Worried about sick bunny

[Patty]

Anatole turned 1 in July. He’s been sick for four days. I took him to the vet yesterday, but he’s getting worse since then. She thought he was getting a blockage so she gave him fluids and enzymes. He hasn’t drank any water today or pooped. He ate some of his pellets this morning but nothing really since. I am going to give him Critical are soon. Can I mix it with pumpkin? He was very stressed when I gave him the enzymes with a syringe earlier.

[kurottabun]

Sorry to hear your bunbun is poorly

Did the vet do an x-ray to determine if it was really a blockage? What kinds of signs or symptoms is he showing? If it’s a blockage the Critical Care could be dangerous because he wouldn’t be able to push it out. You can syringe him some water to make sure he’s drinking enough.

[Bam]

I’m very sorry your Anatole is sick. I’d call the vet again because he’s gotten worse. It’s normal that he hasn’t been drinking after getting fluids yesterday. It’s great that he’s eaten some pellets. Keep him warm, poorly rabbits can get hypothermic. Is he moving around at all?

You can mix the critical care with canned plain pumpkin, not pie filling. Pumpkin is often appreciated by rabbits. This is a very good article on GI stasis in rabbits with some tips about things you can do at home. http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

Did the vet do x-rays? X-rays are important to differentiate between a blockage and gut stasis without a blockage. If your bun truly has a blockage, massaging him would not be good. (just saying because the article I linked to has tips on how to massage your bunny’s tummy).

[Bunny House]

I’m so sorry, my bun was very sick too, we did X-rays and it showed nothing, ended up he actually had a dry compacted cecum. So technology can’t always be trusted. He should be force fed water so it can get into his tummy and help moisten anything that is dry. Did the vet not give you sub q fluids to give him everyday? Dehydration is a very deadly thing, especially when sick, his organs can start to shut down as his whole body needs water.

[Patty]

Update today –
Anatole had some cecotropes in his box this morning, so I was hopeful that he was getting better.
He willingly took pain med, infant gas drops and water from a syringe. I gave him some Critical Care this morning, but had to wrap him up for that. It is very stressful for both of us!
He did not have any X-rays, which I assume is because he would need to be sedated for that and that could be very stressful? I’ve only had one bunny ever have X-rays and we’ve had lots of GI stasis here.
I haven’t seen him lay down on his tummy at all today, only sitting (not meatloafed.) I’ve also seen him stretching his head upwards which I thought was because he’s annoyed by the medicine and Critical Care mess on his chin that I can’t fully clean for him. Now I read that it could be a sign of breathing issues.
We had an appointment at 4:00 today for fluids, but I was distraught to find out that the doctor had gone home so he only saw a vet tech. I have always liked this vet hospital, but I do feel abandoned. Our closest emergency options are 45 minutes (not great) and an hour and 20 minutes away (teaching hospital, but doesn’t see exotic pets after 8:00 pm.)
Anatole is receiving fluids, enzymes, pain med, gas drops and Critical Care. Are there further treatment options? Do we just wait and see how he does?

[meridiian]

The doctor went home even though you had an appointment? Of course you feel abandoned. That’s awful.

No X rays are a concern, but Forum leaders are far better qualified to offer treatment advice here but wanted to wish (((Anatole))) and you all the best.

Hope Anatole comes thru this soon. xx

[Bam]

I’m sorry you didn’t get to see the vet. cecotropes is a really great sign. Have you seen any fecal poop (the round dry poops)?

For tummy x-rays, concious x-rays would be the preferred way. I was just curious as to why they ruled this a blockage and not “just” stasis (stasis meaning insufficient movement of the intestines. Treatment protocol differs. For stasis due to a slowdown of the gut you can give motility meds (metclopramide for example) to help start up the gut again. For a blockage you can’t risk that.

For a blockag,e the meds you’ve been given are adequate. If he’s willing to take water from the syringe that would be good – fluids are really important, both oral and sub Q. Be very careful though so he doesn’t get water or CC in the wrong throat (aspiration). It is very stressful to syringe feed a bun, they dont normally appreciate it.It gets earier with practice, luckily. Buns tend to forgive and forget once they’re well again.

Sitting with the head up can mean difficulty breathing. This can mean there’s an airway infection. An airway infection can follow after an aspiration event or it could be the very cause of this whole thing. I’d like a vet to listen to his lungs. If there is a breathing problem antibiotics would probably be needed.

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