Bunny won’t clean himself/has discharge

[AmandaM]

I have a 7 year old Netherland Dwarf Rabbit and I’m afraid he’s on his last legs…

I noticed an odd smell coming from his cage today, and when I picked him up, it looked as though he hadn’t cleaned himself in quite awhile. His back paws were soaked with urine so I took a damp towel and cleaned them off. He is not as active as he usually is, so I went to go sit with him, and when I picked him up I noticed a thick, clear discharge coming from around his genitals. I was wondering if it was maybe his anal glands, but I’ve never seen/smelled anything like this on him before…He is eating/drinking, but seems lethargic. He didn’t even mind when I was wiping up his backside, just kind of laid there limp in my arm while I did it. Does anyone know what could be causing this?

 

Thanks for any help/suggestions you may have!

Amanda

[lancy]

Amanda, 7 is not young. i’m not experinced, but if there is no other sign of health problem, that may be normal aging process. i’d like to suggest you see a vet but not sure if he could endure the traveling.
what’s his name? Healling vibes for Mr. who?

[jerseygirl]

Sounds like it is time for him to go to the vet. With intestinal upsets like this, time is of the essence. It could be many things (diet, ingested toxin, parasitic infection) but really should be tested. The discharge does not sound like anal gland content. He is not a young rabbit but they can live to 12-14 years of age. I would urge you to get him to your vet.

[AmandaM]

His name is Ashton Winston (Ashtie)

a.k.a commander bun bun

Yeah, I would like to avoid the vet if at all possible, since Ashton doesn’t like the car OR the vet very much. I don’t want to upset him even further if at all possible. He’s old and I want him to be as comfortable as possible…

[AmandaM]

I’m think I’m going to take him in to our vet tomorrow, if he doesn’t improve overnight. Thank you for the help/suggestions.

[jerseygirl]

Hi Amanda, are you able to give him a butt bath? The cecals (which they re ingest) are covered in mucous, so if he was producing too much of these, there could be excess mucous also. He might have mucous in the stool also if it is mushy and unformed. This would indicate more a GI upset. What is his diet like? His weight? Can he normally clean himself well?
Continue to encourage him to eat and drink until tomorrow. Hope he improves!

[AmandaM]

Ashton was still declining today so I took him to the vet, he unfortunately has a heart murmur. And he has stopped eating/drinking due to an intestinal blockage. It’s not looking good for him right now. the vet said to give him pineapple juice which will hopefully clear his intestinal tract, and sent me home with some bunny antibiotics, but there is really nothing else we can do at this time. the vet said surgery would be too risky for a bunny his age, and more likely than not he wouldn’t make it out alive.

So for now, just hoping for the best and trying to keep him comfortable.

Again, thanks for your help and suugestions.

P.S.

FYI the “clear discharge” is supposedly his urine, he’s just not healthy right now so it doesn’t look like it should.

[katie, max & penny]

oh goodness. sending healing vibes to ashtie from texas.

[Beka27]

I’m sorry to hear that Ashton isn’t doing well. Did the vet do xrays to determine that there is a blockage?

[KatnipCrzy]

I am currently battling what sounds to be similiar with my bunny Schroeder-  and he is improving with a lot of home care- and the vets he has seen would only prescribe pain meds.  So I am treating with Simethicone, Critical Care, tummy massage, SQ fluids (you would need instruction and supplies from a vet) and the prescription Metacam.

If you read through my lengthy thread topic you might find some helpful hints to get you bunny on the road to recovery.  Schroeder has also passed mucous and refused to eat.   https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

But I am giving Simethicone every 4 hours, Critical Care 4 times a day, tummy massage as much as he will allow, as much exercise as I can get him to move, SQ fluids 1-2 times daily- and am now having to clean his pen and his bottom 3-4 times daily as he is passing mushy piles of poo.

My biggest hurdle seemed to be getting his belly pain free enough that he would willingly swallow the Critical Care and start nibbling at foods again- so I adopted an aggressive Simethicone approach at the maximum allowed frequency.  SInce Simethicone does not absorb and it acts mechanically to break up the gas and help it to get moving- it is safe to dose like that.

[AmandaM]

I have some sad news to report. Ashton died early this morning. He was laying in bed with me and his little body just went out. He got to spend his last evening on satin sheets and a pillow top bed. My boyfriend and I decided to bury him in the mountains since we didn’t have the finances to pay for cremation after all his medical bills. At least now I have a place to go visit him if I would like. Only rabbit owners know how hard it is to lose a rabbit. All others may think “oh it’s just a rodent” but we know they are so much more. R.I.P Ashton Winston Commander Bun.

P.S. I hope Schroeder is doing better. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

[Karla]

Oh, got so sad when I read this. So sorry to hear about your loss.

You know, it is a nice death…to lie in bed with you, feeling secure and loved.

[RabbitPam]

I’m just reading this whole post now and I’m so very sorry to hear about Ashton’s death.

My bunny Spockie was 8 when he died. While it’s an advanced age, it still seemed too soon. I know how much you loved Ashton and had him with you when he went, which I’m sure was a comfort to him.

[MooBunnay]

I’m sorry to hear about Ashton. Stasis is a difficult thing to deal with, and it is sometimes hard for bunnies to pull through. I am glad to hear he was able to spend his last hours with his favorite people that loved him.

[KatnipCrzy]

I am so sorry to hear about Ashton. It sounds as though you have chosen a wonderful resting spot for him.  Depending on the weather/ growing conditions you could buy a packet of seeds and plant them on the grave site- maybe a sturdy herb like parsley or something else that Ashton liked.

Julie

[BinkyBunny]

I am so sorry to hear about Ashton! Sounds like he had a wonderful life with you and what a blessing that he was able to pass with love surrounding him. Binky Free Ashton!

[jerseygirl]

7 years with a caring family and now an peaceful eternity over the Bridge. He must of had a good life. Binky Free Aston!

[AmandaM]

Thank you for all the supportive comments, I really appreciate how kind everyone has been. It’s nice to know others understand.

[Beka27]

I am so sorry for your loss. Ashton knows how much he was loved and adored by you, you took such excellent care of him for his entire life, not everybun can say that. Hugs for you…

Binky free Ashton!!!

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