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Post by plantsnobin on Jul 10, 2008 8:09:17 GMT -5
We feed Purina show feed, don't like the idea of buying from a big ag corporation, but just about any of the others is the same situation. Last week we had a just weaned litter all get sick and decided to put them down. They were the Californians, not our beloved Mini Lops. Still don't like to see any of them die, but would take it very personally if it was our lops. Well, last night at feeding time we noticed two young mini lops showing same signs. Called our rabbit stuff supplier just about closing time and they were nice enough to leave what we needed on their porch. So, now we are treating the whole herd with medicine and feeding timothy hay to try to get the problem taken care of. This will be 15 days of doing this, hopefully we can save them. Rabbits have very sensitive digestive systems. Changing their feed can upset the balance and cause them to die. Here is where Purina comes in. When the price of one commodity goes up, they change the formula to cheaper stuff. You don't know that when you are feeding, and then you kill your animals. Many breeders in IN have had trouble with the feed, but you never hear about it since it is 'just rabbits'. I know of 3 pretty large breeders who lost about half of their herd. Sorry to rant, just needed to get it off my chest.
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Post by landarc on Jul 10, 2008 19:10:05 GMT -5
I knew that 'just rabbits' had to work into there somehow. Never mind that it is a defective product or that you are affecting peoples lives.
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Post by flowerpower on Jul 11, 2008 6:45:37 GMT -5
Karen, I am so sorry about your bunnies. I just lost a chick last night. It was very small and got a respiratory thing. Luckily the other birds are fine. There are very few choices on brands of feed here. I use the Purina dog chow and chicken chow. And Nutrena for the goats You can always tell when they've modified the dog food formula. lol
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Post by plantsnobin on Jul 14, 2008 8:54:13 GMT -5
Well, it seems we are at least headed in the right direction with the rabbits. The two that were sick are doing better, though we lost one that didn't even show any signs at all. Just went to feed and there he was. Maybe the heat, or some unrelated thing. Anyway, if there are any rabbit raisers out there who have sick rabbits, here is the regime we tried that was recommended by another breeders vet. She lost 300 rabbits last fall, though it was Producer Feeds that she used. If you see a jelly like substance in their poo, very stinky and they sit with their front feet in the water bowl, if you use water bowls, they grind their teeth, and are pot bellied. Take them off feed and only give them Timothy hay for two or three days and give Corid in their water for 5 days, then Neomycin in the water for 5 days, followed by 5 more days of Corid. Give them smaller amounts of a higher fiber feed for a few days until they are back on their usual amount. By the time you see outward signs of illness in a rabbit it may be too late, but maybe you can save some. We are treating the whole herd even though most didn't show any signs. Seems to be working so far.
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