My bunny is sick…

[charlie82]

My rabbit Milly has become ill and I am so upset and worried. I thought I had had my run of bad luck when Thumper had to have two molars removed a month ago and two weeks ago George went into stasis for no apparent reason.

Today I went to put Milly out into the garden and when I got to her she was just lying in her cage with her eyes barely open. I knew immediately something was wrong because she is always so fiesty and jumps around when I go to see her. I stroked her and she just lay there and half opened her eyes. I noticed she hadn’t eaten much veg or any pellets so I immediately panicked. She had been fine last night, and I know my rabbits inside out, in the 18 months that I have had her she has never left food.

I called my vet and took her straight in. She had a lot of gas in her stomach which you could hear but no impact was felt. She gave her a strong painkiller and mild sedative?? I am giving her metaclopramide to try and stimulate her guts, metacam as pain relief, zantac to settle her stomach and applying fuciderm to her left eye because it seems swollen.

I am praying that it is not myxomatosis, even though she was last vaccinated three months ago there has been an outbreak of the disease here and even vaccinated rabbits have been contracting it. I know it’s going to be a long night, i’ve brought her up into my bedroom so I can keep an eye on her and it makes it easier to give her meds, force feed etc. She doesn’t even resist me giving her the meds and this is a bunny that would usually take my hand off if I tried to touch her mouth, and she won’t swallow it all so it’s just running back out of her mouth.  I was so worried when George was poorly but this somehow seems different and I have a really bad feeling about it.  The vet said to take her into the emergency clinic tomorrow if she hasn’t improved but if I think she is deteriorating during the night I’ll take her straight there.

 

 

[xnovalentine]

I am so sorry to hear of your sick Milly. Lullabelle and I send you healing vibes!!! I will keep you both in my thoughts!! Keep us updated.

[osprey]

{{{{Milly}}}}

I hope she takes a turn for the better tonight.  Keep us updated, we are thinking about you and Milly.

 

[charlie82]

Thanks, me too….I can’t begin to think about losing her. They are all special but she is extra special because she helped me get through losing Charlie. My friend who is an excellent rabbit vet might be on call tonight so I’ll ring her if I feel I have to.

[Sarita]

Please keep us posted. I know you must be scared.

I am sending huge healing vibes to Milly and strength vibes to you. You and Milly will be in my thoughts as well.

[babybunsmum]

you seem to be on top of things dispite how scary & upsetting it must be.  i went through that with my first bun & i know it’s very stressful.  like sarita said… please keep us updated / post any questions.  hopefully you will see signs of improvement and will not need to take her in tonight.  (((healing vibes)))

[Floppy]

I didnt know zantac is safe for bunnies?

[bigsis7]

Keep us updated. I almost lost my rat TWICE about 2-3 monthes ago. Just give Milly lots of love and attention. I know it is stressful and scary, but just keep her as comfortable as possible.

[Scarlet_Rose]

My thoughts are with you and Milly. I am sending good bunny healing vibes and I hope that she pulls through this. Try giving a tummy massage as well. Poor doll, I too would take her in to the emergency clinic sooner if no improvement happens. Please keep us posted.

[Lisa_43]

 

I am so sorry Charlie82

 

Big healing vibes for Milly from the land down under.

((((((((((Milly)))))))

[charlie82]

Hi,

It was a long night last night! Milly’s eye is looking better but she still won’t eat any pellets or veg. I’ve been force feeding her with critical care food but now she won’t swallow it. She started nibbling on hay today so I guess that is progress. I’ve also been giving her water via syringe and now I’ll try some baby food. She has passed things that are so small and mishapen that i’m not sure whether it’s a good sign or not. She does seem a little more active though and has been hopping around. I’ve spoken to my rabbit vet friend and she said that if I take her in the only different thing they would do is an x-ray so I have to keep examining her abdomen. I will keep on with the force feeding/meds etc but only really want to take her to the emergency clinic if I absolutely have to as I think in surroundings like that she will deteriorate since stress is major factor of stasis.

[Martie]

oh I’m so sorry you’re having troubles, I’m no rabbit expert but it sounds like if she’s nibbling hay that’s a good sign, I hope she’ll be ok.
Giving water via a syringe sounds good too, I hope all works out.

[Sarita]

Sometimes the car ride helps though if the stasis is due to gas. At least the emergency vet can give her pain meds and a shot of metroclopromide and sub-q’s – do you have metacam you can give her? Continued vibes to Milly.

[charlie82]

Hi Sarita,

I am giving Milly metacam, I always have that along with metaclopramide in the house and the vet gave me correct dosages for her weight yesterday when I took her in 🙂  I’m giving her fluids orally.  Metaclopramide four times a day, zantac twice a day and metacam once a day. Tonight she seems a lot more active than before and is resisting meds.

I just went and took up some fresh veg and she actually grabbed some off the plate!!!! woooohoooo…that is such a relief to me, it’s the first time she has voluntarily eaten.  My friend said there has been an increase in the number of  rabbits going in with stasis with no apparent cause.

Don’t worry, if she was deteriorating I would always get her to the vet no matter what time of day/night.

