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Advice Regarding Flopsy (Dental diet)

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Post by BellaPickleFlopsyLily Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:55 pm

Hi Everyone , I was not sure whether to post this in the diet section or the health. So I've posted it here hope that is okay.

As most of you know Flopsy is a dental bunny, he wont touch hay as other rabbits do and only occasionally has a strand or two every now and then but its not very often at all unfortunately. Recently I have been noticing he's been loosing weight and obviously because he does not eat hay his poo is not very good at all as his gut is not constantly on the go, I cant give him any more pellets as the amount they are getting at the moment is affecting Lily's hay eating as it is. I just give them an egg cup of pellets morning and night and obviously they do have unlimited hay if he does choose to eat it. The problem I am having is that because he's not eating hay as he should Like Pickle & Pixie his gut is not constantly moving so when he does need a GA it takes a long time to get him back to his usual self and he normally goes into stasis like he did after his dental in February

I just do not know what to do to improve his diet but at the moment its really affecting Lily's hay eating the amount of pellets they are getting, they only get an egg cup twice a day but that as it is, is far too much. I only give P&P a table spoon of pellets twice a day as the rest of their diet is 90% hay and they are the most fantastic hay eaters. Im just not sure what we can do for the best, I don't think separating flopsy and Lily so Flopsy could be given a higher calcium and fibre diet would be very fair but it could be a possibility.

Flopsy does like Alfalfa hay surprisingly but as you know its very high in calcium and obviously very expensive so I would not be able to provide a constant supply if Lily would just eat it. However I am happy to get it for Flopsy as long as it is for him only. I just don't know what we can give him to keep his gut constantly on the go?

I've ordered some Timothy and Rye and INGS hay the other day and it might possibly be here tomorrow or should be here early next week Im hoping one of them will take Flopsy's fancy but im not holding my hopes up. Is there any other things high in fibre to give Flopsy to help keep his gut healthy as it should be OR any other suggestions would be great. Im just so worried and I want what's best for my rabbit's and their dietary needs.

I will be trying to get an appointment to seen John next week regarding Flopsy's weight loss. I Just hope he does not need another dental, I just don't know how he would cope with another GA so soon especially as he went into stasis after his last dental back in february. Im wondering if there could be another problem going on with Flopsy as I have also noticed some wee's outside of the litter tray which is not like him. Im just really hoping he does not have heart problems.Crying or Very sad
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Post by Sparky Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:18 pm

Have you tried the Supreme FibaFirst instead of extra pellets?

I know a couple of peeps on here swear by them for better digestion and better tooth wear. They're not cheap but they're cheaper than dentals.

If he is widdling outside of his tray I'd first suspect a urinary tract infection....
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Post by BellaPickleFlopsyLily Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:24 pm

Yes have tried fibafirst although he will eat them, he is not too keen and normally before he bothers to eat them Lily would of eaten them.

I wouldn't think it was a UTI, I think it might actually be because of some hay outside the litter tray he may of just presumed he was still in the tray. Obviously If it continues I will notify the vet.
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Post by Thumper2001 Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:30 pm

Have you tried Burns Green Oat Hay?

In the 11 years I had Thumper she ate about 7 strands of hay and it was the green oat. Even she thought it was worth trying.

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Post by Thumper2001 Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:32 pm

Or the stuff Katie has to buy Daisy? Oxbow I think.
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Post by Tuckerbunnies Fri Apr 12, 2013 11:12 pm

We get Western Timothy Hay for our dental gang Jack, it's not cheap but we have found that when a bun won't eat hay they usually eat Western Timothy Hay . It's from the Hay Experts and it's this one http://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/western-timothy-hay.html it's lovely and green and smells beautiful and all our buns love it. We have got quite a few customers on it as well and their buns love it.

As for Flopsy could you not take him to one side and give him a little dish of extra pellets and sit while he eats them or hand feed him? We have similar problems with Henry and Sox, Henry is getting an old boy now and he is losing weight as old buns do but Sox has put a lot of weight on and it's a case of trying to make sure that Henry is eating enough and Sox isn't eating it all and it's really difficult when they are a bonded pair and there is no way I'd split them up apart from maybe giving Henry a couple of extra pellets when he's being groomed or having a nail trim.


