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  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

Dilemma, Advice appreciated U/d 30th June

B

Becki xX

Warren Veteran
I don't know what to do :( Rhia is booked in for more bloods & chest/scull Xrays on Friday, and I don't know whether to cancel or go ahead. Basically shes fine all the time, apart from when she has exercise - then she just flakes out. Last night she couldn't go more than two steps without needing to lie down, after 10/15 minutes in the garden. Six months ago, she'd be zooming for hours & wouldn't dream of lying down in the garden. I don't know a great deal about bunny illness, but I'd be quite surprised if this wasn't her heart. Cuniculi, as ever, is also a possibilty - apparently. A heart scan has been mentioned, but not sure its a possibility. Something about probes needing to go in between the ribs, and buns ribs not having enough space :? I don't feel confident that anything will be found from these tests, If she'd had a heart scan & it'd recovered nothing, I'd be very willing to go ahead...but I'm not totally convinced this is the right route to take. Someone help, Please? X
 
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I think the tests would be a good idea as atleast they maybe able to find out what is wrong with Rhia and that would stop you worrying. Then things can be done to help her :)
 
Steph said:
I think the tests would be a good idea as atleast they maybe able to find out what is wrong with Rhia and that would stop you worrying. Then things can be done to help her :)
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Thanks for replying. I dont really feel confident that more bloods (first ones showed nothing up), and xrays will show anything up though. I'm not just going to abandon the whole testing thing, I just feel that this isnt going to be so helpful. Plus, it means GA - Which is fine if its going to actually help, but if its going to be useful then Im uncomfortable about her going under X
 
I can understand your concerns about a GA given that Rhia may have a heart issue putting her at high risk.

Is it impossible to have them done without a full GA or totally conscious?
 
Sooz said:
I can understand your concerns about a GA given that Rhia may have a heart issue putting her at high risk.

Is it impossible to have them done without a full GA or totally conscious?
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They really struggled to get blood from her conscious, so I'd imagine an Xray would be out of the question. I'm going to call round a few surgeries tomorrow & ask whether or not they'd consider a heart scan I think :?
 
Xray may be easy than blood as it's sitting still not getting poked - depends on the angle I guess. An xray may show some heart issues eg if it is enlarged or has fluid around it :)
 
Tamsin said:
Xray may be easy than blood as it's sitting still not getting poked - depends on the angle I guess. An xray may show some heart issues eg if it is enlarged or has fluid around it :)
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Hmm, I just don't know. Have emailed another surgery asking about heart scans :?
 
I would get the tests done if I was you. I think it would be a bit hard for a vets to say one way or the other regarding the scan without having all her notes with them. Good luck and a big snuggle to Rhia:D
 
Becki get your vet to do you a direct referal for you to FHB - she is the best in the country for rabbits.(also saved one of our clients rabbits from a really bad bout of lead poisoning). If anyone can do the treatment and tests Rhia needs with the least stress being caused she can.
 
holidayhutch said:
Becki get your vet to do you a direct referal for you to FHB - she is the best in the country for rabbits.(also saved one of our clients rabbits from a really bad bout of lead poisoning). If anyone can do the treatment and tests Rhia needs with the least stress being caused she can.
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I suggested that too as well as a referral to BRC....but I think there was a problem, can't remember what...it may have been to do with travelling.
 
Thanks for the replies. I've been in contact with a vet who is considering a heart scan on Rhia. This seems the right thing to do, and as I said earlier - If this turns nothing up, I'm willing to go ahead with the rest of the tests. I have no idea about how 'allowed' it is to use two vets, so will have to find out about that :? I have looked up for far it is to Bristol, and its over three hours from here - that just isn't doable with Rhia. Bradford (I think thats where FHB is?) is an hour away, that I'd consider. One other problem I have is although we're under a very rabbit savvy vet atm, my usual one who knows me (and more importantly, knows Rhia) is off, and not back for just under 2 wks (I think..) Definately think im going to call off tomorrow though X
 
FHB is in Harrogate I think. You have to ask your vet to refer you to her rather than sign up whilst she is under treatment with another vet as it's considered very bad practice to 'steal' another vets clients mid-treatment.

Your vets will also need to be able to exchange notes, test results and histories etc.
 
Sooz said:
FHB is in Harrogate I think. You have to ask your vet to refer you to her rather than sign up whilst she is under treatment with another vet as it's considered very bad practice to 'steal' another vets clients mid-treatment.

Your vets will also need to be able to exchange notes, test results and histories etc.
Click to expand...

Course she is, not with it today :roll: About an hour & a half away. I know my vet has spoken to her already about Rhi, what was discussed I'm not sure. I'm going to wait & see what this other vet says about the heart scan before I ask about referal to FHB. If he agrees that he can do it, Im just going to say to my own vets that if he can do it, why cant they? If they still wont, then I'd have to see about moving. I realise he'd have to see her notes & everything. Sorry if this doesnt make sense, got a lingering migraine :lol:
 
Is the other vets considering the heart scan rabbit savvy? Have they come with any recommendations from anyone you know/someone on here? I would hate for you to go somewhere and they not be rabbit savvy and they think they can do the same thing they would for a cat or dog.

I know it must be really hard and you want answers but please be careful of just going to another vets just because they say they will do something you, or someone else equally unqualified, think its a good idea. Have your vet given specific reason as to why they won't do a heart scan? Probing between ribs sounds very dangerous to me - especially if they aren't rabbit savvy.

I would def try and get a referral to FHB tho.

Good luck with it all.
 
I can totally understand where you are coming from. I'm really not sure what to advise. I think if it were me, I'd just have to grill my vet as to what the benefits are likely to be of the tests, what the risks are etc, and then make a decision from there. I think you have to trust your gut instinct. x
 
Thanks for all advice given folks! I've cancelled tomorrow, If I thought it was the right thing to do then it wouldn't have been causing me so much stress. There was serious doubt in my mind that this would benefit Rhi. Shiv I completely understand where your coming from, I have heard good things about the vets considering the heart scan - but admittadly nothing about them treating buns. I would, of course, go & check out the vets etc before I sent her there. My vets are looking into the possibility of doing the scan now though...so watch this space :roll: X
 
Just a thought but have you ever heard of Ash Lea Vets in Manchester as they are an Exotic Specialist Vets. They do have a rabbit savvy vet there. I had one of mine a few years ago referred to them and they were really good.

Hope Rhia is doing ok:D
 
Becky, wasn't Rhea the bunny you got from P@H after a fire? I wonder if her heart was damaged by the smoke and fumes etc and she's suffering effects from that now. Have you considered smoke damage to heart and/or lungs?

Hope she's ok, they are such a worry aren't they (((hugs)))
 
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