Mr. Bunny’s vet appointment was today…

[FluffyBunny]

Hopefully this is in the right forum. I wasn’t sure if I should put it in the lounge or not, since it’s bunny health related, but not really a question.

Anyway, we took Mr. Bunny to the vet today. The vet examined him and concluded that it almost certainly isn’t fungus or a mite. He said that he strongly suspected it was an immune disorder – I forget the name – where the immune system attacks the hair and skin and causes rashy bald spots and constant shedding, which are Mr. Bunny’s symptoms. He said that it might also be a hormone problem, which has similar effects. He said that at the end of Mr. Bunny’s current year-long “shedding cycle”, it might either go away completely or start getting worse. He says that if this problem continues and gets worse, to the point where the bunny gets open wounds on his bald spots, the vet will take a biopsy. If, at that point, it turns out he has the immune problem, there are some (unfortunately, not very effective) treatments that can be given. He says that if it’s hormone related, it might go away when the rabbit gets older and/or gets a mate.

He took a blood sample…which was crazy expensive, 130$. He says that we’ll get the result back in a week or so. As long as it’s not an infection or an organ problem, he says that nothing probably needs to be done unless it gets drastically worse, since it’s not seriously affecting his eating/pooping habits or quality of life at the moment.

… Sorry about the huge wall of text.  I just thought I’d post an update on Mr. Bunny’s problem.

 

[Minty]

Is it something like Alopecia?
I used to have that… it is when the immune system attacks the hair on your body and it falls out. I had alopecia areata though, meaning I only had spots of hair fall out (yes, i had bald spots at 18 years old!), not all of it like some people do. Do the bald spots seem like they’re bothering him? Hopefully it doesn’t turn into anything worse. Bunnies sure are expensive!

[SukiBun]

Aww bless Mr. Bunny! Fingers crossed it won’t get any worse.

My dog (well my mum’s dog, border terrier) has problems with her skin, so she’s constantly scratching and pulling bits of hair out, leaving bald, sore spots. Did the vet look at Mr. Bunny’s skin at all? Ah sorry, I see you said it’s not a fungus or mite….. silly me!
The only problem I could see is that Mr. Bunny might get itchy where hair grows back and might might make sore spots that way.

That’s ridiculous money for a blood sample… I don’t know if that’s normal though, as Suki hasn’t had to have one yet, and touch wood she won’t.

Hope Mr. Bunny will be okay!

[jerseygirl]

But finally an answer that might be it Fluffy. I know blood test are $$$ I had one done for Jers but it was worth it just to rule out or confirm things. Get them to send a record of it for Mr Bunnys usual vet for his records.

[Sarita]

That is actually about right for a blood test. It sounds like you are at least getting some answers even if it’s not the one you want to hear – knowing is better than not knowing. Please keep us updated.

[KatnipCrzy]

That sounds about right for a comprehensive blood panel.  A pre-anesthetic panel for a young bunny could be cheaper than that- but when you want to look at a broad spectrum analysis or organ/body functions you need a more comprehensive test.

I hope you get some answers and Mr Bunny gets some relief and hopefully cured!

[FluffyBunny]

Well, the results came back from Mr. Bunny’s blood test…

The vet says that everything was normal. Nothing seemed to be wrong with any organs. His blood sugar was slightly high, but apparently it’s nothing to be concerned about., The vet says he still suspects there’s some hormone or immune problem, and until/unless it starts causing open sores and making Mr. Bunny stop eating, there isn’t much that should be done. He says that if it gets drastically worse, he’ll want to do a biopsy.

I suppose Mr. Bunny’s problem has been resolved – for now, at least…

One good thing that I found out from all this is that Mr. Bunny can definitely get a partner…so I’m actually exited now; we’ve been putting getting another bun off since last November because we thought he had fungus or fur mites. Now we know that it’s safe for both buns, and it might even help out Mr. Bunny’s problem.

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