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Poorly Old Bun

hartleyhare

hartleyhare

Warren Scout
PipSqueak is 9-10 years old and over past few days has become very unwell. Her symptoms started with a slight loss of appetite which became a total loss of appetite, leading to weight loss, bloating and grinding of teeth. I cannot see any obvious symptoms for dental issues but given her age this was one of my first thoughts. Took her to vet. He said he could see some small spurs on one side but didn't think they were causing any problem. I pointed out that he couldn't see right at the back of her mouth, so maybe something going there.

Anyway he gave her an ultra sound, which he said did not raise any red flags. Also took blood test. Their x-ray machine is under repair at present, but when it's fixed he said they will x - ray her. In meantime Pip is being syringe fed, I have Metroclopramide if she needs it and sub cut fluids if she needs it. Also Metacam.

I'm wondering if she could have intestinal blockage,although neither vet or I could feel anything and nothing showed up on scan. When I got Pip she was hugely overweight as been locked in hutch most of her life. That coupled with her age made her unsuitable for a GA to spay her. Vet said there was nothing obvious on scan to suggest womb problems.

I am very worried about my old girlie bun. Has anyone got any advice please?
 
hartleyhare said:
PipSqueak is 9-10 years old and over past few days has become very unwell. Her symptoms started with a slight loss of appetite which became a total loss of appetite, leading to weight loss, bloating and grinding of teeth. I cannot see any obvious symptoms for dental issues but given her age this was one of my first thoughts. Took her to vet. He said he could see some small spurs on one side but didn't think they were causing any problem. I pointed out that he couldn't see right at the back of her mouth, so maybe something going there.

Anyway he gave her an ultra sound, which he said did not raise any red flags. Also took blood test. Their x-ray machine is under repair at present, but when it's fixed he said they will x - ray her. In meantime Pip is being syringe fed, I have Metroclopramide if she needs it and sub cut fluids if she needs it. Also Metacam.

I'm wondering if she could have intestinal blockage,although neither vet or I could feel anything and nothing showed up on scan. When I got Pip she was hugely overweight as been locked in hutch most of her life. That coupled with her age made her unsuitable for a GA to spay her. Vet said there was nothing obvious on scan to suggest womb problems.

I am very worried about my old girlie bun. Has anyone got any advice please?
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about PipSqueak :cry:

Although as you thought, it's likely to be dental issues, it's never a good time to put a bunny under GA when they aren't eating.

I think you're doing the right thing keeping her hydrated, syringing what she will eat (Critical Care, baby food, mashed pellets etc). Some people add in Probiotics, but many rabbit specialists think they are a waste of time and money as the rabbits' stomach acid will kill off any prebiotics and probiotics. It's your call there ...

Metacam, as you have it, is very useful. If it's dental problems it may encourage her to eat despite being in pain. Make sure your vet prescribed a good dose.

Have a read here in case you feel something may help:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

I always give Infacol and tummy rubs. It can do no harm (don't rub too hard!) and may help to release gas. Specialists agree that Infacol will not harm even if there turns out to be a blockage (which doesn't sound likely with PipSqueak).

Good luck xxx Please report back and tell me how she is x
 
hartleyhare said:
PipSqueak is 9-10 years old and over past few days has become very unwell. Her symptoms started with a slight loss of appetite which became a total loss of appetite, leading to weight loss, bloating and grinding of teeth. I cannot see any obvious symptoms for dental issues but given her age this was one of my first thoughts. Took her to vet. He said he could see some small spurs on one side but didn't think they were causing any problem. I pointed out that he couldn't see right at the back of her mouth, so maybe something going there.

Anyway he gave her an ultra sound, which he said did not raise any red flags. Also took blood test. Their x-ray machine is under repair at present, but when it's fixed he said they will x - ray her. In meantime Pip is being syringe fed, I have Metroclopramide if she needs it and sub cut fluids if she needs it. Also Metacam.

I'm wondering if she could have intestinal blockage,although neither vet or I could feel anything and nothing showed up on scan. When I got Pip she was hugely overweight as been locked in hutch most of her life. That coupled with her age made her unsuitable for a GA to spay her. Vet said there was nothing obvious on scan to suggest womb problems.

I am very worried about my old girlie bun. Has anyone got any advice please?
Click to expand...

Do you have the results of the blood tests ? Especially those relating to her Kidney and Liver Function and also if there is any indication of an infection going on somewhere.

Is she taking the oral feeds/fluids well and what is her fecal output like ? Personally I would give her the SQ fluids as they can certainly help a very unwell Rabbit feel a bit more comfortable.

Sorry for all the questions, but a bit more detail might help me suggests some possible things to ask the Vet about.
 
Jack's-Jane said:
Do you have the results of the blood tests ? Especially those relating to her Kidney and Liver Function and also if there is any indication of an infection going on somewhere.

Is she taking the oral feeds/fluids well and what is her fecal output like ? Personally I would give her the SQ fluids as they can certainly help a very unwell Rabbit feel a bit more comfortable.

Sorry for all the questions, but a bit more detail might help me suggests some possible things to ask the Vet about.
Click to expand...

