Sick Rabbit

[Megalexatron]

I’ve had a rabbit since the end of January.  His name is Liam and he’s full of personality.  I haven’t had any issues with him being sick or anything until I awoke early this morning and found him huddled up in the corner of his cage with his feces smeared all over the cage floor.  He wouldn’t move, didn’t care about his food, and was just sitting there.  So, naturally I called out of work and called around to local vets to see who would take him in for an emergency visit.  I just left the vet’s office and they basically told me that they will monitor him and give him fluids until around 1:00 this afternoon and then give me a call.  If there’s no change in his heart rate and dehydration, they suggest putting him down.

I’m a mess so I don’t know if I’m thinking clearly, but this all seems so sudden.  Last night he was eating and playing around the kitchen just fine, and now they are telling me my rabbit is going to die because of basically a severe stomach ache.  He must have eaten something, but I have no idea what.  I keep the house “rabbit proof” and only feed him rabbit safe foods.  

I’m just not sure what to do here.  

[Bam]

Rabbits can easily get GI problems and I frankly find it a bit premature of the vet to suggest having him put down after such a brief effort at saving him.

Have they tried to find out what the smeary poop is about? It can f ex be bad bacteria, or a parasite. Antibiotics can be given in either case.

Please keep us updated.
Many of us here have treated our buns in our homes after bouts of GI trouble that have required initial vet care.

[vanessa]

I agree! It’s too soon to put the bunny down! For home remedies I would add benebac to the water, get critical care (which you can get from your vet, and syringe feed critical care with water and benebac. And follow it up with a few syringes of water for hydration. Some people administer subq fluids at home. I don’t think I could do that… Antibiotics and pain meds are typical treatment for stasis. Sometimes motility drugs are given too. Keeping the bunny warm helps too.
I’d definitely find a different vet. I can’t imagine that fluids won’t have a positive impact on his hydration.
(((Liam)))

[Muchelle]

Change vet asap! They must be morons to suggest to put him down just for these symptoms. While you wait to get him out of there look for another vet and make sure they are expert in rabbits!

Let us know how he’s doing, we’ll walk you through what you can do while waiting for a better vet visit >___<

[Megalexatron]

Thank you for your replies. Around noon his vet called and informed me that he passed away. She said she did all she could, but I really don’t believe it. I think she wrote him off as soon as I brought him in so sick. I’m very sad and he will be greatly missed. I’ve owned rabbits all my life and have never experienced something like this before.

[vanessa]

Im so sorry :-((((()

[jerseygirl]

I am so very sorry. Rabbits can be so very fragile.
***Binky Free Liam***

[Bam]

I’m so very sorry you lost him. Sadly there are many things that can cause unexpected death in a rabbit.

Binky Free, sweet Liam.

[Author]

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