Hey guys,
My boy Ben went into GI stasis around October and he was in the hospital for four days. They didn’t want to release him until he was eating on his own and when he finally came home I had still had to syringe feed him criticalcare, adminster Tremadol, and give him IV fluids. He HATES being handled, so the whole experience is a nightmare for both of us. (Biting and kicking)
Well, yesterday I noticed he just wasn’t himself again – the biggest clue is when he shows no interest in his favorite veggie parsley. He eats parsley like a monster, and is always begging for more when he’s done. I tried everything he usually eats, and nothing. I started giving him CriticalCare feedings and Tremadol again (I emailed the doctor and he told me to start doing this as soon as I notice the behavior). All night I worried about him – this morning I called our emergency doctor and she said to continue the CriticalCare/Tremedol treatments and to check in with my regular doctor on Monday. I explained to her everything, and she didn’t seem to think it was an emergency just yet. Whats weird is when he goes into stasis, he’s never lethargic and remains fairly active. Although, she did say that if he wasn’t much better by tomorrow he might have to stay another night at the hospital. I’ve read that a lot of vets give the bun fluids and send them home? Is them having to stay overnight a normal?
They tested for everything last time – and did xrays. They said he’s one of the healthiest bunnies on the inside that they have ever seen – so they seemed kind of stumped as to what the cause is. They warned me that it might come back – so I’m always looking for the signs, I just didn’t expect for it to come again so soon. His diet is fairly ok, I wish he ate a larger variety of veggies but he’s a very picky bun and if he doesn’t like it its hard to get him to eat it. Right now he likes Parsley, Romaine and Mustard Greens (I give him veggies in the morning, afternoon, and again before going to bed) He always loves carrots but I only give that to him as a treat. He doesn’t seem to care for palettes and eats a fair amount of Timothy hay (unlimited access).
He doesn’t seem to be in much pain – or at least he’s very good at not showing it. I love him to death but his treatment is getting very expensive – last time it cost just over 1500 dollars. Not to mention he is fighting me every step of the way. This morning he kicked so hard that he must have snugged his nail on the couch we were sitting in and he tore his nail. I saw blood and it scared me to death! It stopped bleed fairly quickly though – and I was able to help him clean it out a bit.
As far as pooping goes, I saw just one this morning when I put him in the bathtub for a while (I have two buns, and I couldn’t really tell who’s poop belongs to whom unless I separate them). I took a small nap after his feeding this morning and woke up hours later and I don’t think he’s moved from his spot under the bed which again is odd for him and it doesn’t look like he’s used the litterbox. I’m just really hoping he snaps out of this quickly this time – so so worried about him.