Probable misdiagnosis by vet – what to do?

[Alfiebuns]

I am a serial poster today, apologies!

 

Hi again all

 

I’m in need of some rabbit friendly expertise please!

Yesterday morning, I rescued a ten week old bunny called Ted. He is absolutely amazing! He is not in the slightest bit shy and when we tried to leave him to settle he just followed us and wanted attention, so of course he got it!

Soon after we got him I noticed some jelly like fluid coming out with his wees and poos, he was eating like a trooper as he’s hay mad, drinking fine, doing regular healthy poos and wees and just in general a very happy bunny. We even got kisses and a few binkys in the first fe hours of having him. But, the jelly was concerning so I took him to the emergency vet just in case.

As it was the emergency vet, it wasn’t our normal rabbit savvy vet who we take our other buns to (it was too late for our emergency vet) but she seemed nice and was good with Ted. She had a feel around of him and looked at a poo sample I’d brought and diagnosed him with Mucoid Entheritis. She said she was 90% sure he had it and that we should return him to the rescue and get another. When we explained that wasn’t an option as we’re humans and absolutely love him, she said she probably wouldn’t suggest putting him to sleep that day then but to see how he goes. I asked how long we could expect him to last for and she said it could be a few weeks at most.

So, we got home absolutely devastated and began to do some research. We found that lots of buns have treatment for Mucoid Entheritis yet we told there is no possible treatment for it except for doses of fibreplex. There is a whole list on other bunny sites of things buns can be treated with and they’re generally given a 50/50 chance. Then we realised everyone seemed to have been given some pain relief for their buns which we did not get.

Meanwhile, Ted was doing absolutely fine, bouncing about, eating, drinking, binkying, pooping and weeing. So the next day (today) I tried to make an emergency appointment with my own vets and explained Ted’s symptoms to him over the phone, he said why do you think it’s an emergency if Ted is doing so well, bunnies often have stomach upset when they’ve had a change of environment, food and stress, all of which Ted had, and he’d been bitten at the recuse that morning! So he basically told me to stop worrying and enjoy Ted as me stressing won’t help and bringing him to the vets won’t help but to make an appointment if any more jelly episodes happen over the next week.

So, I was left quite distressed by the emergency vet’s diagnosis yesterday and the thought that she even spoke of euthenising Ted when there could be nothing at all wrong with him. She had all of the info I have given here but just assumed Mucoid Entheritis. In my distress I tried to call her but she wasn’t there today and was told by another vet at that practise that sometimes vets will see a trend of something in a certain animal where they’re based  and her case she has come from an area that sees a lot of buns with M.E so she will have seen the warning signs and diagnosed.

How is that acceptable? If it had have been a different, not so fussed bunny owner taking Ted in yesterday they might have just opted to euthenise him and get a new bunny when there was nothing wrong! And, why not offer any kind of treatment at all? Not even pain relief or the offer to come back a week later? I wouldn’t mind but Ted was jumping around her table, giving her licks and eating hay in front of her, he was hardly acting ill!

I’ve just noticed how long this post is I apologise but does anyone have any similar experience to this and advice on what to do?

I have requested that the emergency vet call me when she in next to answer some of my questions but I just don’t know if that is enough.

What would you do?

[Deleted User]

I truly feel for you and am profoundly glad you kept your little one!

I don’t have any words of wisdom, I did have something a little similar happen with one of my dogs many years ago and it was (I can still get) very upsetting. The only thing I can suggest is that one, you avoid that particular vet in future, (although I went back to the practice a few times I made sure never to see her again), and to remember that they do make mistakes, some times major ones so its wise to think and check, not to simply accept things told to you by a medical professional on trust. Sounds obvious I know but its amazing how the most questioning among us do just that. I adore the vet I have now for my dogs and cats, but something happened recently where I feel by his not admitting to having less knowledge really let me and a pet down. He is still a great vet and a wonderful person, but I’ve learnt how wrong he was in this one instance, done a Lot of research recently, and will never again consult him about other animals aside from my dogs and cats. But it all has been an unpleasant reminder to me in my own life not to simply believe because the person is supposed to be an expert.

Sorry, know that doesn’t really address your problem, … afraid it turned into something else, but still, I’m so glad your Ted is going to have the long happy life he deserves in spite of one person’s in ability to see possibilities. The lady I dealt with at the SPCA when I adopted my two has a little rabbit with kidney disease. She took her home to foster her for the few weeks they said she had left, well that was more then a year ago and she’s still hopping and happy! Even if he had been ill as long as he wasn’t in terrible pain its usually worth trying and waiting.

[Alfiebuns]

Hi Grey Dove, I’m sorry you have been through something similar it is very frustrating isn’t it! I will definitely avoid her in future but hopefully will not need an out of hours emergency vet again!

