It’s true that dark greens are good for your bun, but although we consider spinach to be in the “dark green family” it’s not something that should be given to your bun in large quantities. I like to throw a little in here and there, but not every day. The reason is due to the high calcium content in the spinach.
The average sized pet rabbit (approx. 2.5kg) needs typically around 510mg of calcium per day. Any excess calcium that is absorbed into the blood stream from the gut is excreted through the urinary tract, where it may be deposited and form calculi. Rabbits can form solid calcifications in their kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra, as well as depositing thick calcium “sludge” in their kidneys or bladder. Rabbits suffering from urinary tract calculi are often in a lot of pain and as a result will not eat or drink, subsequently being dehydrated and necessitating fluid therapy prior to surgery.� Sometimes you can tell if your bunny is getting too much calcium because the poops will have some white on them.
Other symptoms of calculi being present include:
- loss of appetite,
- loud painful grinding of the teeth,
- hunched posture,
- lethargy,
- unwillingness to move,
- pressing tummy on the ground,
- loss of litter training,
- blood in the urine,
- perineal scalding
- straining to urinate.
Of course these sign can mean a lot of things, but most importantly, that your bun is in need of emergency care, so if your bunny shows any of these symptoms, please call your vet immediately.
michele wrote,
sharry,
I recently learned too (from) you that kale, dandelion and broccoli are good choices. And although my bunnies loved corn on the cob and cabbage they are not good choices nutrition wise.
Michele
Link | October 11th, 2006 at 11:09 am