bunnykin
Young Bun
Concerned about my little bun. He is 6 & a half and has a history of gut stasis and wind. Happening again last couple of days. One minute seemingly fine then for hours goes off food. It started the night before last he would not eat overnight and so yesterday (Boxing Day) I syringed Zantac, Infacol & Oxbow Critical Care. He brightened up well and seemed ok in himself though still had a poor appetite so I gave him all the syringed stuff again later. But then overnight he again became withdrawn and wouldn't eat at all again. Early this morning he was just settling down in the litter tray giving me the impression that he wanted the toilet but possibly was having difficulty going. I gave him more syringes and about half an hour later he seemed fine again all happy and cheeky - until he visited the tray when again he just settled down in there. I booked a vets appointment for this afternoon. I went out for a couple of hours this morning and when I got back he had pooped and one poop looked like a normal poop but longer (not stringed together with fur - though we've had some of those too) and I hoped this had been the one that had been causing him discomfort. He also had eaten some veg and I did him some more and this time he ate all of the veg I gave him quite eagerly. But I still took him to the vets.
I am less than impressed with my vets but in the absence of anything better it is at least the closest and open everyday. To be fair the vet we saw today had just been asked to scrub into an emergency operation so he was in a bit of a hurry. But we got our 'usual' - injections of metaclopramide and Zantac, subcutaneous fluids, tube of Fibreplex and a sachet of Supreme Science Recovery mix (they didn't have any Oxbow CC). He checked his stomach (no obstruction that he could feel) mouth & bottom.
So we got home about 2 hours ago. After he'd recovered from the trauma of the vets (and the syringe food I gave him as soon as we got home) he was all cheerful again, rushing about, eating hay, scuttling down tunnels and generally behaving normally (though giving me a wide berth). Then he got into the litter tray. He really looked like he was straining. He sort of raised his bottom as high as he could, as if his hind legs were on tiptoes. Nothing came out. He's since been back in a couple of times and still looks awkward (though not as alarmingly as that first time) but still nothing has emerged. He's cheerful when not in the tray (he's currently thinking about hopping onto the sofa) but very wary of me when he's in the tray to the point that if I look over he hops out (perhaps that's coincidence!).
Does anyone know whether this is likely to be a poop problem or could it maybe even be cystitis (he's never had that)? Are the injections and subQ fluids likely to help with whatever this is? Should I have a little patience and give these a chance to work and continue to monitor him overnight? After syringing stuff I do try to massage his tummy but don't really know if I'm doing it correctly - is stomach massage likely to be any help here?
He's also suddenly very keen on chewing his wooden tunnels, which is not usually of such interest to him.
He's such a precious little boy and I worry about him so much. I hope I don't need to take him to the vets again as he gets so distressed. I might leave him alone for a while in case that makes him feel better about going to the loo.
Does anyone have any suggestions. Sorry this post is so long.
I am less than impressed with my vets but in the absence of anything better it is at least the closest and open everyday. To be fair the vet we saw today had just been asked to scrub into an emergency operation so he was in a bit of a hurry. But we got our 'usual' - injections of metaclopramide and Zantac, subcutaneous fluids, tube of Fibreplex and a sachet of Supreme Science Recovery mix (they didn't have any Oxbow CC). He checked his stomach (no obstruction that he could feel) mouth & bottom.
So we got home about 2 hours ago. After he'd recovered from the trauma of the vets (and the syringe food I gave him as soon as we got home) he was all cheerful again, rushing about, eating hay, scuttling down tunnels and generally behaving normally (though giving me a wide berth). Then he got into the litter tray. He really looked like he was straining. He sort of raised his bottom as high as he could, as if his hind legs were on tiptoes. Nothing came out. He's since been back in a couple of times and still looks awkward (though not as alarmingly as that first time) but still nothing has emerged. He's cheerful when not in the tray (he's currently thinking about hopping onto the sofa) but very wary of me when he's in the tray to the point that if I look over he hops out (perhaps that's coincidence!).
Does anyone know whether this is likely to be a poop problem or could it maybe even be cystitis (he's never had that)? Are the injections and subQ fluids likely to help with whatever this is? Should I have a little patience and give these a chance to work and continue to monitor him overnight? After syringing stuff I do try to massage his tummy but don't really know if I'm doing it correctly - is stomach massage likely to be any help here?
He's also suddenly very keen on chewing his wooden tunnels, which is not usually of such interest to him.
He's such a precious little boy and I worry about him so much. I hope I don't need to take him to the vets again as he gets so distressed. I might leave him alone for a while in case that makes him feel better about going to the loo.
Does anyone have any suggestions. Sorry this post is so long.
