
i tried a few different brands of food pellets to see what he liked
best and he would always balk at the new food for a couple of days
before acccepting it. recently he ignored his new food for a few days
and then just wouldnt eat anything including his former favorites. i
took him to vet who checked his teeth his lungs and his gut. he was
pronounced heathy. he was passing gobs of caecal mucus instead of
fecal pellets so that showed he wasn't in stasis. the vet gave him
some SC fluids and a couple of shots and sent me home with a couple
bottles of prescription meds.
i have been syringe feeding milton for a couple of days with Oxbow
Critical Care. he is producing fecal pellets. not ideal perfect
pellets but at least it shows his gut is working. he still shows no
interest in his food although once he wolfed down a slice of apple and
later enjoyed a few yogurt covered raisins. the only thing he goes
for every time is ice cream. go figure. i only let him have a little
cuz i don't imagine it's the best thing for him.
has anybody out there had a similar experience with an anorexic buny?
hopefully with a happy outcome? any suggestions for stimulating his
appetite?
february. he came with a clean bill of health from rabbit rescue. he
is a fine little bunny but from day one he has never been interested
in hay or vegetables. i guess that may be because he had a limited
diet at the shelter before he came home with me. he would however eat
food pellets and occasional fruit treats. i do always keep hay in his
habitat hoping he'll get a taste for it.
i tried a few different brands of food pellets to see what he liked
best and he would always balk at the new food for a couple of days
before acccepting it. recently he ignored his new food for a few days
and then just wouldnt eat anything including his former favorites. i
took him to vet who checked his teeth his lungs and his gut. he was
pronounced heathy. he was passing gobs of caecal mucus instead of
fecal pellets so that showed he wasn't in stasis. the vet gave him
some SC fluids and a couple of shots and sent me home with a couple
bottles of prescription meds.
i have been syringe feeding milton for a couple of days with Oxbow
Critical Care. he is producing fecal pellets. not ideal perfect
pellets but at least it shows his gut is working. he still shows no
interest in his food although once he wolfed down a slice of apple and
later enjoyed a few yogurt covered raisins. the only thing he goes
for every time is ice cream. go figure. i only let him have a little
cuz i don't imagine it's the best thing for him.
has anybody out there had a similar experience with an anorexic buny?
hopefully with a happy outcome? any suggestions for stimulating his
appetite?
eavdveen
May 13, 2012, 3:35:55 PM5/13/12
to
Sorry to hear about Milton! Some suggestions:
- pre- and probiotics; ask your vet for protexin
- fresh herbs and grass, apple and willowleaves and twigs (all in
moderation)
- maybe Milton is infected with E. cuniculi; weightloss could be one
of the symptoms; treatment includes Fenbendazol.
- be very careful with the apple and yogurt covered raisins - sugar is
a no no in these circumstances
Hope some of this helps!
Els
- pre- and probiotics; ask your vet for protexin
- fresh herbs and grass, apple and willowleaves and twigs (all in
moderation)
- maybe Milton is infected with E. cuniculi; weightloss could be one
of the symptoms; treatment includes Fenbendazol.
- be very careful with the apple and yogurt covered raisins - sugar is
a no no in these circumstances
Hope some of this helps!
Els
Nona
May 14, 2012, 3:45:16 AM5/14/12
to
Hi,
Please don't be angry at me, but anything sweet is really the wrong
thing to be feeding him now.
Bunnies get what is called "stasis," meaning their guts stop
working--just come to a halt. They are static, IOW, it is a very common
condition -- and it is can easily be fatal.
Please read this article carefully. It explains it all:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html
You did exactly the right thing in taking your bunny to the vet, and you
are probably saving your bunny's life by force-feeding him the Critical
Care.
Believe me, most of us here (and those who have departed for Facebook)
have been there and done that.
Since the vet pronounced his teeth fine, my guess is that he does not
like the hay being offered. Most standard pet store hay is crap to begin
with. Second, if he was not used to eating hay and got all the pellets
he wanted, he had no reason to learn to eat hay, especially if it was
not a tasty hay.
