Weight loss and UTI?

[Karla]

So Jack was at the vet today…I told him that Jack probably had an UTI, and the rabbit-savvy vet agreed “It is hard to tell, but if it isn’t, then I don’t know what else it could be” (and then I suggested it could be bladder or kidney stones as you have mentioned in here). But anyways, that is not important.

Jack has lost 400 g since the beginning of January. His normal weight is 2 kg. So it means that he has actually lost 1/5 of his weight…vet thought it could be due to the UTI. 400 g =0,9lb 2 kg=4,4

Anyone else here whose rabbit has lost so much weight due to UTI??

I’ve bought pellets today now so he can put on weight.

[Sarita]

Well, I suppose anything is possible if he’s not feeling well. I think it’s a bit odd however that the vet even said that. Did he do a urinalysis? I mean, you can certainly tell something with that and if not, then you go the next step.

[Karla]

No, he didn’t do any tests…I forgot about that. You know all these things you guys pointed out in my other thread, I had read it several times, so I was well-prepared, but as I was there I just forgot everything. I told the vet how Jack was acting and I said it I’d like him checked for UTI, and then the vet just agreed. I asked him what we should do if the med didn’t work and then he said, it better work ’cause he didn’t know what else to look for…

Argh. Well, my boyfriend said it could be weight loss due to all the peeing, which could make sense. I’d just like to be reassured by others who has had similar experience. It is quite a lot of weight.

[Sarita]

Oh geez…I cannot believe a vet would say that, sorry, but I don’t find that terribly reassuring. Did he take his temperature, anything at all, or just agree with you?

What medication did he give you?

[Karla]

He did take his temperature. It was 37,5 C =99.5 F. He said that was fine. And then well, yes, he just took my words as the gospel truth.

He has been given Baytril mixt. 0,3 ml daily for 8 days. Right now he is really not feeling well. He just wants to sit in a corner and he doesn’t want to eat anything.

Well, Sarita, now you know why I have been so hesitant every time about bringing him to the vet.

[Sarita]

I totally understand, it sounds like your options are limited. Well at least he gave him what my vet considers to be the best medication for urinary tract infections so hopefully that will work.

Poor Jack. It’s possible the stress of the vet visit and the medication are making him feel more poorly. Can you entice him with any fragrant herbs or greens that he likes?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

but as I was there I just forgot everything

I know how you feel I get flustered too.

I agree with Sarita-the vet should have done some testing. Any chance you can go back in? Did the vet give you any medication??

Alfalfa pellets will put weight on wonderfully

Well, my boyfriend said it could be weight loss due to all the peeing, which could make sense

If that’s true I’d give an anorexic a run for her money You cannot lose weight from peeing a lot -not a significant amount, and as soon as you replace that water with water-your at the same weight. You can dehydrate from peeing a lot and not drinking-which would then make you not pee a lot-and the weight loss is not substantial.

It was 37,5 C =99.5 F.

That is doesn’t sit right with me either=rabbit temp should be 101-104;

Anyways-Baytril is a great catchall antibiotic for rabbits…so that should help. At least if the vet isn’t great-he listens to you-so if it doesn’t respond to the medication you could bascially tell your vet what tests you want run (As Sarita suggested; urinalysis etc) and if he sends them out and doesn’t do them in house-numbers are flagged and interpreted on results-so he wouldn’t even really need to diagnose-you could just tell him what to test for or request certain meds?

[jerseygirl]

Could it just be from his dental issues? He has had some diet changes due to these hasn’t he?

Not so long ago, I got concerned about kidney issue with Jersey. She was drinking & peeing more and had lost a little weight. I don’t want to concern you unnecessarily….just to say watch closely for changes (as I know you will). It turned out to be nothing with her. I hope the same for Jack, that this is just a simple UTI that will quickly be resolved.

[Karla]

Now you got me all worried. I’m sorry to hear about his temperature being a bit low…and sorry to hear that the vet actually took his temperature, but for no reason really since he didn’t react on it.

The vet gave him a dose of the med yesterday, and I have to say so far he has only peed outside the cage 1 time. So it might be working already when it comes to the UTI.

Jack gets loose stools from regular pellets. I’ve bought some alfalfa ones yesterday (pure coincidence that it was alfalfa, so that was lucky), and then I hope it will help. The vet said I could bring him in for regular weighing.

His teeth were checked and there were fine – as fine as can be. His molars were a bit uneven, but not something that a trim can fix or should cause problems.

Now keep your fingers crossed for my little boy!

[BunnyBuns7]

I’d find a new vet, if you have one somewhere. I was watching that video that someone posted and the vet on there specifically said that if the first thing the vet does is offer baytril, you need a new vet. I agree. I think vets are too quick to just give baytril and if it doesn’t work then they’ll try to figure something else out. GRR! I swear we know more than the vets half the time.

[Karla]

What’s wrong with Baytril?
Jack hates the taste of it so we struggle with giving him the meds. I have to say though that it seems to have worked wonders on his UTI.

It wasn’t pellets I’ve bought apparently, but Vita Vitro if anybody knows what this is. Maybe his weight loss is just due to his age, and I should bring back pellets into their diet- if I can find some that doesn’t give him loose stools.

I wish I could get a new vet. I have four vets to chose from here, but this one is actually an expert in dental problems and apparently also in rabbits. I’ve checked out the other vets, and on their websites they only mention dogs and cats. I always check the vets and nurses if they have listed rabbits as their private pets, but none have. This one at least have had ferrets and guinea pigs, I think it was.

[Sarita]

Nothing is wrong with Baytril. It’s widely used and it’s very good for UTI’s. Glad it’s helping Jack.

I think what the vet in the video is trying to say that really the best thing to do (if possible and you have a cooperative vet) is to get testing done to determine what the best medicine is based on the results of the test.

[Author]

Messages