Vibes for Twizzler Rabbit

[Sarita]

I’m really not sure what to do with Ms. Twizzler. 

She really is getting worse.  Her bladder sludge seems to be getting worse and we did a bladder flush 2 weeks ago and usually she’s fine for awhile.  Last night she had trouble walking and when I washed her butt there was some brown mucuos which alarmed me too.  I did fluids and buprenex last night and got some sludge expressed from her bladder.

She is constantly leaking and wet and I know that cannot be comfortable.  Seems like her eating is slowing down too.

Took her to the vet this morning.  I am at a quagmire until I talk to the vet about what to do.  Thoughts about letting her go to the bridge last night made me feel guilty but I just have to wonder about her quality of life.

I know Dr. Murray will be very honest with me.  He was very aggressive with Pepe and didn’t let me give up on him which I am thankful for.  Dr. Tate I think has her concerns about Twizzler too.   Luckly both vets work in the same practice but Dr. Tate is out this week but will be back on Monday.  

[kralspace]

Oh Sarita, I’m so sorry to hear Ms Twizzler is not doing any better. I know it’s hard to look at all the options, including letting her go. She couldn’t be in any better hands than yours. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Kathy

[RabbitPam]

Gosh, Sarita, I didn’t realize she was in that bad shape. You are certainly doing everything you can for her.

I think one thing that happens is when they are truly failing, their little systems start to shut down and they go very fast. So it becomes obvious that they are quite near the end with our without your assistance over the bridge. Your vet will know how much worse she is doing internally, and help you decide whether to keep her at home with you in your capable care, or whether she is suffering too much. Whatever you decide to do is out of love for her and she knows that.

{{comforting vibes to you and Ms. Twizzler}}}}}

[Desma]

I am so sorry for your bunny. I wish I was able to do something when I hear about other’s people’s bunnys not doing well. All I can do is tell you that I care.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

{{Twizzler}}

Sarita it’s a super personal decision and it’s hard to make. I wish we had the option with our elderly (I work in continuing care and we have a lot of DNR’s and vegetables here -but their families don’t get to make that call) so we are lucky we can make that decision for our pets. Doesn’t make it easier though.

You know Twizzler best. If there are more good days then bad, and still enjoying treats…well that’s how I am thinking for Chuck right now.

[Sarita]

Well, spoke with Dr. Tate and we are going to do x-rays and bloodwork. She said she noticed that her legs (front and back) are not responding and she mentioned some different things including e.cunniculi and possibly a problem with her spine or neck.

She gave me two options:

1. Do bloodwork and x-rays and also a urinalysis to see what she can find; or
2. Just treat with medication.

I told her that at this point I would rather go ahead with the bloodwork and x-rays because with her chronic bladder sludge also a factor if it’s something else that really just is not treatable then at least I can make an informed decision rather than just treating with antibiotics and not know if she is going to get better or not. In the end anyway if the antibiotics are doing the job, then you’d do the other stuff anyway.

[Monkeybun]

((((((( tons of vibes )))))))

Get well soon Twizzler! Monkey sends snuggles for you both!

[jerseygirl]

(((((((((((Twizzler)))))))))))))))

[MimzMum]

Oh poor Twizz! (((((((((((((((((((super healing vibes for Twizzler bun))))))))))))))))))))))))) Poor Sarita, you sure have had your hands full lately! ((((((((extra coping vibes for Sarita)))))))

[SophieBun]

((((Twizzler)))) Hope she gets better really really soon…and lots of good vibes for you too

[BinkyBunny]

Oh, I’m so sorry Sarita! I know this must be very stressful. I know you will make the decision that is best for her – completely out of love. Bailey had e.cuniculi AND a deformed spine that worsened with age. So if you find out that Ms Twizzler has similar issues don’t hesitate to ask me questions.

[Lintini]

I am so sorry to hear this, it must be so stressful for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. {{{{{Twizzler}}}} *hugs*

[Sarita]

Hi, thank you for all your vibes for Ms. Twizzler.

So far the x-rays have shown that she has some compression in her spine from some areas in her neck where the spaces between the joints have gotten smaller (I guess that’s compression too).

We’ll have the blood work back on Monday probably.

In the meantime she’s so sadly uncomfortable. I started her on metacam last night and gave her a very small dose of buprenex this morning and she is on baytril as well.

Apparently these problems with the spine and such have caused her legs to “go to sleep” so she kept shaking them against the carrier at the vets and grunting according to the vet.

She’s been laying in the litter box (very un-Twizzler like) and not interested in her treats (extremely un-Twizzler like). I guess all I can do is see if the metacam helps relieve the pressure and see what the bloodwork says.

I asked the vet how she could get this problem – she’s not doing gymnastics – he said it’s probably just old age and all that sad stuff.

[babybunsmum]

(((((((((twizzler and sarita))))))))) poor sweet fuzzy! bless you for taking such good care of her… she’s a lucky bun to have you looking out for her. i hope the metacam helps ease some discomfort for her <3

[RabbitPam]

If pressure on her spine is anything like my mother’s spinal stenosis, it is probably quite painful but pain medication may give her some relief. Probably laying in the box is a position that brings relief as well. My mother feels better in certain positions on her bed, but changing positions is especially painful. I doubt that helps to know, but it may explain some of her behavior.

{{{{{{doubling up on Beka’s vibe to you, Sarita}}}}}}}

[Sarita]

I hope the pain meds help some – I am going to ask how long it might take to heal if any. If she is going to be in pain forever then I need to make some decisions – I just hope the pain meds are helping. I think you are right about the litter box Rabbitpam. I may do some more buprenex tomorrow if I don’t see much improvement.

