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Jasmines breathing problems back again and losing weight :-(

ChristyRose

Alpha Buck
Last month Jasmine started having problems with her breathing. The vet gave her a steroid injection that lasted a few days but it helped her. So when that injection wore off he gave her a longer lasting steroid injection. She has been back to her normal self for a month now but yesterday she started having trouble breathing again. So I took her back to the vets today and shes lost loads of weight. He thinks she may have cancer but couldnt feel anything. Shes eating okay. Hes given her another long lasting steroid injection to ease her breathing problems and he said all we can do is keep her comfortable.
Is there anything I can do for her? Could she really have cancer? Shes only 3. :cry:
 
Yes she is spayed and no he didnt suggest any tests. What tests can she have done? Could she have worms? But that wouldnt cause her breathing problems would it? After a course of antibiotics which didnt do anything he seemed to think she had developed asthma. I am abit worried he dosnt seem to know much about rabbits....
 
Yes she is spayed and no he didnt suggest any tests. What tests can she have done? Could she have worms? But that wouldnt cause her breathing problems would it? After a course of antibiotics which didnt do anything he seemed to think she had developed asthma. I am abit worried he dosnt seem to know much about rabbits....

I too would be concerned. The use of steroids in Rabbits is usually a 'last resort' and certainly continued use *without any prior diagnostics* is not something I would agree to under any circumstances. Can you seek a second opinion from another Vet ? I would be wanting to do this sooner rather than later ie tomorrow if possible.
 
I completely agree with Jane. I'm sorry her problems are back, but sadly that's not a surprise because a steroid is not going to cure anything.
 
I have said to him on a couple of occasions about using steroids in rabbits not being a good idea but he said there had been no conclusive proof to show that. He said you can use it to help cats and I said that rabbits and cats are totally different animals and he said that not enough research has been done into treating rabbits. I feel he has just written her off.
What tests can she have? Blood tests? X- rays? How do I find a rabbit savvy vet? I am in Cornwall.
 
Would you be able to travel further and see Yvette's vet? is that Richard Saunders? He is in Devon.

Blood tests, x-rays, scans, swabs if she has discharge etc, would be a good place to start.
 
Would you be able to travel further and see Yvette's vet? is that Richard Saunders? He is in Devon.
Blood tests, x-rays, scans, swabs if she has discharge etc, would be a good place to start.

Ian Sayers, at Abbots Kerwell Vets; http://www.abbotsvets.co.uk/

He's an excellent rabbit vet and has seen my rather special Ginger bunny.

I'm really sorry Jasmine is struggling, if you can get to Ian, he is an awesome vet.
 
Devon is quite a drive. Plymouth is about 45 mins away. Depends where abouts in Devon. I will start ringing around. If anyone can recommend someone in Cornwall that would be great. Do rabbits come under exotic pets?
 
Thanks Graham. I know that area a little its just over an hour or so from my place. OH is working away at the mo and I cant drive that far. I have CFS. Maybe I could ring him and see what he suggests?
 
Ian Sayers, at Abbots Kerwell Vets; http://www.abbotsvets.co.uk/

He's an excellent rabbit vet and has seen my rather special Ginger bunny.

I'm really sorry Jasmine is struggling, if you can get to Ian, he is an awesome vet.

Thanks for fixing that Gray.

If she can tolerate the journey, an hour may be worthwhile if it gets you the right treatment.

Maybe he could liaise with your vets until you can get her to him?
 
Devon is quite a drive. Plymouth is about 45 mins away. Depends where abouts in Devon. I will start ringing around. If anyone can recommend someone in Cornwall that would be great. Do rabbits come under exotic pets?

Yes, they are exotics.

You could start a thread called 'rabbit savvy vet needed in/near *insert your location here*' and see if anyone can suggest anything.
 
I have spoken to Ian Sayers and he said that he dosnt use steroids in rabbits or exotics but couldnt comment as I am with another practice and said that I really need to go back to my vet and ask for a referral. If I go to another vet they will want to contact my vet for a history of the condition anyway. Feel abit at a loss as I really need a second opinion. Will have to ring my vets back and discuss my concerns with them.
 
Yes, that's how things work. A vet should never mind making a referral or you getting a second opinion. If he has an issue then it's not down to you, that is his issue and, to be honest, his insecurity and you shouldn't let that affect the treatment you get for your bunny. Have you read my thread about advocating for your bunny?
 
Just read it. I want to speak up for her and if I hadnt been on here and been told that steroids arnt good for rabbits then I wouldnt be questionning my vet now. But to be honest I dont really know what I am talking about and he is the vet and he tells me one thing and either I take that advise or I question it which is what I am doing.
How do I know if she has cancer? X ray? Blood tests? If she has got cancer theres nothing that can be done anyway. Is it worse to put her through loads of test that might not prove anything or just leave her with Jakey to live out her days quietly? I dont want to drag her around the county causing her more distress. But I am not a vet and I dont know if anything else can be done.
Just feel sad and helpless right now. Still waiting for my vet to ring back....
 
Just read it. I want to speak up for her and if I hadnt been on here and been told that steroids arnt good for rabbits then I wouldnt be questionning my vet now. But to be honest I dont really know what I am talking about and he is the vet and he tells me one thing and either I take that advise or I question it which is what I am doing.
How do I know if she has cancer? X ray? Blood tests? If she has got cancer theres nothing that can be done anyway. Is it worse to put her through loads of test that might not prove anything or just leave her with Jakey to live out her days quietly? I dont want to drag her around the county causing her more distress. But I am not a vet and I dont know if anything else can be done.
Just feel sad and helpless right now. Still waiting for my vet to ring back....


I have just posted this on your other thread Re Vets in Cornwall

 
Thanks for fixing that Gray.

If she can tolerate the journey, an hour may be worthwhile if it gets you the right treatment.

Maybe he could liaise with your vets until you can get her to him?

No worries :)

If your bun can tolerate the journey, it really is worth it, but yes, a referral will be needed from your vet to South Western Referalls - Ginger travelled just over 2 hours to get to him but she does travel amazingly well, having done a 5 hour journey to get here.

My vet still has Ian down as our referalls vet and we run things by him occasionally, my vet phones him, asks the question and we act upon the information that is then available - that may be something your vet can do also? :)

Good luck!
 
Is Ian a specialist in rabbit health? How did you find out about him? I might suggest it to my vet. Thanks. He did seem very helpful but obviously hasnt seen Jasmine so couldnt comment on her health.
 
Is Ian a specialist in rabbit health? How did you find out about him? I might suggest it to my vet. Thanks. He did seem very helpful but obviously hasnt seen Jasmine so couldnt comment on her health.

Yes, he most certainly is a specialist in rabbit health. He is the sole referalls vet in the south west of england, so all rabbit referalls from other vets who are struggling to resolve a health issue can put in a referall to him for additional help/assistance. I knew of him from RU (yvette a member here has him as her regular vet), but my vet knew of him also.

He's definately worth the trip, if you and Jasmine can make it.
 
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