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🐰 Nursing Care & Syringe Feeding
Your gentle guide to supporting a sick or recovering rabbit.  ⸻ 💛 When Syringe Feeding Is Needed Rabbits may require assisted feeding when they are: • Not eating enough on their own • Recovering from GI stasis • Post-surgery • Fighting an illness or infection • Experiencing dental issues • In pain and not wanting to eat normally A rabbit’s gut must stay moving — even a short period without eating can be dangerous. Syringe feeding helps keep the digestive tract functioning and prevents complications. ⸻ 🥣 What You’ll Need A simple, safe setup makes feeding easier: ✔ Critical Care (Oxbow, Sherwood, or similar) ✔ 1–3 mL syringes (with tips trimmed if needed for easier flow) ✔ Warm water ✔ Small dish for mixing ✔ A soft towel to make a “bunny burrito” ✔ A calm, quiet environment ✔ Patience — lots of it ⸻ 🍼 How to Prepare the Feeding Mix 1. Add Critical Care powder to a dish. 2. Add warm water slowly until you reach a pudding-like texture. 3. Mix thoroughly to remove lumps. 4. Let it sit 1–2 minutes to fully hydrate. 5. Draw the mixture into the syringe — tapping to remove air bubbles. Tip: You can make it slightly thinner at first if your bunny is resistant. ⸻ 🐰 The Bunny Burrito Method Wrapping your rabbit safely keeps them secure and reduces stress: 1. Place a towel on a flat surface. 2. Set your bunny on the towel with their back toward your body. 3. Gently wrap the towel snugly around their sides (not too tight). 4. Keep their head free, with your hand supporting under the jaw. This helps prevent sudden movement and keeps them comfortable. ⸻ 🧡 Feeding Technique: Slow, Gentle, Safe • Insert the syringe into the side of your bunny’s mouth (behind the front incisors). • Feed very small amounts at a time — a drop or two. • Allow your bunny to chew and swallow, never forcing the syringe. • Go slowly. Rushing can cause aspiration (inhaling food). • Aim for frequent small feedings throughout the day. If your bunny is fighting or overly stressed, pause. Stress can make recovery harder. ⸻ 📌 How Much to Feed Typical Critical Care intake: 50–100 mL per kg body weight per day, divided into 3–6 feedings. For example: A 4 lb rabbit (~1.8 kg) may need 90–180 mL per day depending on how much they eat on their own. If your rabbit is eating some foods, you can reduce slightly. ⸻ 💧 Hydration Matters Offer: • Fresh water 24/7 • Wet leafy greens (if medically appropriate) • Additional fluids if recommended by your vet Never syringe water unless trained — risk of aspiration. ⸻ 🔎 Monitoring During Nursing Care Keep track of: • Appetite • Poop output (size, number, firmness) • Urine color • Energy levels • Pain behaviors • Hydration Any decline in these means a vet recheck may be needed. ⸻ ❤️ Comfort Measures & Support You can help your bunny feel better by: • Keeping them warm (but not hot) • Adding extra bedding or a soft hide • Reducing stress and noise • Keeping them close or holding them if they’re comforted by it • Providing gentle grooming if they’re messy • Giving lots of reassurance with a calm voice Your love genuinely makes a difference — rabbits feel it. ⸻ 🚨 When to See the Vet (Again) Call your rabbit-savvy vet immediately if: • Refusing to swallow syringe feedings • No poop for 8–12 hours • Diarrhea • Bloated or tight abdomen • Sudden lethargy or collapse • Breathing changes • Suspected pain not controlled by medication • Weight is dropping despite feeding Never wait and hope — rabbits hide illness, and fast action saves lives. ⸻ 🐇 You Are Not Alone Nursing a sick rabbit is emotionally hard. But you are doing an incredible job — and your bunny knows it. This page is for you, for the bun you love, and for anyone who needs a little guidance and reassurance during a scary time. You’ve got this. ❤️ |
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