Hi everyone, I frequently read the forums but have only just joined to post this. Apologies if I make any mistakes.

BG – My bunny Benjamin is a European rabbit (that was caught as a baby in the wild – not by me, but I took over his care). He is now nearly 6 years old, and until recently has been in otherwise good health, good spirits and didn’t seem to be slowing down. In the past he has had two minor bouts of GI Stasis that were treated reasonably easily, the most recent about 6 months ago, the other over 2 years ago.

Now to the cause of my anxiety –

Four days ago I woke up to find that Benjamin was just not himself, he had been a bit ‘off’ the previous day but nothing I could pinpoint. While I waited anxiously for my vet to open, I noticed he seemed to be straining to urinate and when he did a squelching/pushing noise could be head. He was visibly uncomfortable and uninterested in moving or eating food (though he was drinking a lot of water).
A few hours later he was at the vets, who diagnosed him as having a urinary tract infection (she took a sample and examined it) and the beginnings of GI Stasis (due to being in pain), but she noted that he seemed otherwise in good health (teeth, fur and skin, general body condition, eyes and ears). He was prescribed twice daily antibiotics for 21 days, a painkiller for 4 days, and some gut motility medicine for 7 days (to help with GI Stasis), and sent home with me to care for him (he does not do well at the vets, and their preference is always to send him home unless absolutely necessary).

So over the next few days I administered his meds, encouraged him to eat what he would (initially only spinach, coriander, rocket and a blueberry) and supplemented with critical care syringe-feeding. He seemed to pick up a bit by the 2nd day, began to eat more incl. hay, and his poops were returning to normal (even though his litter training seems to have slipped a bit). He also seemed less uncomfortable and while not back to his old self by any means, seemed to be going well and not retreating to hide in his room as he was before.

Until this morning (5 days later), I wake up and he is back in his bedroom. Clearly uncomfortable, has wet his bedding quite a bit (urine is orange-reddish, which is not normally too abormal but given the circumstances), and the straining to urinate and squelching noise is back. He didn’t want to come out to run around, and while he is still pooping, he is less interested in food again. I gave him his antibiotic and motility med (as he was due), but no painkiller as he has had 4 days worth as was prescribed. I am now anxiously waiting for the vet to open again so that I can call and get more info.

So (thanks for reading if you have made it this far)….I guess I’m wondering why he would suddenly go backwards again?! It is giving me so much anxiety and sadness seeing him like this, and unfortunately I’m not in a position where I can keep taking time off work and going back and forth to the vets (which is extremely stressful for him). Has anyone else been through this, and can give me an idea of how recovery from a UTI generally progresses? Thanks so much.