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Poorly bunny opinions

55 replies

Honeyroar · 25/10/2021 21:15

My 4 yr old neutered male bunny is unwell. He seemed a little “not himself” this morning while I was cleaning the cage, but he was eating and moving around a bit (not as much as usual though). I put him in the indoor run to be sure at lunchtime. (They have a double decker hutch inside a greenhouse full of straw, which is in the shade and provides them lots of indoor play space in bad weather. They also have a 8’ square outdoor run). This evening when I went to put them in he was in a corner of the outdoor run sitting in the mud with his hind legs stretched out. He didn’t run into the indoor run like he normally does. I carried him in, he felt cold and was wobbly on his hind legs, but could move. He felt cold. We’ve put him in a deep straw bed, added heat pads. His mate is sitting with him. Our vets are being awful- I wanted to chat with a vet to see if it merited bringing him in or whether we should warm him up and see how he is in the morning. The receptionist said no vet was available to talk, but we could book an emergency out of hours appointment if we wanted. I’m not sure it’s an emergency yet. He’s still the same now, although warming up a bit. But won’t eat, and he’s usually a greedy rabbit. Any opinions or experience of similar?

OP posts:
BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 26/10/2021 07:50

Hope he's ok OP

One of mine had e cuninli this year and it was hard getting him to take panacur for 28 days! It helped him perk up straight away but I believe it can't undo any damage the parasite has already caused so my bunny has lost some control of his back leg.

Honeyroar · 26/10/2021 09:39

They’re going to X-ray and do bloods this morning to check everything out before treating.

@BunnytheFriendlyDragon does your rabbit manage ok? I’m not sure how I feel if he can’t make a full recovery.

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BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 26/10/2021 09:51

@Honeyroar I didn't think they could test for it because it's something many rabbits carry anywhere

Well obviously it's sad if they don't make a full recovery but there's not much you can do but treat ASAP.

My boy manages ok. You can see sometimes his back leg almost drags only sometimes but he's a fairly large lop and was never a super active rabbit but manages to get around as he used to.

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 26/10/2021 09:52

I think if they're really struggling they can recommend PTS but if they're not even sure it's that then hopefully you have caught it early too as we did 🤞

Honeyroar · 26/10/2021 10:26

I think it’s a fairly new thing according to the exotics vet, I’m not sure if he needs it. The X-rays will check it’s not his discs in his back. They’ll have a good check of his ears while he’s under. Just to know where we are. Gonna be a big bill though!

Bunny 2 is nervous without him around.

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difficultdayahead · 26/10/2021 11:06

How old is he?

AwkwardPaws27 · 26/10/2021 11:14

@Honeyroar

I think it’s a fairly new thing according to the exotics vet, I’m not sure if he needs it. The X-rays will check it’s not his discs in his back. They’ll have a good check of his ears while he’s under. Just to know where we are. Gonna be a big bill though! Bunny 2 is nervous without him around.
Ask if bunny 2 can stay in hospital with him - otherwise you may have to rebond them.
Honeyroar · 26/10/2021 14:03

He’s 4.
Bad news. X-rays show big kidney stones. They’re going to do something and X-ray again to see if they are different. Try and work out if they can be managed or not. Plus his spine is slightly strange at his tail.

The hutch/run is big enough to split if need be when/if he comes back.

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earsup · 26/10/2021 16:10

Oh dear....did you notice any change in his toilet activity....some times you get a sludge in urine if they have kidney stones.....poor bun....what will they do ..?...hope it goes well...

Honeyroar · 26/10/2021 16:27

They have a two storey hutch inside a greenhouse which is like an indoor run for bad weather/night when I shut off the actual outside run they have (under thick trees and surrounded by bushes, so not in any sun). I put bedding in the indoor run and they’ve always gone to the toilet there - never in the hutch. For the past month or so there has been soiling inside the hutch too, so I’ve been keeping an eye for other indicators that something was wrong, but he’s been very chirpy and eating/drinking normally. Nothing to warrant any worry until last night.

They’re going to let the sedation wear off, give him some medication and see if there is any improvement when they X-ray again without sedation (can’t remember properly what she said) then ring back. Taking bloods to check organ functions too. Then getting back to me later..

