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Anesthetic Side Effect - Neurological - NOT EATING

Lynn's Bunny

Lynn's Bunny

Mama Doe
I'm so worried, I feel sick.

My rabbit, Billie, was neutered yesterday and he is not doing well. He isn't eating, only a little bit here and there. There were a few poops in his cage this morning but now there are none.

I've given him brocoli, apple, banana, parsely, grass, dandelions, green peppar and of course, hay and pellets. He just keeps turning in a circle to the left. He'll lick the food but doesn't chew. And then he just gives up and turns away.

I took him back to the Vets this morning because of the circling and the Vet said it looks like a neurological side effect from the anesthetic. And she hopes it'll wear off in 24-48 hours. She gave me some critical Care to give if he doesn't start eating soon. How am I going to give this when he'd hardly let me give him his pain meds this morning?

How long without eating does it become an emergency?? He is drinking water still.

Lynn
 
For critical care syringing, is it possible to wrap him gently in a towel and leave just his head exposed? Do you have someone who could hold him in the towel or hold him on a surface (in the towel) while you syringe?

Is it worth trying to get another vet, maybe more specialised in bunnies, for a second opinion tomorrow?

Sorry, i'm probably not much help. At least he is still drinking I suppose.

I personally would start on the critical care now if he's not eating.

Hopefully someone will be along very soon to give more advice.

Sending him loads of vibes. xx
 
Do you know if he's ever showed signs of e.cuniculi before? EC causes loss of balance and is often triggered by stress. I half wonder the neuter could have triggered a bought of that. Does he flip and flop about if you pick him up?

I've never heard of anaesthethic causing neorological problems but then, I'm not the most clued up person on such things. I think I'd be tempted to start him on a course of Panacur if he's still like it in a few days, just in case (but double check with the vet that it's ok to use it along with whatever else he's on at the moment).

I hope he'll be feeling better soon.
 
I would not administer Panacur without speaking with the Vet first

I have known of a Rabbit who had a bad adverse reaction to a GA and he too exhibited neurological symptoms

Did the Vet not suggest re-admitting him for intensive care ?

Is he receiving antibiotic cover ?

Gut motility meds ?

With the syringe feeds, you'll need to wrap him up in a towel leaving just his nose and mouth exposed. Covering his eyes will help calm him, especially if he feels dizzy and unco-ordinated. Be very careful as you feed him, administer the syringe horizontally across his mouth to avoid the feed going straight down his throat risking aspiration into his lungs.
 
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If this was my rabbit I would want him admitted to the vet hospital so he can be properly monitored and given metaclopramide (a gut stimulant given by injection). Ideally phone your vet immediately to discuss this option.

Here are a couple of vids showing how to wrap a bunny in a towel and administer syringe food, as Jane suggested above. The aim when syringe feeding is to pop a little bit of food into the bunny's mouth, wait till he's swallowed it down himself, then repeat ad infinitum. What you don't want to do is to force loads in at once, he'll just panic and not much will get eaten.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3okPKg9Fc8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iGZVYVm5Bg

The bun she is feeding in that vid is very co operative, I usually wrap mine up and hold them against my chest with my left arm, then operate the syrine with my right. If you search "bunny burrito" or "syringe feed rabbit" there are more.


Good luck, I hope he's ok x
 
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Bless you, how worrying for you :( Most of the drug names listed here are UK ones, but hopefully they will mean something to your vet in Canada as well. I would definitely take your little chap back to the vet sooner rather than later.

Big hugs to you and I hope your little bunny recovers well, you must be so upset and worried right now xxx
 
Have you tried putting a pellet in his mouth? after Lilou's spay she wasn't eating for 2 days on her own but chewed and swallowed whatever I poked in her mouth. He might not but worth a try?
 
I've given Bill some critical care, not much, but he wasn't keen on it. He did eat some apple and green pepper. I had to bring it by his mouth and then he ate it. But it sure wasn't very much. I tried to put pellets in his mouth but he moved away.

I dont think he has E.C. because I had a rabbit years ago that did have that. And he can stand straight and look at me straight without his eyes darting around. He just circles when he walks. I don't know if it's just cause he's in pain? The Vet thinks it's a side effect from the anesthetic.

I gave him some brocolli and he just gummed it. So I checked his teeth and they look fine. How much food should he be eating by now?

Thank you for all your advice. I really appreicate it. This is so scary.

Oh and he was back at the Vets today and they don't feel it warants him being monitored there at this point. I did take him in though this morning when I saw he was still circling and they examined him.

LYnn
Lynn
 
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Took him back to the vets tonight and they forcefed him the critical care and showed me how to do it properly. They also gave him a stronger pain killer. My poor boy. I'm praying he'll start eating a lot tonight.
 
Hi,

Just got up and went to check on him. He is resting and didn't perk up much when I came in, but I was told the new pain killers might sedate him a bit. It looks like he ate a few bites of apple and did some very small black poops. At least something is coming out. I will give him some critical care in an hour and his meds.

I'm praying I'll notice a huge improvement today but even a small one woudl be wonderful.
 
Thanks all. Thanks "buz" Auntie :)

I'm super worried too. I tried to feed him critical care but he just spat it out and started to struggle so much and get so stressed that I stopped. I'm going to go and sit with him now. sigh..
 
Lynn's Bunny said:
Thanks all. Thanks "buz" Auntie :)

I'm super worried too. I tried to feed him critical care but he just spat it out and started to struggle so much and get so stressed that I stopped. I'm going to go and sit with him now. sigh..
Click to expand...

Will he eat the critical care himself, some of mine will eat it off a plate or a spoon?
 
i believe in canada theres a product called benebac...a probiotic.

ask the vets advice and benebac maybe combined with metaclopramide....will help the tummy side along with the feeding.

i hope its god news very very soon.
 
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