• 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.

bronchoalveolar lavage

Alice's mum

Alice's mum

Warren Scout
Hi,
Has anyone ever had a bronchoalveolar lavage done in their rabbit? My rabbit has been treated for 2 years now for a respiratory infection. He has had every type of antibiotics that rabbits can safely have, anti-fungal medication, CT scans, X-rays and nasal swabs on several occasions and we still don't know what is causing his issues.
I'm wondering if anyone has had this done and if it actually ended up in getting some results i.e. you found out what bacteria/pathogen was there?

Thanks in advance.
 
Alice's mum said:
Hi,
Has anyone ever had a bronchoalveolar lavage done in their rabbit? My rabbit has been treated for 2 years now for a respiratory infection. He has had every type of antibiotics that rabbits can safely have, anti-fungal medication, CT scans, X-rays and nasal swabs on several occasions and we still don't know what is causing his issues.
I'm wondering if anyone has had this done and if it actually ended up in getting some results i.e. you found out what bacteria/pathogen was there?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

No personal experience but this thread may be useful to take a look at :

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...eolar-Lavage&highlight=bronchoalveolar+lavage

I know of a few Rabbits who have been diagnosed with 'Farmers Lung' which is basically a form of a type of pneumonitis which is caused by an allergic reaction to spores in mouldy hay. The Rabbits were treated with longterm steroids given by an inhaler, something like this:

http://www.trudellmed.com/animal-health/aerokat
 
Alice's mum said:
Hi,
Has anyone ever had a bronchoalveolar lavage done in their rabbit? My rabbit has been treated for 2 years now for a respiratory infection. He has had every type of antibiotics that rabbits can safely have, anti-fungal medication, CT scans, X-rays and nasal swabs on several occasions and we still don't know what is causing his issues.
I'm wondering if anyone has had this done and if it actually ended up in getting some results i.e. you found out what bacteria/pathogen was there?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I know of a rabbit at the rescue where I worked who had this procedure, but unfortunately it didn't show up any useful info re bacteria or antibiotic suitability.

Based on that, when I had a similar case with one of my own rabbits, we decided against a a bronchoalveolar lavage and finally 'diagnosed' aspergillosis. I managed to find a treatment that completely controlled his symptoms from thereon for the rest of his life.

Sometimes what we think of as respiratory infections can be in truth allergic reactions and sensitisation of the lungs to certain factors, if that makes sense!
 
Thank you. I see the first thread showed the rabbit came through the op but they still didn't get any results. My rabbit is nearly 8 and the problem is in his upper and lower respiratory tract and his lungs now. I guess I'm debating whether to put him through this procedure when (a) we may not get any results (b) we may get results but it's now too late to treat him successfully (c) he may not come round from the anesthetic anyway. He's been through a lot bless him. I forgot to say in my original post that he has been nebulised daily since August too. I guess the steroids could be easily put in that but it would depend on getting results. Thanks very much for answering.
 
Alice's mum said:
Thank you. I see the first thread showed the rabbit came through the op but they still didn't get any results. My rabbit is nearly 8 and the problem is in his upper and lower respiratory tract and his lungs now. I guess I'm debating whether to put him through this procedure when (a) we may not get any results (b) we may get results but it's now too late to treat him successfully (c) he may not come round from the anesthetic anyway. He's been through a lot bless him. I forgot to say in my original post that he has been nebulised daily since August too. I guess the steroids could be easily put in that but it would depend on getting results. Thanks very much for answering.
Click to expand...

I too would be reluctant to put an 8 year old already health compromised Rabbit through the procedure. Maybe you could ask the Vet about the problem also involving an allergic asthma, similar to the 'Farmers Lung' and if a trial of an inhaled steroid (less risky than steroids given systemically as far as side effects go) might be an option.
 
Alice's mum said:
Thank you. I see the first thread showed the rabbit came through the op but they still didn't get any results. My rabbit is nearly 8 and the problem is in his upper and lower respiratory tract and his lungs now. I guess I'm debating whether to put him through this procedure when (a) we may not get any results (b) we may get results but it's now too late to treat him successfully (c) he may not come round from the anesthetic anyway. He's been through a lot bless him. I forgot to say in my original post that he has been nebulised daily since August too. I guess the steroids could be easily put in that but it would depend on getting results. Thanks very much for answering.
Click to expand...

Yes, as with what you've read, we found it too inconclusive to go ahead with my rabbit. Though of course that was just a case of one! You could ask your vet what success they have had with the procedure and how effective they have found it as to a cure for the condition?

Nebulising is a very good option. I personally would not use steroids, but there can be a time and place in some rabbits' lives where they could be useful. In my experience the side effects have always outweighed the benefits.

