bunny drooling, lethargic HELP!

[sgregory]

today i had to take mumbles to the vet because she was limping and wouldnt put weight on her front left foot.

 

she seemed to progress through the day and by 6pm (when she finally had her apt.) she was using it slighty.

the vet checked her (she’s recommended and only sees exotics) and told us that she doesnt seem to have broken anything and its probably soft tisue damage. so she’s on metacam and cisapride.

before i took her to the vet she was showing signes of pain, but was still moving around every once in a while and was eating. a little less than usually, but not anything that i would worry about.

at the vet, she was given subcutaneous fluids, .2 ml of buprenorphine and .07 ml of metacam, injected. since shes gotten home she hasnt eaten excpet a nibble of a banana i offered her, and if i rub alfalfa on her nose she’ll nibble it and then just let it hang in her mouth.. she barely moves, just sits there.. and just a second ago i tried to get her to eat alfalfa, she nibbled it and a drop of drool feel onto the floor. her chin doesnt seem wet.

is this a normal reaction to the meds, or did they give her too much?! im worried for her, shes never had medication before. she weighs 4.16 lbs

 

 

 

[MimzMum]

Personally, I think this warrants a call in to your vet to find out. You should probably take Mumbles back in to see them, even if it’s an E.R. charge. It doesn’t sound like normal behavior to me.

[BinkyBunny]

This does sound more extreme than what I am used to. I know that when Jack had to go to the vet, then be on sub-q and pain meds,(though I don’t recall buprenorphine being used, so I am not as familiar with this one), he was very tired but from the way you are describing it, (a bit of drool, too tired to finish chewing), I also recommend calling your vet first thing in the morning. However, your description does concern me enough to advise you to call an Emergency Vet if this doesn’t get better soon.

How is your bunny’s breathing?

[Lintini]

I hope she feels better soon I would also recommend seeing the again if she’s not getting better.

[sgregory]

i looked up buprenorphine and its supposed to have a sedative effect.
i really hope that this is just a side effect of that. she is so lethargic she let me pick her up and hold her on my lap for a good 15 minutes. im not usually allowed to even pick her up. im just so worried, i keep crying. shes usually so feisty and now she just sits there, its not like her. i never thought this would cause such emotional stress. i was supposed to leave for maine today, the only thing ive done all summer, and tomorrow is my birthday. but im so worried about mumbles that i dont even care about that. i just cant see her this way. i had to pay $207 yesterday and even that makes us too short for rent this month, and if my rent is 2 weeks late they send an eviction notice..
i dont know if ill have to bring her to a rescue if she doesnt start improving.. i literally dont have the money, its not even a fact of i cant afford it.
i called the vet and talked to the vet tech. she didnt seem too worried but she also wasnt very good with handling mumbles yesterday.
she gave me the number for the vet, i guess shes at a different office today, and i had to leave a message with someone at the desk.
at least i have critical care that im able to give her, and the cisapride to help her digestion keep going.
its just so awful seeing her like this, its making me feel sick, i really feel like im just going to vomit.

[Sarita]

Yes, buprenemorphine is an opiate. It could possibly cause her to be sleepy but it usually only last for about 4 or 5 hours I believe. I use this on my rabbits and it is safe but I use small doses as needed.

Have you been hand feeding her the critical care? You should do this. Also if she is in pain, she would not want to eat.

Did you get any metacam to give her? Metacam is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory so it will not make her drowsy.

[sgregory]

i gave her 13ml of critical care this morning. im going to give her more in a couple hours if she still wont eat.
they did give me metacam, but gave her .07ml at the vet and told me not to give her more until this afternoon, and then she gets .24ml.
should i give her some now? when i called the vet tech she said to give it to her this afternoon, but i didnt ask if i could give it to her earlier.

[Sarita]

No, wait until this afternoon as instructed by the vet. I would call and talk with the vet again though to let them know your concerns as well.

[sgregory]

oh, sorry bb, i just realized i didnt answer your question. she seems to be breathing fine. not too shallow or fast, it seems very relaxed.

[bunnyluvr]

How is Mumbles now? Have you talked to the vet yet?

[sgregory]

i had talked to the vet tech earlier this morning, and she told me just to make sure i feed her the critical care, and that she is probably in pain from them messing with her leg yesterday, and that would be why she doesnt move much and wont eat. i called the other vet, cyndi brown, and left a message at around 9. i gave her 7 ml more critical care, and the vet told me yesterday to give her 30ml a day, so she needs 10ml more.
im kind of spacing it out so she has time to rest in between, and after i give her around 5ml she tends to start letting it dribble out of her mouth..
ive never dealt with a sick bun before so i dont know if its something i should be as worried as i am about or if i should calm down a little..
i think ill take a video and post it to get you guys’ input on how bad she actually is..

[Sarita]

I think you should just calm down – I know how stressful it is dealing with a sick rabbit. Take your time feeding her. When I feed critical care – I usually hold the rabbit, put a little in their mouth and then set them down on the floor to swallow it and do whatever it is rabbits do – it’s very time consuming. I also use a 1 ounce syringe and usually fill up quite a few because I find the smaller syringes easier to use when hand feeding. Take your time.