My strong suggestion is to get a really good hay such as American Pet
Diner Timothy Gold, which is only available through the internet. For
immediate use, I strongly suggest you try to find some Oxbow orchard
grass. It is also a delicious hay. Oxbow timothy may also be available
at stores local to you. You can learn who carries it at Oxbow's Website:
http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/
Hay should be 60% of house rabbits' diets, according to vets.
It is hay that keeps their guts moving and prevents what is happening
with your bunny. It is vitally important to your rabbit's health and
survival.
With greens, have you tried tempting him with Italian (flat) parsley?
Mint? Dill? It is also important that your rabbit learn to like and eat
greens. Bunnies will often eat fragrant herbs when they won't eat
anything else. My buns prefer kale above just about anything. You could
try that, too. Dandelion is also a favorite. Don't use dandelions from
outside unless you are sure they have not been sprayed with anything.
I hope these suggestions will help.
Meanwhile please do not feed him more sweets. As the article linked
above states, sweets contribute enormously to the overgrowth of bad
bacteria in your bunny's gut, which is likely the source of his problems.
You might also help him through this with some phazyme baby gas drops
(for human babies). My buns will actually usually eat half an adult
tablet of anti-gas medicine. You cannot overdose your rabbit on this,
but since the tablets tend to have a bit of sugar in them, you don't
want to give too much either.
Another thing--as an adult rabbit, your bunny should be eating a
timothy-hay-based pellet. Oxbow makes one. A lot of pellets are crap,
too, and most of them you find in pet stores are alfalfa-based. As Dana
Krempel's article (link above) states, alfalfa can also contribute to
overgrowth of the bad bacteria.
I hope this helps.
Please let us know how it goes.
Nona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please don't be angry at me, but anything sweet is really the wrong
thing to be feeding him now.
Bunnies get what is called "stasis," meaning their guts stop
working--just come to a halt. They are static, IOW, it is a very common
condition -- and it is can easily be fatal.
Please read this article carefully. It explains it all:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html
You did exactly the right thing in taking your bunny to the vet, and you
are probably saving your bunny's life by force-feeding him the Critical
Care.
Believe me, most of us here (and those who have departed for Facebook)
have been there and done that.
Since the vet pronounced his teeth fine, my guess is that he does not
like the hay being offered. Most standard pet store hay is crap to begin
with. Second, if he was not used to eating hay and got all the pellets
he wanted, he had no reason to learn to eat hay, especially if it was
not a tasty hay.
My strong suggestion is to get a really good hay such as American Pet
Diner Timothy Gold, which is only available through the internet. For
immediate use, I strongly suggest you try to find some Oxbow orchard
grass. It is also a delicious hay. Oxbow timothy may also be available
at stores local to you. You can learn who carries it at Oxbow's Website:
http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/
Hay should be 60% of house rabbits' diets, according to vets.
It is hay that keeps their guts moving and prevents what is happening
with your bunny. It is vitally important to your rabbit's health and
survival.
With greens, have you tried tempting him with Italian (flat) parsley?
Mint? Dill? It is also important that your rabbit learn to like and eat
greens. Bunnies will often eat fragrant herbs when they won't eat
anything else. My buns prefer kale above just about anything. You could
try that, too. Dandelion is also a favorite. Don't use dandelions from
outside unless you are sure they have not been sprayed with anything.
I hope these suggestions will help.
Meanwhile please do not feed him more sweets. As the article linked
above states, sweets contribute enormously to the overgrowth of bad
bacteria in your bunny's gut, which is likely the source of his problems.
You might also help him through this with some phazyme baby gas drops
(for human babies). My buns will actually usually eat half an adult
tablet of anti-gas medicine. You cannot overdose your rabbit on this,
but since the tablets tend to have a bit of sugar in them, you don't
want to give too much either.
Another thing--as an adult rabbit, your bunny should be eating a
timothy-hay-based pellet. Oxbow makes one. A lot of pellets are crap,
too, and most of them you find in pet stores are alfalfa-based. As Dana
Krempel's article (link above) states, alfalfa can also contribute to
overgrowth of the bad bacteria.
