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Hepatic Lipidosis

R

Rallybunny

Warren Veteran
A friend of mine has a very special bunny that is poorly at the moment, she doesn't post on here, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience of his condition.

It was originally thought that he had EC after he was suffering from stasis and other symptoms, but he has now been diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis. I will post my friend's post on the other forum below, to see if anyone can help - Zippy is the poorly bun, and she has recently lost another bunny, Charlie.

I've just received Zippy's blood results back and it would appear he has hepatic lipidosis.

We are awaiting Zippy's E-c results and then he will undergo a liver scan to see to what extent his liver is damaged.

I don't know much about this particular condition but I've just read that there can be a link between coccidia and GI stasis, as well as the link between coccidia and the hepatic lipidosis.

I remember James telling me after Charlie's post mortem that they had found this present in his intestines but didn't think it was the cause of death. I didn't have time to think during the phone call but wondered if there could be a link between what happened to Charlie and Zippy's illness. Obviously, if this protazoa has infected both Charlie and Zippy, at very least, I would imagine Biggles and Poppy are also affected.

Does anyone have any experience of coccidiosis or hepatic lipidosis? If so, I'd be very interested to hear your opinions.

Thanks,

Wabbs & Zippy x
Click to expand...
 
I could be wrong, but I always thought that stasis leads to hepatic lipidosis, rather than the other way around.

I think hepatic lipidosis is sometimes associated with obese rabbits who are dieted too quickly.

Amy
 
Hepatic Lipidosis ( fatty liver) occurs rapidly in an anorexic Rabbit. The Bun becomes hypoglycaemic ( low blood sugar) which triggers a chain of events leading to the mobilisation of free fatty acids from adipose tissue (fat in the body) to the Liver. The Liver becomes 'clogged' with the fatty deposits and the Liver eventually fails.
Obese Rabbits develop Hepatic Lipidosis more rapidly because of the excess body fat they are carrying. Pregnant Does are also at risk if they stop eating for any reason.

Hepatic Lipidosis is generally the result of Anorexia

Janex
 
I see the Bun is going to have an abdominal U/S. TBH I wonder if there is any point as if the blood test was taken during/soon after the period of anorexia/stasis then surely that would effect the LFTs :?
I know money is not necessarily an issue but an U/S will be costly and will it actually give any treatment options :?

Personally I would have the blood test repeated now he's eating again and seemingly recovered. If the LFTs are still abnormal then maybe proceed with an abdominal U/S :?
Meanwhile, I have used Milk Thistle for Buns with a compromised liver function. Perhaps this could be suggested to the Vet treating the Bun

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1779

Janex
 
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