Vibes/prayers please? My baby West is sick. – SHE’S POOPING AND EATING!

[bunnnnnnie!]

I had to bring West into the vet this morning.  When I woke up, she hadn’t eaten any of her pellets or hay last night, and was laying in an odd position.  I gave her simethicone, and it did not help.  She’s lethargic, and has no appetite.

Vet said her belly is very full, but nothing is passing through.  But she really gave the vet some attitude, so the vet is optimistic.  She’s on metacam once daily, cisapride 3x daily, and Critical Care 6x daily.  She was given subcutaneous fluids while at the vet, and the vet said if she isn’t completely better tonight, to bring her back in tomorrow morning for more fluids.  She also said to give the simethicone if her belly becomes tight-feeling.

I’m scared to death, my baby girl is so important to me.  She DOES seem very slightly more perky now, she’s grooming and her eyes seem a bit brighter.  But I’m so so very worried, I cried the whole way home from the vet.

Please keep my girl in your thoughts, prayers or vibes would be so appreciated. 

EDIT; SHE’S POOPING AND EATING!  CONTINUED VIBES THAT SHE’S OUT OF THE WOODS! 

[Michelle&Lolli]

Vibes for West. And hugs to you both! She will be ok.

[Sarita]

Oh no, vibes to Ms. West. Any idea on why this might be happening? Did the vet look at her teeth? These netherlands are notorious for having dental problems.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Sarita on 02/09/2012 07:42 AM
Oh no, vibes to Ms. West. Any idea on why this might be happening? Did the vet look at her teeth? These netherlands are notorious for having dental problems.

Vet gave her a pretty thorough teeth check just a few weeks ago when I brought her in for a wellness exam, and said her teeth looked good.  She also just gave her teeth another quick peek today and said they still look fine.  She’s not sure what caused it. 
 

I was really lucky the rabbit vet was in today at the clinic.

[Elrohwen]

Vibes for West! I hope it’s just a passing tummy ache.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Elrohwen on 02/09/2012 07:54 AM
Vibes for West! I hope it’s just a passing tummy ache.

Me too.  Metacam is some strong stuff, it really helped Zeus, so I help it makes her feel better as well.

 

[FrankieFlash]

Vibes for West! Sending positive thoughts of lots of poops

[bunnnnnnie!]

No poops yet, just gave her more cisapride and CC.  She ate the CC pretty well this time, was actually licking it off the syringe a bit. 

[bunnnnnnie!]

Still no poops.  I’m not sure if I should continue giving CC, knowing she’s got a full belly and nothing is getting pooped out.  I left the vet a message asking what I should do.

I just want my girl to feel better. 

[bunnnnnnie!]

Vet said to keep giving CC until she poops, and starts eating on her own. 

[Sarita]

It could take awhile. Might want to do some more sub-q fluids eventually as well. Maybe Saturday if she is still not pooping.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Sarita on 02/09/2012 12:13 PM
It could take awhile. Might want to do some more sub-q fluids eventually as well. Maybe Saturday if she is still not pooping.

Yeah vet said to bring her back in tomorrow morning for more fluids if there’s no improvement.

 

[bunnnnnnie!]

Also, I know this is a bit preemptive, but.. what does everyone think about force feeding, and considering the bun’s quality of life/suffering?  I’ve always been kind of against force feeding with most animals, it seems cruel.  

But she really seems at least not in distress, or actively suffering.  Not even grinding teeth.  I just want to do what’s best for her.

[Elrohwen]

I’m extremely in favor of force feeding rabbits. Digestion with dogs and cats is so completely different – if the animal doesn’t want to eat it’s not too big of a deal. If it feels better it will eat eventually. If it really won’t eat to the point it wastes away, then you have big issues on your hands.

With rabbits, not eating can put them in a vicious cycle – they don’t feel well enough to eat, so they don’t, then they feel worse and deteriorate until they won’t be likely to start eating on their own and need serious medical intervention.

