Liver lobe torsion

[mimimomo]

Hi everyone, I have some bad news – my bunny Mochi is at the vet right now for suspected liver lobe torsion. He’s getting an ultrasound right now to confirm it, but if he really does have it then he’ll need to have surgery.

Of course I know nothing about liver lobe torsion besides what I googled, so if anyone has any experience with this I’d really appreciate hearing from you!

By the way, I am so grateful to this website for teaching me that when it comes to bunnies, it’s worth an early trip to the vet even for something that seems small. My bunnies are young and have never been sick before, so I wasn’t really sure if I was overreacting but I figured better safe than sorry. Mochi seemed maybe a little off yesterday, not moving around as much as usual, but I didn’t know something was wrong until he didn’t eat his dinner pellets. Even then, he was still eating treats from my hand so I figured it was just gas and bought some simethicone drops. They didn’t seem to make any difference, and by midnight he stopped eating completely and his poops were tiny. I called the vet as soon as they opened this morning and they agreed that he needed to come in right away. I’m so glad I didn’t wait to see if it resolved on its own!

Also, I just want to mention that I had the most amazing and unexpected experience with a couple of people working for Sherwood Pet Health, the company that makes my bunnies’ pellets. I got a call from them today thanking me for a recent order, and the person I spoke to said she’d love to hear about my bunnies or answer any health questions for me. This was literally like 15 minutes after the vet called and told me she was concerned Mochi had liver lobe torsion, so I jumped at the opportunity and was like, “I know this is random but WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LIVER LOBE TORSION???” She told me what she knew and then said she had a vet tech friend who might know more, and unbelievably I got a call from that vet tech a few minutes later and she was able to answer all my questions!

It was just such a nice experience because I was sitting at home freaking out without any resources. Obviously my vet could answer questions for me, but she’s very busy and only had a few minutes to talk to me on the phone before she had to run off and run other tests and see patients. It was so nice to talk to someone who was able to tell me that yes, if this rabbit were hers, she definitely would do the surgery. She also said that because he was young and relatively chill for a bunny, he’s more likely to recover well from surgery. 

Update: I just heard back from the vet and although the ultrasound was inconclusive, he’s about 90% sure it’s liver lobe torsion and recommends doing surgery right away. I agreed. Fingers crossed that Mochi will be feeling much better soon!

[Meg]

Yes, all fingers and toes crossed for Mochi!! (What a cute name, by the way!) I’m so sorry he’s dealing with this (I don’t know anything about that myself), but I’m really glad you had that positive experience with Sherwood! I’ve had really good outcomes with their Digestive Support and Joint Support tablets. I only give about half as much as they recommend because I don’t want my bunnies getting too much sugar, but they really seem to work.

(((healing vibes to Mochi)))

[Hazelbuny]

My bunny Hazel just recovered from liver lobe torsion surgery earlier this year. The vet says the prognosis for that surgery is usually very good. The main risk would be anesthetia but they did blood tests to make sure she was able to use anesthesia. All they do is remove the liver lobe that is twisted and everything is back to normal. I have high hopes for Mochi and hope she will recover well!

[jerseygirl]

That’s good to know, Hazelbunny. Im glad it was the case for Hazel

Mimimomo, it sounds like your vet had a good awareness about the condition. Its something in rabbits that was thought to be rare but in recent years, it appears there is more data and education about it and more correctly diagnosed as a result.

What was it that he suspected it in Mochi and proceed to ultrasound? Could he feel something unusual just through palpitation?
Surgery really is the most definitive way to get this sorted. If they find there is no torsion, they’ll close back up. If there is damage to the lobe, they do the lobectomy.

Sending {{{Vibes}}} for Mochi !

It’s such great timing that you had that conversation with the vet tech!

I’ll post any links I find but you have probably found a lot already from your google search. As to the subject on Binky Bunny. here are 2 threads you can read on the subject. The second is Hazelbunny’s experience. Just remember to treat them as read-only threads.
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/145076/Default.aspx
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/167773/Default.aspx

[Q8bunny]

I’m so sorry to hear about poor Mochi’s misfortune. I, too, hope the surgery goes well and the recovery is full and easy peasy. Sending lots of love. (((((((((Mochi)))))))))

[mimimomo]

Thank you everyone for the well wishes! Mochi had surgery yesterday and it went well. The vet confirmed that he did in fact have liver lobe torsion, but said that it wasn’t too severe yet because we caught it early. He stayed overnight for fluids and close monitoring, and he’s already eating on his own. Actually, they already refunded me half of the overnight cost because he was eating so well that they didn’t need to syringe feed him! They said they “had to refill his pellets twice”… sounds like he was really pigging out, haha. He’s still getting fluids now, but hopefully I’ll be able to take him home later today.

Hazelbunny, I’m so sorry you and your bunny had to go through this too, but I’m glad Hazel recovered well! That was really encouraging for me to read last night

Jerseygirl, the vet told me his suspicions were based on palpation and bloodwork. They already confirmed that he was in stasis from x-ray, and his liver enzymes came back high which pointed to LLT. Also, his upper abdomen (where the liver is) was very tender when palpated. Maybe there was more evidence but those were the only things he mentioned to me.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Glad to hear it went well. (((((Continued Recovery Vibes for Mochi))))))

[Q8bunny]

Thank the gods! A piggy bun so soon after anesthesia is SUCH a good sign. Hoping he hops back to health with the same gusto he showed for his pellets. ((((((Mochi))))))

[mimimomo]

One last update, it’s been 48+ hours since Mochi had surgery and it seems like he is 100% back to normal. If I didn’t get a look at his shaved tummy every time I give him medicine, I would never guess that he’d been sick at all If anything, poor Mimi (who kept him company at the vet for 2 days) is the one who’s a little traumatized! Then again, I think she’s happiest when she’s mad at me so it’s nothing too different from normal

Thanks everyone for the support these past few days!

[Meg]

That is absolutely amazing!!! Mochi is a champion!!!!!! Congratulations to you and your bunnies

[Q8bunny]

Now that’s what I call flying colours! Well done, bunster!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Hurray!!!!!

[jerseygirl]

Im so pleased to read it all went well and he is back to himself!

[Author]

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