I hope this helps.
Please let us know how it goes.
Nona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nona
May 14, 2012, 3:56:02 AM5/14/12
to noah...@yahoo.com
That your bunny is passing mucus does not mean he is not in stasis:
"Symptoms of GI stasis include very small (or no) fecal pellets,
sometimes clinging to the bunny's bottom. In some cases, very small
fecal pellets will be encased in clear or yellowish mucus. This
indicates a potentially serious problem (enteritis, an inflammation of
the intestinal lining) which must be treated as an emergency."
[from the Krempels article, refenced earlier]
"Symptoms of GI stasis include very small (or no) fecal pellets,
sometimes clinging to the bunny's bottom. In some cases, very small
fecal pellets will be encased in clear or yellowish mucus. This
indicates a potentially serious problem (enteritis, an inflammation of
the intestinal lining) which must be treated as an emergency."
[from the Krempels article, refenced earlier]
Nona
May 14, 2012, 4:00:25 AM5/14/12
to noah...@yahoo.com
Very gentle massage of your bunny's abdomen can also help break up the
gas and encourage intestinal movement.
I hope Reglan was one of the medicines you were given. It can be a
lifesaver in helping restore your bun's GI tract to normal function.
Don't stop giving the meds when the rabbit starts eating again. Continue
for a day or two after to make sure everything continues in the right
direction.
gas and encourage intestinal movement.
I hope Reglan was one of the medicines you were given. It can be a
lifesaver in helping restore your bun's GI tract to normal function.
Don't stop giving the meds when the rabbit starts eating again. Continue
for a day or two after to make sure everything continues in the right
direction.
noah...@yahoo.com
May 14, 2012, 11:29:17 AM5/14/12
to
Thank you Nona for your thoughtful insights. I don't have enough
experience with bunnies (milton is my first) to avoid making mistakes.
for example i had supposed that sweets were not the ideal breakfast
for bunnies but since so many of the commercial bunny treats proclaim
their sweetness like it was a virtue i thought they weren't actually
harmful. your comment that sweets may be the cause of his distress
was an eye opener. i'll be picking up some baby gas drops this
morning.
i also did not realize that milton could be passing some pellets with
mucus and still be in stasis. my vet seems not to have realized that
either or at least he did not communicate that to me. the meds i was
given are baytril (antibiotic 2x daily) and reglan (promobility 3x
daily). i have been mixing those with his feedings to reduce the
stress of multiple forced feedings.
since he has been with me (before his present crisis) i have offered
him two different brands of timothy hay and one brand of alfalfa hay
without his having the slightest interest in them. also he has had
and eaten two different types of timothy-based pellets made by kaytee
and one by sunaturals which he did not eat. it was when i changed his
feed from kaytee to sunaturals that he stopped eating. now he won't
eat the former favorite kaytee "timothy complete" pellets either.
i have tried tempting milton with spinach, bell peppers, raspberries,
pear, oranges, bananas, apple and yogurt raisins. so far he has shown
limited interest in the last two and no interest in the rest. i will
later today shop for some fresh herbs and check my pet supply store
for orchard grass.
milton remains alert, responsive, affectionate and sometimes even
playful. he sometimes stretches out extending his paws front and back
which i understand is an indication of bunny-contentment. i take all
this to mean he not experiencing illness or pain. but despite his
overt "well-being" i do not underestimate the seriousness of his
condition.
Thanks.
On Mon, 14 May 2012 03:45:16 -0400, Nona <nona_c...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
experience with bunnies (milton is my first) to avoid making mistakes.
for example i had supposed that sweets were not the ideal breakfast
for bunnies but since so many of the commercial bunny treats proclaim
their sweetness like it was a virtue i thought they weren't actually
harmful. your comment that sweets may be the cause of his distress
was an eye opener. i'll be picking up some baby gas drops this
morning.
i also did not realize that milton could be passing some pellets with
mucus and still be in stasis. my vet seems not to have realized that
either or at least he did not communicate that to me. the meds i was
given are baytril (antibiotic 2x daily) and reglan (promobility 3x
daily). i have been mixing those with his feedings to reduce the
stress of multiple forced feedings.
