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Woolblock??? - UPDATE 7.4.2010

LolasMummy

Mama Doe
Hi,

We had an emergency trip to the vets last night as Milo gave up eating, no poos and no urine. The vet thought he may have a chest infection as it was a little rattly. We came home with Baytril, Metaclopramide and rescue formula. Every 3 hours from yesterday at 3pm we have force fed and water Milo.

This morning we have got up to about 15 poos all in one long piece mixed with fur. Basically its about 30cm long. Then he went to the toilet again and another 20cm long poos / hair thing was passed.

We have another appointment this morning with the vet but not sure if people have any ideas?

He is eating a little - digestive biscuits, carrot, few treats, hay and greens (i know this isnt the ideal diet BUT at the moment i am pleased he is eating anything).

He is molting like i have never seen a rabbit do before. The vet is a little concerned regarding his moult as she has never seen a rabbit like this either. Its hard to describe how much fur is coming out of him and how quickly.

Anyone got any ideas?

Laura x
 
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ive read its not the fur that causes problems and that seeing it is a good sign things are moving ok, but i guess too much cant help and brushing would be a good idea right now :?

sending loads of vibes that Milo is over the worst xxxx

this is a great article about stasis http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html
 
Has he had pain relief ? This is an absolute ESSENTIAL

Also, aggressive fluid therapy, both oral and subcutaneous/IV to maximise the hydration of his gut contents and to try to avoid a full blockage.

Some Rabbits will have quite spectacular moults, especially at this time of year. You need to groom him 2-3 times A DAY to try to prevent him ingesting too much fur.

Lots of fibre (hay and grass) will help along with maximum exercise.

Some people believe that Bromelain, an enzyme found in FRESH Pineapple can help break up ingested fur. Personally I think it's more the added fluids giving FRESH Pineapple provides that *might* help. Also, the high sugar content in Pineapple can significantly disrupt the gut flora which *might* exacerbate the problem leading to a bloat.

Good luck at the Vets :)
 
Has he had pain relief ? This is an absolute ESSENTIAL

Also, aggressive fluid therapy, both oral and subcutaneous/IV to maximise the hydration of his gut contents and to try to avoid a full blockage.

Some Rabbits will have quite spectacular moults, especially at this time of year. You need to groom him 2-3 times A DAY to try to prevent him ingesting too much fur.

Lots of fibre (hay and grass) will help along with maximum exercise.

Some people believe that Bromelain, an enzyme found in FRESH Pineapple can help break up ingested fur. Personally I think it's more the added fluids giving FRESH Pineapple provides that *might* help. Also, the high sugar content in Pineapple can significantly disrupt the gut flora which *might* exacerbate the problem leading to a bloat.

Good luck at the Vets :)

Yes he has had Metacam - sorry forgot about that. Its due this afternoon again.

We have been giving him 15ml of water every 3 hours. Is this enough?

Any tips on grooming? At the moment doing damp hands and running these over him and this gets a lot of fur out. (not damp enough to make him wet though).

Have seen removing pellets is a good idea as these absorb water?

Read about pineapple (which very handily i am allergic to!!), olive oil or banana to help?

He is being reviewed at 10.20am.
 
We are back from the vets. She tried to make sure that any further poos are not linked by fur by massaging his tummy. He didnt react with so much pain this time.

He is now on fibreplex 8 hourly, metaclopramide 2.5mls 4 hourly, baytril 0.6mls12 hourly, metacam 24 hourly, recovery feed as needed and water as needed.

We have got a soft cat brush and just brushed him. I cant believe the fur we got out. Going to do it twice a day - he hates it! Growled the whole time :)

Got another appointment tommorrow am for a review.

I was pleased to be told that i am doing an excellent job of nursing him at home!

The whole cost didnt seem bad either (2 emergency appointments plus all the medication) came to £116.
 
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Admitted :(

Well after 4 days of force feeding Milo has been admitted. The vets are stumped so he may be having x-rays and dental (just to elliminate that possibiilty).

Currently he is absolutely fine in himself - being naughty, binkying etc BUT has not eaten anything but a few dandilion leaves since Saturday. He has been force fed since saturday every 3 hours so hence his energy etc is fine.

I am very worried about what is going on as it just doesnt make any sense.

Anyone ever had anything like this before?
 
Well after 4 days of force feeding Milo has been admitted. The vets are stumped so he may be having x-rays and dental (just to elliminate that possibiilty).

Currently he is absolutely fine in himself - being naughty, binkying etc BUT has not eaten anything but a few dandilion leaves since Saturday. He has been force fed since saturday every 3 hours so hence his energy etc is fine.

I am very worried about what is going on as it just doesnt make any sense.

Anyone ever had anything like this before?

What has his poo output been like ?

I would guess that teeth issues are high on the list of Prime Suspects.
 
What has his poo output been like ?

I would guess that teeth issues are high on the list of Prime Suspects.

Poos are slightly less and are either singles or occasionally linked together with what looks like fur up to 30cm long pieces.

The only thing with his teeth is the fact that when he is offered food he actually looks like he would be sick (if he could) at the idea of it and he is not trying to eat at all? Desmond our dental bunny wanted to eat but just couldn't bare to due to the pain. I actually hope it is teeth as currently have convinced myself he has a stomach tumor!! :cry:
 
Sending millions of vibes for Milo.

Daisy has had three or four poos joined together with fur in the past, but never as many as Milo's had. Really hope he'll be ok.
 
i think alvin managed about 4 days of refusing food and being forcefed at the vets as well as fluid injections daily before his gut kickstarted. over xmas and about a month ago he had 2 weeks of gut slow down but not a complete stop in eating. nothing has showed up in the bloods. i hope if you get xrays they give you some answers about why its happened :(

sending loads of vibes xxxxxx
 
Just to update you all:

Milo has spent since tuesday lunchtime in the vets we have collected him tonight.

He is eating a very very little bit of dandelion leaves, a few pellets and redi grass but not much :(

He is still being syringe fed (pureed excel and hay) and syringed water every 3 hours during the day and 4 hours over night.

Another vet review on Friday and if there has been no change by monday he will have an x-ray and dental just to rule those two things out.

He is still very happy in himself! binkying around just wont eat!!!

Pineapple juice has been stopped as this may upset his gut flora!

Apparently if this is a blockage by fur there is a drug that would cure him almost instantly BUT it was discontinued 3 years ago!!!!

Nobody thinks it teeth as he will pick up his toys and throw them around and is chewing all the things he is not allowed to!!!!

Currently his medication has changed, he is having Baytril 12 hourly, metaclopramide every 8 hours and bio lapsis. The metacam has stopped as that may excacerbate his tummy problems (and he seems no different on it to off it).

He is a real puzzle and has the vets a little baffled - even the specialist rabbit vet!!!!
 
Would that drug be Cisapride (propulsid) ?

Cisapride was withdrawn here due to reports of adverse side effects in humans.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Pressreleases/DH_4005066

However I believe that whilst Ranitidine (Zantac) is actually an anti GI ulcer med (H2-receptor antagonist) it has a beneficial side effect of increasing gut motility in the lower end of the GI tract. Apparently it's pharmacokinetics are very similar to cisipride in that respect.

Therefore many Vets now use Ranitidine alongside Metoclopromide when treating GI stasis. I always do (as directed by my Vet) :)
 
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