Hi Everyone,

It was so nice to just be able to reply to everyone else's topics for a while, instead of asking endless questions. Well, I'm baaack...

Bunbun had a terruble bout of bladder sludge a couple months ago, which resulted in numerous vet trips, 2 courses of antibiotics and about a month of sub q fluids. Since then, he has gone through a few bouts of posturing when he pees, but has recovered on his own with no intervention. But this week I have noticed him posturing off and on, and maybe sitting for a bit longer than usual. Then today I found some sludge in the litter box- maybe a dime sized solid piece. He is acting fine, although I noticed him licking his salt lick and drinking a lot either last night or the night before- can't remember. Then I watched him pee and he's really sticking his butt way up in the air, like it's pretty uncomfortable. Of course, it's Thursday and I work all day tomorrow- isn't that always the way?? My buns rarely get sick when I don't have to work.

I'm not sure whether I should start sub q's tonight, or le him be for a day to see if he gets better on his own. Obviously, if he starts acting ill, I will start metacam and sub q's. But assuming he's only posturing and he's peeing every time and acting normal, I'm wondering if I should just wait til tomorrow and see how he is. To my understanding, bladder sludge is only an emergency if the bunny has stopped eating, is in serious pain or has stopped peeing, which is life threatening. I would give Bunbun some metacam to reduce any pain and cut inflammation, but he HATES oral meds. He much prefers the sub q's, which is odd cuz they bother my husband and I ay more. I give the needle and Rick (hubby) holds Bun. Rick is already ranting about how he doesn't think Bun needs fluids and why does everything have to be such an emergency, blah blah blah, Basically he is just a big baby about holding Bun for the sub q's. Obviously, sticking a needle in my beloved bunny doesn't exactly delight me either, but I'd rather do that than have him get as sick as last time. Of course my vet is closed today, so I can't ask him.

What do you all think? Thanks in advance for advice

I would call your vet and talk to them- from my understanding bladder sludge is going to be an ongoing problem that needs to be managed with SQ fluids, and trying to sxpress some of the sludge out of the bladder.

Maybe one of our members that have had a bladder sludge rabbit will see this and reply soon.

Jessica first developed bladder sludge this summer.  Our vet explained it is likely due to her advancing age, which affects the kidneys over time.  We monitor pretty regularly & have taken her completely off of Kale (her favorite), except every far now & then or as dh does the green feeding since he doesn't know Kale from lettuce.  I believe you also want to get rid of the salt lick immediately!  Salt helps to retain the fluids & urine.

I always err on the side of caution w/ my rabbits, b/c I have lost so many (that sounds bad)....  We also monitor her water intake w/ dry erase markers on the side of her bottle, so we can identify what is good drinking.  Pretty regularly I supplement her slow drinking w/ several oral syringes of water straight in the mouth.  My bunny is mean w/ force feeding etc,  so I hate oral meds or anything.  I also try to trick her to drink more water by making her eat her fruit treat drenched in her water bottle spigot piece. 

Also be weary that your bunny might not be posturing, but instead maybe getting comfy for quality time in her box.  I sometimes get sensitive to medical issues after dealing w/ emergencies.  I'd hate giving sub q too.  You could also try DH manipulation...... hem & haw about how you'll do it yourself.  Get yourself in a major tizzy w/ lots of kivetching & cursing until he gives in for the "sake of your bunny"

Thanks for the advice, you guys!

KatnpCrzy, I think you're right- bladder sludge is something that doesn't often just disappear and needs to be kept under control with diet and fluids. My vet says that it can usually be managed pretty well, which was a relief since BunBun seemed SO sick during his bout of it.

Skunklionshow, I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with the same thing- it's so frustrating and quite a worry. I am obsessed with watching Bunbun in the litter box and rooting around in the litter to be sure he peed. It's pretty embarassing for my teenagers when they have friends over- lol.

Bunbun isn't a good water drinker at all- the salt lick is the only thing that seems to get him to drink, but sodium certainly does cayse water retention. Seems every solution has a problem. I had to stop giving Bun kale too- he loved it . I also stopped feeding him pellets, dandelion and collard greens and spinach. He was furious at first but has adjusted. I still give him his parsley though- it's not as calcium rich as the other greens I mentioned. And of course he gets other greens- I just had to find some other stufff that he likes. Swiss chard, watercress, endive and cilantro are a big hit with my bunnies these days. Lmao- my husband can't telll greens apart either! I've even tried drawing pictures with descriptions, but no deal- it's hopekess.
I know what you mean about being extra cautious with your bunnies- I'm the same way. They get so sick in such a short time- it's scary. Good idea about getting DJ to cooperate- he always panics whe I threaten to do anythimng myself. That's how I get him to do home improvement projects- I just get out some tools or whatever and pretend I'm starting the job- he immediately takes over- lol. Not sure whether it's his manly pride or fear that I'll bring the whole house crashing down. Yup, manipulation and lots of nagging works well with husbands- nicely asking only goes so far :p .
Well, hopefully BunBun will just get over this with no intervention on my part. He also has some poopy butt and I've noticed that he sometimes postures when he has that too. It must be uncomfortable, but he won't have any part of getting his butt cleaned off. Anyway, I'm gonna just watch him until tomorrow and see how it goes. I'll keep you posted!