Gravehearted – How’s Hariette?

[Sarita]

Please let us know – I’ve been thinking about her.

Thanks

Sarita

[Gravehearted]

hi Sarita,

Sorry for the lack of update – thank you for asking. Well the short answer is she is about the same.

We went to see Dr Harvey on Friday afternoon, she gave Hareiette a very thorough exam. She didn’t see any signs of a tooth problem, which is good. The only real clue we have is that her temperature was 103, so it may be that she’s fighting off some kind of infection. She ran a blood panel to check kidney and liver functions and was going to call Saturday if the tests indicated a problem. I’m going to call tomorrow to see.

She didn’t see any indication of pain or comfortableness, which is good.

So at this point we’re giving her sub-q fluids, baytril and reglan.

Her appetite is still mediocre, but she is still pooping and peeing ok. She’s eating hay, veggies and some pellets. The stress of assist feeding wasn’t good for her, she was being so vocal and snorted – we were afraid she might aspirate. I tried all kinds of weird mushes with banana, pumpkin, critical care and she wasn’t interested in any of them 🙁

So at this point it’s a waiting game I think. I am praying it’s an infection and she’ll be feeling better soon.

[Sarita]

That is so frustrating! I am sending more healing vibes to Hareiette and comforting vibes to you.

I hope you have some answers soon. Maybe if she thinks it’s an infection she will do some stronger antibiotics than baytril.

Do keep us updated.

[BinkyBunny]

I’m so sorry. I have taken bunnies whose temperature was 103, and sometimes, at least according the vet, that can happen because a bunny is stressed out about being there.

I sure hope she gets better soon! Sending out healthy vibes her way!

[osprey]

{{{{Hareiette}}}}

 

I guess it was good that you bailed at Adobe last week.  They would have told you nothing at all.  it is so frustrating to not know what is wrong.  We are all hoping that she snaps out of this soon.

[Lisa_43]

More healing vibes for Hareiette.

[Gravehearted]

Binky – that’s exactly what Dr Harvey said, so she took her temp again at the end of the appointment – it was 103 both times.

I am getting more distressed as tonight goes on, since I haven’t seen her eat much of anything save for a few bites of hay. I’m not sure if the baytil is upseting her stomach more than it was before. I know it’s not Dr Harvey’s fault, but I can’t help but feel disappointed since I thought we’d get some answers and have Hareiette on the road to recovery after the appointment. Tomorrow the plan is to call and see about the results, but then I remembered that Dr Harvey isn’t in again until Wednesday.

I have tried so many different critical care concoctions, and she wants nothing to do with. She was getting so upset during the assist feeding, that we were seriously fearing she might aspirate. Linda – who does a lot of the medical care for Haven bunnies suggested that I might be able to have her stay with her, since she’s being such a hellion for her mom and dad during the assist feed. I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

But thank you all for the kind thoughts, prayers and support. This has been really stressful 🙁

[charlie82]

I’m sorry to hear the Hariette is still feeling unwell…

Just a thought, but maybe you should hold off on the force feeding for a day or so as long as she is eating some hay and veg. I found that during my week of my bunny being like this she got no better until I held off from force feeding as it was so stressful for her. Like Hariette she was also only nibbling on hay and veg but passing things through so I gave her a rest from force feeding to see if it would make a difference and within two days she was eating everything as normal, behaving normally and running around. Since stress is a major factor in these sort of things although we think we are doing the best for our bunny we can sometimes be doing the wrong thing. Of course, if she is not eating at all I am in no way suggesting that you don’t force feed but maybe giving her some space is all it will take.

Her temperature is unlikely to change during her visit to the vet as she will be stressed the whole time so personally I don’t think her temp would differ from beginning to end. I also wouldn’t advise taking your bunny away from home if she is finding the whole experience stressful, it will probably only add to the stress.

Also, are you giving her anything to ease her stomach other than the Baytril she is taking? and pain relief? gut stimulants?

[Gravehearted]

so…the expert bunny vet only works Wed – Sat at the Chabot clinic. Hareiette’s blood panel results didn’t come in until after she left on Saturday, and she won’t be in until Wednesday to interpret them.

The other vet at Chabot knows enough to see Hareiette’s levels are off, but isn’t sure what exactly that means. The results are just being faxed to the bunny vet Hareiette first saw (Adobe)when she got sick for interpretation and then to figure out next steps.

I don’t know anything at this point, but am pretty anxious. Yesterday she didn’t much of anything beyond a bite or two of hay and we had to force feed her this morning. 🙁

She’s such a young bunny, she’s not even 4 yet and we’re doing the best we can for her.
Please send any prayer or wishes for her speedy recovery.

[Gravehearted]

charlie – we did hold off assist feeding her for 2 days, and she’s been eating less and less.

