• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

Do rabbits get acid reflux?

B

bunniesgalore

Alpha Buck
Rupert has a thynoma. For a while I've noticed him swallowing and grimacing a bit. I suspect fluid in his mouth. I've mentioned it to my vet but he's not taken it on board. Now Rupert's got very funny about eating, it's like he can't chew properly. Unless it is teeth (which have been checked) I'm worried he has a very sore mouth. We're at the vets in the am but I'd feel happier going with some knowledge.
If it's not acid reflux or similar could. fusemide and/or prednisolone be hurting his mouth?
Any ideas what could be causing this?
Thank you.
 
It may be that the thymoma is now large enough/invasive and interfering with his upper GI tract :cry:

I think you need to get a Vet to take a look at him ASAP

Prednisolone could also be irritating the lining of his stomach causing gastritis. Ranitidine (Zantac) may be beneficial for him alongside the Pred

Having a steroid via injection might be preferable to oral administration

I am sorry he is struggling :cry:
 
Jack's-Jane said:
It may be that the thymoma is now large enough/invasive and interfering with his upper GI tract :cry:

I think you need to get a Vet to take a look at him ASAP

Prednisolone could also be irritating the lining of his stomach causing gastritis. Ranitidine (Zantac) may be beneficial for him alongside the Pred

Having a steroid via injection might be preferable to oral administration

I am sorry he is struggling :cry:
Click to expand...

Thank you Jane. I wondered about Zantac but I'm also prepared for this being a turning point. We've an appointment this morning. Our vet was off yesterday so I felt it better to wait until today and have syringe fed Oxbows critical care. This is really a terrible situation. I've never felt so frightened for such a long time (apart from normal everyday fear!). It's such a responsibility and with lousy vets I've really been on my own. Thank you.
 
bunniesgalore said:
Thank you Jane. I wondered about Zantac but I'm also prepared for this being a turning point. We've an appointment this morning. Our vet was off yesterday so I felt it better to wait until today and have syringe fed Oxbows critical care. This is really a terrible situation. I've never felt so frightened for such a long time (apart from normal everyday fear!). It's such a responsibility and with lousy vets I've really been on my own. Thank you.
Click to expand...

I wish I could do more :cry:
 
Thank you. I'm dreading it. I'm scared it will be bad as this isn't something I expected to face. I'm also scared as my vets are lousy and have really let us down. There's nowhere else we can get to apart from two even worse places. I'm feeling very low, helpless, useless, angry, devastated, frightened and very alone. I've let Rupert down.:cry::cry::cry:
 
bunniesgalore said:
Thank you. I'm dreading it. I'm scared it will be bad as this isn't something I expected to face. I'm also scared as my vets are lousy and have really let us down. There's nowhere else we can get to apart from two even worse places. I'm feeling very low, helpless, useless, angry, devastated, frightened and very alone. I've let Rupert down.:cry::cry::cry:
Click to expand...

No you haven't. You have done all you can to try to get him treatment. No-one can do the impossible.

As you know I have had a few Rabbits diagnosed with a Thymoma. Without very high risk and extremely specialised surgery the condition cannot be cured. None of my affected Rabbits had surgery. They all received palliative care just as Rupert is. If you have let Rupert down, then I must have let my Rabbits down too. But I know that is not the case, for myself or for you.

Sometimes with Rabbits who have a Thymoma we have to let them go before the real suffering happens. They tend to remain reasonably bright with a good appetite even when the disease is quite advanced. With all my affected Rabbits I let them go before they stopped eating. Knowing that they could never be cured and would ultimately start to suffer I felt I had to try to prevent that. Each one was eating a treat minutes before they fell asleep for the last time.

I really am sorry that you are facing losing Rupert and I totally empathise with how you are feeling :cry:
 
You haven't let Rupert down, you're doing all you can for him. I hope there's something that can help with the mouth problem. Sending lots of vibes for Rupert and hugs for you xx
 
I'm so sorry that you and Rupert are going though this :( sending lots of vibes and nose rubs. As others have said, you certainly have not let Rupert down xx
 
Sending lots of vibes to you and Rupert, as everyone has said you have'nt let him down at all. You are giving him all the love and care he needs
 
Sending vibes for you both. You can't have let him down, as you're still here looking for more help and answers. xXx
 
Thank you all for your support, it means such alot.

