To Trim or Not to Trim?

[Rainn]

Hello, so the last time Rain had issues it was due to molar spurs. A few weeks after getting them trimmed she developed an abscess, either due to a preexisting infection or some scrape caused by surgical tools. Luckily, her abscess cleared up completely after weeks of draining and an injection of amikacin. It was incredibly lucky since many rabbits deal with the abscess for about 8 months I’ve heard. Anyways, she was doing really well after that but of course molar spurs don’t disappear just by asking nicely, so we went back to the vets a week ago asking about another trim. We got antibiotics ahead of time so if there is an infection, and she happens to get a scrape again, there HOPEFULLY won’t be another abscess. Her teeth weren’t overgrown in the front and the vet did some exercises to show that the teeth didn’t catch while chewing, but the trim was scheduled anyways since she doesn’t touch hay. But for some reason Rain has stopped eating her veggies since yesterday, and now I’m concerned because her trim is scheduled for next week. She’s on baytril and meloxicam now. I’m just not sure what I could be missing that led her to stop eating normally? We do have a much higher dose of pain meds this time because the vet said researchers determined rabbits could be given up to 1 mL/kg as a safe and effective dose, and she’s getting 0.8 mL. Any ideas? I just want the poor baby to have a normal trim and get back to normal bunny eating habits.

[DanaNM]

I would call your vet and see if she can be seen earlier. Tell them she has completely stopped eating. It’s possible there is something else going on that is presenting like a dental issue, or her spurs are just very painful. In the meantime you should syringe feed her if she won’t eat anything.

. . . 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.  

[Rainn]

Hello, thank you for your response. Luckily we got them to schedule her appointment for tomorrow morning so she can get the spurs or whatever  is bothering her looked at earlier. She is on critical care and pellets

[DanaNM]

That’s great! Keep us posted!

. . . 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.  

[Rainn]

Thank you! She got her trim yesterday and seemed alright a little loopy and doesn’t seem to want to move around much, but she’s got a big appetite for critical care and accepts medications. It seems like her poops are a little small despite eating and there are even some uneaten cecotropes in her litter box, should I be concerned? I’ve been giving 0.2-0.3 mL of infant gas drops as well in case gas of causing the smaller poops.

[DanaNM]

That’s great her appetite is good for CC! The smaller poops could be from a period of eating a bit less. If she’s eating well they should improve. Encouraging some gentle movement will also help if it is gas.

. . . 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.  

[LBJ10]

I’m glad to hear she is going well! Bunnies can have weird poops from surgeries, etc. It’s probably a combination of anesthesia effects and less food going in.

[Rainn]

Thank you guys! Her poops seem normal, but there is definitely swelling under her right cheek this time 🙁 We’re going to contact the vets to visit asap, it seems like another abscess.

[Rainn]

She’s developed two abscesses, theyre growing large very quickly, she’s not eating or moving much despite every effort. Managed to get her in a carrier at least if she passes it can be without pain at the clinic.

[Rainn]

The vet said an entire tooth fell out during surgery, from the root, so it won’t grow back. That spot is secreting pus which is what formed the abscesses, she gave subcutaneous fluids in the office. She said to continue the same medicines for another week before considering any other treatment. There’s still a chance they could work and diminish the infection according to her. But she did not mention the tooth falling out at all until now, in fact she said the surgery went “perfectly well” the day it happened, so it’s really hard to trust her opinions right now, but we’ll see

[DanaNM]

Ugh I’m so sorry. 🙁

What medicines is she one? Usually abscesses need to be cleaned out and then treated with subcutaneous penicillin injections, oral antibiotics won’t penetrate them (and penicillin cannot be given orally to buns). Sometimes they are also packed with medicated beads to keep them from closing up again.

. . . 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.  

