Senior bunny continuous issues

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 6sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 6 months ago by Bunny House.

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- 08/31/2018 at 1:13 PM
  Snookiecookie
  Participant
  2 posts
  Okay, where to begin. Snooki has had many health issues in her 10 years she is a rescued Dutch rabbit with not the best genetics (but still cute). She has chronic dental disease with symptoms that come and go and issues with bladder sludge. No matter what she’s never been a big hay eater. She went into gi stasis a week ago exactly, was kept until her procedure Monday then sent home Tuesday. She had a tooth extraction, trim and bladder sludge flushed. She is on baytril, meta cam and tramadol . Since she has been extremely on and off, active and alert one minute, then laying down for an hour. Not eating too much on her own. Second day home she was eating kale no issue, taking critical care on a dish. Today that is 4 days since the procedure she was refusing critical care and kale but would take treats, almost seemed to have issues chewing. I called the vet made an appointment for a check and as I get off the phone she’s eating pellets for the first time, ate kale and looked for critical care which she finished all. She doesn’t like any other greens. My question is she has always been a slow healer. Extremely slow, the age doesn’t help. But has anyone else experienced this? She almost seems in and out of a trance which I think could possibly be all the medications especially the antibiotics. She has always been sensitive. She grinds her teeth here and there but for the most part is lounged out flat. I will present her food and she reacts as if she forgot to eat and will eat critical care out of a dish but only after I put it under her nose and she breaks from her trance. It’s a constant getting up and puttin food underneath nose to see if she is hungry. She has had some pedilyte mixed with water, which she has went for on her own, or I have syringed her. She is also sneezing but I noticed that happened last time with her teeth and since her roots are touching her sinuses I figure it’s just agitation as it went away last time. I just need to know if anyone else has Experienced things like this. I just feel like I’m losing my mind and can’t seem to find other bunny parents who have had these issues. The vets even think I’m crazy.
- 08/31/2018 at 8:25 PM
  Bunny House
  Participant
  1241 posts
  You’re not crazy, I think I’m crazy but you’re just a worried bun parent. I know my lop gets bladder infections if she has anything with calculm(kale or other veggies like that). Have you ever thought about getting a second opinion from another rabbit savvy vet?
  
  You mention a slow healer. Is that with her being cut open in surgeries or dentals? It could be since she’s not on painmeds that work for her body, it may lengthen the time it takes to heal.
  
  My lop also doesn’t like to eat hay as her bite is so bad she has to get dentals so often. Have you tried different hays to try and keep her teeth somewhat tammed?
  
  Metacam is a good anti inflammatory for short periods of time as it is very hard on the liver and kidneys. Gabapenton is good for nerve pain. Tramadol is a good pain med but may cause drowsiness. But the other option is buprenex which can cause gi slow down but is an amazing pain killer.
  
  There is this new stuff called Emeraid long sustain which is basically critical care but tastes way better and my buns go crazy over it. A lot of vets don’t sell it yet but it’s been said to be better than criticalcare.
  I hope I helped somewhat.
- 08/31/2018 at 8:47 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17228 posts
  I imagine the Tramdol is what’s causing her to be out of it. Antibiotics can sometimes decrease appetite. Honestly, at her age, I don’t think you can be terribly picky as long as she is eating something. Her mouth may still be sore. Did the vet notice any open sores in her mouth? It isn’t uncommon when they have points on their teeth rubbing on soft tissue like their tongue or cheek.
- 08/31/2018 at 9:41 PM
  Bunny House
  Participant
  1241 posts
  That’s true, my lop would have ulcers on her tongue from her points.
- 08/31/2018 at 11:47 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  {{{Snooki}}}
  I think it’s fantastic she was able to have the dental and bladder flush done. My rabbits are seniors now and I get nervous thinking of having them go under anaesthetic.
  Has she been on both metacam and tramadol in the past?
- 09/02/2018 at 7:40 AM
  Snookiecookie
  Participant
  2 posts
  Thanks for the responses. She is a slow healer with her teeth, she’s never had major surgeries besides being spayed. She’s been in metacam before. The tramadol and antibiotic no. She’s been on buphreniex before and it worked wonders for her, they didn’t want to pair it with the Metacam I think they said. She didn’t have any ulcer’s or sores that the vet saw. Her dental disease is bad every time she gets teeth work she sneezes due to the roots touching her sinuses. I actually cut down her anti biotic and that almost seemed to help with her fogginess. At this point in time she is needing to be syringe fed critical care and only picking at her kale. Almost seems as if she’s hungry but sick of the taste. She is already such a picky eater. It’s always been frustrating. She is still laying down a lot but now that I know tramadol can cause drowsiness it brings me some relief. Since it is Labor Day weekend I’ll give it another few days and see where she is at before going to another vet. She has always been a little over weight and loves to eat (even though she’s picky) so it always makes me very nervous when she shows no interest in foods. When she does eat she still seems to be struggling to chew. So I am thinking maybe her teeth still hurt and are still settling. She is constantly grooming herself though. But she almost seems to be doing worse then before.
- 09/02/2018 at 9:16 PM
  Bunny House
  Participant
  1241 posts
  Well buprenex and meloxicam are two different meds in how they work. Meloxicam cuts down inflammation which might help with some pain, while buprenorphine kills any pain they have so they are safe to use together. We used it on Carmie when she had her jaw surgeries and worked like a charm.
  
  Trying not to stress her can help her relax and want to eat on her own. Have you tried pak Choi, baby spring mix or even collard greens or mustard greens to see if that sparks any interest? Cilantro and mint are also good herbs.
  
  I don’t remember reading but did they do X-rays on her?
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