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Floralnomad · 26/10/2021 16:28

Is he insured ?

Honeyroar · 26/10/2021 16:52

No but we have a fund. Bill is £700 already.

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Bottleofstout · 26/10/2021 18:00

Really sorry to hear this op; fingers crossed for a good or full recovery. Rabbits are very expensive to treat!

I know this sounds awful - and the decision is very hard - but I would advise not going too far down the road of treating if he needs a lot of operations and ongoing treatment. Imho and ime, rabbits don't recovery very well from major surgery, it depends on the circumstances of course, but if his kidneys are badly affected then I would PTS. Very difficult though after spending so much already on his care. The only reason I say this is that my vet went on treating one of my bunnies for a tooth abscess which became infected and although we got her to the point where she wasn't in pain (which was good) she was never quite the same again, and in retrospect I wouldn't have have gone on treating her and feeding her by syringe for months, and washing out the wound for months, if I had known the outcome. The vet was happy to take my 900 Euros though!

Honeyroar · 26/10/2021 19:55

Thanks @Bottleofstout. I agree with you. We had already decided we were never going to put him through an operation.

Unfortunately he’s not responded to the medication. The stones are still as big and causing blockages. Combined with the neurological issues his prognosis is not good. The vet hasn’t suggested any operations and has suggested PTS as an option. We’ve decided to give him until tomorrow- if there’s any improvement at all, if he’s eating by himself or moving more then we’ll send his bloods off to see how his organs are functioning. But if not we’ll PTS tomorrow. I’m not expecting good news. I’ve had a cry. I’m sad. The vet said he won’t be any pain overnight and we’ll have given him every chance. Plus the current hospital stay is already charged until tomorrow afternoon anyway, so it won’t cost more to give him a bit longer.

I’m a bit worried about the other bunny losing him just before bonfire night. Even more stress. We are pretty rural though, so it’s not bad for fireworks here. I’ll need to find her a new friend.🥲

Poor Albus. He was a mumsnet bunny. I took him for a lady going into a refuge a few years ago. I’d never had rabbits before but he was such a dude I love them!

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Bottleofstout · 26/10/2021 22:13

Ohhh, so sorry to hear about poor Albus op (lovely name btw). It sounds as though you have done absolutely everything possible. If this is the end of the road for him, I hope it is peaceful Flowers

Honeyroar · 27/10/2021 09:25

He’s hanging on. Ate a tiny bit by himself last night and one leg looks in a more normal position, so we’re going to see him tonight and have a chat about how to go forward.

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Floralnomad · 27/10/2021 10:08

Hope he continues to improve .

Honeyroar · 27/10/2021 20:41

He’s home! Looking a lot better, but obviously a long way to go. He’s going to be in the house for a fortnight while he gets stronger. I’m going to bring his friend in too tomorrow, but in a different hutch.

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StartingGrid · 27/10/2021 20:52

What are they doing for the stones, will they operate when he is stronger?

EC is dormant in most buns and flares up in times of stress or illness so he's likely had this bought on by his discomfort. What was his urine usually like? What diet does he have?

It's really important if on panacur the course is 42 days, as the life cycle of an EC spore is 21 days so double that gives the best chance of no reoccurance. Metacam/loxicom is also very important as it helps reduce the inflammation of the lesions caused by the parasite, although with compromised kidneys I'd discuss that with the vet if they haven't already mentioned it.

Sending lots of get well wishes to your little guy Flowers

earsup · 27/10/2021 20:53

Oh...lets see how he goes...and keep us updated....best wishes for Albus.

Honeyroar · 27/10/2021 21:57

He’s eating like the greedy little bun he usually is, and pooping, and is a lot more upright and mobile. Really good to see.

They’ve sent bloods off, both to test for the parasite and also to check his organs function/general health.

Poorly bunny opinions
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BaggiesBride · 27/10/2021 22:04

I have everything crossed for your little rabbit. He's adorable. I hope he gets better soon. xx

Absii · 27/10/2021 22:07

I love him! So pleased he's doing better. Hope it continues.

Honeyroar · 27/10/2021 22:11

Thanks for all your support and for just listening to me prattle on over the last couple of days.

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Frazzled2207 · 27/10/2021 22:12

Ah pleased he is hopefully on the mend

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