[Rainn]

She’s on 0.6 mL twice daily Enrofloxacin and 0.8 mL Meloxicam once daily right now. The vet said the abscesses are still just barely formed right now so she wants to wait until she can actually drain them, then inject with amicasin or penicillin like we did last time she had an abscess, which did work very well for Rain. She won’t eat critical care anymore, but will eat her litter box bedding??? Weird brat. Luckily still full of spite and mischief, she’s digging around in her blanket. I’m giving her sugarless organic spinach/kale baby food and gas drops to keep her gut going, it seems to be working but the food has apple in it so I’m worried about giving her too much sugar. We’re just doing our best to make life as comfortable as possible for Rain for the next few days to see if there’s any improvements before taking any next steps. If anyone here has advice or info it would be very appreciated, but the past responses have already been plenty of help. Thank you for everything.

[DanaNM]

That makes sense!

If you can get it, you may want to try Emeraid (herbivore sustain) as a recovery food. My buns hate CC but love Emeraid. You could also try a pellet mash and see if she likes that.

Some buns also do better with Metacam twice per day, as it’s metabolized very quickly.

. . . 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.  

[Rainn]

What if I break up the 0.8 mL meloxicam into two 0.4 doses? And thank you for the pellet mash idea she LOVES it!! Starting the day with a victory

[DanaNM]

That’s great!
And yes splitting her main dose into two is safe to do. If you notice that the half dose doesn’t have much of a benefit I would stick with the one larger dose and mention her appetite changes to your vet. But eating the pellet mash is awesome!

. . . 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.  

[Rainn]

So mightve spoken too soon, she didnt eat the pellet mash again after a few nibbles 😞 Spent the whole day just trying to get her to eat anything at all and she produced one okay batch of poops in the evening but since then hasnt been producing much. Have been getting in at least 5-6 mL of water every forty min, also giving 0.4 mL gas drops at rhe same time as water. Shes eaten some spoonfuls of critical care mixed with banana a couple hours ago just waiting for that to get pushed out of her system, I’m trying to get her to run around a little too. It’s so difficult to not lose hope but regardless I’m doing my best to not leave her side at all.

[DanaNM]

I would syringe feed her if she refuses to eat on her own. Fluids are awesome but she does need some food going in so she doesn’t go into stasis. And definitely contact your vet and give them these updates.

. . . 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.  

[Rainn]

Rain passed away this morning. We brought her to the vet on Monday morning to get her syringe fed and she did but she seemed much worse when she got home. The vet thinks the abscess in her neck (the one on her cheek had actually receded completely within a few days)  was preventing her from breathing properly, and the more she exerted herself the worse she got. She had a stroke on the way to the vets this morning and passed quickly at 5 years old. Thank you all for being with us from the beginning to the end of her journey. It’s incredibly painful and this is the first time I’ve lost someone close to me. She was my first pet I got her in 7th grade now I’m almost in college. She kept me tethered to this world during my severe depression and anxiety. She was treated like my parents third child. She did so much. I love her more than anything and I love her more than myself, so I must keep going to make sure at least one being remembers her and loves her as deeply as she deserves.

[DanaNM]

Oh my gosh I’m so sorry. 🙁

When you said her molar had broken on the extraction I was worried but was hoping for the best. A very similar the thing happened with my bun Moose. He was plagued with horrible teeth and abscesses and passed away very suddenly at less than 2 years old.

Again I’m so so sorry for your loss. You really did everything you could for her, she was lucky to have you. When you feel ready, you might like to share more pictures and stories about Rain in the Rainbow Bridge section.

((((Binky free Rain))))

. . . 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.  

[Rainn]

Thank you so much DanaNM, I really cannot thank you enough you’ve been consistently so helpful in your responses. I’m so sorry about Moose, it’s truly really difficult to treat issues like these. I’m just relieved that nature brings them to peace when they need it.

[Bam]

I’m so sorry to hear this.

It seems she was really sick. You did everything you could.

Binky free, little Rain 💔

 

[Rainn]

Thank you Bam ❤️

[Author]

Messages