[sgregory]

i just dont feel comfortable with how much she’ll let me move her around.. i can tip her up and she wont even bend her back feet to stay on the ground. you’ll see:

[Sarita]

I think you are doing fine. You just have to be more confident and you need to feed her. If this were my rabbit, I would take her back to the vet tomorrow if I felt she was not improving. You have to do your part too though and do what the vet instructs with the feeding and medication. I usually pick my rabbits up and cradle them with their backs to me (kind of like a baby) and just stick the syringe in and give a small amount and then set them down so they can swallow it. You may need to do more testing if she is not improving too. Sometimes it takes the owner to be more aggressive with the vet about treatment and testing.

She might also benefit from some sub-q fluids.

You really are going to be able to do this. I promise, just be confident.

[Monkeybun]

Poor bun… the kitty looked worried too, heh. *healing snuggles*

[sgregory]

thank you so much for the support, i really appreciate and need it. im not taking this half a well as i thought i would. but im doing what i can.

[RabbitPam]

I would recommend that you call and ask to speak to the vet directly, not the tech. Ask her to listen as you describe how she is at the moment, and then what you understand the instructions to be for her care. Ask if you have everything correct, and does she feel that you should bring her in again?
If the vet says you are doing what she instructed, then continue. If she wants to see you both, bring her back in right away.

It may be that the middle person is not interpreting exactly, and you want to communicate directly with the vet so all is clear between you. I’m guessing that the progress is not as expected and you will need a return visit today or tomorrow at the latest.

[Sarita]

I agree with RabbitPam about speaking directly to the vet. Did the vet give you written instructions? My vet always does. Obviously too the medication will have specific instructions as well so make sure you follow those as directed.

[sgregory]

im doing exactly what the vet told me to, she gave me instructions.
i cant get in contact with the vet directly, i was transferred to the hospital she’s working at today and was told that she only comes in when she’s need and doesnt have any appointments today.. so i left her a message with the lady who i was talking to, in case she comes in.
its so aggravating because yesterday when i talked to her she said i could reach her and talk to her directly either last night or today, and left me the number.

i talked to my stepmom, shes a vet tech and a serious animal lover and she told me her behavior is almost definitely due to the medication, because she was given buprenorphine AND metacam.

[Sarita]

Well the buprenorphine should have worn off by now. The dosage was a small dosage too. It is a narcotic drug so she was probably pretty lethargic from it.

[KatnipCrzy]

What does the vet think is wrong?  Metacam and the buprinex injection Mumbles got is for pain/inflammation control.  Cisapride is a gut motility drug.  Does the vet suspect tummy trouble or a soft tissue injury of the front leg?

Is Mumbles eating or drinking anything on her own?

I saw in the video that you have an bottle of ice by her- is your apartment warm?  Did the vet recommend giving fluids orally or SQ? 

 

[RabbitPam]

How is Mumbles now?

Any change?

[MimzMum]

Today is the 22nd and I”m just getting back to this thread now. Is Mumbles any better? *worries*

[sgregory]

hey im sorry everyone.. mumbles ended up passing away that same day.. im such a wreck i buried her and left for a few days, i couldnt stand it. i still cant stand it, it hurts so bad.. i just dont understand, she shouldve been fine.. the vet called back at around 7, and didnt know what to think.. but shes gone. i just cant stop crying.

binky free mumbles, i love you with all my heart.

[KatnipCrzy]

oh no- so sorry to hear about Mumbles.  Did your vet know what was wrong with her?  Do they think it was anything that could affect your other bunny since they were together?

[Furface]

That’s aweful. My heart goes out to you.

[sgregory]

here’s a compilation of most of the videos and pictures i have of her, i just put together today..

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=150134871&blogId=506918812

[Beka27]

I’m so sorry sgregory! I truly am. Hugs! I hope you can take comfort in your other bunny during this hard time.

Binky Free Mumbles!

[bunnytowne]

I am so sorry.  It does hurt to lose a beloved bunny.   I know you will miss her.   She is at the rainbow bridge in good health beautiful meadowsw and binkying with other buns waiting to meet with their parents once again.

It still hurts to lose them tho.  It really does

[kAtHrYnLoVeSdAiSy]

I’m SO sorry to hear your sad news sgregory.
You were a very good mummy to Mumbles, and at least she is in no pain now. Sending you lots of virtual love ans hugs.

Rest in Peace little Mumbles…

[BinkyBunny]

 Oh so sad. I am so sorry.  The memorial blog you made was absolutely precious and you could tell Mumbles was a happy loved bunny.  Give extra love and attention to bunny left behind…(were they bonded?). If so, just watch the other bunny carefully to make sure they are going through the loss okay as well. 

Again, I am just so sorry for your  loss.  I understand the pain of this.   It hurts very much.  Time will help lessen the sting, leaving behind the wonderful memories that you shared.  You gave mumbles a loving fun life. 

Binky Free Mumbles!  

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