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Post by KatieB Fri Apr 12, 2013 11:20 pm

Will he eat grass - like from the garden? This is very good for teefs!
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Post by Tuckerbunnies Fri Apr 12, 2013 11:31 pm

Oh yes grass! get some grass seeds Jack and grow your own for Flopsy in a couple of long window boxes Smile or pick some nice long grass for him to nibble. That will do his teeth good. You don't see Wild bunnies with dental problems and they eat a lot of grass and roots.

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Post by FluffSlave Sun Apr 14, 2013 3:02 pm

You could try some dried herbs with him as well as everyone else's suggestions. I know it's not the same as hay, but it is still getting fibre into him and it's not bad if Lily is constantly pinching it, either!
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Post by Guest Sun Apr 14, 2013 3:18 pm

I agree that grass is the absolute best thing but fibafirst is also very good. I suspect that the reason it takes him so long to eat them is because it is physically hard work for him rather than because he does not like it. I would suggest hand feeding him so as to make sure he gets enough. The other option is a similar food that Supreme make called vetcare plus they do several types, digestive health, urinary health and weight management. Bruce and Flo both like the digestive health one. It is very similar in format to the fibafirst but different in taste. I think when you have a bun that has dental issues the key is to offer lots of different textures as well as taste. So long and short strand hay as well as soft and coarse and a mix of different shape and texture pellets. It may also be worth you thinking about what herbs you feed. y pair love fennel which I buy as bulbs and give them thin slices of daily and I grow it meaning they can have the fronds from it during growing season. They also love apple mint which grows easily and quickly in decent sized pots in the garden (and it's favourite plant food are rabbit poos liberally sprinkled on the soil). And they also love roman chamomile which grows easily from seed every year. All three are digestive aids and may well improve Flopsy's appetite.

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Post by BellaPickleFlopsyLily Thu Apr 18, 2013 11:10 pm

Hi everyone so sorry I have not replied sooner, I've been quite busy with various things. I have adjusted Flopsy's diet now to try and keep his gut healthy and to of course try and prolong times between dentals.

So at around 8:00 when I go to see the bunnies to give them breakfast ect, Flopsy gets Pellets separately around 2/3 tablespoons of excel whereas Lily will only get 1 because of course she has lovely hay to eat and I do not want her hay eating to be affected at all.

Then around 4pm I will pick some fresh grass and dandelions and they will have a bowl full. Flopsy really loves grass and dandelions and Lily does too. Hopefully the grass and dandelions will encourage the figure of 8 movement and wear down his teeth (i hope anyway)

Then at night around 9pm when I put them to bed and he has had his metacam, He gets fed some more pellets separately while lily has a small amount.

My Hay for pets timothy & rye and Ings came this week and they hay is fantastic! They have them in their large ikea hay racks. Pickle & Pixie adore it and have produced some Large golden poos which is just brilliant Smile Lily really likes the hay too so Im trying to keep her pellet in take to a minimum as i do with Pickle & Pixie.

Of course I will continue trying to get Flopsy to eat hay, its always available so if he ever fancies a nibble in secret then that is great. I think i will try and purchase some readigrass and some of that oxbow hay that Maysie suggested. Maybe grass mixed with the hay will encourage him? Thw INGS is quite soft as well as long strands so is great for Flopsy if he wants a nibble.

Hopefully we will be getting an appointment to see John somewhen soon its just we have been a bit busy but will definitely get him checked out. I dont want John thinking im a bad owner who does not give hay, I know he has suggested hay only diets for flopsy but i cant force him to eat hay he will strave himself to death Rolling Eyes
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Post by fiver Thu Apr 18, 2013 11:29 pm

I wish I had some advice jack but it seems you are doing everything right but sending some hay nomming vibes Hugs Hugs Hugs Hugs Hugs Hugs

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Post by Sparky Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:22 pm

I don't think John will think anything other than we do - that you are doing an amazing job of looking after all your buns Thumbs Up

I eat very little hay too, but we have a fresh sack of the Timothy and Rye and it is just lovely Very Happy
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Post by jolovesbunnies Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:29 pm

I am sernding some nomming vibes too love, I hope she is a good girl and decides to eat her hay.

Hugs

Jo xx

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