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Weight loss & Pneumonia - UD all ok!

F

FloLo

Alpha Buck
Hey all haven't been on here in a while.

I have been away for 2 months doing research and left Flo and Tubsy in the care of some more than capable friends. Got back Thursday and Flo is extremely skinny. Friends didn't want to worry me, apparently lost the weight fairly quickly and were feeding her more but she didn't put on any more weight. She is eating normally and pooing normally - seems happy in herself!
So I took her to the vets yesterday (Friday), vet is new to the practice but has an interest in exotics which was a relief. Flo had lost 0.5kgs!!! 😱 Vet couldn't palpate anything abnormal like a tumour in her abdomen. Flo needs a dental but the Spurs are small at the moment and haven't caused any ulcers or anything. So the vet took blood to send off to PALS to check kidney function in case she has CKD.
So basically the plan is; if kidneys fine have anaesthetic for dental. Then if still not putting on any or still losing weight then further investigation like X-rays and scans.

Needing some vibes - so worried about her!!! 😓
 
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FloLo said:
Hey all haven't been on here in a while.

I have been away for 2 months doing research and left Flo and Tubsy in the care of some more than capable friends. Got back Thursday and Flo is extremely skinny. Friends didn't want to worry me, apparently lost the weight fairly quickly and were feeding her more but she didn't put on any more weight. She is eating normally and pooing normally - seems happy in herself!
So I took her to the vets yesterday (Friday), vet is new to the practice but has an interest in exotics which was a relief. Flo had lost 0.5kgs!!! 😱 Vet couldn't palpate anything abnormal like a tumour in her abdomen. Flo needs a dental but the Spurs are small at the moment and haven't caused any ulcers or anything. So the vet took blood to send off to PALS to check kidney function in case she has CKD.
So basically the plan is; if kidneys fine have anaesthetic for dental. Then if still not putting on any or still losing weight then further investigation like X-rays and scans.

Needing some vibes - so worried about her!!! 😓
Click to expand...

Oh no I'm so sorry!

Your vet seems on the ball though. The plan you've devised is excellent.

Sending millions of vibes xx

Just out of interest, has Tubsy put on weight?
 
Yeah she does - luckily as the other vet I have seen there has no clue! It is I'm very impressed with her.
Thank you!

He's actually lost weight since December about 150g which is good because he was overweight!! Have noticed he eats much quicker than Flo and then steals part of her portion! so have been sitting with Flo whilst she eats so that he can't steal any!
 
FloLo said:
Yeah she does - luckily as the other vet I have seen there has no clue! It is I'm very impressed with her.
Thank you!

He's actually lost weight since December about 150g which is good because he was overweight!! Have noticed he eats much quicker than Flo and then steals part of her portion! so have been sitting with Flo whilst she eats so that he can't steal any!
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You know this is one of the most difficult areas I find with pairing rabbits! They have no sense of manners and if they want your portion they will just eat it :shock:

But if she's been eating loads whilst you were away then it's a bit of a mystery why she's lost so much weight. I guess E.C. could be on the cards, and I wonder if your vet will give a 28 day course to both rabbits just in case ... hmmm....
 
Sending lots of vibes for the lovely Flo. I hope you and your vet soon find the cause of her weight loss.
 
I've also found that EC or other parasites can lead to sudden weight loss, especially when the rabbit still seems to be eating well. After a few days on panacur the rabbits started putting weight back on and were fine after that.
 
MightyMax said:
You know this is one of the most difficult areas I find with pairing rabbits! They have no sense of manners and if they want your portion they will just eat it :shock:

But if she's been eating loads whilst you were away then it's a bit of a mystery why she's lost so much weight. I guess E.C. could be on the cards, and I wonder if your vet will give a 28 day course to both rabbits just in case ... hmmm....
Click to expand...

I know - Tubsy has no manner whatsoever! :oops: think he's learning though, he didn't try to eat hers today but I was sat there haha.

Yeah, my friends even started feeding them more! Oh you know I didn't think of that. Maybe I'll ask about that when she calls next week. I think she was most concerned about kidney problems, but I suppose E.C. could be the cause of kidney problems...interesting I'll question her haha.
 