[Sarita]

Yay, I’m so glad she is eating. It really helps that you are aware and on the ball about what is going on and can administer the meds on your own. I know that has probably helped tremendously is getting her to come around now.

Can you tell me what the zantac is for? I know it’s for GERD in humans is that the same for Milly? Did you vet recommend this? Wondering if this is something I can ask my vet about.

Continued vibes to Milly too.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Milly is making progress woohoo! Any step forward is a good thing. Wow that is really odd with an increase in stasis are all the rabbits shedding? I know my Bonsai was a major fuzzy butt so I took him outside today for a grooming (it’s 60 degrees out) and got so much fur out of him, wow.

[charlie82]

Posted By Sarita on 01/05/2008 1:58 PM
Yay, I’m so glad she is eating. It really helps that you are aware and on the ball about what is going on and can administer the meds on your own. I know that has probably helped tremendously is getting her to come around now.

Can you tell me what the zantac is for? I know it’s for GERD in humans is that the same for Milly? Did you vet recommend this? Wondering if this is something I can ask my vet about.

Continued vibes to Milly too.

 

Yes I am so neurotic about them falling ill, and living so far from my vet I like to have meds in incase of emergencies, I have a good vet too. I can also giv sub-q’s if they need them, (have to admit I don’t enjoy it!)

Zantac we take in the UK for upset tummies, we use it for the same reason in rabbits (given by vets). If they have gassy tummies it can help settle them, as well as infacol which we give to colicky babies.

 

[charlie82]

Posted By Scarlet_Rose on 01/05/2008 2:02 PM
Milly is making progress woohoo! Any step forward is a good thing. Wow that is really odd with an increase in stasis are all the rabbits shedding? I know my Bonsai was a major fuzzy butt so I took him outside today for a grooming (it’s 60 degrees out) and got so much fur out of him, wow.

 

Hi Scarlet,  No they aren’t shedding….for a change!!! I don’t understand why it’s happened. With both of my bun’s I have never had problems like this before. They get a healthy diet of meadow hay, timothy hay, readigrass and  excel herbage, fresh greens, and a handful of pellets. Their diet has always been the same and they have a regular feeding regime which I haven’t changed!!

[Scarlet_Rose]

Wow, that is really strange.

[charlie82]

yeah, My vet said it could be stress, but nothing has happened to cause upset where George is concerned. The new baby bunny is living in the summerhouse where Milly lives and i’m wondering if her presence is enough to have caused the amount of stress necessary to put her into stasis. It’s certainly confusing….or it could just be a coincidence! ‘touch wood’ none of the others seem to be ill.

[Cadbury]

I’m sending many positive thoughts your way for Milly’s continued recovery! Good luck!

[charlie82]

Thank you everybody for your kind words.

Milly is a lot better today, still not eating any pellets but is happy enough to eat her hay and veg and has been passing more normal droppings, although still not 100% normal. She is a lot more active than she has been and seems to be enjoying her stay in my room! George is being nosey because he can smell her, so every time I open the bedroom door he hops over to investigate. Safe to say she is well enough to do some damage to him so i’m making sure he doesn’t get in there!

[Gravehearted]

I’m really glad to hear she’s feeling better, what a relief!! I hope she’ll continue to improve

[BinkyBunny]

Whew, good to hear that she’s feeling better. I was wondering if there could be anything in your garden that may have made her sick? I know you said she had been out there, and then later she wasn’t feeling well. Some plants are toxic, from mild to severe. Also, if you have a gardner or ??? and recently used any fertilizer or pesticides – those could also make a bunny sick.

[charlie82]

Hi,

Nope there is nothing in our garden that isn’t safe for bunnies 🙂 We have a flower bed but that is blocked off from them. I’m totally paranoid about toxic plants/flowers and keep a long list of unsafe things. I’m feeling a little disheartened today because Milly has not eaten all that much veg during the night, and still no pellets. Her droppings have gone back to being mishapen too. I’m continuing with the meds but now if I try to force feed her she refuses to swallow so it just comes out of the other side or she spits it out! She still seems better in herself though 🙁

[Sarita]

Since she won’t eat maybe you should try some sub-q fluids…I know it’s not the same as food but it will keep her hydrated.

[charlie82]

Hi Sarita,

Thanks for the advice. I called the vet this morning and saw her this afternoon. Milly has eaten a whole plate of greens today and has passed some normal cecotrophes ! I’ve been giving her fluids orally but now she thumps her feet when I go to give her her meds so I guess she is feeling better! I also spoke to my rabbit vet friend and she said in bad cases of stasis rabbits can sometimes take a little longer to recover, and so long as she is passing something that is good. If she wasn’t then she would have x-rayed her to check for blockages.

Angela 🙂

[osprey]

yay Milly!

I read someplace (maybe the Kremples article?) that in really severe cases of stasis, a bunny can eat and poop but then have a relapse where the intestines slow down again.  It can take weeks to get it out of her system.  Poor thing, I am glad she is better again today.  What a roller coaster ride!