since he has been with me (before his present crisis) i have offered
him two different brands of timothy hay and one brand of alfalfa hay
without his having the slightest interest in them. also he has had
and eaten two different types of timothy-based pellets made by kaytee
and one by sunaturals which he did not eat. it was when i changed his
feed from kaytee to sunaturals that he stopped eating. now he won't
eat the former favorite kaytee "timothy complete" pellets either.
i have tried tempting milton with spinach, bell peppers, raspberries,
pear, oranges, bananas, apple and yogurt raisins. so far he has shown
limited interest in the last two and no interest in the rest. i will
later today shop for some fresh herbs and check my pet supply store
for orchard grass.
milton remains alert, responsive, affectionate and sometimes even
playful. he sometimes stretches out extending his paws front and back
which i understand is an indication of bunny-contentment. i take all
this to mean he not experiencing illness or pain. but despite his
overt "well-being" i do not underestimate the seriousness of his
condition.
Thanks.
On Mon, 14 May 2012 03:45:16 -0400, Nona <nona_c...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
Nona
May 14, 2012, 11:41:13 PM5/14/12
to noah...@yahoo.com
Yes, When Els says "apples" she is referring to apple **leaves**. I
would not be giving any fruit and especially not any yogurt (and sugar)
coated raisins at this time.
In fact, I don't think I'd ever give my buns something as sugary as
that. I have one bun who is more than 9 years old, and another who will
be 9 in July. I've had rabbits continuously now for more than 20 years.
And believe me, I've made my share of awful mistakes, and I've learned
some bitter and hard lessons as a result.
I do give my 7-lb. buns **2** plain raisins **or** a slice of banana
about the size of two quarters pressed together a day as a night time
treat **when they are completely healthy.** I do not give any sweets
when they have any kind of stomach issues.
I think I recommended www.rabbit.org to you. Fantastic, right-on
information about maintaining your house rabbit in good health and
well-being. Also a link to expert rabbit vets. At least yours knew to
give Reglan and the antibiotic, which may be for the presumed
inflammation in his gut.
You didn't say where you are. Someone closer to you might be able to
help with more local info. I am in Brooklyn, NYC.
Nona
Keep up the good work with little Milton.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
would not be giving any fruit and especially not any yogurt (and sugar)
coated raisins at this time.
In fact, I don't think I'd ever give my buns something as sugary as
that. I have one bun who is more than 9 years old, and another who will
be 9 in July. I've had rabbits continuously now for more than 20 years.
And believe me, I've made my share of awful mistakes, and I've learned
some bitter and hard lessons as a result.
I do give my 7-lb. buns **2** plain raisins **or** a slice of banana
about the size of two quarters pressed together a day as a night time
treat **when they are completely healthy.** I do not give any sweets
when they have any kind of stomach issues.
I think I recommended www.rabbit.org to you. Fantastic, right-on
information about maintaining your house rabbit in good health and
well-being. Also a link to expert rabbit vets. At least yours knew to
give Reglan and the antibiotic, which may be for the presumed
inflammation in his gut.
You didn't say where you are. Someone closer to you might be able to
help with more local info. I am in Brooklyn, NYC.
Nona
Keep up the good work with little Milton.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
noah...@yahoo.com
May 15, 2012, 7:53:22 AM5/15/12
to
Hi Nona, i got the baby gas drops and a load of veggies for milton.
offered him some snap peas, no interest. tried some parsley, no
interest. offered some kale and he was all over it, i mean like shark
attack. he went at it like he hadn't eaten in a week, which is more
or less true.
after his initial feeding frenzy he settled down to some regular
munching. went through about a cup and a half if it had been chopped
up. i felt good enough about it pass on his afternoon and evening
syringe feedings. he did get his meds though.
i included some cut up kale (he seems to prefer the stalks to the
leaves) in habitat overnight. this morning i see that he did make
some inroads into that last night but not anything proportional to his
afternoon consumption. also he did not apparently have any of his
food pellets.
he is drinking water and urinating in his litter box as usual. he has
produced some fecal pellets, a little darker than before but i suppose
the all green diet may have something to do with that. however it
seems like pellet production is low considering the volume of veggies
he ate yesterday.
my concern now is whether or not milton will continue (and expand?)
his interest in vegetables and how he can be coaxed to eat some
pellets and hay.
and btw, i also live in brooklyn, in bushwick.