The trip to the vets was as frustrating as always. Vet insisted Rupert has no fluid in his chest and that his mouth is fine. Refused to give me cortisone as 'illegal to do so' apparently. Rupert hates his tummy being touched and so the vet listening to his chest upsets him. His breathing sounded terrible, just like snuffles but he has no mucus. Vet just said Rupert's on septrin so he's fine. I asked for pain relief for Rupert's mouth and was told he can't have metacam. I said I knew that, what about tramadol? No, can't give me any injectable as illegal. I asked if they had it in syrup form-no. This is the vets who don't believe in Metachlopromide.
I asked the vet to check re giving me zantac, pain relief and steroids in injection form. Was told I can't. When I said we need to work out what's happening to make Rupert's mouth sore I was told I could have him pts or be referred. Rupert had arrived after a 10 min taxi ride all hot, breathing noisily and with bulging eyes. When I told the vet he wouldn't cope with a 2 hour min journey each way and for what-injectable steroids?, the vet said he'd be fine. I asked him if he was going to do anything at all to help Rupert and was told tramadol would not be good for Rupert as it can 'cause problems'. I asked what and was told 'it can make them ill'. I covered Rupert's ears and said 'Rupert's dying, I know that, what is worse than dying?'.
After 50 mins I'd managed to get Rupert a painkilling injection that will last 6-8 hours. I have just received a phone call from the nurse and I'm 'allowed' some syrup tramadol and zantac! No news on the steroids.
Only vaguely hopeful news is that they've sent all the info to The Royal Dicks. Given that we're 6 weeks in and they've lied to me for three weeks about contacting Richard Saunders via the RWA ( to RWA's disgust), I'm not certain I even believe them.
Rupert's tried to eat a bit by himself. He wants to eat but something's making his mouth sore. The vet said just syringe feeding was fine which made me cry. Eating is a big quality of life thing in my book especially with rabbits. If we're reduced to syringe feeding I feel it's crossed a line and I really hope we're not at that stage. Just got to give the tramadol a go and see. Please let it work.
 
im so sorry to hear about your horrible experience with the vets. i really hope something can be done to ease little Rupert's suffering, and that you know that you're doing a great job fighting for him. you will both me in my thoughts.

lots of vibes for you both xxxx
 
bunniesgalore said:
Thank you all for your support, it means such alot.

The trip to the vets was as frustrating as always. Vet insisted Rupert has no fluid in his chest and that his mouth is fine. Refused to give me cortisone as 'illegal to do so' apparently. Rupert hates his tummy being touched and so the vet listening to his chest upsets him. His breathing sounded terrible, just like snuffles but he has no mucus. Vet just said Rupert's on septrin so he's fine. I asked for pain relief for Rupert's mouth and was told he can't have metacam. I said I knew that, what about tramadol? No, can't give me any injectable as illegal. I asked if they had it in syrup form-no. This is the vets who don't believe in Metachlopromide.
I asked the vet to check re giving me zantac, pain relief and steroids in injection form. Was told I can't. When I said we need to work out what's happening to make Rupert's mouth sore I was told I could have him pts or be referred. Rupert had arrived after a 10 min taxi ride all hot, breathing noisily and with bulging eyes. When I told the vet he wouldn't cope with a 2 hour min journey each way and for what-injectable steroids?, the vet said he'd be fine. I asked him if he was going to do anything at all to help Rupert and was told tramadol would not be good for Rupert as it can 'cause problems'. I asked what and was told 'it can make them ill'. I covered Rupert's ears and said 'Rupert's dying, I know that, what is worse than dying?'.
After 50 mins I'd managed to get Rupert a painkilling injection that will last 6-8 hours. I have just received a phone call from the nurse and I'm 'allowed' some syrup tramadol and zantac! No news on the steroids.
Only vaguely hopeful news is that they've sent all the info to The Royal Dicks. Given that we're 6 weeks in and they've lied to me for three weeks about contacting Richard Saunders via the RWA ( to RWA's disgust), I'm not certain I even believe them.
Rupert's tried to eat a bit by himself. He wants to eat but something's making his mouth sore. The vet said just syringe feeding was fine which made me cry. Eating is a big quality of life thing in my book especially with rabbits. If we're reduced to syringe feeding I feel it's crossed a line and I really hope we're not at that stage. Just got to give the tramadol a go and see. Please let it work.
Click to expand...

I would be reluctant to syringe feed him as it may be that his oesophagus is constricted by pressure from the thymoma. He may end up aspirating the feed.

If the Vet is giving Tramadol I would only want to start on the lowest dose possible as it could have the side effect of depressing the respiratory system and as Rupert's respiratory tract is compromised I would be very wary about him having a high dose. Also, I'd ask the Vet to confirm that Prednisolone wont potentiate the effects of Tramadol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
10 year old mini-lop not well
Replies
6
Views
1K
Bummum91
B
a reader of books
Time for their yearly health check
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
a reader of books
a reader of books
N
Acid reflux and mouth ulcers
Replies
3
Views
762
MightyMax
MightyMax
Back
Top