[New Here] Rabbit’s bad blood test results

[LittleThumper]

Hi everyone, I’m new here. Glad to join the binky’s club! 

So I got a 6 month’ old netherlands dwarf rabbit. He’s 7 months’ old and yesterday I sent him for neutering. So anyway, when it was done, I opt for the blood test results. The results were kinda disappointing, especially since it’s just a month of having him.

Results Reference Range

Glucose 221 mg/dL 100-190

Bun 8 mg/dL 11-25

Crea 1.3 mg/dL 0.9-1.7

Bun/Crea 6

TP 7.0 g/dL 5.2-7.5

ALB 5.4 g/dL 3.5-5.5

GLOB 1.5 g/dL

ALB/GLOB 3.6

ALT 88 U/L 15-50

ALKP 72 U/L 40-140

The vet told me that I don’t need to worry about the glucose level since the rabbit didn’t fast for it. As for the ALT, it was a spark of concern. I asked the Vet for advice and all he said was “come back in 2 months’ time and we will do it again. Then we will see how it goes.”

I’ve googled about high ALT and everyone says it has to do with liver disease or some viral infection. Some articles were also stating the possibility of liver failure (!!!!).

Any suggestions? I’m really worried for my little thumper here.

[meridiian]

Hello.

Completely understand your concern about ALT result but please dont become too alarmed just yet.

Was actually just chatting to my bunny vet about my buns. He is an exotics vet and he wondered how much experience your vet has had with rabbits. The ALT isnt off the graph but is a concern. Two months before another test? He didn’t like that idea.

All I can say… Is this vet experienced with bunnies? Dont be too alarmed but dont let it go for two months either.

Others here on this forum will have more meaningful advice also. There are many factors, diet etc.

Love to your buns and I hope this is a transient result and not serious.

xx

[meridiian]

Forgot to say… my vet asked was the blood taken before or after the neuter. Can a factor. Taking before is the usual way to go for obvious reasons

Again, best wishes. xx

[jerseygirl]

I agree with meridiian, don’t be too alarmed yet. The vet may have noticed a slight elevation and pointed it out, but if he saw other disease indicators in the test, surely he would have discussed treatment.
They’re are some non-disease factors that can cause elevations in liver enzymes.
Rabbits kept on softwood products like pine or cedar often show elevated results. It is why the House Rabbit Society does not recommended using those woods for rabbits. They still are widely marketed for small animals (including rabbits) in the pet trade however.

[Mikey]

Also wanting to add that different things can cause the ALT to be a bit high on a blood test. Such as if your rabbit ate too much or too little before the test, or if your rabbit was stressed out. If youve been feeding your bunny new foods (new type of pellets, hay, or added new greens to his diet), it could cause the ALT to be a few points off as well. And as Jerseygirl said, different softwoof products sometimes used for litter can through it off too. I think waiting a month or two to have another blood test is a good idea before being too concerned

[LittleThumper]

Thank you everyone.

Meridiian, thank you so much for the help. Well, the test was done before the neuter.

Anyway, I forgot to mention that this rabbit has been with me for about a month now. And he is still very timid and gets scared easily. So I believe that might be stressful for him and be the cause of the high ALT? Not sure though.

Anyway, I was prescribed this supplement for the rabbit – hepavite forte. Little Thumper did struggle a little bit refusing to consume it… but well, he manage to take it in the end. So yeah… let’s see in 2 months’ time.

Thanks everyone!

[meridiian]

Good luck! 🙂

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