I’ve had to force feed Hannah a couple times. She’s very sensitive to pain and after having her teeth done she didn’t eat for three days (her previous owner said the same thing happened after her spay). If I hadn’t force fed her the teeth pain would’ve turned to full on GI issues. On another occasion she had a mild bout of stasis and just needed a few force feedings to get back on track. If I hadn’t force fed her in these situations a small problem would’ve snowballed.

If you’re talking force feeding for the rest of the life just so the animal can function, then that’s a completely different story, but I don’t think it’s at all likely to happen in West’s case.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Elrohwen on 02/09/2012 12:23 PM
I’m extremely in favor of force feeding rabbits. Digestion with dogs and cats is so completely different – if the animal doesn’t want to eat it’s not too big of a deal. If it feels better it will eat eventually. If it really won’t eat to the point it wastes away, then you have big issues on your hands.

With rabbits, not eating can put them in a vicious cycle – they don’t feel well enough to eat, so they don’t, then they feel worse and deteriorate until they won’t be likely to start eating on their own and need serious medical intervention.

I’ve had to force feed Hannah a couple times. She’s very sensitive to pain and after having her teeth done she didn’t eat for three days (her previous owner said the same thing happened after her spay). If I hadn’t force fed her the teeth pain would’ve turned to full on GI issues. On another occasion she had a mild bout of stasis and just needed a few force feedings to get back on track. If I hadn’t force fed her in these situations a small problem would’ve snowballed.

If you’re talking force feeding for the rest of the life just so the animal can function, then that’s a completely different story, but I don’t think it’s at all likely to happen in West’s case.

Thanks for the input, so much.  I felt a bit guilty because I called my mum and told her what was going on, and she brought up the whole quality of life issue when I mentioned force feeding.  But she’s also not experienced with rabbits.
 

She is getting a LITTLE more active, moving from spot to spot to nap.

[Elrohwen]

That’s good that she’s moving around! Being active is usually a sign that they’re feeling better.

I can see your mom’s point if you need to force feed an animal every single meal for the rest of their lives – the quality of life there might not be high. With rabbits though, it’s just a temporary measure to help get them back on their feet. A couple moments of annoyance from them (for those that don’t take the feeding willingly) can make them feel so much better. I’d much rather tick Hannah off by force feeding her than watching her deteriorate and then end up at the vet with serious complications.

[Sarita]

I’m in agreement with Elrohwen, if it’s to get them over a hump and well, then I do it. I don’t like it and they don’t like it, but it’s what must be done.

Obviously if it’s a long-term solution, well then it’s not a solution…it’s a quality of life issue. I always try not to make any hasty decision anyway as far as quality of life goes…not that this is what you are facing with West.

Did the vet say she had a blockage? It’s weird because when Pepe had a blockage he didn’t act like he was in pain either – he just wouldn’t eat and my vet got very aggressive with him and he finally started eating. The same with Mango – a few times it took me 2 weeks or so to get him eating as well and it ended up being almost daily visits to the vet for him as well and some crying and having some conversations with the vets who did not give up quite as easily as I wanted to….I do want to add that neither rabbit is with me now and these are experiences I had with them.

[emkvet]

Vibes to West! I hope your girl starts feeling better very soon! Keep up updated!

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Elrohwen on 02/09/2012 12:54 PM
That’s good that she’s moving around! Being active is usually a sign that they’re feeling better.

I can see your mom’s point if you need to force feed an animal every single meal for the rest of their lives – the quality of life there might not be high. With rabbits though, it’s just a temporary measure to help get them back on their feet. A couple moments of annoyance from them (for those that don’t take the feeding willingly) can make them feel so much better. I’d much rather tick Hannah off by force feeding her than watching her deteriorate and then end up at the vet with serious complications.

Yeah, West really doesn’t even really seem to horribly mind the feeding, and hops away, grooms off the mess, then goes back to napping, so I don’t think she’s getting horribly stressed by it.  I burrito her in a towel, and that seems to really make her feel secure and not scared.
 

Sarita; The vet didn’t think she has a blockage, she didn’t feel one.  But she said if she doesn’t improve within a day or two, they’ll probably do xrays to check.

