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About Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Expertise
I've lived with companion rabbits for more than 35 years, and consider them members of my family. I can answer any questions about the biology and health of rabbits, from the commonplace to the unusual. But please note:

RULE #1:
THE INTERNET IS NOT THE PLACE TO SEEK HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.

If your rabbits is LETHARGIC
If your rabbit is NOT EATING
If your rabbit is PHYSICALLY INJURED (including broken bones)
If your baby rabbit has DIARRHEA

...it is an EMERGENCY.

Find a rabbit-savvy veterinarian at www.rabbit.org/vets for immediate help, and don't risk your bunny's life by spending time asking questions online!

RULE #2:
Help me help you! Please make your subject line informative if you have an urgent question.

If you already have been to the vet and still need help
if you can't find an available vet with the resources above

then LET ME KNOW IN THE SUBJECT LINE so I can give your question highest priority over non-urgent questions. If you don't do this, then I can't guarantee timely assistance!

For all the best, most accurate rabbit health, care and behavior information, visit The House Rabbit Society.

Experience

Publications
Exotic DVM
Warren Peace (Journal of the House Rabbit Society of Miami)
Various newsletters of the House Rabbit Society, nationwide

Education/Credentials
Ph.D - Biology
B.S. - Biology
B.A. - English

Awards and Honors
Lightspan Academic Excellence Award for web site on rabbit health and biology
(http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare)

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Rabbits > thin rabbit

Rabbits - thin rabbit

Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 11/9/2009

Question
hi, i just recently bought a lion lop 10 weeks old. He is very thin since i got him, that is his only symptom. His food has stayed the same and he is constantly eating.I am feeding him twice a day and have started him on critical care. Also he is not drinking much i have a bowl of water in with him. please help

Answer
Dear Smolly,

First, be sure the diet you're feeding him is right and healthy for a rabbit:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html

Be sure he has a *bowl* of water, not a sipper bottle, as he may not be drinking enough from a sipper bottle, and may be dehydrated.

If he is still not eating well, have a good rabbit vet give him a good wellness exam, including a close look at his teeth (front and molars) to be sure the problem isn't that he *looks* as if he's eating all the time, but actually isn't able to eat properly because of a severe dental malocclusion and overgrown teeth. This is, sadly, very common in Lionheads. You can read more here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

The vet can also check for parasites or other conditions that could be interfering with normal weight gain and growth.

I hope this helps.

Dana

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