With regards to admitting lack of knowledge, I know that could be frustrating to hear but it would have been much better to hear than your rabbit is probably going to die! We have a vets about 2 minutes from us but don’t use them because they readily admitted they don’t see many, if any, rabbits which I thought was strange but refreshingly honest!

It is just a good job we love our pets so much I guess so we do what’s best for them =)

[Sarita]

Well as with anything I would get a second opinion and remember that emergency vets see different things than a regular vet and they really only treat emergencies and should suggest that you see your own vet – they basically are just meant to stabilize (if possible) or do emergency care.

I wouldn’t ponder too much on this really since you’ve contacted your own vet and gotten the reassurance you need.

[tanlover14]

Would just like to begin by saying I’m glad your bun is still doing okay!

I agree with Sarita – I would get a 2nd opinion (or maybe a first?). LOL. I live in the city and I can say with a very high certainty that there is only ONE rabbit-savvy EXPERIENCED emergency vet in all of Pittsburgh. So basically, in a lot of emergency vets you only get the “rabbit-savvy” one if you’re lucky and they’re on duty that night. They are other ones who claim to be but really don’t know a whole lot.

I would follow up with what your normal vet suggests. Although, I would schedule an appointment and bring a sample of his jelly covered poo just to be cautious. But only through the vet that you normally see and trust.

I’m a little skeptical of the emergency vet saying he needed to be euthanized for that… as I’ve read many other stories about GI upset on BB with similar symptoms of jelly-covered poo. Something easily could have just upset his tummy. Did you change his pellets that he was getting at the previous place? Or give him something different?

[Beka27]

Yes, ER vets should be reserved for emergencies (not eating/drinking for an extended length of time, lethargy, difficulty breathing). I would not have taken the bun to the ER vet for the mucus, but rather waited until morning. Regardless, at least you got reassurance from your vet.

[Alfiebuns]

Hi all,

Thank you for your replies =)

So, i’m still waiting for the emergency vet to call me, I suppose I just need to hear her say she was wrong or something or the sort so we can finally put our minds at rest and start enjoying Ted without the fear that we’re going to lose him suddenly. Also, it is a worry that she is our emergency vet as she’s only one of three that work at the practice and it is the only practice in a very large area so it concerns me other buns may experience her inexperience. Fingers crossed we’ll never need an emergency vet again though!

I only took him to the emergency vet because of his age, ten weeks old and what with him being a rescue bun I just couldn’t take any chances waiting 2 days to get him to my normal vet.

Ted hasn’t had a change of pellets or anything, I think it was purely the change of environment. Bless him, he’d been rescued on the Friday, bitten by a bunny on Saturday morning then I took him hom a couple of hours later – a lot of stress for a little baby.

I will be taking him to my normal vet when he’s settled in a bit more but he seems really well and very happy!

[Bam]

Since she’s the only emergency vet wjhere you live you should proabably try to be nice to her and not try to force her to admit she was wrong or accuse her of being inadequate – all doctors incl human doctors can be wrong too (but they seldom euthanize their patients anyway =/) and I can feel she was too quick to diagnose little Ted – but perhaps she thought you just wanted a rabbit and that you could have Ted exchanged for a helthier specimen at the shelter, so to speak. A good vet wouldn’t recommend people to take on the responsibility of an already sick animal. That she didn’t offer any pain-meds could’ve been because there was no indication of Ted being in pain and all rabbit painkillers like rimadyl and metacam are potentially stressful to the GI-tract so a bunny with stomach-problems shouldn’t take them unless there is at least some indication of pain.

Not saying you’re wrong in thinking that the vet messed up. Just that it’s probably best not to make an enemy of the only local emergency-vet .

Perhaps this vet has learned sth from Ted’s case. Lots of vibes for Ted! He sounds like a great rabbit.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’ve also had bad experiences with non-bunny savvy emergency vets. It is very frustrating.

I definitely disagree with her opinion on euthanizing and/or returning him. Seems rather cold-hearted.

I don’t have an experience with this particular issue but want to offer some ((((Get Well Bunny Vibes))))))

[Alfiebuns]

Thanks to you both!

I don’t want to make an enemy out of her but at the same time I don’t want her misdiagnosing any other baby bunnies with M.E unfairly. Also, I believe that if she could maybe point out to me exactly why she diagnosed him as 90% sure he was going to die soon then I can eliminate each reason as invalid (if it is) and finally be clear that Ted is going to be ok. It is possible that she could have spotted something else and not informed me of it so I feel I can’t get excited about Teddy being ok until I know for sure that she is wrong.

Thank you for Ted’s vibes =) he appreciates them! He is actually a really healthy little baby, he eats the most ridiculous amount of hay and drinks lots too and he is just the best little friend, we’re all so happy to have him and can’t wait to just know for sure he is definitely ok as it is always at the back of our minds that a professional has told us he is ill. Although Ted strongly denies this with his binks and zooms!