Blood tests should be here tomorrow, although I don't know when vet will look at the result. In any case I am going to ring first thing and ask. She is taking oral feeds without any resistance, ie she just lies there and only swallows when I have put in 2-3 mls and her mouth is full. I have to keep stopping to massage her tum to break up gas bubbles. Today she seems slightly worse and more gas bubbles. Her poos are tiny, but at least she is still producing them. Still grinding her teeth and I noticed earlier when she attempted to eat some herbs that she is having difficulty getting the food into her mouth. I really do think her mouth is very sore. As mentioned the vet said he saw small spurs on one side and agreed that he could not see what is at the back of her mouth. Her tummy seems quite sore lower down on her abdomen, between her legs.
 
hartleyhare said:
Blood tests should be here tomorrow, although I don't know when vet will look at the result. In any case I am going to ring first thing and ask. She is taking oral feeds without any resistance, ie she just lies there and only swallows when I have put in 2-3 mls and her mouth is full. I have to keep stopping to massage her tum to break up gas bubbles. Today she seems slightly worse and more gas bubbles. Her poos are tiny, but at least she is still producing them. Still grinding her teeth and I noticed earlier when she attempted to eat some herbs that she is having difficulty getting the food into her mouth. I really do think her mouth is very sore. As mentioned the vet said he saw small spurs on one side and agreed that he could not see what is at the back of her mouth. Her tummy seems quite sore lower down on her abdomen, between her legs.
Click to expand...

Poor girl :cry: It sounds as though she may need additional analgesic cover if she is still in pain despite the Metacam. I do hope the blood test results are available tomorrow. Are you due to take her back to see the Vet tomorrow too ?
 
hartleyhare said:
Blood tests should be here tomorrow, although I don't know when vet will look at the result. In any case I am going to ring first thing and ask. She is taking oral feeds without any resistance, ie she just lies there and only swallows when I have put in 2-3 mls and her mouth is full. I have to keep stopping to massage her tum to break up gas bubbles. Today she seems slightly worse and more gas bubbles. Her poos are tiny, but at least she is still producing them. Still grinding her teeth and I noticed earlier when she attempted to eat some herbs that she is having difficulty getting the food into her mouth. I really do think her mouth is very sore. As mentioned the vet said he saw small spurs on one side and agreed that he could not see what is at the back of her mouth. Her tummy seems quite sore lower down on her abdomen, between her legs.
Click to expand...

Thank you for updating, I was wondering what was happening with PipSqueak. Poor little mite x

At least she is eating and pooing, so that's a really good positive. I'm glad you got the Infacol, it can help tremendously.

I hope she gets eating again soon so the vet can do a proper dental, if it's called for.

Lots of good vibes coming your way xx
 
Blood tests were all normal, including liver and kidney function - very pleased with that. She is still at vet's recovering after her dental, hoping to collect her around 5 pm. Theo ( her husbun is missing her dreadfully, giving me soulful looks all day ).
 
hartleyhare said:
Blood tests were all normal, including liver and kidney function - very pleased with that. She is still at vet's recovering after her dental, hoping to collect her around 5 pm. Theo ( her husbun is missing her dreadfully, giving me soulful looks all day ).
Click to expand...

Really pleased to hear that the blood tests were all normal, I hope that she makes a good recovery from her Dental
 
hartleyhare said:
Blood tests were all normal, including liver and kidney function - very pleased with that. She is still at vet's recovering after her dental, hoping to collect her around 5 pm. Theo ( her husbun is missing her dreadfully, giving me soulful looks all day ).
Click to expand...

Awww poor old husbun :love: Bless!

Hope she comes home soon and he gives a lot of love to help her recover xx
 
Thank u both for your advice. She is still quite woozy. Refused syringe feed, I'm guessing her mouth feels sore. Have given her sub cut fluids and a tummy massage. I've left a bowl of Critical Care, thinned down enough to drink. I rather suspect Theo will scoff it. Theo is disabled and usually its Pip who steals his food - not surprising he should take advantage whilst he can. Debating whether to separate them. They have strong bond so its a difficult one. Given her age I'm expebcting her to take a few days to bounce back.
 
hartleyhare said:
Thank u both for your advice. She is still quite woozy. Refused syringe feed, I'm guessing her mouth feels sore. Have given her sub cut fluids and a tummy massage. I've left a bowl of Critical Care, thinned down enough to drink. I rather suspect Theo will scoff it. Theo is disabled and usually its Pip who steals his food - not surprising he should take advantage whilst he can. Debating whether to separate them. They have strong bond so its a difficult one. Given her age I'm expebcting her to take a few days to bounce back.
Click to expand...

I would try *not* to separate if at all possible. Or if you have to, for the minimum time.

You are clever to give sub-cut fluids - lots of people don't like attempting that, but it's so valuable.

I hope things are going well today :wave:
 
I checked on Pip at 4.00am this morning and she was cuddled up with Theo. When I came back at 6.30 I found her dead and Theo standing guard over her body. Don't know what to say or feel or think at this point.
 
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