PLEASE help my little Ossie

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum & desperately trying to help my mini lop bunny Ossie.

He is only 19 months old & has such a lovely affectionate nature -the most affectionate bun we have ever had. He has been at the vets every day for the past week- he has had problems with bladder sludge - and this is the third time it has recurred. He has had injections every day for pain as well as various anti biotics, had his bladder manually expressed twice at the vets (this week) and also been cathetized to flush out the crystals in his bladder (they x-rayed him and there are no stones present). He came home last night but is still not eating, only drank a little and just looks very miserable.

He has another appointment tomorrow, but I am really starting to despair. To see him in pain & so unhappy is making me ill because I love him so much & just want to do the best for him. When he does go into his litterbox he still makes this little noise when passing urine. It's just dreadful. He has only passed four little feces today. The vet said he must go on a low calcuim diet too which I have researched into - but he just won't even eat at the moment. Also, he was treated for pinworms a couple of weeks ago- he really hasn't had a good time of it at all recently. They said this wouldn't have anything to do with his condition now but I just thought I would mention it anyway. I'm heartbroke - please help x

Oh dear poor lad

Is he receiving fluid therapy - ie subcutaneous injections of fluid under his skin ?

What antibiotics and analgesia is he having ?

Are you syringe feeding him ?

Did he pass urine OK after he had the bladder flush ?

Hi Jack's-jane

They gave me a syringe this morning with something that would try to encourage his appetite (sorry not sure what it was) -but there was only one dose of this.

I know they were giving him fluids through a syringe yesterday but again I'm not sure exactly if it was subcutaneous injections. Sorry, I don't know exactly what anti-biotics he has had. They haven't given me anything else to give him at home either. I did manage to get him to eat some grass before but that's all.

When I cleaned his litterbox this morning he had passed urine, but when we got back from the vets he passed a bit of urine and was making this little noice when he did so. He is also now grinding his teeth - which he has never done before - I think I should phone them and take him back this afternoon?

Dear wee mite.
Teeth grinding, I think, indicates pain.Has he pain relief you can give him?? Is it possible you can take him back to your vet today??

He sounds in a lot of pain How rabbit savvy is your vet? I would imagine Ossie should be on some form of pain relief at the moment. If you put a post up in "Rabbit Chat" on this forum asking for a rabbit savvy vet in your area, it may help.

I would say, and this is just my opinion, ask your vet first, or someone else may correct me, but I would personally get him to eat at the moment and worry about the sludge later. A bun can not survive without food for a very long time. So I would tempt him with his favorite foods first. Although I may be wrong.

Vibes to the little man.

Thanks everyone, yes he's definitely in pain. I'm going to phone them now & will also check in the chat rooms for a rabbit specialist vet. Thank you again you are all so kind for offering advice.

Will keep you posted with his hopeful progress
x

Please do.Vibes to the little fella and despite the circs, welcome to the forum.xxxxxxxx

wanted to send some vibes and say i agree it sounds like he needs pain relief, metacam is the one i know of but do check with the vet in case he was given a long lasting injection and see what he is allowed. also think i would try tempting him with lots of different foods to get him munching again, thinking of you (mine go mad for corriander, dandilion leaves, baby food -hipp apple and berry compote when they are unwell) x

Sending vibes. :wave: I'm afraid I can't add to the suggestions that have already been made, but I hope your poor wee fellow feels better soon.

Get him eating first then worry about sludge later -

sludge has all sorts of causes - and some buns will create sludge regardless of what they eat.

Avoiding high calcium pellets, carrot tops and dandelions (and some brassicas) are the main points but depending where you live you may also want to start giving low calcium bottled water (ensure it is below 20mg (??) per litre). Tescos one is good.

From listening to what he has gone through this week he may well be in penile spasm and I would have expected vet to give painkillers AND a muscle relaxant such as a valium related drug. My sludge bun often had this after being ex[ressed and it worked well to relax him otherwise they are in agony.

If vet did not automatically do this ask about them ASAP (NOW) and also ask yourself whether it is time to get another vet.

Good luck with the little one.

PS and FLUIDS

How did you go at the vet?

Poor little guy! Any news?! I do hope he has had some pain releif now!

Sending lots of pain free healing vibes to your little Ossie xxx

mashed banana is good to get them to eat...and someone put on another post about grating apples and carrots etc i hope ossie is feeling better soon