Anemia & Internal Bleeding?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 19sd replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 1 month ago by LBJ10.

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- 03/31/2018 at 7:51 PM
  Whisky The Bun
  Participant
  50 posts
  My bunny has been peeing blood for 2+ days now. The first day I thought she’d just cut her foot (came home to blood on the floor and her foot had blood on it), so didn’t think much of it since it didn’t seem to be bothering her. Then last night I realized it was her pee that was red, but again, she was acting 100% fine (eating, pooping normally — both texture and color, running around and playing, etc.). So I was hoping it was just the red pee I’ve heard so much about.
  
  Fast forward to this morning and I notice a HUGE blood clot in her litter box (she peed it out sometime this morning, since I checked her litter box when I got up and there was nothing). Like, as big around as a straw and as long as my pinky finger. So I immediately called the emergency vet and brought her in. She had x-rays which seem to be okay (the vet said there *might* be bladder stones but she couldn’t be sure). No signs of cancer or anything like that. They did blood work and she’s anemic and still peeing blood, but everything else checked out okay, so they don’t know what’s causing it. Her gums look good and pink according to the vet.
  
  I’m taking her to the rabbit specialist vet as soon as possible (Monday hopefully), but I’m still freaking out in the mean time. The emergency vet gave her fluids and a painkiller shot, and they sent me home with antibiotics in case it’s an infection (there was some bacteria in her urine). But I’m wondering if there’s anything else I can do for her between now and Monday? I wish I could get her to the rabbit specialist vet sooner, but they don’t do emergency care and aren’t open till Monday (they couldn’t see her today and recommended the emergency vet).
  
  She’s almost four, still intact (I know she should have been spayed already, I was going to get her spayed last year but lost my job and put it off), but the vet said there didn’t look like there was anything wrong with her uterus, etc.
  
  I’m just freaking out. This bunny has gotten me through two bad breakups and the death of my grandmother and I just really want her to be okay. I’m hoping it’s just an infection and that the antibiotics will take care of it, but the vet did not seem hopeful. I think because they just couldn’t tell what the bleeding/anemia was from.
  
  I guess I just need any advice I can get to keep her feeling good till I can get her to the other vet, and/or any ideas on what it could be or similar stories.
- 03/31/2018 at 9:58 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17244 posts
  With a blood clot that large, I would think it was coming from her uterus and not her bladder. I’m not sure what they could or could not see on the x-ray. However, some things may not show up well. Not only can unspayed females develop tumors, they can get uterine infections as well. It sounds like you’re heading to a rabbit-savvy vet soon, so that’s good. I don’t think you really need to do much for her in the meantime. As long as she is eating, pooping, etc.
- 04/01/2018 at 8:31 AM
  Hazel
  Participant
  2587 posts
  I agree with LBJ. Given her age and the fact that she’s not spayed, it’s mot likely a problem with her uterus. It could be an infection or cancer. Either way, the vet will most likely tell you she has to be spayed right away.
- 04/01/2018 at 8:40 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  I agree with LBJ. And I don’t know about rabbits, but with dogs they have to do an ultrasound to see if the uterus is enlarged. My dog had that done last summer because when an intact girl dog present with an acute lower back problem, pyometra (=uterine infection) is always suspected. They can’t see that on normal x-rays. If you’re seeing a rabbit savvy vet next week, they might suggest an emergency spay if they consider her strong enough to cope with surgery.
- 04/01/2018 at 11:10 AM
  Whisky The Bun
  Participant
  50 posts
  The vet said her uterus felt fine, but I don’t think she did much else to check. She passed another blood clot this morning that was a little bit smaller. She decided this morning she HATES the antibiotics (that she loved last night), so it’s gonna be fun getting her to take them tonight. I got over half her dose into her this morning but she was just freaking out too much after that.
  
  I’m all for spaying her (it was on my to-do list to get an appointment for that to be done this month anyway) and at this point I’m willing to spend any reasonable amount on care that has a reasonable chance of saving her life. The upside is that they did check to make sure her lungs and such didn’t have cancer, so if it IS uterine cancer or an infection, then fingers crossed it’s something that’s still operable. I think I’m freaking out over this way more than she is. Here’s a pic from this morning of her just completely chilling out on the rug like it’s any other Sunday: https://www.instagram.com/p/BhCLTrHBASv/
- 04/01/2018 at 12:21 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  The “good” thing about uterine cancer is that it’s slow to develop and once it’s there, it’s slow-growing. So chances are good that a spay will cure her. Great that her lungs were clear!
  
