I don’t know what I’m doing wrong

[borken]

I posted in May back when my rabbit had GI stasis. Well, it’s happening again. Woke up to give him pellets and he flopped over at my feet. Then I put the pellets in his bowl and he didn’t go after them. Thought it was weird, maybe he just didn’t realize I put the food there from the flop. Went to give him his oxbow digestive supplements and he refused them. I grabbed his banana treats as a test and – yup, refused them.

I have cisapride left over from the last vet visit. The problem is, I have no money to afford another vet bill. I quit my job in April to come up to Canada to live with my boyfriend for the summer and we got married. I had savings, but between the last vet visit, groceries, wedding/vacation stuff, I am now pretty broke. 

Last night he was fine. He was eating hay at around 2AM. I don’t know if I should give him cisapride or find a way to take him to the vet first. I am just so defeated already.

[Roberta]

Ok, do you have any oral syringes ? Crush up a pellet slurry as fine as you can with water or diluted apple or pineapple juice, unsweetened. Use it like critical care to feed at least 10 ml at a time. If you have cc that’s even better. Do you have any metacam or moloxicam from the last bout ? Simethicone baby gas drops are also very good and affordable. Ideally a vet visit is best so if you have a vet see if they will give you an account or ring the nearest rescue to see if they can suggest one that might help. Oral syringes can be purchased cheaply at you pharmacist. You need to act quickly to keep his gut moving so any aromatic herbs or treats that might tempt him are a good place to start. Get that slurry crushed and fine enough to go in an oral syringe and send the bf up to the chemist to get one if you have too. Tummy rubs are next. Gentle down ward strokes along his sides and circling motions on his tummy, if its gas you can help move it through by placing you hands under his tummy near his hips and gently lifting them a few milimeters.

[Roberta]

You can also give a dose of the cisapride but you need to get food into his gut. They usually stop eating because of pain caused by gas, blockage or illness and that is sometimes what causes the stasis.

[borken]

I have one syringe of metacam left, simethicone, and critical care left. I’m worried he got into a box under the bed and ate duct tape off it. There is some nibbling on it.

[Roberta]

Ok, how many mils or cc’s of metacam ? What was the prescribed dosage ?

[borken]

.5 mL/daily

I gave him the metacam, some simethicone drops, and some critical care. Not a lot right now because my partner isn’t awake and he usually holds the bun for me. The bunny burrito I just did was mostly a disaster and he’s got a lot of critical care on his chest now. I’ll try again in a bit.

[Roberta]

That’s ok as long as you got the metacam in and atleast half the Critical care.

[borken]

OK so he just started eating the oxbow digestive supplements and some pellets. I have some lettuce out for him as well, but he’s a little disinterested in that. Guessing the metacam is kicking in a bit.

[Bam]

Great that he’s eaten some on his own!

[Roberta]

That’s a great start. Do you have enough metacam for another dose tomorrow ?

[borken]

I called the vet to get more metcam, actually. I said he also ate a piece of lettuce and the vet said not to give him lettuce? It might be causing a problem? I have never heard this ever. I feed him romaine, not iceberg, so I’m really confused. Anyway, I’m going to pick up a couple more doses of the metacam for him, so hopefully he’ll be ok.

[Roberta]

I find poorly bunnies do better with herbs. Nice cilantro, parsley, basil or mint. A bit gentler on the tummy and the smell is enticing.

[borken]

Okay! I’ll pick some up. I did know about herbs being good but I didn’t know lettuce would upset him? Thanks!

[borken]

Okay, so, he has been eating normally again and seems to move around fine. I’ve given him more cisapride and simethicone, he’s pooped (first batch was wonky but after that it seemed okay).

Problem is I was feeling his stomach and I think I can feel a lump on his left side below his ribs. I feel it easier when he’s hunched up (when he’s stretched out it’s harder to find). I don’t know what to think.

[LBJ10]

Lettuce doesn’t normally cause problems, but I agree that herbs would probably be more soothing.

The metacam and simethicone are probably helping. Have you tried doing tummy rubs?

[borken]

I was giving him tummy rubs when I noticed the lump. I don’t remember feeling it earlier, but he also wasn’t letting me touch him much. It’s below his ribs on the left side. Feels big and hard. Otherwise, his lower half is squishy. He is eating fine, pooping some. I am freaking out though. I really want to get him to the vet tomorrow but my partner thinks I’m overreacting since he’s doing better.

[Roberta]

Hmmm, I don’t think you are over reacting at all. Lumps in bunnies are a cause for concern, please take him in to the vet tomorrow if you can.

[Bam]

I agree with Roberta. There should be no lumps.

[borken]

I don’t really feel the lump anymore. I think it may have been his stomach and it was a bit swollen maybe? He’s been eating hay like crazy and pooping a lot. I still gave him cisapride this morning and some simethicone just so he doesn’t regress. He doesn’t appear to be in pain. He’s moving fine, eating, no noticeable tooth grinding. He ran around me this morning for food. Trying to see if he shows any signs of discomfort before I give him metacam.

[Roberta]

Please get it checked. A friend lost their bun to cancer recently and it started with an elusive lump. By the time the lump was fixed and easy to find the cancer was too far advanced.

[borken]

I’m definitely going to keep an eye on it. I really wanted to get to the vet today but I don’t have any transportation. I’m relying on my partner since my car is back in the states and he took off work yesterday, so he can’t do it again today. I’m hoping he can get done early because I think the vet is open until 6.

EDIT: Rabbit savvy vet isn’t available today, so I made an appointment for 5:20 tomorrow.

[borken]

Vet didn’t find anything. Said I may have been feeling his kidney. He’s doing fine now.

[Roberta]

That’s excellent news broken.

[bunny4]

thats good so he is good now

[Author]

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