If you have a sick or convalescing bunny that needs to be force-fed, here's a recipe from Davida Kobler of the House Rabbit Society in upstate New York, whose bunny Hazel-Celeste taste-tested the recipe. We've tried it on our sick bunnies too. It works better than just plain pellet mush in keeping your sick one nourished.

(This recipe makes about one batch, about 25 to 30 cc.)

• 2 heaping tbs pure canned pumpkin (Libby's works fine)
• 1 heaping tsp pellet powder.
• Using a clean coffee bean mill, pulverize the pellets. It is ESSENTIAL that it be done this way. If not, pieces of pellet that are too large will clog the syringe nozzle. The pellet dust makes this especially palatable and nutritious for buns with mouth problems.
• 1/4 tsp acidophilus powder (you can use LactoSacc Water Soluble, by Alltech, or any other brand.) Look for it in your health food store. The Cash Grocer on King Street in Alexandria, is an especially good health food store, but there are several others in the area.)
• 1/4 tsp Prozyme, if you have it. It can be mail-ordered directly from the company at www.prozymeproducts.com (1-800 522-5537) or from any large veterinary catalog company, such as KV Vet Supply Co. (1-800-423-8211).
• 1 heaping tbs banana baby food, or more to desired consistency, so the mixture is a of creamy consistency. Or simply mash a piece of fresh banana with a fork until it is creamy.
• A few ccs of Pedialyte (unflavored) or Lactated Ringers (from the I.V. bag) to thin the mixture, if needed.

      Syringe feed with any size syringe, (a 3 cc size works nicely) depending on what is comfortable in the bun's mouth. Mix this in batches, as needed. The unused pumpkin can be stored in the fridge in a clean glass jar for up to two days, then discard.
      Make up a fresh batch for each feeding. Repeat feedings up to several times a day, as needed, in consultation with your veterinarian.

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