• 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.

Bunny with poor appetite

J

James Costello

New Kit
My house rabbit, Toffee, had a huge personality, curiosity, and a big appetite. About two weeks ago, within a very short period his appetite dropped to a tiny fraction of what it used to be. We took him to the local vet on several visits and Toffee received examination, ex-ray and course of antibiotics and liquid feed.
When this proved innefective we took him further afield to an animal hospital where, on a weekend stay he was given a battery of tests, exrays, and treatments. He has been diagnosed as having an inner ear infection. We took him home to give daily syringes of antibiotics and liquid feed.
His recovery has been negligible and we are due to take him back for assessment.
We are told that if the antibiotic treatment does. Not work then cat scan and ear canal surgery may follow.
Not wistanding the cost, which is rising rapidly, we are worried about the future.
Does anybody know whether the surgery is effective? What is the prognosis? Will it improve the rabbits quality of life? How do you stop a rabbit from scratching his post operative scar?
 
I'm bumping this up for you but if no replies you could start another thread entitled Surgery for Rabbit with Ear Infection. Hope we can be of help for your poor bunny.
 
James Costello said:
My house rabbit, Toffee, had a huge personality, curiosity, and a big appetite. About two weeks ago, within a very short period his appetite dropped to a tiny fraction of what it used to be. We took him to the local vet on several visits and Toffee received examination, ex-ray and course of antibiotics and liquid feed.
When this proved innefective we took him further afield to an animal hospital where, on a weekend stay he was given a battery of tests, exrays, and treatments. He has been diagnosed as having an inner ear infection. We took him home to give daily syringes of antibiotics and liquid feed.
His recovery has been negligible and we are due to take him back for assessment.
We are told that if the antibiotic treatment does. Not work then cat scan and ear canal surgery may follow.
Not wistanding the cost, which is rising rapidly, we are worried about the future.
Does anybody know whether the surgery is effective? What is the prognosis? Will it improve the rabbits quality of life? How do you stop a rabbit from scratching his post operative scar?
Click to expand...
I am sorry that your Rabbit is unwell

Is he receiving pain relief ?

What antibiotic is he receiving ?

With regards to surgery, it is a big operation and it's success or otherwise will depend on the individual case and the specifics of the infection. It is not possible to give a cast iron guarantee that surgery will improve 'quality of life'. If I were considering it for one of my Rabbits I would want to be consulting a very experienced/Specialist Rabbit Vet.
 
Sometimes it can be that the rabbit is just not feeling well for a day or so. I would check the rabbit and see if there are any injuries or if the rabbit has anything else wrong with her. If she will let you you should also check her teeth and see if they all seem fine and look like they are growing straight. I still think you should go to the vet but knowing as much about your rabbit as possible might help the vet figure out what is going on more quickly. Rabbits when they get sick can go very quickly, so the sooner you can get to the vet is better, even if it ends up being nothing or something minor it is better to be safe than sorry.
 
After a course of anti biotics Toffee seems to finally be back to his former self. Thank heavens we did not need surgery after all. Thanks everybody for your posts.
Toffee is now back to being a right little bossy boots hooligan who runs around being nosy and wanting lots of attention. I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
James Costello said:
After a course of anti biotics Toffee seems to finally be back to his former self. Thank heavens we did not need surgery after all. Thanks everybody for your posts.
Toffee is now back to being a right little bossy boots hooligan who runs around being nosy and wanting lots of attention. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the update. I'm glad all is well!

Welcome to RU by the way :wave:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Please help. Poor rabbit is desperately ill
Replies
9
Views
573
dex179
dex179
H
Rabbit with erratic heart rate
Replies
3
Views
230
MimzMum
MimzMum
H
Possible causes
Replies
19
Views
457
Helen1981
H
Back
Top