On Mon, 14 May 2012 23:41:13 -0400, Nona <nona_c...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
offered him some snap peas, no interest. tried some parsley, no
interest. offered some kale and he was all over it, i mean like shark
attack. he went at it like he hadn't eaten in a week, which is more
or less true.
after his initial feeding frenzy he settled down to some regular
munching. went through about a cup and a half if it had been chopped
up. i felt good enough about it pass on his afternoon and evening
syringe feedings. he did get his meds though.
i included some cut up kale (he seems to prefer the stalks to the
leaves) in habitat overnight. this morning i see that he did make
some inroads into that last night but not anything proportional to his
afternoon consumption. also he did not apparently have any of his
food pellets.
he is drinking water and urinating in his litter box as usual. he has
produced some fecal pellets, a little darker than before but i suppose
the all green diet may have something to do with that. however it
seems like pellet production is low considering the volume of veggies
he ate yesterday.
my concern now is whether or not milton will continue (and expand?)
his interest in vegetables and how he can be coaxed to eat some
pellets and hay.
and btw, i also live in brooklyn, in bushwick.
On Mon, 14 May 2012 23:41:13 -0400, Nona <nona_c...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
noah...@yahoo.com
May 15, 2012, 11:36:39 AM5/15/12
to
On Sun, 13 May 2012 11:37:43 -0400, noah...@yahoo.com wrote:
i have had cats all my life so i have a tendency to treat milton
something like he was a cat. i know this is such a newbie question,
but, do rabbits have a feeding schedule or do they just eat whenever
they feel like it? how do you serve your bunny her vegetables and in
what quantity?
i have had cats all my life so i have a tendency to treat milton
something like he was a cat. i know this is such a newbie question,
but, do rabbits have a feeding schedule or do they just eat whenever
they feel like it? how do you serve your bunny her vegetables and in
what quantity?
noah...@yahoo.com
May 15, 2012, 7:47:40 PM5/15/12
to
this liittle guy is so frustrating. he ate like a champ yesterday.
had some nibbles overnight too. then this morning after his a.m. meds
he decides he doesn't trust me and gets all sulky - and won't eat.
i've offered him kale (which he devoured yesterday), mint, snap peas,
and spinach. no sale, he ain't buying it. if he doesn't start
munching before bedtime i'm going to have to go back to the feeding
syringe.
had some nibbles overnight too. then this morning after his a.m. meds
he decides he doesn't trust me and gets all sulky - and won't eat.
i've offered him kale (which he devoured yesterday), mint, snap peas,
and spinach. no sale, he ain't buying it. if he doesn't start
munching before bedtime i'm going to have to go back to the feeding
syringe.
jerseyb...@yahoo.com
May 15, 2012, 7:37:32 PM5/15/12
to
noah...@yahoo.com
May 16, 2012, 8:05:27 AM5/16/12
to
You shouuld assume I know nothing. What kind of grass? from where?
i'm in the middlle of the city.
On Tue, 15 May 2012 16:37:32 -0700 (PDT), jerseyb...@yahoo.com
wrote:
noah...@yahoo.com
May 16, 2012, 8:13:12 AM5/16/12
to
just minutes after i posted the previous message milton decided to
give me one more chance and got friendly again. and with that his
appetite returned. he had some veggies but still will not eat his
food pelllets.
i am reluctant to return to syringe feeding because it so stressful
for both of us and his appetite seems to be affected by stress. i
don't know if he's eating enough of the vegetables to get by and i
don't know how to get him interested in his food pellets or hay. btw,
milton weighs about 4 lbs. that was his weight when i got him and
that's what he weighed at the recent vet visit.
