Hugo's There
Wise Old Thumper
I felt I should start a seperate thread for the PM results for the bunny I lost yesterday as it has the potential to affect other members of the forum.
Firstly I didn't put many details about which bunny it was yesterday as there were a few people I wanted to contact first before they read about it on the forum. Unfortunately it was Leon one of the REW's that were taken by the police, I still have his brother Larry here as he has spinal problems.
Secondly I don't want to scare other members that have some of these bunnies but felt it would be unfair of me not to share the information if there is the slightest chance other REW's could be affected.
It turns out that it wasn't a heart or lung problem but in fact a problem with his stomach. It was pyloric stenosis. This is where the pyloris is thickened, hardened and too small to let food pass through from the stomach to the intestines. Poor Leon's guts were completely empty to the point there was not a drop of food or gas in them, my vet had never seen a gut like it before. His stomach was completely full of food which couldn't empty. I comented on how he had eaten that morning and jen said she knew he had because there was fresh food at the top of his stomach. However the food at the pyloric opening was mixed with pus. It seems like there was a very small tumour on his pyloris that had completely blocked it and then burst and become infected.
What completely amazes me is that he was binkying and pooing normally the day before. She said he wouldn't have been in pain much of the time but just felt very full. His breathing problems were caused buy his distended stomach pushing his diaphragm against his lungs stopping him from getting enough air in his lungs.
Jen went on to say that there is nothing that could have been done for him, if he had gone to there vets they would have treated him as I had and if an emergency vet with little knowledge had given metaclopromide it would have caused a whole lot of damage. The tumour was so tiny she said an xray would not have shown it up even if he had display symptoms earlier and because he was still over weight his filling stomach would have been hard to pick up on.
I did ask whether this was a genetic problem that could cause problems with the other bunnies. She said the potental is there but there is nothing that could be done to stop it happening. Jen said they don't see any New Zealand white as a rule because the majority of these rabbits are destined to end there lives at only a few months. Therefore no one has much information about the problems that can arise when bunnies are taken from this situation and given the chance to live longer.
I really want to share this info because if any of the other REW's ever do show signs of stasis it really is something to consider and metaclopromide should be given with caution.
This is the original thread http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=161719
Firstly I didn't put many details about which bunny it was yesterday as there were a few people I wanted to contact first before they read about it on the forum. Unfortunately it was Leon one of the REW's that were taken by the police, I still have his brother Larry here as he has spinal problems.
Secondly I don't want to scare other members that have some of these bunnies but felt it would be unfair of me not to share the information if there is the slightest chance other REW's could be affected.
It turns out that it wasn't a heart or lung problem but in fact a problem with his stomach. It was pyloric stenosis. This is where the pyloris is thickened, hardened and too small to let food pass through from the stomach to the intestines. Poor Leon's guts were completely empty to the point there was not a drop of food or gas in them, my vet had never seen a gut like it before. His stomach was completely full of food which couldn't empty. I comented on how he had eaten that morning and jen said she knew he had because there was fresh food at the top of his stomach. However the food at the pyloric opening was mixed with pus. It seems like there was a very small tumour on his pyloris that had completely blocked it and then burst and become infected.
What completely amazes me is that he was binkying and pooing normally the day before. She said he wouldn't have been in pain much of the time but just felt very full. His breathing problems were caused buy his distended stomach pushing his diaphragm against his lungs stopping him from getting enough air in his lungs.
Jen went on to say that there is nothing that could have been done for him, if he had gone to there vets they would have treated him as I had and if an emergency vet with little knowledge had given metaclopromide it would have caused a whole lot of damage. The tumour was so tiny she said an xray would not have shown it up even if he had display symptoms earlier and because he was still over weight his filling stomach would have been hard to pick up on.
I did ask whether this was a genetic problem that could cause problems with the other bunnies. She said the potental is there but there is nothing that could be done to stop it happening. Jen said they don't see any New Zealand white as a rule because the majority of these rabbits are destined to end there lives at only a few months. Therefore no one has much information about the problems that can arise when bunnies are taken from this situation and given the chance to live longer.
I really want to share this info because if any of the other REW's ever do show signs of stasis it really is something to consider and metaclopromide should be given with caution.
This is the original thread http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=161719
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