Red, bloody anus

[Bear]

My rabbit has been unwell for a while and is currently on a course of antibiotics to treat the build up of bad bacteria in his gut. We’re on day 7 at the moment.

His anus looks inflamed, bloody and he seems to be urinating alot, uncontrollably.

I can’t find answers anywhere, I’ve left a message for my vet but she hasn’t gotten back to me yet.

Does anybody have any answers?

His poo looks healthy otherwise.

[Roberta]

Hi Shannon, I have no personal experience with this but I think you did the smart thing calling the vet. If she still has not returned the call I would phone again. If necessary make an appointment and go in…

[Bear]

I called again after a second inspection and it just seems to be getting worse.
I suspect a rectal prolapse. He is looking very uncomfortable. I wrapped him up and cleaned the area with salt water, I’m not sure if this was the right thing to do, but it seemed like it, to prevent infection. I then snipped away the fur around it because it was becoming matted with blood.

I called and the receptionist relayed my message (vet was in surgery) and I’ve been told to come in for a look.

Does anyone have any experience with this? How serious is it? At the moment I’m expecting the worst.

[LBJ10]

Don’t take this the wrong way, but is he for sure a boy? How old is he? Is he neutered? I ask because there have been cases on here where a bloody anus actually ends up being blood coming from a cancerous uterus.

Assuming that that is not the problem, what did the vet diagnose him with? You said he is on antibiotics. Has he been straining or having difficulty going to the bathroom? Are you monitoring his poo and pee by emptying the litter box really often? I agree with Roberta, calling the vet is a good idea. Hopefully they get back to you soon. If I call my vet and they are busy, they normally call me back the same day.

[Roberta]

Hang in there Shannon, keeping fingers crossed it’s just irritation from the meds… You have acted quickly and that can make all the difference sometimes… Get to the vet and get it checked….. Keep us updated. Hopefully some others will chip in with more info..
I agree with LBJ, it is definitely a boy ? I am assuming the vet would checked gender but if your bunny is only young and pre speauter they may not yet have done so.

[jerseygirl]

(((Vibes))) for your bunny Shannon. I also thought maybe rectal prolapse or a burst polyp but I think you’d be able to tell with a prolapse.
What type of litter do you use? Is it good at absorbing the excessive urine?

Hopefully by now you’ve been able to see the vet. It’s really a follow up appt and fingers crossed your not charged full consult fee.

Let us know how you got on.

[Bear]

Hello all, thank you for all your comments and suggestions.

After much googling, I suspected it was as you’ve said, Jersygirl, a rectal prolapse and after the vet visit that’s what the vet has determined it is due to his recent illness. He had issues with his digestion.. the name of the illness escapes me, I think it begins with C.

Anyway, he’s booked in 8am tomorrow morning for surgery and the vet has given me lube to lubricate it so it doesn’t dry out and apparently this makes the surgery a little easier.

I’ll let you know how it all goes. He’s looking pretty miserable but he’s still eating, drinking and pooping (much smaller poos, but I can’t blame him, his bum looks so so so sore).

[Bear]

Also, does anybody have any tips to keep him comfortable from now until the vet visit? He’s looking very upset. He’s just sitting there in the corner of his cage looking at the wall! Poor baby

[LBJ10]

Would something cooling make him feel better? Like something he can rest his rear on?

[Rufus]

The poor little guy! I hope the surgery goes really well and he’s back feeling himself again soon!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I wish I had some tips or help for you but all I can offer is my support and some ((((((Healing Vibes))))). Please let us know how your bunny makes out. I am thinking of him.

[hannaroo]

(((Vibes for the surgery)))

Good luck and I hope it all goes well

[Bear]

Thank you all for the vibes! Much appreciated, it’s been a difficult 24+ hours.

The vet rang telling me his red blood cell count was low and he was over wait, so this made the surgery and going under anesthetic risky. We went ahead anyway, because the only option to boost his RBCC was to get a donar, and we really didn’t have the time (or money) for that.

Bear woke up! So that was the first step forward. So his rectum is no longer prolapse, but the poor thing is very sore.

I freaked out last night when it looked as though he was straining and not passing any poo, so we rushed him back to the vet but she assured me everything was okay and this morning he passed some very weird poop. But there’s poop nonetheless!

Keep the vibes coming, he’s on a slow road to recovery. Hopefully he’ll be at 100% in a week.

[Roberta]

Continued vibes for you bun… I am glad he is on the mend.

[jerseygirl]

{{{Bear}}}
I’m relieved to read he came thru the surgery ok.

He had issues with his digestion.. the name of the illness escapes me, I think it begins with C.

Coccidiosis?

[LittlePuffyTail]

((((((Bear))))))

I’m so glad he made out okay. Best wishes for a speedy and full recover!

[Bear]

Yes, Jerseygirl. It is Coccidiosis. Hopefully it has passed. We’re back to the vet tomorrow for a post-surgery check and to test to see if the round of antibiotics has booted the coccidiosis.