I changed her box last night and 5 hours later there were still no poops. She’s currently on reglan, baytril and we’ve been giving her some simethecone too. She was initially also on metacam and cisapride as well – but Dr Harvey didn’t think she was in pain. She’s not posturing funny or grinding her teeth – but she is absolutely eating less than before we took her in.

[Sarita]

Continued healing vibes to Hareiette – it is so frustrating when you don’t have some sort of answer. I know that sometimes blood work can be confusing too – when we the last time she had bloodwork to compare it to?

How is her weight? Is she losing weight? Does she seem to be in any kind of pain?

Have you tried feeding her alfalfa or maybe some baby food?

Have you been giving her sub-q fluids? What about pain meds? Reglan or cisapride?

Vibes to Hareiette that she feels better soon.

[Sarita]

Never mind – I just read your new post on the other meds.

So frustrating!

[babybunsmum]

still thinking about you & sending healing vibes… ((((((Hareiette))))))

[MooBunnay]

Oh no – poor Hareiette I’m so sorry that she’s still not feeling so well. Perhaps she just has a bunny “bug” that will pass soon. All my buns send healing vibes to her! Kramer said to offer her some alfalfa because that always makes him feel better Henri said that perhaps if the two of you sit and have a disapproving session together that may also make her feel better! Between the time it takes for the antibiotics to kick in, and for her to start feeling better, its probably why she’s been feeling so crummy for awhile. I hope she starts to feel more herself soon!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

BIG VIBES FOR HARIETTE

[Gravehearted]

we actually don’t have baseline bloodwork, which is my fault. 🙁

She’s been getting alfalfa hay and that’s been the only thing she’s even nibbling in the past day or so. She has the good fresh organic veggies that normally wound entice her – kale, parsley, cilantro – maybe I’ll go buy her more dill. I have tried both baby food nanners and applesauce, she didn’t want either. We assist fed her with critical care & pumpkin combo this morning.

She is getting sub-q fluids, and has a heating pad she’s been laying on.

She’s lost weight – I think she was close to 7 3/4 pounds when we took her in on 12/30, and weighed 7.4 pounds on Friday – but it was different offices. The doctor said she felt a layer of fat (not that Hareiette is fat per say,just a bit fluffy. )

She’s not posturing funny as if she were in pain and I haven’t heard her grind her teeth beyond a lil when we’re giving her the meds.  She’s been active and lively after fluids – running around and even hoping on the couch to visit.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Ok, this might not be helpful at all, I am not very knowledgeable healthwise for bunnies, but would giving her juice help at all? I know mine could never turn down some pineapple juice…

[Sarita]

You don’t think it could be a UTI? I know it doesn’t really sound like it but I’m kind of running down my list of questions.

How long has she been on the baytril now?

[Gravehearted]

Kokaneeandkahlua – we haven’t tried pineapple, but she’s had no interest in baby apple juice. we tried mixing it with the pedialyte and she was not impressed. although, i tried it too and didn’t like it either – lol. since she’s getting the sub-q fluids i’m not quite as worried about her low water consumption.

Sarita – she’s only been on the baytril since Friday. So it may be that’s upsetting her bunny tummy, esp since they gave her injectable baytril to be given orally. She’s been peeing ok, and hasn’t been drinking much. There’s no sign of urine scald or excess calcium in her wee either…

[Scarlet_Rose]

Many, many bunny healing vibes for Hariette.

[Gravehearted]

well tonight I finally heard from Dr O’Day on Hareiette’s blood panel. The answer is, there’s nothing especially odd. Her kidney and liver both seem fine, her white blood count is good, there were several things that were a touch high but don’t point to anything specific. Dr O’Day recommended going back to Dr Harvey on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Miss Hareiette just had her meds, fluids and food – at this moment she’s look pretty spry and hoping around happily.
I think I’m going grey on the other hand, lol…

thanks for all the good wishes, you guys are great

[babybunsmum]

well thats good news!  except for the grey hair bit of course   i wonder what the heck she’s (you’ve) been fighting off?  hmmm.  buns sure are mysterious critters.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Gravehearted I’ll send you a box of Lady Clairol! : ) That’s good nothing is terribly wrong with the blood panel, however the stinker is still putting you through heck! Spryness is a good thing!

[Gravehearted]

well – if you knew Hareiette you’d understand that she’s not the kind of bunny to have run of the mill anything!
Maybe she’s testing us to make sure we’re up on our bunny health.

We’re going to see Dr Harvey tomorrow afternoon, so maybe more tests?

oo and I just dyed my hair this weekend, so the grey is covered.

[Scarlet_Rose]

I’ve got my fingers crossed for ya! Hopefully this time when she sees Dr. Harvey she’ll snap out of it!

Oh yes speaking of coloring, I think I could use a touch-up myself!

[Gravehearted]

so…. back to Dr Harvey’s yesterday. We were there all afternoon!