Is he a good weight? I always find if they are a healthy weight when they are older, and not starting to become thinner, they have a much greater chance of a successful outcome :thumb:
 
Sadly he is not a good weight. He has just got over an ear infection too and he went right off his food. He is now eating again and has gained a little weight but his body score is quite low. He has had two years of this and has done amazingly well but if I am being realistic I think we're reaching the end of what I am prepared to put him through and what he can tolerate. His quality of life is still good and as long as he remains comfortable then that's my main concern. Thank you. I'm going to speak to the vet again.
 
Alice's mum said:
Sadly he is not a good weight. He has just got over an ear infection too and he went right off his food. He is now eating again and has gained a little weight but his body score is quite low. He has had two years of this and has done amazingly well but if I am being realistic I think we're reaching the end of what I am prepared to put him through and what he can tolerate. His quality of life is still good and as long as he remains comfortable then that's my main concern. Thank you. I'm going to speak to the vet again.
Click to expand...

I too think that quality of life has to be the priority. In some situations it is true to say that whilst certain diagnostics could be done it is not always the right thing to do them. I hope that your Rabbit can remain as comfortable as possible, I am sure that you will do whatever is in his best interests.
 
Alice's mum said:
Sadly he is not a good weight. He has just got over an ear infection too and he went right off his food. He is now eating again and has gained a little weight but his body score is quite low. He has had two years of this and has done amazingly well but if I am being realistic I think we're reaching the end of what I am prepared to put him through and what he can tolerate. His quality of life is still good and as long as he remains comfortable then that's my main concern. Thank you. I'm going to speak to the vet again.
Click to expand...

Thank you for replying.

I do find that rabbits who are a little underweight have less resilience to procedures and GA's in particular. I'm sorry he's had an ear infection too - poor thing!

I do think I agree with you. To sustain his quality of life is all you can do, and maybe also what he would want at this stage in his life and health.

I think you're very wise and I would be interested to know what your vet thought of your way of thinking.
 
Just an update for those of you who kindly replied. After much deliberation I decided that I am not putting my rabbit through any further tests and investigations. I've literally spent thousands (not hundreds) over the last two years and we still don't know what's wrong with him - despite seeing several specialists. He hasn't stopped sneezing for over two years! Money is not the issue, although I've been quoted several hundred more for further CT scan and the lavage. I just don't want to put him through more stuff if we're not guaranteed a result. My current vet is great. I explained I wanted to keep him comfortable but no more investigatory procedures. She told me whatever decision I made would be the best for him and respects what I've decided. Luckily, despite the sneezing he is still eating, pooping and running (albeit slower) around with his girlfriend so his quality of life is good for now. Thanks for all the input.
 
Alice's mum said:
Just an update for those of you who kindly replied. After much deliberation I decided that I am not putting my rabbit through any further tests and investigations. I've literally spent thousands (not hundreds) over the last two years and we still don't know what's wrong with him - despite seeing several specialists. He hasn't stopped sneezing for over two years! Money is not the issue, although I've been quoted several hundred more for further CT scan and the lavage. I just don't want to put him through more stuff if we're not guaranteed a result. My current vet is great. I explained I wanted to keep him comfortable but no more investigatory procedures. She told me whatever decision I made would be the best for him and respects what I've decided. Luckily, despite the sneezing he is still eating, pooping and running (albeit slower) around with his girlfriend so his quality of life is good for now. Thanks for all the input.
Click to expand...

I think I would have made the same decision if faced with similar circumstances. I hope that your Rabbit will continue to enjoy the rest of his life and remain as well within himself as possible xx
 
Alice's mum said:
Just an update for those of you who kindly replied. After much deliberation I decided that I am not putting my rabbit through any further tests and investigations. I've literally spent thousands (not hundreds) over the last two years and we still don't know what's wrong with him - despite seeing several specialists. He hasn't stopped sneezing for over two years! Money is not the issue, although I've been quoted several hundred more for further CT scan and the lavage. I just don't want to put him through more stuff if we're not guaranteed a result. My current vet is great. I explained I wanted to keep him comfortable but no more investigatory procedures. She told me whatever decision I made would be the best for him and respects what I've decided. Luckily, despite the sneezing he is still eating, pooping and running (albeit slower) around with his girlfriend so his quality of life is good for now. Thanks for all the input.
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100%.

You have his quality of life at heart and what more can any bun expect of you?

I'm so glad you have a good vet who is supporting you in this. Thank you for updating, and good luck :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Zigzag
CT scan
Replies
14
Views
2K
Omi
O
B
Bladder Sludge
Replies
7
Views
548
SarahP
SarahP
~ILoveMyBunny~
Worst possible news. Metastatic cancer.
Replies
16
Views
913
joey&boo
joey&boo
Back
Top