Toffee Update

[Sarita]

Well, last Friday, we got her teeth trimmed and the vet said they weren’t terribly bad like before.  But she did ask me if she had diarrhea and I said she had some runny cecals that I thought was from dental problems.  She gave me Benebac and that did clear that up… she did ask me to call her if it was still a problem.  I called her today to tell her while that is not a problem any longer, she’s still not eating her greens…she started for awhile after the baytril and then stopped again.

The vet thought he baytril may have caused the runny stools and didn’t want to put her on that again at the last appointment but was talking about metronidazole to help with the stools.  So, today, we talked and we will put her on that which will help the stools and could help the teeth if that is still a problem.

I asked her if rabbits get dementia and she said that yes, it’s possible but there is no real medication for this…just thought because of her age, that this might be part of the problem.  She acts perfectly fine, just she’s not eating like she did before.

It’s terribly frustrating and maybe I should just accept it for what it is since she’s eating her pellets…

[bunnyfriend]

I’m sorry that this is frustrating. It sounds like she is at least stable now which is good. Hang in there!

[BinkyBunny]

I know Baytril used to give Rucy some trouble at times. I have not had a problem though with a bunny not eating just greens (except if there was a tooth problem). Whether it is that she’s just getting older and maybe a little demented (?) or if there is still some strange underlying mouth/tooth issue, maybe it would help to cut up her greens into 1/2 inch pieces. Maybe that will entice her and make them easier to eat even if it is due to dementia. Might be worth a try?

At least if all else fails, she is eating her pellets. Does she eat her hay?

[emkvet]

I’m sorry Sarita =( Sending so many vibes to you and Toffee.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

{{{Toffee}}}

Now this is rambling because dementia and senior care is my world….A LOT of dementia is actually depression, in seniors it presents as dementia symptoms (confusion, aggression, short fuse, disorientation etc) but it’s actually depression (which manifest differently at different ages). That was strange to learn but certainly true. Additionally UTI can cause urosepsis and in seniors, this causes worsening of dementia symptoms. So basically the short of it is, sudden dementia symptoms or worsening of them is often a UTI or depression. When antibiotics or antidepressants are started, the symptoms clear up (no not a cure for real dementia of course). Since you did an antibiotic, likely not a UTI (though I still think the UTI dementia link is so interesting)

So just a thought that while dementia probably couldn’t be treated-maybe an anti anxiety/depressant would have some effect if Toffee’s experiencing signs-not sure if there is one they use off label with rabbits?

[BinkyBunny]

Hmmm…interesting KK. If it is depression, maybe t-touch therapy would help.

[RabbitPam]

Just want to say that I’m glad she’s showing improvement. I’m sure you’ve tried everything, but if the meds have helped the runniness and her teeth, maybe a different green might renew her interest. Like italian parsley, mint or dill, or small kale flourettes.

[LittlePuffyTail]

((((Toffee)))) Hope you feel happy and healthy soon!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

It is interesting! I obviously have no idea if that’s at play but it might make alternative therapies available like you said-T touch It’s not like they are sad, it’s actual neural depression which is a natural part of aging but often presents similar to dementia. I found a short link if anyone is interested. http://www.cmellc.com/psychcongress/images/08pdf/32-7%20Gray.pdf

[Sarita]

I took Toffee back into the vet today (my vet must think I’m a hypochondriac about my rabbits!) because she had crusty eyes and was still not eating her greens. We had just finished a course of metronadizole. Well, the vet looked at her teeth again and said they seemed fine but asked if I wanted to put her under anesthesia to do a more thorough check and I said yes. She said she had a loose tooth and pulled the tooth. She thinks she may have a bacterial infection or a URI so we are going to put her back on Baytril and give her eye drops (it’s been so long since I’ve done eye drops, I’m not looking forward to this) and she wants to see her back in 2 weeks.

She also did a light filing just in case when she had her under anesthesia. Ms. Toffee is becoming extremely high maintenance…my vet says she’s a good patient though.

[tobyluv]

I hope that Toffee will be able to eat better now that the tooth has been pulled, and that her infection will be cleared up soon.

[LittlePuffyTail]

(my vet must think I’m a hypochondriac about my rabbits!)

Sometimes I think my vet thinks that too. But it’s very hard not to be a hypochondriac when you have multiple bunnies with lots of legit health problems!

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