  She looks very comfy in the picture =)
  
  It’s actually considered a good sign when a bun fights its meds. It’s not fun and its not convenient for the person trying to give the meds, but it says a lot about the bun’s general condition/strenght.
- 04/01/2018 at 1:19 PM
  Whisky The Bun
  Participant
  50 posts
  I hope she’s strong enough for surgery. The emergency vet said the anemia may be an issue, but she’s running around, fighting her meds, eating and drinking, etc. So I kind of feel like she’s not going to get any stronger than she is now…
  
  I think the vet was immediately thinking it was a bladder issue because I’ve been feeding her kale and spinach this winter (plus romaine and other greens sometimes, it all depends on what looks best at the grocery store). But she’s gotten kale and spinach off and on like that for her whole life. And I can’t see how stones would make her pass these huge blood clots. In the meantime, I’m not feeding her any high calcium veggies and she’s back on Romaine and things like that.
- 04/01/2018 at 1:58 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17244 posts
  I think it’s a good sign she’s fighting the antibiotics as well. If she’s eating, drinking, pooping, and peeing normally, plus fighting the meds, then she probably isn’t feeling ill. So just keep doing what you’re doing until she can be seen by your vet this week. Bam is correct, uterine cancer is slow to spread. And the first place it spreads to is typically the lungs. So if her lungs are clear, then it’s a very good chance that it is contained within the uterus (if it is cancer). Plus, if it’s a uterine infection, the antibiotics she is receiving may help get it under control a little bit. The vet will likely still recommend a spay, even if it is an infection since uterine infections are difficult to treat with antibiotics and spaying is what most vets recommend. When the infection is really bad though, a vet may treat with antibiotics first before doing the spay. So I think what you’re doing right now is all you can do. Keep us updated!
- 04/01/2018 at 7:03 PM
  Whisky The Bun
  Participant
  50 posts
  Thank you all so much for the encouraging words. The emergency vet called this evening to follow up and see how she’s doing. It’s good to know there’s an emergency vet in the area who’s compassionate and at least somewhat knowledgeable. Fingers crossed the specialist vet has more insight and a better plan!
- 04/02/2018 at 9:03 AM
  Whisky The Bun
  Participant
  50 posts
  We’re headed to the vet for an 11:20 appointment. The closest vet couldn’t get us in, but the one that’s about 45 minutes away could. So that’s where we’re headed. Her appetite has taken a downturn this morning (she ate a few pellets and a little hay and was all for the papaya treats, but not like she normally eats). She’s still alert but way more subdued. I think the fight over her meds last night took a lot out of her. Fingers crosses the vet can solve this!
- 04/02/2018 at 9:58 AM
  Nutmeg
  Participant
  594 posts
  Awww sending positive vibes her way for her vet appointment!!
- 04/02/2018 at 12:40 PM
  Whisky The Bun
  Participant
  50 posts
  So the vet appointment went well. This vet didn’t seem too worried about what was going on. She didn’t even plan to do the spay right away until she checked the anemia and decided that it was better to be safe than sorry. So Whisky is spending the night at the vet’s and will get an emergency spay first thing in the morning. Assuming they can get her eating, she’ll come home tomorrow night. Otherwise she’ll be home Wednesday. No bladder stones from what the vet could tell, just a little bit of sludge. She does have a spur on one of her teeth and a papilloma on her bum, so those will also be getting taken care of while she’s under, too.
  
  We’d appreciate whatever good vibes or prayers anyone wants to send her way! And I have to do a little proud bunny mama bragging and tell you all how amazingly good she’s been at the vet! Everyone just falls right in love with her.
- 04/03/2018 at 7:47 AM
  Whisky The Bun
  Participant
  50 posts
  Whisky didn’t make it through the night. She was unconcscious this morning and her heart was barely beating, so I gave the vet the ok to help her along. I’m so heartbroken. I wish I’d brought her home yesterday so she could have had her last night here.
- 04/03/2018 at 8:48 AM
  Cocoa
  Participant
  728 posts
  I’m so sorry for your loss! She had a good owner though and you did everything you could
- 04/03/2018 at 9:02 AM
  Flakie
  Participant
  148 posts
  I’m so sorry for your loss of Whisky so sad she didn’t make it through the night. As Cocoa said you did everything you could for her. My heart goes out to you x
- 04/03/2018 at 9:20 AM
  Whisky The Bun
  Participant
  50 posts
  I had the vet go ahead and do a very basic autopsy and from what she could tell, she must have had blood cancer of some kind. She said she wasn’t losing enough blood to cause the anemia, unless she wasn’t replacing the blood she was losing. Even her uterus didn’t look particularly bad, a couple of small growths but nothing that was a major cause for concern. At least I know that not getting her spayed sooner wasn’t the cause of this, so I can stop beating myself up over that.
- 04/03/2018 at 10:36 AM
  Nutmeg
  Participant
  594 posts
  Oh Whisky – I am SOOooo So Sorry for your loss! Your were such a good bunny mommy and you did everything you could. Sometimes bad things just happen. Big hugs to you! {{{ Binky High little Whisky }}}
- 04/03/2018 at 6:01 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  I’m so very very sorry for your loss. It hurts so bad. I know. Here for you in your grief. (((Hugs))))
  
  (((((Binky Free Whisky)))))
- 04/04/2018 at 4:46 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17033 posts
  I am so very sorry for your loss. I’m glad you found out this wasn’t about her not having been spayed. It was just her time to go. Her life was full of your love, and that’s beautiful.
  
  Binky Free, sweet ****Whisky****
- 04/04/2018 at 9:52 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17244 posts
  Oh no, so sorry for your loss.
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