Impaction :-(

My Poppy has got impaction
We first noticed it on Friday when she had been at the vets being nebulised (she has something called Pantoea) and when I picked her up I felt a hard mass in her belly. My vet (who is an exotic vet) said that it could be the start and gave her some sub cut fluids and told me to keep an eye, but that it wasn't bad enough to need to be put on a drip as she was still bright, eating and pooping. Well today she was no better, still hard lump in belly and she had started to look sad and became a bit more lethargic and uncomfortable looking. She was still eating, not sure about poops as she is in with 3 others.

I took her back to the vets at 5 and she has now been admitted, she is on a drip and has had vetergesic (she had metacam at home at lunchtime). She will have xrays in the morning and depending on the out come she might have surgery.

Has anyone ever had their bun operated on for impaction? Did they recover well afterwards?
I am considering if PTS would be a kinder option from what I have read and understood of the surgery, especially if she has to have any guts removed

My poor poor baby girl. I am devastated, the poor vet had me in floods of tears.

So sorry to hear about Poppy...I'm afraid I don't know anything about impaction, but have you seen this thread that's also running at the moment?
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?346832-Stomach-impaction-Help!

Sorry to hear about Poppy.

I had a bunny with a blockage but luckily it did start moving just before they were about to operate (it was 3-4 days before we got to this point). It is a risky operation but I have read success stories on here (as well as some not successful). If you search on here for impaction or blockage they may help you make any decision.

Your vet will be the best person to advise and give you the pros and cons as they will have the x-rays.

I hope the fluids work and things start to move overnight x

Thanks, looks like she is picking up, she had xrays and an ultrasound today, he stomach and cecum are both impacted.
Luckily the vet is really positive that she won't need surgery, and she is being kept in on a drip again tonight. She seems to be best on Vetergesic, she doesn't really poo or eat without it. It is still not good, but prognoses is no longer guarded which is a bit relief. Hopefully I will have her home tomorrow!!

Lactulose can be very beneficial alongside aggressive fluid therapy. It is an osmotic laxative, it does not coat the impaction in oil but encourages absorption of water into the guts thus aiding rehydration of the impacted matter.

Domperidone can aid the function of the cecum

Hope Poppy recovers very soon xx

I'm sorry I've only just seen this. I really hope she continues to improve! Sending vibes.

I talked to my vet about haveing my rabbits operated on. She said it is very risky and we would try everything else.I am takeing my bunnies to the vet tomorrow. They have the exact same problem poppy has(although they are still eating and pooping they are also quite fit)

Wish Poppy LOTS of LUCK!!!!

Only just seen this, wishing poppy lots of get well wishes. Thinking of you xx

Thanks. She has always been my strongest and healthiest of all my buns, so am in complete shock and I can't work out why it happened.

Also I had a dream last night that she died overnight. I really hope not it scares me how quickly they can get this and go downhill. I lost Jack to impaction last year, I didn't get him to the vets and on fluids on time. Hopefully I caught poppy in time.

Jane I will speak to Faye about lactulose and domperidone when I go in, thanks.

Any updates? :wave:

She is home! She is still poorly and is on a lot of meds and I have to give her sub cut and oral fluids. The good thing is that she has not lost her appetite completely so is still munching away on greens. Think I preferred when she was in the vets. I keep going to check on her and HATE giving sub cut fluids!!!

MichG said:

She is home! She is still poorly and is on a lot of meds and I have to give her sub cut and oral fluids. The good thing is that she has not lost her appetite completely so is still munching away on greens. Think I preferred when she was in the vets. I keep going to check on her and HATE giving sub cut fluids!!!

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Glad there is some improvement. I am sure with your great care she will bounce back very soon xx