What is going on? Buster still not right. U/D

Posted a while back about Buster, his thirst became excessive as did his urination, litter tray soaked through everyday. Started dribbling little spots of urine on our bed. Noticed he was grinding his teeth. Urine sample confirmed UTI, (e-coli and streptococcus) also heavily sedimented so switched to a low calcium diet, although no evidence of crystals. Metacam given for 5 days and 10 days of Baytril started. When the Metacam finished he seemed to be in pain again so back to the vets. Abdomen feeling a little boggy, no bowel sounds could be heard. Was still eating, drinking and pooing but metroclopramide given just in case. Metacam restarted and I started giving simeticone in case of gas pain. No further bowel problems since then. Baytril finished last Friday, metacam finished on Sunday.

Started dribbling again over the weekend on the bed. It's the only white surface he goes on so it's really noticeable. Back to the vets overnight, general anaesthetic today, x-rays taken, bloods and sterile urine sample from bladder taken. Going to check for EC also. No bladder sludge or stones. Gas noted in GI tract but no obstructions.

Any ideas what could be going on?x

Also just to say he is almost 6 months old and was neutered in August. He is drinking up to 600mls per day and litter tray is saturated x

Just wanted to say it sounds like you have a fantastic vets! I wish mine would offer any of the investigation works yours have done - my vets just think rabbits are second class pets.

I would get him some probiotics to balance out the good/bad bacteria in his guts following a corse of antibiotics, biolapis or avipro are both quite good.

Is his back end looking quite dry or is it soaked?

My girl is drinking between 400-500ml of water and shes only a small mini lop - we've had a corse of septrin for 10 days which could be an option for you if the bloods dont show anything. I'm going to have some bloods taken this week as the antibiotics haven't helped and I'm having to wash and dry her daily.

I would worm him with pannacur for 28 days anyway just to be on the safe side it wont harm him.

They are absolutely fantastic, I'm really lucky I transferred both my buns over to them about a week before this all started (and got them insured!!!)

His back end is completely dry! He's using his litter tray for all his big wees but the area he lays on the bed is where I've noticed the dribbles. I don't think it's behavioural because he's been neutered and I don't know why he'd mark the area he likes to snuggle on with urine. Although a possibility he's not a bun who snuggles in his litter tray, he has distinct areas for sleeping and eating and urinating.

My vet suggested holding off on panacur for now as he isn't showing any other symptoms of EC and only recently had a 9 day course. But it was something I definitely thought of. I will definitely pick up a probiotic, thank you for the suggestions. I was reading last night about diabetes insipidus and wondered if perhaps that's the problem? Typed in all his symptoms into google and that's what came up! We shall see, hopefully the bloods will be back today. The urine sample may still show a UTI so another course of antibiotics may be needed x

Ive also read all the diabetes info its scary but quite rare.

Have you checked his man bits well? popped his little uhum out? everything look normal?

They are such sensitive creatures. let me know if the results show anything.

Have you considered getting a second opinion from Frances Harcourt Brown? I've done it several times. My vets faxes info to her and a reply is always quick and thorough. Worth a try?

Alarmzybabe, the vet has done all that and no problems noticed in that department.

Bunniesgalore, I hadn't heard of her until I just did a google search! If the results come back inconclusive I will certainly suggest that. Thankyou. I honestly think his pain is gas-related. I can hear his tummy gurgling away when he grinds his teeth, going to increase simeticone to twice daily to see if that helps. There were small gas bubbles on his x-ray but no distension or blockage. The water, urination and dribbling, baffling. Popping in later with a claim form so will see if bloods are back x

Sorry akaemzybabe, autocorrect doesn't like your name!x

bunniesgalore do your vets not get offended when you ask for a second opinion / to be referred?

I am thinking about doing this with my vets but all they seem to want to do is get me in to the practice. I cant believe that in a practice of 6 vets none of them specialise in small furies there all generic

Update

Spoken to the vet this evening as all the test results are back. His neutrophil (white blood cell count) is low, indicating underlying infection/inflammation. Or possibly a problem with producing these cells (quite unlikely). The latest urine sample which was taken directly from the bladder has come back negative, no bacterial growth. Possibly a false negative? Despite the dietary changes I've made, there is still an abundance of calcium carbonate crystals present. Currently having no veg, only meadow hay and a small amount of urinary tract formula pellets.

He is still dribbling urine when he's laying down. Continues to drink upto 800mls water per day, passing lots of urine. Intermittent pain (teeth grinding). The vet suggested he may have weak bladder or urethral muscles but he does think there is an underlying infection somewhere so he is having a further course of a different antibiotic. If the symptoms persist he will refer to a rabbit specialist as he admits to being a bit baffled!

Does anybody have any advice or suggestions?x