Homemade critical care for rabbitscan be an alternative, but it’s important to first consult with a vet to ensure it meets all of your rabbit’s nutritional needs. Syringe feeding is necessary for any rabbit that does not eat on its own (Figure 7). Various foods are available but the author prefers a 50:50 combination of commercial product (such as Oxbow Critical Care or Supreme Recovery) and baby cereal (Heinz cereal for babies aged 4-6 months, for instance). Knowing when to stop feeding critical careto your rabbit depends on their recovery progress and should be determined by a vet. Providing critical care for petslike rabbits is essential to maintain their nutritional intake during illness or recovery. You can find Oxbow critical care herbivore at PetSmart, a nutritionally complete diet for herbivorous pets during stress or illness.

Rabbit syringe feeding kitusually includes a feeding syringe and a specially formulated diet for ill or recovering rabbits.Frances Harcourt-Brown graduated from Liverpool University in 1973 and has been in general practice ever since. In partnership with her husband Nigel, she owns and runs a small animal practice in North Yorkshire. She has lectured in many countries around the world, has received many awards for her work and is the author of the Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. Recommended amounts to be fed vary between sources, however, an amount of 8–12 ml/kg of feed should be given (RWAF, 2021). Oxbow critical care advises that for herbivores, the general amount should be 3 tablespoons of dry product or 50 ml mixed product daily per kilogram of bodyweight, however, they do also provide a feeding chart with recommendations according to size. Syringe feeding is a short-term solution, and as soon as the rabbit is eating by itself, then their normal diet should be gradually reintroduced.

If your animal is refusing to or can’t eat any of their usual food but still has an appetite, Critical Care can be mixed with water to create a paste that can be offered in a bowl or on a spoon. Syringe or Tube Feeding Weigh daily if possible and adjust food up or down to maintain weight. Amounts can be tweaked as needed based on monitoring the rabbit. Recovery once they start eating again is a good sign to start slowly decreasing supplementation. How often do you need to feed your rabbit Any deviation from normal poop could mean an illness or imbalance. Make dietary changes slowly if the cause is suspected to be diet. See a rabbit vet promptly if accompanying signs of illness or the cause is not clear. Monitor litter box habits to stay on top of your bunny's health. Conclusion When feeding your rabbit, use a syringe and ensure you’re patient and gentle, giving your rabbit time to swallow before feeding more. When to Stop Feeding Critical CareSwitching off the lights, moving slowly and making a quiet ‘shooshing’ noise help to keep the rabbit calm. Loud noises, sudden movements, firm restraint or leg ties are counterproductive as they stimulate the rabbit to move and try to escape. Firmly hold the rabbit’s head with one hand and place the syringe in its mouth from the side, behind the front teeth. ABSTRACT: There are many causes of life-threatening illness in rabbits and good nursing, palliative treatment and supportive care are important aspects of their treatment. Rabbits hide signs of serious disease and may be in a critical state before they are presented for veterinary treatment. Emergency care is often needed and an assessment of the rabbit's condition is necessary to decide on appropriate treatment. Radiography and blood sampling are important parts of this assessment. Rabbits are also prone to gut stasis, which is a preventable life- threatening condition that is often a secondary complication of other diseases. If your veterinarian recommends that you give critical care to your rabbit at home, you can prepare the Critical Care solution yourself. It’s important to note that syringe feeding should be done under the guidance of a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can provide specific instructions on how much critical care to give, how often to administer it, and how to monitor your rabbit’s response.

Protein 17%, Fat Content 5%, Crude Fibres 23.5%, Inorganic Matter 10%, Calcium 0.6%, Phosphorus 0.4% Critically ill patients are often almost completely dependent on veterinary intervention for survival, and the question “Should care continue?” must be answered satisfactorily early in the process. Can also be stored in spoonful sizes in an ice cube tray and frozen for later use. Thaw before feeding. One of the biggest benefits of Critical Care is the versatility of the product. Depending on your animal and their willingness to eat, the feeding method can be adjusted. Common feeding methods include:Critical Care is a complete "assisted feeding" formula for herbivores that are not eating due to illness or surgery.

In addition to the physical exam, your veterinarian will take several samples (feces, urine, blood) for analysis. He or she will also take an x-ray of your rabbit’s abdomen to get a better look at his GI tract. [17] X Research sourceLearning how to force-feed a rabbitis important when they refuse to eat, but it should be done gently to avoid causing stress or harm. Caring for a bunny when they’re unwell can be a daunting task. Understanding critical care rabbits is vital in ensuring their speedy recovery. This article unravels everything about rabbit critical care, how to make homemade critical care, and when to consider feeding this dietary supplement. Understanding Rabbit Critical Care Oxbow Critical Care also contains high-fibre Timothy Hay to properly support healthy digestion and overall gut health. You can find critical care for rabbits near meby looking at pet stores, vet clinics, or online platforms.