Rabbits/thin rabbit

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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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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.

...it is an EMERGENCY.

Find a rabbit vet at www.rabbit.org/vets for immediate help, and don't risk your bunny's life by spending time asking questions online! If you can't get in touch with your vet, read these Emergency Sick Bunny Instructions.

If you have found a wild baby rabbit, please read these EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS FOR WILD BABY RABBITS and then use this link to FIND A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR who can give you the right advice.

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

I have been rescuing domestic and wild rabbits for more than 25 years. I have written articles for many rabbit rescue publications, as well as for the veterinary journal, Exotic DVM. I own EtherBun, the internet's largest listserve dedicated to health, care, and behavior of domestic rabbits.

Organizations
Houserabbit Adoption, Rescue, and Education, Inc. (H.A.R.E., Inc.) president National House Rabbit Society (Board member)

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)

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