Sick again but worse

[LeahM]

My bunny has been having multiple GI episodes for the last 6 month.  All I have handled on my own with simithicone, reglan and pain meds. This morning he only ate part of his banana portion(very rare for him, always means unwell) but got some semithicone then ate some greens. Now he’s lethargic, teeth grinding, tummy stretches…. Obviously feels terrible.

he just went to the vet last week, good labs, good teeth.

I guess I’m just putting this out here for possible need for support and advice tonight

 

I did give him SQ fluids which I haven’t done before.

thanks everyone

[LeahM]

All he wants to do right now is lay on his tummy with legs stretched out.  He obviously feels terrible. I haven’t tried giving him critical care yet, I will, but he’s not really willing to swallow what I put in his mouth. So this really hard. He did swallow the pain meds but not so much the simithicone.

ugh. I’m so worried. I though this would be the same quick turn around as the other recent episodes.

[Wick & Fable]

Recurrent gastric distress is of concern, as a healthy rabbit should not be experiencing it so often. Can you provide detail on what labs and assessments your vet has run specifically, as well as the vet’s expertise (ex. exotic)?

Sometimes recurrent gastric distress can come from an unagreeable diet– some rabbits have certain sensitivities. Can you describe your rabbits diet and ‘ordinary’ day?

Keeping him warm is important if you notice his ears may be cold. It sounds like you have experience with working through these episodes on your own, so simethicone, tummy massages, and force feeding CC and/or water if it has been a while. At the same time, if there is a potential for blockage and/or things are not going in a way you’re comfortable with, going to an emergency vet is an expensive, but sometimes life-saving option if it seems what you have is not doing the job.

Best wishes for you and your rabbit during this time.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[DanaNM]

I’m sorry your bun isn’t doing well. 🙁

If you can keep him warm, on top of the other things you have available, that will help keep him stable until you can get to the vet, because pain can cause rabbit’s temps to spike and then drop. You can wrap a warm water bottle in a towel and place it near him, so he can cuddle it if he wants.

Keep us posted <3

 

 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[LeahM]

I’ve been holding him in 10 minute intervals on an electric blanket and he seems comfortable I know electric blankets can be dangerous. He’s more lethargic than he has been with other episodes. My bunny is Frank Junior, he’s almost 10 years old, his diet is predominantly fresh things from the yard and garden, he eats lots of fresh grass, and other herbs and leaves. I finally did find A type of hay that he likes but he’s still not a great hate eater. He has not had G.I. problems for most of his life it’s just been in the last six months that they’ve been fairly frequent. But this one seems much worse much faster. I realize that it could be a blockage, but I feel like I have to move forward treating it as much as I can. There is no vet that will see him on an emergency basis here. His vet just got back from maternity leave, I had nowhere to take him for six months and so I just took him in for a check up. He had a CBC and chem panel. She checked his kidneys and liver everything was fine, his cholesterol was slightly low but insignificant in a rabbit probably.

 

 

Thank you everybody

[LeahM]

One improvement maybe? His ears seem to be warming up. He is definitely having pain and I have maxed out his pain medicine.

[LeahM]

Oof sorry for all the typos. I’m voice texting holding a bunny 🙁

[LeahM]

HE ATE A LEAF!!!!!

[LeahM]

And there’s POOOOOOP! tiny, but so grateful

[Bam]

Yaaaaay for poop!!!!

[DanaNM]

Yay for poop and eating a leaf!

 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[LeahM]

after a day of doing pretty well. He’s taken a terrible turn for the worst. He’s totally limp. I can feel the gas but can’t get it out. I don’t think he’s going to make it 🙁

[LeahM]

He’s still alive but no improvement. Is there anything else to do?  This is so heartbreaking. The emergency vet here can’t draw blood on rabbits and may not be willing to see him at all. I can try.

[Wick & Fable]

Is there a rabbit-experienced vet (exotic vet) you can set an appointment with asap? Sometimes if you call an exotic practice and say it’s an emergency, they can try and squeeze you in. It seems like your rabbit is going through recurrent episodes which need more serious attention and assessment, which your emergency vet may not be equipped/willing/knowledgeable enough to do.

Best wishes to both you and your rabbit.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[LeahM]

There’s no one in the building until Monday.  I don’t think he’ll be alive then and I can’t imagine there will be anything to do by then.

I gave him some more SQ fluid this morning because… it’s something I can do, and he showed interest in his water bowl.

this is so hard. I raised him since he was a tiny fluff. I didn’t know I would fall so hard for a bunny.  I love him so much. Everything is brighter with him around ❤️

[Bam]

It is truly heart breaking. Sub q fluids will of course do him some good. Keeping him warm is of the utmost importance now. Dont give him fluids right out the fridge,they should be at least room temp or slightly more.

Any vet is probably better than no vet at this point. They could do basic supportive care at least

[LeahM]

He just died.  I can give more details but not right now. I appreciate you guys so much. You’ve helped me so many times.  Thank you ❤️

[Bam]

I’m so very, very sorry for your loss.

He got a good, long rabbit life with you ❤

Binky free, sweet little one.

 

 

[Wick & Fable]

I’m so sorry. You did so much and I’m sure he knows how much you cared for him. Binky free ~

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[LeahM]

I’m working on his burial box, I hope this is not too gruesome to share. It still needs a banana to have all his favorite things.

[LeahM]

Not a good hay eater but sure could put away the fresh grass.

[LeahM]

My fuzzy little runt. How could I not expect my heart to hurt this much?

[LeahM]

the day before he died, when I thought he was on the upswing.

[LeahM]

going to miss that fuzzy butt so, so much. ❤️

[LeahM]

And his licks. The absolute best licks. He gave me a couple extra yesterday, I’m so glad.

[Bam]

He was so beautiful ❤ And his burial box is beautiful.

[DanaNM]

I’m so so sorry for your loss 🙁

When I lost my Bunston I had thought he was improving too, and then he just crashed.

He was a beautiful bunny and the burial box is beautiful too. We buried Bunston with fennel.

((Binky free little bun))

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[LEGENDZzzz]

reminds me of when the first bunny i had (i caught him) died randomly but now i have a small one like 3-5 yrs later :):

[LBJ10]

I’m sorry for your loss. I remember your photos of him from when he was tiny. Such a beautiful boy.

[BZOO]

Rest well, sweet boy.

[Author]

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