Unwell bunny update

[thumpersmum]

Hi all

I'm new here, so hope you don't mind me stressing about one of my bun's. I have two bunnies, but Thumper is the one I'm worried about.

About a year ago we nearly lost him to E cuniculi, but fortunately he recovered (At least with a lot of nursing and visits to the vet the symptoms disappeared)

A week ago Thumper went off his food and he was not the bouncy bunny I'm used to. We took him to the vet but they couldn't find anything, no sign of infection or tummy problems. They put him on antibiotics anyway and also panacur. BY Saturday, Thumper had improved a bit and there was more life in him, but still not eating properly. The vet still couldn't find anything but I've got to take him in tomorrow so they can sedate him to check his teeth and file them if necessary, xray his stomach and take blood. However, I've noticed today that his wee has gone really orange. I know they can have strange coloured wee but this is really dark. I'm getting really worried, as I know sedation in rabbits is a risk, expecially if they are under the weather. He's my first bunny so I'm a bit stressed as the vets don't seem to know whats going on either. If anyone has any advice I'm open to suggestions

Thumpers very stressed mum:(
Sorry for the rant

[Jay M]

Hi

Mention this when you take him in, if you can take either a piece of newspaper with the colour on it, to show them, and ask more questions.
Also you can always ask for a second opinion, or get him transfered to a specialist vet that deals with rabbits, as most vets are into dogs and cats.
I had to do this for one of my rabbits a few years ago.

Jaye

[Sooz]

Hi :wave:

Im so sorry Thumper is not well. Did he have a titre test for EC to measure his present antibodies? How long a Panacur course is he on?

Sedation poses a risk in all animals but it has come such a long way over the past few years and the risk is now minimal. I have had a rabbit with chronic lung scarring come through a GA fine. Is he just being sedated or having a full GA?

[thumpersmum]

Hi Sooz22

He's not having full GA tomorrow, just sedation.

I'm not sure what the test was that they did for the EC, but it involved blood tests so I assume thats the one? He's had a week of panacur and 5 days antibiotics.

[Sooz]

Is that the full course?

Its recommended that Panacur for active EC should be given everyday for 6 weeks, the cyclical nature of EC spores and the way they are shed and survive outside the body mean the chances of reinfection are high otherwise.

I will get you some links to read.

Sedation is even less risky than a GA. Try not to worry, its for the best in the longterm. :)

[Sooz]

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?p=2243129&highlight=titre+test#post2243129

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=115581&highlight=Panacur

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=115486&highlight=Panacur

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=115473&highlight=Panacur

[thumpersmum]

Thanks Sooz22

That's all they've given me, so I'll chase it tomorrow when I go in and see what they say. We did give him the 6 week course last year so do we need to do the full 6 weeks again? Is it like a vaccine and needs to be repeated every year?

Sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions but I want to make sure I'm doing the best I possibly can for him.

[Jack's-Jane]

Thanks Sooz22

That's all they've given me, so I'll chase it tomorrow when I go in and see what they say. We did give him the 6 week course last year so do we need to do the full 6 weeks again? Is it like a vaccine and needs to be repeated every year?

Sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions but I want to make sure I'm doing the best I possibly can for him.

Here are the Panacur Rabbit manufacturers guidelines for treatment

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Intervet_UK_Ltd/Panacur_Rabbit___18_75_ACU-_Oral_Paste/-42086.html

Although this info still says a 28 day course is sufficient when treating 'active EC' many Vets are now prescribing a 6 week course.
Everyone appears to still be on a learning curve re the effects of EC in Rabbits and of the best way to treat it

http://www.houserabbit.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/ecuniculi.htm

I hope all goes well at the Vets. In the meantime maybe a bit of pain relief ( Metacam) may help Thumper. *If* he has a sore mouth he wont want to eat but some Metacam may help til he has his teeth checked. Perhaps you could request some from your Vet?

Janex :)

[sdf76]

I know nothing about digestive disorders, sorry, but you say he is not eating properly- I assume you mean not eating dried food and not eating grass.
This is just a long-shot but have you been feeding him lots of carrots instead, as this can make their wee go orangey?(-well it does for my rabbit)

I do hope you will find the cause and that he will be better soon-Suex

[thumpersmum]

Sorry for not updating earlier. Thanks to all of you for your advice.

Thumper apparently had spurs which the vet fixed, but he still didn't pick up. :(

Got a second opinion and the the second vet found his mouth ulcerated and spurs still evident. We were lucky he didnt go into stasis, but he ate just enough to keep himself going (but no more). He's put him on painkillers/antibiotics to clear those up and may need another dental. I'm taking him back this week for another check up to decide. But he is much much better, running around like an idiot, jumping, cuddling his missus and EATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.:):)

[Stephanie Cutler]

Hurrah for thumper!
One of my bunnies is incontinent due to E-cuniculi and is on a different wormer - Genetrix- instead of Panacur. She is also on daily injections of penicilin (or an antibiotic of the same family) and it has worked! no more wet botty! problem is we do not knw which mediciine did the trick:roll:
In my experience ive not found Baytril to be a useful antibiotc so if Thumper is on that one keep an eye on those ulcers he may need a diff antibiotic.
Also tell him he is to eat his hey before his rabbit mix to keep his teeth trim:p