I haven’t been around so much in the past week, since our bunny princess hasn’t been feeling well.
We were also pet sitting for our bunny rescue friends who have 15 bunniesuntil Thursday! We were only watching 12 of the bunnies, plus one hamster. Talk about a lot of poop and cleaning! phew!
So, on Sunday night (Dec 30th) Hareiette didn’t want to eat her veggies. All her pellets from the morning were gone though. She was still pooping, but they were small and some misshapen. I gave her some simethecone and a belly rub. It seemed like the start of a stasis episode.
Monday morning (aka NYE) she still wasn’t interested in eating, so we ran her over to urgent care and she saw one of the bunny specialist. The doctor felt like it was also the start of stasis and sent us home with reglan, cisapride (both for gut motility) and metacam (for pain). We also added some simethecone, which helps with gas.
Since it was New Year’s Eve, stuff closed early. We got some clear pedialyte to help keep her hydrated and a heating pad to keep her warm. Well the only kind they had turns itself off after about an hour or so. Hareiette would scratch at it when it went off or was too hot. Hareiette wants her own controls, please!
So, we’ve been giving her the meds and her eating was spotty at best. The only thing she really wants to eat are her greens. We’ve been force feeding critical care to supplement her diet and ensure her system is still moving. I like to make it with the clear pedialyte to give her the electrolytes. Her ears have been consistently warm, she’s bright, alert and not posturing or grinding her teeth like she’s in pain. She’s pooping well and still drinking.
I’ve tried several kinds of pumpkin mush, sprinkling her veggies with the critical care, but shes too clever to eat any of it. Basically she’s difficult and willful; force feeding her is no easy feat. I’m starting to wonder if it’s a tooth problem, since she seems to be eating a lot more in the evenings after her meds. The vet’s office had given a cursory look at her teeth, but looking back, they should have scoped to see if that was the problem.
Sunday morning (1/6) I started to feel panicked again, since she still isn’t much interested in eating. We take her to the vet again, after waiting for 1 1/2 hours and I’m not sure about the 2 possible vets she might be able to see. I was very thankful to Osprey and another Rabbit Haven friend for their calm advice and suggestions. Since neither of the vets on were rabbit experts, we decided to take her home and wait to get in to see one of the bunny vets.
I spoke with my dear friend Linda, who was Hareiette’s first foster mom and handles many of the medical cases. She really suggested waiting and going to see Dr Harvey later this week. We are very blessed to have one of the foremost bunny experts in the area. So, I was able to make an appointment for Friday.
We’ll continue with the meds and critical care until then. Hareiette has been a trooper, even though she’s grumpy and angry about getting the meds and fed. She usually comes back 5 minutes later for pets or nudges us. I’m just glad she’s not holding a grudge.
I don’t do very well when my kids are sick 🙁 It kinda saps up all my energy, and I wake up a lot in the middle of the night with anxiety. So, I am really looking forward to getting my bunny girl feeling MUCH better soon.
Just wanted to share what’s going on with everyone.
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They said to break it in half so that she gets a good whiff – they can’t pass it up! 
