Introducing Beatrice, the [edit: baby] Flemish Giant rabbit (never you mind the strange woman holding her). [She will get another 1/3 larger than this]
Chibi has been pretty low since Nee left for school. We decided that as mom and daughter we would take up showing rabbits. We've been to one show but had the only Flemish Giant and so it was more like parading her for the judge as there was no competition. I prefer the giant rabbits as they are more cuddly and docile than smaller rabbits. Chibi wants a French Lop and is waiting for just the right color to be born.
Beatrice lives in the house (in the laundry room when I'm out) but I'm getting really large cages built (4'x 6') when it comes time to have kits or when she needs some cage time.
The problem is that Beatrice got sick on New Years Eve. Actually, it was earlier but is mistook her bad behavior with me as rabbit heat (I went to put her up so I could go to work and she biffed me hard on the chin - so I went to direct a children's play with a couple of 2" bleeding cuts on my face - nice). When I returned that evening she was clearly ill and was worse on New Years day. I took her to the vet (called in the cow vet for the next town over - yea emergency holiday pay $$$) and she had a raging feaver and an ear infection. He had to get out the books to treat a rabbit but he was kind to us about it. She's on antibiotics and today the feaver is down and the ears are up but she's not eating or drinking. I'm feeding her water and a few sips of apple juice off a spoon - which she takes off the spoon but doesn't eat at all, yet. I'm all ears for suggestions - she's lost over 2 lbs.
10 comments:
Oh, beautiful Flemish Giants. They are my favorite breed.
Is she still producing stool? If she doesn't poop for 24 hours, she's in stasis, and that's life-threatening. Instead of a spoon, use an eyedropper or a syringe at the corner of her mouth to make sure she gets some water, and try feeding her tiny pieces of apple and raisin. You know how buns love their sweets.
That rabbit is bigger than any dog I would have. Would be fun to introduce her to Sammy cat tho= he was the kitty that picked on Bunny the most.
I havn't been able to tempt her with anything in 24 hours now. She'd take apple yesterday but not today. She pooped a little yesterday and peed this morning (as a result of the spoon feeding).
She just did drink a little water on her own.
Oh gosh you must be worried sick ... a retty girl there!
Yes .. get a syringe .. any vet will have them, they are plastic and you just don't put the needle on it! They have markings so you can see how much stuff is in there.
We always give fresh pineapple juice .. boy .. several syringes full for that big guy ... get a pineapple, squish out all the juice. Freeze into cubes what you don't use. I think the equivalent of a cube of juice will be the deal - a couple times a day.
Also the pain medication called meta cam .. I think also from the vet and give dosage according to weight as on the instructions. This stuff relaxes the bunn and ours tend to then eat and drink on their own after about 24 hours ..
Good luck .. we know how it is to have an energency on a holiday and then no real rabbit vet around ...
I'm so sorry to hear about your sick baby. I would suggest getting a plastic syringe (without the needle) as RG suggested and using it -- not for pineapple juice -- but for both water and Nutri-cal. Nutri-cal can be purchased from your vet. It's a very high calorie, super nutritious paste that smells and tastes like beef and is for dogs and cats (sigh) ... but it works great on bunnies. But you have to squirt it into their mouth with the syringe. I'm not sure of the amount with such a BIG rabbit. The vet should know. While he bun is not eating, I would do the Nutri-cal at least twice a day and perhaps three times a day. Ditto with water. The Nutri-cal will provide nutrients and energy so the bun will recover better and start eating on its own. Also can try banana and apple and cilantro and parsley. And perhaps sprinkle one Tablespoon of uncooked rolled oats on top of the pellets to make them more appealing. For us Meta-cam is worth its weight in gold. I give 1 drop per pound once a day. It gets rid of pain so the bun feels more like eating. Good Luck with such a gorgeous rabbit! Bunny Lady
I'm sorry I don't have any suggestion other than calling around for a vet that does care for rabbits. I use to have rabbits and when I took them to the vet he always had to pull out the books too...
Please to clarify: Introducing Beatrice, the [edit: baby] Flemish Giant rabbit (never you mind the strange woman holding her). [She will get another 1/3 larger than this]
Who will get a third larger- The bunny or the lady holding her? Inquiring minds wanna know!
Robb!!!!!! I'm getting to the New Years resolutions - just you wait!
boobs rule!!!!! no this has nothing to do with watever this is about
my dog eats rabits but you having one is a pet is nice and i hope it gets better and sorry about the earlier comment that wasa my little bro he is an idiot sorry but ya best wishes
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