Bear is on the slow road to recovery. The vet has him on ‘Critical Care’ which is to help boost his nutrient intake and to fatten him back up a bit because he lost quite a bit of weight in a short about of time during the worst of his illness, and is now underweight. His poops are back to round, but they’re very dark but I feel that’s just his system getting back to normal.

Does anybody have any tips as to how to prevent coccidiosis from returning?

Thank you all for thinking of him! He’s a big part of my life and I’m glad we’re nearing the light at the end of the tunnel.

[Bear]

He has prolapsed again. Very disappointed and upset.
I don’t know what to do anymore!

[Roberta]

What has the vet said ???? Is it possible to redo the surgery… I know that sometimes the first operation doesn’t always work in humans and other animals.

[Bear]

Being a Sunday I had to speak to the on call vet and he suggested I give him whatever was left of his coccidious medicine (turned out to be about .7ml) and I’ve booked him in tomorrow morning to see the vet.

It’s possible she’ll want to do surgery again, I suppose depending on how bad it is. He seems to be ‘leaking’ a bit of blood and I’m concerned how he’ll go under anesthetic if it comes to that.

Does anyone know how to nurse a rectal prolapse? Anything I can do? Any foods I can feed him? Should I disinfect?

[jerseygirl]

I’m sorry to hear.
I suppose the coccidia med will help combat any infection risk from the prolapse.
Were you given any pain meds from after his surgery? I have no clue if its painful… I know young rabbits can sometime get rectal prolapse and it self resolve but sounds like your bun has more chronic condition.
Sending him {{{vibes}}} poor thing.

ETA: Regarding preventative measures, ask your vet about toltrazuril. It’s apparently good for treating current infections also within shorter time period then other anticoccidials.

[Bear]

Yes, I suppose it will.

No pain meds, he looks to be in pain he loafs in his litter, despite loafing normally meaning they’re content, He does it in a different way when he’s in pain.
And I can hear his stomach grumbling quite loudly. Hmmm

I’ll make sure to ask my vet about it. Thank you!

[LittlePuffyTail]

((((((More Recovery Vibes for Bear)))))))

[Bear]

Okay so, the prolapse came back out so we’re trying surgery one last time with another round of antibiotics

I really don’t know what’s the right thing to do at this point. He pulled out his stitches last time so my vet things there’s something contributing there to the re-prolapse.

What is everyones views of on e-collars, are there any other alternatives?

[LBJ10]

If you use an e-collar, get the soft kind. He isn’t going to like it, but at least with the soft kind he won’t be jarring himself when running into things.

[manic_muncher]

I really can’t think of an alternative. I know an e-collar would work, so I don’t know if I would want to -try- something else that may end up not working. I’ve never seen a soft one! That would definitely be the way to go.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Poor little Bear. ((((((Bear)))) Did he have his surgery yet?

I agree, sometimes the collars are the only alternative. They look so sad and are unhappy about it, but it’s the only alternative if they are messing with the surgery area.

My best wishes for a very speedy and full recovery!!!

[Bear]

Hello all,
His surgery was Monday and he was fitted with a cone. There was no poops from when he got home at 3pm to when I woke up at 7am the next morning so I called the vet.
He went back in, was given an enema, fluids and some cream for his sore bum.
He came back home with me last night. Despite the vet saying he had been pooing and eating and had higher energy levels, when I let him out and took his cone off for a feed and a run he remained motionless and was very disinterested in doing anything or eating anything.
So after a few butt cleans every couple of hours and critical care mixed with Metamusil (in Australia this is a high fibre powder people take to help regluate themselves) to keep his poos soft and flowing.
When I went to bed at 10pm he still hadn’t pooped and looked very bloated and very very unhappy. I thought I would have to bury my bunny in the morning.
I woke up about an hour ago to a michevous rabbit that hat pulled his cone off and had devoured all the food I left in his cage….. and also his stiches. Damn!
But there was a $*&! load (ha. ha) of poo in his cage.

So, here’s hoping to no more prolapse, I’ll have to keep him on a very high fibre diet to keep those poops soft.

[tanlover14]

I have no advice to offer but wanted to pop in and send lots of (((vibes))) for both you and Bear!

Get well soon, little man!

[jerseygirl]

Ahhhh! Goodness Bear! Well, a bright & mischievous bunny is better then a poorly one. More {{{vibes}}} your way.

ETA: be careful with Metamucil. From memory, it can absorb a lot of fluid so you don’t what it dehydrating the stomach.

[Bear]

Thank you for the vibes, but nothing is working.

I have made the decision to have him put down tomorrow, as he keeps on getting a rectal prolapses and I just feel that he cannot live his life the way he should be able to live it. I feel like I’m short changing him by keeping him alive just for my benefit.

The poor thing has been through so much, and I think it’s time.

Thank you all for your advice and vibes, it means a lot to know that there are a lot of people thinking of you!

[jerseygirl]

I’m so sorry.

{{{Shannon and Bear}}}

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very, very sorry. We are all here for you during this very difficult time.

[tanlover14]

I am so sorry. Binky Free, little Bear!

My heart goes out to you. <3 <3

[manic_muncher]

I’m so sorry.

[Author]

Messages