give me one more chance and got friendly again. and with that his
appetite returned. he had some veggies but still will not eat his
food pelllets.
i am reluctant to return to syringe feeding because it so stressful
for both of us and his appetite seems to be affected by stress. i
don't know if he's eating enough of the vegetables to get by and i
don't know how to get him interested in his food pellets or hay. btw,
milton weighs about 4 lbs. that was his weight when i got him and
that's what he weighed at the recent vet visit.
jerseyb...@yahoo.com
May 16, 2012, 7:38:23 PM5/16/12
to
On Sunday, May 13, 2012 11:37:43 AM UTC-4, (unknown) wrote:
Nona
May 17, 2012, 1:50:32 AM5/17/12
to
On 5/16/2012 7:38 PM, jerseyb...@yahoo.com wrote:
> sometimes it takes quite a while of meds and feeding for them to get back to normal. keep consistant
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> sometimes it takes quite a while of meds and feeding for them to get back to normal. keep consistant
You are right, Beth.
I had to force feed Pinky for a month once. what a pain, and yet
anything for my princess
Speaking of Pinky, and speaking of anorexic buns -- Dr. Stanzione gave
me cyproheptadine for her (pretty sure that was the name) as an appetite
stimulant.
I used to sneak it into her inside a raisin.
He told me it is an antihistamine. I guess someone just noticed that it
also stimulates the appetite. It worked well if I managed to get it to
her before she completely stopped eating.
Nona
Nona
May 17, 2012, 1:57:20 AM5/17/12
to
It *is* stressful to force feed them. It can also be a lifesaver.
If he is eating a cup or so of greens during the day, I might consider
giving him a break on the force feedings. The greens are better for him
than the pellets.
How many pellets do you give? He shouldn't even be getting more than
about 1/4 cup per day
Be sure not to let up on the Reglan.
That's my opinion.
Nona
If he is eating a cup or so of greens during the day, I might consider
giving him a break on the force feedings. The greens are better for him
than the pellets.
How many pellets do you give? He shouldn't even be getting more than
about 1/4 cup per day
Be sure not to let up on the Reglan.
That's my opinion.
Nona
Nona
May 17, 2012, 2:10:22 AM5/17/12
to
Rabbits are crepuscular--most active at dawn and dusk.
Around here, our gang gets a carrot top and a tiny bit of carrot root
early every morning for breakfast.
Around our dinnertime, they get their main serving of greens. I usually
give them (2 7-lb rabbits, one 3.5-lb. rabbit) about half a pound of
some green such as chicory when they express an interest by hanging out
around the feeding area. I repeat this a couple of times more before
bedtime as they finish what they were given earlier. When I go to bed, I
leave them a few green munchies.
The always, always, always, have an appetizing hay available to them,
and believe me, they eat a lot of it.
After putting the litter in their litter boxes (I use Feline Pine), I
fill their jumbo litter boxes with American Pet Diner Timothy Gold. I
have to add more hay a couple of times a day to keep up with what they
consume.
Nona
Around here, our gang gets a carrot top and a tiny bit of carrot root
early every morning for breakfast.
Around our dinnertime, they get their main serving of greens. I usually
give them (2 7-lb rabbits, one 3.5-lb. rabbit) about half a pound of
some green such as chicory when they express an interest by hanging out
around the feeding area. I repeat this a couple of times more before
bedtime as they finish what they were given earlier. When I go to bed, I
leave them a few green munchies.
The always, always, always, have an appetizing hay available to them,
and believe me, they eat a lot of it.
After putting the litter in their litter boxes (I use Feline Pine), I
fill their jumbo litter boxes with American Pet Diner Timothy Gold. I
have to add more hay a couple of times a day to keep up with what they
consume.
Nona
Nona
May 17, 2012, 2:34:19 AM5/17/12
to
That's a carrot top per bun, of course.
Hate the think of the chaos if we just gave one to the three of them.
Hate the think of the chaos if we just gave one to the three of them.
Nona
May 17, 2012, 2:48:51 AM5/17/12
to
As long as a decent amount of greens is going in, I think you can relax
a bit.
