'Maintaining' a virtually untreatable rabbit

Sky-O · Apr 12, 2011

If you have a rabbit that has a long term, chronic condition and is towards the end of the road, is not easy to handle anymore due to that condition and travelling is pretty much a definite no no, how do you deal with things like a sore hock? or lots of dry skin (potentially mites)?

I am doing my best for the sore hock by putting Sudocrem on, but that's about all I can do. For the dry skin I've not yet done anything because he's not itchy, or bothered, but I don't think its safe to treat him for mites (but it may not be mites because he always did get a dry skin when he moulted, just not on this level- his fur isn't falling out either).

Any ideas on what I should or shouldn't be doing?

My gut feeling is not to do much of anything, just beat the symptoms as they arise, but doing nothing goes against what I feel I should be doing.

helgalush · Apr 12, 2011

I'm sorry, I dont know what to suggest. Except to say that you are doing what you think is in your bunny's best interests.

With the dry skin you could try aloe vera gel, I know it was suggested to me when Kenco had dry skin.

Sky-O · Apr 13, 2011

Thanks Helgalush. I've not considered aloe vera. What's it like when it touches the fur? is it safe to groom off? Was your bunny bothered by it?

halfpenny · Apr 13, 2011

We go through this quite a lot, and we have always said if something can't do any harm but may help, we'll give it a go. With Spice, a 19 year old cat she had hyperthyroidism and renal failure, she then developed an ear infection which caused a head tilt and her teeth began to bother her. We treated the head tilt with the usual meds, but because of her condition could not put her through a dental, instead we treated they symptoms by blending her food, feeding separately and giving antibiotic injections every 2 weeks. We also tried to support her system by giving anabolic steroid injections and multivitamin injections.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that we don't really care about how they look at but try to keep them as comfortable as possible.
Sorry, don't know if this helps, it's hard to explain what I mean.

Sky-O · Apr 13, 2011

Thanks Halfpenny. That does make sense.

I don't really care what he looks like as long as his spirit is intake and he is comfortable. What concerns me more is that he may be distressed by something which may cause the dreaded mouth breathing (we get this most times I handle him but know it goes away if I put him back into a 'normal' standing position- his preference for being held is vertically, but he needs to sit horizontally- or if I put him down), or may take away his fight for life. Like, for example, the aloe vera gel sounds useable for his skin and a great idea, but if I put it on and it stings, then that's not going to be great for him, or if it feels wrong on his head or something, and he reacts badly.

I can provide different flooring for his feet (or try to), which is a positive thing to do, but I suspect he won't sit on it because he only sits on carpet. :lol::roll:

Kermit · Apr 13, 2011

What about Aloe Vera Vet Spray? I use it on Inca on areas where i can't really get cream on well. I have used it on minor grazes, dry skin etc.
I think that this would maybe be good as it can be sprayed on rather than rubbed on, so may not be as stressful.
http://www.aloe-vera-forever.net/aloe-veterinary-formula-p-1023.html

abbymarysmokey · Apr 13, 2011

I would deffo treat for mites and sore hocks. Both treatments are, safe, non-invasive and easy to do at home :wave:

For mites I'd use spot-on ivermectin...and for sore hocks I'd use Dermagel and replace bedding with either vet bed or thick hay depending on the reason for the sore hocks.

Sky-O · Apr 13, 2011

What's dermagel?

I don't think he could take the spot on, to be honest, which is why I haven't yet done it (but I do have some here).

Truth be told, I'm scared of killing him.

abbymarysmokey · Apr 13, 2011

Sky-O said:
What's dermagel?

I don't think he could take the spot on, to be honest, which is why I haven't yet done it (but I do have some here).

Truth be told, I'm scared of killing him.

Ivermectin is very safe. AFAIK it's only very young animals who shouldn't have it. I use it on my Winston who is about 12 years old and has multiple issues.

This is dermagel: http://www.dermagel.co.uk/
I find it good for sore hocks (although I know everyone has their own favourite products and methods of treating sore hocks). I get the pump gel (not the spray) and apply using cotton buds. Most equestrian suppliers stock it or you can buy online.

Sky-O · Apr 13, 2011

Thank you

the sore hock is of most concern, so I'll start with dermagel and then use the Xeno if I need to. He's not itchy or bothered by it and its not flaking off and he's not going bald, so i'll use it if he seems to be bothered by it.

doorkeeper · Apr 13, 2011

I've only had one rabbit react badly to ivermectin; usually it is easily tolerated so I would go ahead and use it.

I just had a twelve year old rabbit with skin so bad I had to shave him come in and two doses of ivermectin later his skin and coat are lovely and soft. He is still skinny, produces jelly poo, has ears full of pus and hates to be handled, but his skin is better. And he now has three bunny pals, the best treatment of all.

He has sore hocks too but hates to be pestered so I have just put the group in a stable with deep bedding to cushion them. He spends most of his time eating or snuggling, only hopping to find somebun to lay his head on or something to eat, so this works well for him.

When you know they haven't got much time left the priority needs to be their comfort. If a treatment will make them feel better go for it. If it will stress them too much you have to weigh up the balance, there can't be a set rule.

'Maintaining' a virtually untreatable rabbit

Sky-O

Wise Old Thumper

helgalush

Wise Old Thumper

Sky-O

Wise Old Thumper

halfpenny

Wise Old Thumper

Sky-O

Wise Old Thumper

Kermit

Wise Old Thumper

abbymarysmokey

Wise Old Thumper

Sky-O

Wise Old Thumper

abbymarysmokey

Wise Old Thumper

Sky-O

Wise Old Thumper

doorkeeper

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