[Bam]

It really was kind of cold-hearted to tell you to euthanize/exchange Ted, but vet sometimes are like that for a reason. First of all, sick animals shouldn’t be sold. It’s not right and in some countries it’s even illegal. And second, if a person buys a sick animal and all there ever is is trouble and more trouble and costs – then the person perhaps runs out of money and patience and the poor animal ends up suffering more than it should have to. Vets see a lot of bad stuff. Sometimes they rather seem to want to euthanize as a preventive treatment because that way they know for sure the animal won’t suffer anymore.

Of course it is worrisome for you that you can’t quite make out the basis for her (mis)diagnosis of Ted. I’d go to another vet. Ted seems absolutely adorable. More vibes for him even though he doesn’t seem to need them!

[Sarita]

Why don’t you just bring him to your regular vet anyway since he needs to be seen by him/her rather than stressing about the emergency vet? To me that makes more sense since you know your vet is more knowledgeable.

[tanlover14]

I agree with Sarita – I would just take him for a regular visit and check-up (since that needs to be done anyways). Then you will have piece of mind.

As for the vet, I’m not sure anything you can say will really change her opinion or mind on her diagnosis. It’s horrifying that she suggested you just put him down though. But putting your time and energy into a conversation with her will most likely not solve the issue. We had considered taking my rescue bunny to the emergency vet and then just opted against it because they really are ONLY for emergencies and you will likely not get a long-term care answer. They are simply just for emergency situations. To help the current situation until you can get to your regular vet for care.

[Stickerbunny]

My vet dislikes the emergency vets in the area, he says often they do more harm than good for rabbits. He’s offered to stay open late for my buns to avoid me having to take them there he is so against anyone using one. If we HAVE to go, he recommends the university as they are the only ones that know anything about rabbits. Emergency vets probably get pretty jaded since they are dealing with mostly fatal emergency situations day in / day out.

[tanlover14]

My vet pretty much agrees with Stickerbunnys. Although when I thought my bun injured his leg they sent him directly there because they didn’t have an x-ray in the vets office. So that’s definitely a time when they would come in handy! Then they can send the x-ray to your vet and your vet can continue treatment.

[Alfiebuns]

Hi all,

Thanks again for replies! It has proven quite therapeutic discussing the problem on here so thank you very much =)

As it is still only 3 days since the whole drama my vet is still of the opinion that Ted needs to get settled in before we take him on another trip so we’re leaving his check up until next week, unless we see anything worrying of course!

I do think you’re right about emergency vets being purely for emergencies, I must remember this in future when I go into a panic. I think because it all happened just 3 weeks after our beautiful bunny Pepper died we were just on high alert.

I do understand vets have to be hardened but it doesn’t make it any easier to take when it’s your baby they’re diagnosing.

I also agree that the most important thing is Ted and stressing about the emergency vet is just time consuming and he is just unbelievably amazing, I have been sleeping in the spare room with him to keep him company and he uses his play box as a step to leap onto my bed and sleep on the pillow next to me and even gives me kisses while I sleep! He is just a little miracle!

[Roberta]

A friends daughter recently took their pregnant cat to an EV as the labor seemed prolonged and they were concerned. The EV announced that the kittens were dead and it was best to put the cat to sleep. Needless to say this wasn’t accepted well especially given the callous manner in which the news was delivered. Thankfully the girl rang her Mother from the surgery and the Sharon wanted to know if there were any other options.
The EV said they could take her home to see if she would deliver the dead kittens but they were really wasting their time and they should just euthanize her immediately.
Luckily they opted to take her home and go to their own vet at the earliest opportunity. On the drive home 2 healthy kittens were delivered and when they arrived two more Healthy kittens made an appearance. Mother cat is doing well and feeding without difficulty and all kittens and Mother have been pronounced fit and healthy.
This could have been a tragedy but they listened to their doubts. All kittens have homes to go to and Mother Cat is booked in for Spaying.

[Eucalyptus]

^^^^ OMG I’m so disgusted with this story. The part about the vet saying they’re dead and everything. I’m so happy those people didn’t listen and everyone turned out safe and healthy.

[Stickerbunny]

What…. even if the kittens were dead they can still save the mother. :s My grandmothers dog had a difficult pregnancy (small mother, father was like 3-4 times her size … my grandmother rescued her from the home already pregnant) and my grandmother didn’t know she was so close to delivering. The dog hid in a closet to have them late at night while my grandmother was asleep, no noise. The puppies ended up getting stuck and when my grandmother woke up, she found her distressed and rushed her to the vet. The pups were all dead, but the mother was saved via surgery and she got spayed and lived to be a very old dog (16 I believe).

I can’t believe a vet would say euthanize when an animal could easily be saved, even if they thought the babies wouldn’t make it. Glad they listened to the doubts!

[Roberta]

I suspect the almighty dollar was involved. It costs as much to PTS as it does to treat an illness in most instances and for a busy disinterested vet the euthanasia would net the same profit for less effort.

[tanlover14]

Ugh – Roberta that is horrifying!

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