New bunny who is sick…could use advice please!

[KriDavis]

Hi everyone, I’m new to this site. Just got (rescued) a new bunny from the pet store last Wednesday named Zoey. (Age is unknown. only weighs 1.2 pounds). Needless to say, I ended up taking her to our vet who said nothing but “you have a healthy bunny”. On Friday, she developed mucous stools that have a foul smell…only passing this mucous (no solid stool). Ended up finding a vet that was highly recommended for rabbits, and immediately took her there. We found out she was very dehydrated, underweight, and had an upset belly. An intense regimen was given for critical care syringe feedings, encouraged offering water every 2 hours, and Reglan every 6 hours. In addition, we were instructed to take her pellets away, and only offer alfalfa hay and oats. Chances of her surviving were slim. With lots and lots of TLC, love, and good
Nursing care, Zoey made it through the weekend! Contacted the vet Monday and explained Zoey was still not consuming a good intake of water, and still passing these mucous jelly stools only. Went to the vet yesterday with a stool sample (showed some WBCs) and instructed to give her Subq fluids twice a day, a wet, green leafy vegetable, Reglan every 6 hours, as well as Bactrim twice daily, and syringe feedings every 6 hours. Took the day off today and tomorrow to care for the little one. Needless to say, she is still with us! Passing more mucous stools (which now have small brown flecks), taking the antibiotic and Reglan per vet order, consuming critical care feedings four times a day, subq fluids twice a day, and ate approximately half a cup
Of wet, fresh parsley. i have been using her opioid pain medication sparingly when she displays signs of pain because i have read ot can have an effect on gut motility. After I introduced her to the parsley, she has not consumed any hay. Vet states to
Continue with the veggies, however, I would like another opinion! Or if anyone has other tips I should be doing. I know baby rabbits should consume alfalfa but should I offer Timothy hay as well? I have been having her out of the cage frequently to run around (which she loves) and have been giving gentle belly massages often. I would greatly appreciate any advice you have to offer to help my Zoey pull through this! Thanks everyone

[RabbitPam]

This is quite an ordeal for a new little bunny. It’s wonderful of you to take her on and go through all of this for her. Sounds like it’s working.
My opinion is to continue with whatever this vet is telling you, because you are seeing positive and immediate results. If she comes through this, she will have years to get more regular in her diet and eat Timothy hay, along with a variety of veggies. But for now, I would stick closely with doctor’s orders, and remember that treatment is short term. Once out of the woods, she will be given a long term food regimen, or you can ask for one after her health, stool production and behavior is “normal.”
Please keep us posted on how Zoey is doing.

[KriDavis]

Thank you so much for your advice, it is greatly appreciated! Zoey seems like she may just pull through. She is starting to gain normal function of her bowels!! She is also flying around the house like a mad woman! Such a strong willed bunny. Ill keep you updated on our progress!!!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m sorry your new bunny is so ill. (((((Get Well Baby)))))

Did the vet say what the suspected problem is? Did the fecal show any bacteria or parasites?

[jerseygirl]

{{{Zoey}}}

You’ve done great by this little rabbit! Especially going to find a second vet. That probably saved her life.
Very glad to hear her stools are starting to normalise and she seems brighter. Hopefully the antibiotics have kept any nasties at bay in her gut.

It certainly won’t hurt to offer other hays as well. You can sometimes get sample packs with small amount of different hays. You could try Timothy, orchard, oat… Most grass hays.

When timing is better, I do suggest notifying the pet shop and even try get the name of their supplier. It very likely it’s a case of the rabbit being to young to be taken from the mother. Sadly it is all too common.

[KriDavis]

I agree! When I contacted the pet store I was told it was highly
Unlikely she was sick there because “only 1 out of every 100
Bunnies they sell are sick!” I didn’t bother to argue With them. Zoey on the other hand continues to shine! She loves the parsley I have been giving her, and now is eating her hay and oats! Vet said yesterday she was 1.2 pounds.
This evening she weighed in at 1.9!!! So
Thankful I was able to provide her with the care she greatly needed. I can only imagine if someone else got her… I’ve never owns a rabbit before, but I must say I have learned a lot in a few days! I greatly appreciate all your support!!

[KriDavis]

I do have another question. With her being on the antibiotic, should I provide a probiotic like bene bac the entire time she is on it?

[jerseygirl]

Ugh! pet stores.
I’d take copy of the vet bills in for them to see.

I wouldn’t think bene-bac would hurt and continue with a little after the course of antibiotics. I’m not sure if its proven to have benefits but I don’t *think* it’s harmful either. So nothing to lose…?

You can always ring the vet clinic to ask over the phone.

I only recently learnt that some antibiotics won’t effect some of the beneficial bacteria in the gut so it has a chance to re-establish after the nasty variety is under control. I do not know whether that is the case with Bactrim but is is a very common med given for rabbits for coccidia.

Thankful I was able to provide her with the care she greatly needed. I can only imagine if someone else got her… I’ve never owns a rabbit before, but I must say I have learned a lot in a few days!

Well she’s lucky to have you. I hope you’re rewarded with her good health for a long time to come.

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