It does take them a while to get back completely on track.
My vets say to continue the meds for a few days *after* they have
resumed normal eating.
I volunteer with a group from the House Rabbit Society. We work with
rescued rabbits. I take care of the two buns at the Union Square Petco,
Manhattan, on Thursdays. I'll be there today from about 6 pm to 9 pm.
I could give you a sample of the APD hay if you'd like to show up there.
You could see how you little Milton likes it.
Alternatively, my SO Ira works at BAM, not too far from you. (We live in
Bay Ridge.) He could bring a bag of hay to work, and you could pick it
up from him.
Getting little Milton hooked on hay will make a big difference in your
life if it can be done.
Nona
a bit.
It does take them a while to get back completely on track.
My vets say to continue the meds for a few days *after* they have
resumed normal eating.
I volunteer with a group from the House Rabbit Society. We work with
rescued rabbits. I take care of the two buns at the Union Square Petco,
Manhattan, on Thursdays. I'll be there today from about 6 pm to 9 pm.
I could give you a sample of the APD hay if you'd like to show up there.
You could see how you little Milton likes it.
Alternatively, my SO Ira works at BAM, not too far from you. (We live in
Bay Ridge.) He could bring a bag of hay to work, and you could pick it
up from him.
Getting little Milton hooked on hay will make a big difference in your
life if it can be done.
Nona
noah...@yahoo.com
May 17, 2012, 10:49:23 AM5/17/12
to
i had been giving him unlimited pellets. it was all he would eat, he
shunned the hay. i didn't really keep track how much he went
through.. maybe it was a half cup more or less. in the future i
will limit this to 1/4 cup or less if i can get him on the hay. but
right now i just want him to eat *some* pellets.
milton like to hang out on my bed. that's the only cat hangout he can
reach and he likes to be near the other furballs, especially one cat
(Zorro) with whom he has become pals. also my bed is near my computer
and he has access to me too. he is very affectionate most of the time
(when i'm not force feding him). milton has become much more relaxed
about getting his meds. he's realized that it only takes a minute or
two if he cooperates and he is affectionate afterwards to show he
doesn't take it personally.
i have lately been keeping a small dish of pellets on the bed and
presenting them to him whenever i give him a lot of petting. i think
he gets the idea that i want him to take a taste. he gives it a
sniff, sometimes even seems intrigued, but hasn't yet taken a bite. i
now have three 5 lb bags of different pellets for one 4 lb rabbit.
he's being awfully picky about his food.
On Thu, 17 May 2012 01:57:20 -0400, Nona <nona_c...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
shunned the hay. i didn't really keep track how much he went
through.. maybe it was a half cup more or less. in the future i
will limit this to 1/4 cup or less if i can get him on the hay. but
right now i just want him to eat *some* pellets.
milton like to hang out on my bed. that's the only cat hangout he can
reach and he likes to be near the other furballs, especially one cat
(Zorro) with whom he has become pals. also my bed is near my computer
and he has access to me too. he is very affectionate most of the time
(when i'm not force feding him). milton has become much more relaxed
about getting his meds. he's realized that it only takes a minute or
two if he cooperates and he is affectionate afterwards to show he
doesn't take it personally.
i have lately been keeping a small dish of pellets on the bed and
presenting them to him whenever i give him a lot of petting. i think
he gets the idea that i want him to take a taste. he gives it a
sniff, sometimes even seems intrigued, but hasn't yet taken a bite. i
now have three 5 lb bags of different pellets for one 4 lb rabbit.
he's being awfully picky about his food.
On Thu, 17 May 2012 01:57:20 -0400, Nona <nona_c...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
noah...@yahoo.com
May 17, 2012, 10:59:56 AM5/17/12
to
yesterday milton went ape when i was eating a blueberry muffin. i
offered him a few blueberries and he gobbled them right up. so then i
tried crushing some blueberries and mixing them with some pellets. he
managed to lick up the crushed blueberries and left the pellets. no
trojan horses for milton, he's too clever for his own good.