Of course I get home and Mango doesn’t seem to be eating now either. All my rabbits are starting to stress me out! I gave Mango some metacam so we’ll see what happens there. If not, he’ll go in Monday with Pepe. It’s been ages since he’s had stasis but he had long bouts too when he gets it.

[SophieBun]

AAAww poor buns! (((Lots of healing vibes for Pepe and Mango too))))))) and (((more healing vibes for Twizzler)))))))

[BinkyBunny]

Oh, I’m so sorry – hopefully Mango is just having a mini-issue that will sort itself out quickly so you don’t have to worry about him too along Ms. Twizzler and Pepe.

Bailey’s had a strange little section in her spine where her lower neck and back were – it was a sharp V shape in her spine that worsened with age. I asked my vet how she got that and there were three possibilities:

1. Genetics – sometimes this is just a genetic malformation
2. Bailey originally was rescued by Animal Care & Control from a severely neglectful situation and not having enough nutrition growing up could affect development
3. Someone previous to ACC and me, she could have had an injury.

Ditto on the healing vibes for the three bunnies, stay healthy vibes for the others, and peace vibes for you!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Gosh!! Sarita So much stress!! {{Twizzler & Mango}} {{Sarita destress Vibes}}

[LittlePuffyTail]

{{{{{{{{Twizzler & Mango}}}}}}}}} So sorry to hear about Twizzler. Hope things get better for you and your buns.

[Sarita]

Twizzler seemed in bad shape this morning – her legs were much more splayed than usual. I am calling the vet today because she got Twizzler’s blood work back and talk to her about her condition this morning. I wonder if the onset of colder weather is affecting her injury too.

She had been fine until today and I gave her a dose of buprenex. I am going to see how she is the next few days and see what the vet says about the bloodwork.

I have to think that every time I lift her to clean and medicate her and she struggles she may be further injuring herself too.

[kralspace]

oh Sarita, I’m sorry to hear about Twizzler, I was hoping she was doing better. This has to be so hard on you.

(((((healing vibes to you both)))))))))0 Kathy

[Sarita]

Spoke with the vet about the bloodwork. She said that the white blood cells are elevated but not too high and her protein levels are elevated. She said that those could be due to her chronic bladder sludge. She said USUALLY with cancer the white blood cells are much more highly elevated but she says she really cannot rule out cancer.

She said she also cannot rule out neurological problems because of the splaying and the fact she keeps laying her head down.

So really at this point I can just take it day by day and if she keeps getting worse then we’ll have to make a decision at that time.

She said at this point she may have good days and bad days and today is a bad day. And she’ll have to continue medication for ever.

So I guess every day for awhile I’ll be running home making sure she’s okay – I hate the anxiety of this. Today was not a good day so I hope when I get home, she’s okay.

[babybunsmum]

((((((twizzler & sarita)))))) sorry to hear its a bad day. definitely a stressful situation for both of you! update us on how she is when you get home.

[LittlePuffyTail]

{{{{{{Sending more healthy vibes your way, Twizzler}}}}}}}

[jerseygirl]

So really at this point I can just take it day by day and if she keeps getting worse then we’ll have to make a decision at that time.

That seems a good approach. You’re an awesome care giver and I know you have Twizzlers best interest at heart. Sending (((Strength Vibes))) to both you and Twizzler.

[MimzMum]

((((((((((((((more healing vibes for dear Twizzler)))))))))))) Keeping you and all your bunnies in my prayers, Sarita! (((((((hugs))))))))))))

[Elrohwen]

Vibes for Twizzler. It’s so hard when pets get old and start going downhill 🙁 (((hugs)))

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Any news today, Sarita?

[BinkyBunny]

Oh, I’m so sorry. Hugs to you!

[kralspace]

Sarita, how are things at your home today?

[Sarita]

She seems to be maintaining so that’s hopeful. Still splayed though.

My vet mentioned she would not be opposed to us trying the laser therapy for her so I’m going to talk to the technician on Wed when I take Maxine in for her therapy so he can consult with the vets and see about putting her on the laser after Thanksgiving. I wanted to see how I felt about how she was doing before I considered doing this and that should be about 2 weeks from the onset and if she’s still maintaining than I think I want to give it a go since she obviously still has a will.

[Sarita]

I am going to start the laser treatment for Twizzler on Monday. The technician said we should see what happens after the second treatment to see if there is any improvement – if there is then we’ll continue and if not, well, we’ll just continue on day to day.

She still all splayed out and not right. I came into the rabbit room yesterday and she had her head resting on the splay side and I really thought she was gone but I woke her up – sorry Twizzler.

I suppose if that doesn’t help I’ll continue to just give her metacam and buprenex and take it one day at a time. I’m always surprised how well she eats – I think she just has a will to live!

[kralspace]

oh Sarita, I was hoping no news was good news. Poor Twizzler, she does have a strong will doesn’t see. I know it’s so hard for you to watch her go downhill like this, prayers and nose bumps from us all here,
Kathy

[Monkeybun]

Monkey sends kisses and nose rubs to you and Twizzler, hope the laser treatments help!

*snuggles*

[BinkyBunny]

Posted By Sarita on 11/27/2009 11:35 AM
.

I suppose if that doesn’t help I’ll continue to just give her metacam and buprenex and take it one day at a time. I’m always surprised how well she eats – I think she just has a will to live!

Which should be a good indication of what a wonderful human she has taking care of her.  Her life may be a struggle but sometimes it’s harder on us then it is on them.  Animals never cease to amaze me.  Sending positive vibes you and your bunnies way. 

How’s Mango doing by the way?  I’m figuring things are back to normal there.  

[LittlePuffyTail]

{{{{{{{Positive Vibes for Twizzler’s treatment on Monday}}}}}}}}} Good luck, Sarita!

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