[MimzMum]

Fiver is unable to eat the coarser hays like oat. He once blew up so bad from even a handful that I thought he had bloat and rushed him to the ER. They took x-rays and just found him extremely full so gave him pain relief, metaclopromide and lots of fluids. As soon as his tummy contents were liquified enough the tummy deflated and he was able to eat on his own again. We also fed him plenty of freshly washed greens to keep moisture in his system.
What was West eating before this happened? Maybe she can’t handle it if it’s too coarse?

[MimzMum]

OH…. and of course, MEGA healing vibes for your dear girl! I hope she is feeling better soon! ((((((((((((((((VIBES)))))))))))))

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By MimzMum on 02/09/2012 03:34 PM
Fiver is unable to eat the coarser hays like oat. He once blew up so bad from even a handful that I thought he had bloat and rushed him to the ER. They took x-rays and just found him extremely full so gave him pain relief, metaclopromide and lots of fluids. As soon as his tummy contents were liquified enough the tummy deflated and he was able to eat on his own again. We also fed him plenty of freshly washed greens to keep moisture in his system.
What was West eating before this happened? Maybe she can’t handle it if it’s too coarse?

I haven’t changed anything in her diet, except for adding a bit of red leaf lettuce, but that was almost a week ago, and was done very carefully.
 

I really wish she’d poop, or eat, or show some signs of feeling better.  She did actually chew her CC, and seemed to eat it better last feeding, but she hasn’t had one than one or two single poop pellets since 6:30 this morning.

[Monkeybun]

poop already, little West!

vibes for your little girl!

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Monkeybun on 02/09/2012 04:28 PM
poop already, little West!

vibes for your little girl!

Thanks Monkey.

 

[bunnyfriend]

Oh no!! Come on West!!! Lots of vibes. I hope she is feeling is better soon.

[bunnnnnnie!]

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.. WE HAVE POOP!  .

Only 5 pellets, but it’s a start!  They look well-formed, normal size, not watery or hard.  Please let this be the start of substantial progress!!!

[Huckleberry]

YEEEEEAAAAH!!!!

[FrankieFlash]

yayyyy wishes for poops worked!

[bunnnnnnie!]

Thanks guys!  She’s actually stretched out now with her back legs behind her (instead of loaf position), and looking considerably more relaxed then she has all day.  Maybe the few poops made her tummy feel a little better. .

I’m trying not to think too ahead of myself, but I’m just so glad to see a little progress!

[tobyluv]

I’m glad that West is feeling better and starting to poop! Continued healing vibes for her!

[MimzMum]

Oh that’s excellent news! More vibes that she’s soon back to normal!
Yeah I noticed red leaf lettuce tends to give mine more gas or cause runny cecals. Perhaps her gut flora balance was just off.

The chlorine rinses most store brought produce gets too can sometimes be especially hard to clean off from lettuces. Sometimes no matter how thoroughly I scrub it still feels slippery.

Hope Zeus is doing good too!

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By MimzMum on 02/09/2012 07:50 PM
Oh that’s excellent news! More vibes that she’s soon back to normal!
Yeah I noticed red leaf lettuce tends to give mine more gas or cause runny cecals. Perhaps her gut flora balance was just off.

The chlorine rinses most store brought produce gets too can sometimes be especially hard to clean off from lettuces. Sometimes no matter how thoroughly I scrub it still feels slippery.

Hope Zeus is doing good too!

Ah,  I see.  I guess she’ll be sticking to a strict romaine-only diet when it comes to her greens.  Thanks for the info.
 

Zeus is well, being his usual carefree snuggly bear self. 

[bunnyfriend]

Oh good! Maybe she’s starting to feel more comfortable.

[bunnnnnnie!]

She went into her litterbox and pooped a full sized pile! .  The poops themselves were smaller than usual, and a bit “moister” than usual, but I’ll take it!  She’s also now grooming herself like crazy, moving around her cage, and sniffing at her hay.  When I try to pet her she runs away.. that’s more like normal West.  .

I’m encouraged.  So happy to see her feeling more comfy. 

[FrankieFlash]

yay! I’m glad she’s feeling better!

[bunnnnnnie!]

SHE ATE A PELLET!  .