On Thu, 17 May 2012 01:50:32 -0400, Nona <nona_c...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
offered him a few blueberries and he gobbled them right up. so then i
tried crushing some blueberries and mixing them with some pellets. he
managed to lick up the crushed blueberries and left the pellets. no
trojan horses for milton, he's too clever for his own good.
On Thu, 17 May 2012 01:50:32 -0400, Nona <nona_c...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
noah...@yahoo.com
May 20, 2012, 10:53:20 AM5/20/12
to
** Milton Update **
as i mentioned before milton has from the beginning of this crisis
been energetic, affectionate and playful, and careful about his
grooming, the only problem, and a very serious one,, was that he had
stopped eating. i took him to the vet who said he had no obvious
dental or health problem and gave milton a prescription for reglan.
i began syringe feeding milton with Oxbow Critical Care. after a few
days of this milton started eating vegetables in quantities
appropriate for his weight (according to what i have read online).
yesterday he began to eat his food pellets again as well as his
vegetables, but he still ignores his hay. milton's fecal pellet
production has improved although it is not yet up to his usual
standard.
i know how important hay is to his diet but he has not touched his hay
since the day i brought him home in february, i have been using
Kaytee Timothy Hay which was given to us at the adoption. i have
changed the hay in his pen every other day. i recently found a pet
supply shop not too far from home that carries Oxbow products and i
will try their timothy hay.
for the moment i am very encouraged by his gradual resumption of a
normal diet. he is in every other respect a healthy happy bunny. he
continues to get his reglan and has even developed a taste for it.
as i mentioned before milton has from the beginning of this crisis
been energetic, affectionate and playful, and careful about his
grooming, the only problem, and a very serious one,, was that he had
stopped eating. i took him to the vet who said he had no obvious
dental or health problem and gave milton a prescription for reglan.
i began syringe feeding milton with Oxbow Critical Care. after a few
days of this milton started eating vegetables in quantities
appropriate for his weight (according to what i have read online).
yesterday he began to eat his food pellets again as well as his
vegetables, but he still ignores his hay. milton's fecal pellet
production has improved although it is not yet up to his usual
standard.
i know how important hay is to his diet but he has not touched his hay
since the day i brought him home in february, i have been using
Kaytee Timothy Hay which was given to us at the adoption. i have
changed the hay in his pen every other day. i recently found a pet
supply shop not too far from home that carries Oxbow products and i
will try their timothy hay.
for the moment i am very encouraged by his gradual resumption of a
normal diet. he is in every other respect a healthy happy bunny. he
continues to get his reglan and has even developed a taste for it.
Nona
May 20, 2012, 11:35:03 PM5/20/12
to
Congratulations on your success with Milton. It's not easy nursing an
anorexic bun. Believe me, I have been there, and I know.
Please keep up the good work. In my experience, it can take a while for
a rabbit to return to full gut health when there have been issues.
I also applaud your determination to pursue the search for a hay that
appeals to Milton.
From 20+ years of living with rabbits, I am totally convinced that
there is not one single factor that is more important to their health
than daily consumption of large amounts of hay.
May I suggest that you look for Oxbow's Orchard Grass? Second only to
American Pet Diner Timothy Gold, it is the hay my rabbits have liked best.
Both of these hay varieties (as well as others, of course) are available
on the Internet.
Thank you also for sharing Milton's improvement. It means a lot. I was
concerned for the little guy.
Nona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
anorexic bun. Believe me, I have been there, and I know.
Please keep up the good work. In my experience, it can take a while for
a rabbit to return to full gut health when there have been issues.
I also applaud your determination to pursue the search for a hay that
appeals to Milton.
From 20+ years of living with rabbits, I am totally convinced that
there is not one single factor that is more important to their health
than daily consumption of large amounts of hay.
May I suggest that you look for Oxbow's Orchard Grass? Second only to
American Pet Diner Timothy Gold, it is the hay my rabbits have liked best.
Both of these hay varieties (as well as others, of course) are available
on the Internet.
Thank you also for sharing Milton's improvement. It means a lot. I was
concerned for the little guy.
Nona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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