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Syringe feeding a rabbit

Gem789

Gem789

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I'm hoping for some advice from rabbit owners. I live at home and my mums friend keeps his rabbits in the back garden as he lives in a flat. One of them died today and her friend doesn't seem himself, I rang the vets today as he's short on money and I offered to pay for now and because of the lockdown they wouldn't see the rabbit and just prescribed emiprid and recovery food. I am disappointed they wouldn't even see the rabbit but for the time being does anyone have any advice on how to syringe feed a rabbit? @VickiA @Piggies&buns @BossHogg
 
The process is similar as for piggies. Rabbit needs to be in a standing position or wrapped in a towel (it’s going to depend on how co-operative bunny will be) approach from the side and insert syringe into the side of the mouth and aim the tip towards the middle of the mouth (not towards throat). Head needs to be kept up but held firmly, bunny will likely try to wriggle away. Obviously a diagnosis of the issue is required and potentially other medication if there is an illness so it is disappointing they wouldn’t see him, but as with piggies, keeping the system going is important.
 
Gem789 said:
I'm hoping for some advice from rabbit owners. I live at home and my mums friend keeps his rabbits in the back garden as he lives in a flat. One of them died today and her friend doesn't seem himself, I rang the vets today as he's short on money and I offered to pay for now and because of the lockdown they wouldn't see the rabbit and just prescribed emiprid and recovery food. I am disappointed they wouldn't even see the rabbit but for the time being does anyone have any advice on how to syringe feed a rabbit? @VickiA @Piggies&buns @BossHogg
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I know someone who has rabbits . . I text him and ask etc. x
 
From memory it’s pretty much the same as syringe feeding piggies (go behind the front teeth and don’t squirt it down the middle for fear of choking them), but a lot more difficult if they don’t cooperate as they are way more powerful than piggies (I haven’t had a bunny for many years now but I still remember grappling with my doe).
 
I can't help I'm afraid as I never had to do it with any of mine over the years, and I've owned over 100 rabbits!
 
Gem789 said:
Thanks all, does anyone know how much syringe feed to give them per day? I think he's eating some but not a lot.
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You feed in the same way that you syringe feed a guinea pig. With regard to amount, it will depend on size of rabbit, but as a rough guide you need to be giving around 240 - 300 mls per day. More for a large rabbit.
 
Hope the little bunny will be ok, so lovely of you to look after him. Good luck with the feeding! Chinchillas were bad enough with their bouncy back legs to syringe, never had to with a (much larger!) rabbit but hope it goes well xx
 
Rabbits form very deep bonds, and bereavement can be tough on them.
I would suggest also offering lots of stimulation and enrichment to try and keep this poor bun entertained - boxes, things stuffed with hay, bits of blanket, fresh food and grass, sticks, platforms to hide under, etc. Basically make sure he has a large space and lots of things in it to keep him occupied.
 
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