Vitamins for sick Flemish

[Hopeful Acres]

Last week my daughter's Lop rabbit died from bad hay. Her Flemish was also eating the grass but he seemed stronger than the Lop so we though we caught him in time. He has been eating new clean timothy for five days now.
Today as I was checking him all over I can tell he is easily 5 pounds under weight but most worrisome is he behavior when I put him down. He was wobbly and seemed exhausted. My daughter had mentioned that he fell over twice yesterday when after she had been holding him. He poo isn't dark brown like it should be either.
Clearly he has a lack of nutrition so what vitamins can I give him? I have Enfamil Poly-Vi-Sol for my ducks is this safe for rabbits too? Please help I can't bear to see her lose another one of her babies.

 

[Hens and Roos]

sorry to hear about your rabbit, not sure what is safe but will tag some others that might know

@Bunnylady @promiseacres @samssimonsays

 

[DutchBunny03]

Weight loss may indicate disturbance in the rabbit's gut bacteria. May be a bacterial infection, something akin to food poisoning. Pellets, concentrates (oats, barley, etc), should be safe, and are great for putting weight on a skinny rabbit. Feed him as much as he'll eat. Disinfect the rabbits living area and anything the rabbit touches (water bowl, feeder, toys) to prevent the spread of disease, and to keep it from flaring up again later. Keep handling to a minimum, and remove anything that could stress him out (other pets, loud noises, extreme temp fluctuations). If the manure is more liquidy than usual, DO NOT FEED HIM ANY GREENS/FRUIT. Good luck!

 

[Hopeful Acres]

Weight loss may indicate disturbance in the rabbit's gut bacteria. May be a bacterial infection, something akin to food poisoning. Pellets, concentrates (oats, barley, etc), should be safe, and are great for putting weight on

What is the best way to build good gut bacteria?

 

[Bunnylady]

What is the best way to build good gut bacteria?

You can try a product containing beneficial bacteria (Bene-Bac being one), but some folks are doubtful about just how well it works on mature rabbits. Supposedly, it is hard to get live bacteria past the conditions in the rabbit's stomach.

 

[DutchBunny03]

Once the rabbit is healthy again, the bacteria will repopulate the gut on their own. The challenge now is to keep the rabbit from losing so much weight that he cannot fight off harmful bacteria trying to enter the gut.

 

[Hopeful Acres]

Thank you all. Nova is doing better and eating beautifully. He is enjoying all the extra attention and food. I switched him to a water bowl as well because he doesn't like using a bottle and will ignore it. I can tell he is better hydrated now.

 

[Jennifer Hinkle]

Thank you all. Nova is doing better and eating beautifully. He is enjoying all the extra attention and food. I switched him to a water bowl as well because he doesn't like using a bottle and will ignore it. I can tell he is better hydrated now.

Glad to hear your rabbit is doing better. Good Luck

 

[DutchBunny03]

Yay!

 

[Hopeful Acres]

I realized I hadn't updated. Sadly a few days after my last post Nova suffered a stroke and passed peacefully and comfortably with us. I don't know if it was related to the bad hay he ate or possibly old age all I know is that we miss him. A dear sweet friend insisted on giving my daughter a six week old bunny. Little Cerberus has been a laughable delight but we are understandably cautious and are praying that he stays healthy and strong for a good six years at least.