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Enlarged heart, fluid on the lungs and arthritis!

Alice's mum

Alice's mum

Warren Scout
My rabbit Alice (approx age 8 maybe 9) has been having problems with noisy breathing for a few months which I have been back and forward to the vets about. Finally after x-rays yesterday we discovered she has an enlarged heart which has lead to fluid on the lungs and an infection. I also asked them to x-ray her back right foot as I felt she was not walking right and she has some arthritis there too. She is eating and pooing fine and is taking her anit0biotics and heart tablet okay so far (hiding the tablet in a raisin!).
She is now of course a house rabbit (as has been cast aside by my other two anyway - I suspect they knew she was ill).
Has anyone with experience of rabbits with heart problems got a time scale of how long she will live? I'm not an idiot, I know this is just management and cannot be cured but I'd like to know how long they can live after diagnosis.
Thank you. x
 
I have had several Rabbits with Heart Disease

Is Alice having a diuretic as well ? This can really help them to feel more comfortable.

On average my Cardiac Rabbits had about a year of good quality life after initial diagnosis. As you say, the condition cant be cured and usually deteriorates eventually. But the correct medication can certainly allow the Rabbit to enjoy a bit of extra time.
 
My first ever rescue bunny Katie has an enlarged heart recently diagnosed. She was initially on antibiotics, and a diuretic and is now just prescribed diuretic and she is much more comfortable, in fact to look at her you wouldn't know anything was wrong now as her breathing is not laboured.

She is just her normal active self.

I was told that I would have to give her a chance and 'make a decision' in a few weeks, but that was a couple of months ago now and I don't feel I have a decision to make yet as she has good quality of life and has amazed us all.

I do nothing special now as she's behaving normally, but do keep a very close eye. I'd possibly wonder if over exertion might be an issue given half a chance, but apart from that, I'd say see how she goes on the meds, and try not to worry too much.
 
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