Blood tests

[jerseygirl]

Where is blood typically taken from in rabbits for a blood test? 

[Sarita]

It really depends – sometimes from a vein in their ear and sometimes from a vein elsewhere.

[wendyzski]

They usually try to get a vein in a foreleg but sometimes that won’t work.  Pepper fusses so that they had to get it from a neck vein!

[bunnytowne]

OH that doesn’t sound good.  And being a needle phob  I feel bad lol

[MimzMum]

Um Jerz, are either of your bunnies going in for testing for some reason? I feel like I missed something here.
Hope all is well!
I hate needles too, but I would have to be there while someone drew blood on my bunnies…I would want to hold them myself, I’m just that paranoid that something would go wrong and I’d want to be there just in case.

[jerseygirl]

Mimz, I was just going to post about that! I posted qu last night as I was thinking to book Jersey in for test in future. I wasn’t really sure how they went about blood tests or how the buns deal with them. Anyhow, it actually came about today. Jersey got something bothering her ear and I pulled out a large grass seed head. I thought it was sorted but she was still shaking it, scratching and moving about with her head on the side. So I just took her in to the vet. Thought since I was there for that, I could talk about other concerns. Vet was able to take blood today.

Jersey has been drinking and peeing  alot more than usual for a few months now. As she has been peeing on the floor often I can also see it is very clear urine. The other thing was I thought she was losing more weight (though these last few weeks I reckon she has improved some). Some of this is indicator to renal issues though it can be for other reasons. My vet also said her motiliy issues may be why she is drinking alot. We’re just doing the blood test so I know I’ve covered things.

Some positives are she has increased weight slightly from last visit only a month ago. Also, her ear seem good, a little irritated but vet couldn’t see anything down there. She has a little shaved patch on it now though, where they took blood. Turns out they take blood from the neck usually. They tried unsuccessfully with her so then got it from the ear instead. She went alone. Her and Rumball haven’t sought each other out yet so I’m hoping there’ll be no issues between them. I doubt it but fingers crossed all the same.
Edit: I just checked and they’re together in the bunny area.  He’s grooming her and sniffing the ear suspiciously. :o)

 

[MimzMum]

Oh, poor Jersey! sending healing vibes! ((((((((((((((feel better))))))))))))))
Wow, a seedhead in her ear? I could imagine in Rumball, since he’s a lop, it would’ve wormed it’s way in there, but not on an uppy ear bunny. How in the world?? 0_o Of course if she’s anything like Pip, who recently buried herself in her evening meal to the point that we were picking hay from just about every place on her except her mouth, then something would slip in.
I hope all the tests come out okay. I would guess a bunny with gut issues would be more interested in scarfing water…especially if she’s eating oat or wheat hay.
Keep us posted!

[jerseygirl]

I have a feeling it will be one of those cases of parting with $’s for nothing… Even if it does show something with her kidneys (and apparently this doesn’t show until they’re pretty well into renal failure) I wouldn’t know if there’s much you can do. Just fluids and she seems to be doing that for herself. But I needed to do this so it’s not forever on my mind.

[Sarita]

Actually a blood test would not be money for nothing – even if it doesn’t show “something” it will be a baseline for the future.

However you might consider a urinalysis to see if there is a possible UTI.

If she had kidney disease she would not even eat for herself – my rabbit who had renal failure would not eat and slept all day and my vet said the only that kept him going was the fluids (once we did the blood test to see what was going on). He also had bladder problems prior to this.

[jerseygirl]

Yes, true Sarita – it’ll be good to have a baseline for her.
Jersey certainly has no problem with eating!!!!! I do wonder whether the drinking is just entertaining to her or a way to fill her stomach. She has me so confused in every which way.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Oh poor Jers!! {{Jersey}} I hope it’s nothing as well! Keep us posted!

[Cassi&Charlie]

(((Jersey))) Poor thing. I hope the blood tests all come back normal, and it’ll be good to have them as a control for later on in case something happens.
Your such a vigilant bunny-mummy! Jers is so lucky to have you! (LOL, although she’d probably see it the other way round, “Lucky Mummy for having such a bunny as me!”

[jerseygirl]

Well Jerseys tests were all normal so now I’m more certain she’s just a weird little Bub. Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

[RabbitPam]

{{{{{{{{{{Happy dance, JerseyBub}}}}}}}

[BinkyBunny]

That’s great! Weird is good. Have you noticed her eating more hay or pellets. (that would make her drink more too) Maybe there is something new in the water she likes. At least you do have a baseline for future blood tests. So that’s good too.

[jerseygirl]

She has been eating more hay but this drinking started a good while before that. I sort of think it’s something to do, she just likes that bowl in the lounge. Also, I think it helps fill her gut so less hungry feeling (???).

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

She has been eating more hay but this drinking started a good while before that. I sort of think it’s something to do, she just likes that bowl in the lounge. Also, I think it helps fill her gut so less hungry feeling (???).

Hard to say? Like if she’s got unlimited hay-which I know you do She shouldn’t be hungry. And some animals just get goofy about water-drinking it is a pass time for them. But I know she has a lot to do and isn’t a bored hutch bunny. However, she could still be drinking to pass time? They don’t have to be bored to get weird sometimes.

Anyways-my thought is your rabbit would never develop neurosis as I know you look after her so well. Am I tired-did I miss the blood results-or nothing yet?

Hope it’s all nothing *hugs* {{Jersey}}

[jerseygirl]

Anyways-my thought is your rabbit would never develop neurosis as I know you look after her so well. Am I tired-did I miss the blood results-or nothing yet?

Yes, there was nothing wrong. As for neurosis….lol. I disagree! I think she could very well have these. Don’t pets often reflect there owners?…I’m certain I have a handful of my own neuroses… *wonders if this is true and goes out to get some neuroses in case I don’t have any*

[MimzMum]

lolz…Maybe Jersey is eating those ‘fermented grapes’ again and they make her thirsty? ^_^
I’m just glad to see all’s well. “Bub”..lmao…what a cute little name! ^_^

[jerseygirl]

haha Yes, she’s Bub or Miss and he’s Bud or Bum-Bum. I think I should give them a middle name though, so I can call the full name when I’m cross. “Jersey Louise if you don’t stop that this minute….”

[Cassi&Charlie]

Jersey Louise if you don’t stop that this minute….”

Hehehehe

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