She did some x-rays – so we know a lot more things that it is not. Everything looked clear through the kidney, heart and gut. She does have one broken rib! It must have happened some time ago, since it’s rounded at the break point – Hareiette has no tenderness there and it’s not poking anything else, fortunately. There’s no inflammation of her gut either, which confirms it really isn’t a GI problem. She also checked her urine, and that seemed fine too.

At this point, we know something is not right since she is still no wanting to eat. Dr Harvey thinks it might possibly be inflammation of her fatty layer. It must be unusual, since I don’t see much of anything about it online.

At this point – she’s now getting:

metacam
small amount of buprenex
fluids
assist feed as needed
flax seed meal
vegan vitamin e
dandelion extract

we also added in Bach’s Rescue Remedy that Scarlet Rose keeps recommending. She did seem calmer after it last night! My husband decided both Hareiette and I need it, so I’m on it too

[babybunsmum]

wow… what a little four-legged experiment you have there!  bring on the bach’s!  so does this mean she needs to run thru this course of metacam to possibly reduce the fatty layer inflammation? 

edit:  after reading sarita’s response i realize her meds are for pain.  (((hareiette))) 

[Sarita]

Oh my goodness poor Hareiette and poor you! At least you have ruled some things out.

Let us know what you discover about inflammation of the fatty layer.

Wonder if a shot of Vitamin B-12 might help stimulate her appetite too.

Hopefully w/the buprenex and metacam she isn’t feeling any pain at least.

What does the flax seed meal and Vegan Vitamin E do? Very interested in that.

Glad you are both on the Rescue Remedy too :~) A little relaxation is what you both need.

[osprey]

Wow, that is quite a list!  Poor Hareiette!  I was secretly hoping that this was some evil plot on her part to get you to cuddle her more and fuss over her with fresh dill, but I guess there is no hope of that now.  I hope she starts to feel better really soon.  Buprenex is heavy duty stuff, do they think she is in a lot of pain?

 

[Gravehearted]

metacam has an anti-inflammatory, so the hope is it will address any pain and also reduce any inflamation

the buprenex – says to rub a few drops on her gums to help stimulate hunger. I’m not sure of the regular dose would be for a bunny her size, but her dose is only 0.02 ccs. I think Dr. Harvey was thinking of it as a hunger stimulant and not for pain.

Sarita- I’ll ask about a B-12 shot for sure!

flax seed meal, vitamin E and the dandelion extract are to all help with soothing and healing that fatty layer, I believe. The flax seed has lots of fiber, so the idea was to sprinkle it on her veggies. I can also mix it with her critical care.

according to one website:

Ground Flax Seed may help:*

* Promote cardiovascular health.
* Support the immune system.
* Control blood sugar levels.
* Promote general health.
* Promote regularity and healthy digestion.
* Promote normal liver function.
* Increase energy production.
* Support women’s health.
* Fight cell-damaging free radicals.
* Aid prostrate health.
* Promote bone health.

Yesh, maybe I should be adding some to my oatmeal too! ha ha. It smells good and tastes kinda nutty.

Osprey- I would not put it past her! She also might be testing our emergency response to see if we’re ready in case of a true bunny emergency. She also might be checking out Dr Harvey to make sure she’s qualified to give medical care to HRH But somehow I doubt it, since she really really hates being assist fed. She blusters, snorts and you name it. She’s such a handful. The rescue remedy seemed to help last night so hopefully will promote a new calmer tyrannically bunny.

[Sarita]

That is very interesting about the buprenex – I’ve never heard of that – going to ask my vet about that too.

The flax seed does sound tasty and healthy.

[Lisa_43]

Oh my goodness, I am exhausted reading about it let along going through it all.

You poor thing, I hope she gets well soon.

[babybunsmum]

i add ground flax to my oatmeal and/or my green smoothies every day.  love the stuff. i bought a coffee grinder specifically for grinding flax seeds since they’re so much cheaper to buy whole & they loose nutritional value if you store the ground stuff for longer than a week or so.  interesting that its good for buns too!  well at least for hareiette’s condition anyways… the poor dear!  hope the bach’s continues to help. 

[Scarlet_Rose]

Gravehearted I’m glad the Rescue Remedy helped. : ) I know it sure does on my two, especially with a trip to the vet and grooming and a few drops in some chamomile tea for me does too. ; ) Poor Hariette….wow. Inflamation of the fatty layer, I admit I have not heard of that but I really hope that it is something that can be resolved soon. I take flax oil and it really helps so maybe it will help Hariette too. 

[Gravehearted]

well – she seems to be a bit brighter and eating some more every day. Yesterday she ate most of her veggies and some of her pellets too – in addition to hay

[Scarlet_Rose]

Woohoo! That’s great! So what changed? Did Dr. Harvey give her anything different?

[Author]

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