It was just one pellet, but it’s a start!  She also rearranged her hay.  She hates how I put it in her litterbox.  I never do it “right”..  Hopefully she’ll eat more pellets and start on hay soon!!!

[SirThumpsey]

YAY! So glad she is pooping and getting more interested in food. Sounds like she is own her way and she is lucky to have such a great bunny mom!

[Monkeybun]

Yay for poop! lol

[lashkay]

Good health vibes for West….you might massage her tummy a little if you want, glad West is doing so much better! Nothing like a good flop to express contentedness! lol

[Deleted User]

Sorry to hear your bunny was sick, but glad to hear she’s already feeling better!

[Sarita]

Yay, so glad she pooped! Continued vibes to Ms. West.

[bunnnnnnie!]

West is doing MUCH better this morning, and through the night last night. .

She’s eating hay, pellets, and carrots.  Pooping pretty normally, peeing.  I haven’t seen her drink, but she’s peeing a normal amount so I assume she’s drinking.  And she’s back to her diva self. .  I’m not allowed to touch her face except her ears, thank you very much.  And she keeps giving me a glare like, “NO more medicine, lady!” 

[Sarita]

LOL – so glad she’s better.

[Elrohwen]

Yay! Glad she’s feeling so much better.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Thanks guys.  I love when an ailing animal gives you what-for, means they’re feeling good enough to express their opinion.  

[bunnnnnnie!]

Just gave her a bit more cisapride just to be on the safe side.. and getting her burritoed was a challenge. .  She’s definitely feeling MUCH better, even gave me a few sniffly grunts of disapproval.  .  She’s so opinionated compared to Zeus, it’s hilarious.  I gave her some pineapple after the medicine and she snatched it up like, “DARN RIGHT, you give me some treats after what you just did!” 

[FrankieFlash]

haha I can totally picture her saying that!

[Sarita]

The little ones are feisty that way.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Sarita on 02/10/2012 02:18 PM
The little ones are feisty that way.

Definitely!  Although I can’t even burrito Zeus, at all.  The second you drape a part of the towel over him, he just sends limbs in all directions and suddenly he becomes this 10lb boneless wiggly mass that can squeeze out of any space. .
 

West will let me burrito her.. as long as you cover her eyes with your hand.  It’s funny, it’s like she doesn’t want to watch. 

[Sarita]

I do find the tiny ones more difficult to medicate. They go wild.

My large rabbits, I don’t even have to burrito – I just cradle them and it’s fairly easy. But the little ones are like holding a bug.

[Pandorachik]

SO gld she’s better!!!!!!

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Sarita on 02/10/2012 02:30 PM
I do find the tiny ones more difficult to medicate. They go wild.

My large rabbits, I don’t even have to burrito – I just cradle them and it’s fairly easy. But the little ones are like holding a bug.

Yeah when Zeus was getting Metacam I didn’t even hold him or pick him up, I’d just go wherever he was, sit behind him so he couldn’t back up too much, and give it to him.  He just really hates being picked up, and he knows burrito = being picked up.  

West feels much safer being burritoed, so that’s what we do.  Once she’s all snuggled in tight, she’s like, “Ah, ok, in my little towel nest, I’m safe.”  But getting her burritoed, like you said, she was like a little bug leaping everywhere once she felt better. 

 

[emkvet]

Bahaha you guys need a tiny bun like my 2 lb champ…she LOVES all meds, and slurps them out of the syringe. She was on Benadryl for a while and she would come running when she heard the lid come off the bottle; that stuff is bunny crack!

On another note, I’m so glad West is doing better! It’s so scary when something goes wrong. Continued healing vibes to the diva bun!

[bunnnnnnie!]

She’s pooping a normal amount and the poops are normal looking now, yay.  She’s also finishing up her pellets, and running up to me when she knows it’s meal time, ready for snacks.  Just like normal, little piggie girl. .

Today was the first time she went all day with no medications, and she did fine.  So I think she’s better now.  I’m still going to watch her like a hawk for another few days, and right now I’m feeding her like 6 or 7 small meals throughout the day, just to be safe.

[Author]

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