 

[Sarita]

Yay, I’m so glad Milly is improving. Foot thumping is a good sign isn’t it :~)

My rabbit Mango had gone through several bad bouts of stasis – a few right in a row and it did take him about a full week to recover. Meanwhile I was stressed out and crying to the vet.

Continued healing vibes for Milly.

[charlie82]

Oh don’t say that Osprey LOL.

I’ll be making sure I keep her on the meds for a long while. I’ve been keeping an eye on George my other bunny who went into stasis a few weeks ago and he is doing great. His case wasn’t as bad as Milly’s though.

You are right, it’s definitely a roller coaster ride. I’m only 26 but I know I could never have children because I am so neurotic over my pets health that if I had children I would go insane!! I love my bunnies so much!

[charlie82]

Posted By Sarita on 01/07/2008 12:41 PM
Yay, I’m so glad Milly is improving. Foot thumping is a good sign isn’t it :~)

My rabbit Mango had gone through several bad bouts of stasis – a few right in a row and it did take him about a full week to recover. Meanwhile I was stressed out and crying to the vet.

Continued healing vibes for Milly.

 

Oh Sarita I think my vets are used to me crying. If anything is wrong and I have to make a vets appointment I am almost always on the verge of tears when I call them.  I actually cried the first time I ever went there after  taking my first rabbit there whose previous vet had broken her jaw while removing an abscess. He kept insisting there was nothing wrong with her, and after taking her back about ten times and seeing three other vets I found a rabbit specialist and cried with relief strangely enough when she told me she was in a right state. When they lost her during surgery and called me I couldn’t even speak to them I was so distraught, and was the same when I went to see her before she was cremated…… they are used to me crying!!!!

 

[Gravehearted]

you’re not the only one – I get totally neurotic too when my bunnies are unwell.
I was * just* thinking the same thing that it’s a blessing that I’m not planning on having human kids either! With my Hareiette sick, I average about 4 hours sleep and then panic must wake me up to check on her. I try to calm myself down, but it always takes a long while for the anxiety to abate.

[charlie82]

I really hope Hareiette gets better soon, it’s such a scary time isn’t it?

When I had my first rabbit and didn’t really know the dangers of stasis etc (i’m ashamed to say) my bunny had to have surgery and wouldn’t eat or poop for a whole week. I took her back to the vets three times and they did nothing. I’m amazed to say she actually pulled through although heaven knows how, and during which I thankfully educated myself and found a decent vet.

[osprey]

I can tell you from personal experience, kids are a lot more resilient than bunnies are.  They can also tell you where it hurts, and if they are feeling better, which does a lot to ease your mind.  If bunnies get sick they can just sort of give up, and since they are so small they don’t have a lot of reserves, so you have to act quickly when they don’t appear to be well.

 

[Bunnies4ever]

You have to keep an “watchful eye’ on the litterbox. I always check the poops whenever I clean it out. If the poops are small and shaped weird and your bunny is refusing pellets, hay or his/her favorite treat, it’s safe to say that it’s the beginning of statis. I’ve had my bunny go through statis for no apparent reason. Both my bunnies get the same diet, same time everyday. Nothing changes. Chloe has never had a bout with statis, but Kahlua has two times. From experience, Kahlua stresses out easily. His first bout was when I first brought him home and the other was when my friend came over with her two cocker spaniels and even though they never came upstairs where my buns are, I felt it was enough to stress Kahlua out.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

***VIBES****

So sorry to hear your bunny is sick

[charlie82]

UPDATE

Milly finally ate her pellets during the night!! Hopefully things are on the up again. She is still ok in herself. I think it’s time to move her back into the summerhouse because she is such a nervous rabbit, and having her in the house I think could possibly have been slowing her recovery. We have dogs that she doesn’t like and will no doubt be able to smell them even if the door is shut. The summerhouse is basically like a room out of a house in that it is properly insulated, has heating, flooring and electricity. I’m hoping she will be happier in there and can have more room to stretch her legs. I’ll still be keeping a very, very close on her though 🙂

[Scarlet_Rose]

Yay Milly! That summer house sounds posh!

[nikki82]

just wanted to say that i hope milly is feeling better…hugs to you and milly

[BinkyBunny]

I’m so glad she’s eating, and seems to be on her way to recovery. Let us know how her new accommodations work for her. Sending out healing happy vibes.

[charlie82]

Thanks every one!

Milly is back on home turf now and seems a whole lot happier for it! She’s had a run in the garden and started eating her pellets as soon as I put her plate down! I think she was just trying to push me over the edge with her not eating….she has always been a stubborn bunny so I guess she was just taking her time. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

Yes the summerhouse is quite posh…..for a bunny! It was originally bought for me to use as a studio (or so I said, I knew I was going to put more bunnies in there) I had the electricity put in so I could have oil radiators in there, insulated it, lighting and I put down a vinyl flooring, with underlay of course. I’ve got some carpet that needs laying in there though, just a case of getting round to doing it! It’s quite a large space, so handy when the weather is too bad and they can’t go out!

[Lisa_43]

That’s great Milly is feeling better, I will cross my fingers that is will stay that way also.

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