Polyphagic rabbit

Re: Polyphagic rabbit

CatherineThomas — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 16:39:38 GMT

Well, i'd get blood for a rabbit profile plus e.cuniculi and send pooled faecal samples to check for coccidia. Send the samples to PALS if you can.

I had a case of a rabbit that seemed to be polyphagic and was losing weight. We did the above as well as x-rays and abdominal ultrasound. We didn't find anything but we started on panacur and septrin while waiting for results and it seemed to settle so we continued with 21 days of septrin. By the end of the course it seemed to be back to normal and putting weight on and doing well. That was 6 months ago and I haven't heard anything back so I hope it's still doing well.

Re: Polyphagic rabbit

Sarah Keir — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 09:41:45 GMT

This fosterer is a very experienced rabbit keeper and so I believe her when she says the rabbit is eating three times normal amount. Also the 300g weight gain is over 5 months of polyphagia. The problem is this rabbit cannot be put up for rehoming in the current state as it thinks anyone/anything coming into its run is food and is chewed/bitten!

Re: Polyphagic rabbit

CatherineThomas — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 07:29:31 GMT

I don't think I would count it as polyphagic, particularly if it is gaining weight. The guidelines I use is free access to hay but should eat at least a pile the size of it's body, veg should be a pile the size of it's head and concentrates a small handful as maximum.

I agree with Gillian that the Saphenous tends to be a good sampling site.

Re: Polyphagic rabbit

Sarah Keir — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 21:25:41 GMT

I would of said that concentrates the size of its head would be far too much. It is currently on double what I would class as normal amount of concentrates i.e. one heaped tablespoon or an egg cup full level plus all it can eat hay and leafy greens.

Re: Polyphagic rabbit

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 15:44:23 GMT

Either the jugular or the saphenous (surprisingly large and useful) will give you a tube full of blood.

Re: Polyphagic rabbit

HMC — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 15:43:51 GMT

I'd be very surprised if it were DM- very rare in rabbits.

Re: Polyphagic rabbit

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 14:50:55 GMT

Bagels and muffins are very low fibre, compared to a rabbit's diet of hay. It's trying desperately to feel full, hence why it's trying to eat enough to feel full!

Get it eating it's body shape in hay and concentrate in the amount of the size of its head. (It's a bit imprecise but heard it once on CPD and liked it.)

Cheers,

Mark