FloLo said:
I know - Tubsy has no manner whatsoever! :oops: think he's learning though, he didn't try to eat hers today but I was sat there haha.

Yeah, my friends even started feeding them more! Oh you know I didn't think of that. Maybe I'll ask about that when she calls next week. I think she was most concerned about kidney problems, but I suppose E.C. could be the cause of kidney problems...interesting I'll question her haha.
Click to expand...

I really hope she doesn't have kidney problems, but it's certainly worth an ask. E.C. can seem like a band wagon we all jump on to explain a lot of things, but there again, it's good to have some protection if it's indicated.
 
MightyMax said:
I really hope she doesn't have kidney problems, but it's certainly worth an ask. E.C. can seem like a band wagon we all jump on to explain a lot of things, but there again, it's good to have some protection if it's indicated.
Click to expand...

Vet called yesterday evening - bloods were completely normal! Which is a relief but still don't know why she's losing weight. Discussed E.C. vet said that it is unlikely as it usually shows up on bloods with increased WBCs due to stimulation of the immune system. So we just booked her in for a dental on Monday.
BUT - Went to feed Flo & Tubs this morning, both eating well but there were some small ileus like poos in the litter tray :( I assume they must be Flo's - she just doesn't seem quite right today. Tubs was hopping around outside and Flo just sat in the hutch. Might have to call the vets now for some advice...do have some left over meds from her last bout of stasis so could give her some of them.
 
FloLo said:
Vet called yesterday evening - bloods were completely normal! Which is a relief but still don't know why she's losing weight. Discussed E.C. vet said that it is unlikely as it usually shows up on bloods with increased WBCs due to stimulation of the immune system. So we just booked her in for a dental on Monday.
BUT - Went to feed Flo & Tubs this morning, both eating well but there were some small ileus like poos in the litter tray :( I assume they must be Flo's - she just doesn't seem quite right today. Tubs was hopping around outside and Flo just sat in the hutch. Might have to call the vets now for some advice...do have some left over meds from her last bout of stasis so could give her some of them.
Click to expand...

Oh dear .. poor Flo and poor you!

Is it unusual that Flo would stay in the hutch if Tubs was hopping around outside?

Best to catch it early if it's the beginnings of stasis...

I was glad to hear the bloods are OK. Maybe the dental will sort things out .. Hope so :)
 
MightyMax said:
Oh dear .. poor Flo and poor you!

Is it unusual that Flo would stay in the hutch if Tubs was hopping around outside?

Best to catch it early if it's the beginnings of stasis...

I was glad to hear the bloods are OK. Maybe the dental will sort things out .. Hope so :)
Click to expand...

Yes they usually sit cuddled up together, munch on grass together etc. It's rare that I see them apart!!
Hmm that's what I was thinking. Ahh she really does know how to worry me!!
 
FloLo said:
Yes they usually sit cuddled up together, munch on grass together etc. It's rare that I see them apart!!
Hmm that's what I was thinking. Ahh she really does know how to worry me!!
Click to expand...

She's trying to tell her Mummy something, that's for sure.

C'mon Flo, spill the beans!
 
MightyMax said:
She's trying to tell her Mummy something, that's for sure.

C'mon Flo, spill the beans!
Click to expand...

She seems better today - poo is normal and she was happily sat outside with Tubsy munching on grass. But now she seems to be breathing oddly? Usually I have to watch closely to see her breathing but I can see her at the end of the run breathing. She's not dyspnoeic, open mouth breathing and it doesn't seem very heavy? She's kinda bobbing when she breathes. Might take a video.
 
FloLo said:
She seems better today - poo is normal and she was happily sat outside with Tubsy munching on grass. But now she seems to be breathing oddly? Usually I have to watch closely to see her breathing but I can see her at the end of the run breathing. She's not dyspnoeic, open mouth breathing and it doesn't seem very heavy? She's kinda bobbing when she breathes. Might take a video.
Click to expand...

Hmmm.. if the WBC's weren't elevated, then once would assume there's no infection contributing to her breathing difficulty.

Next step is X-rays, right? Is there a date lined up for those?
 
MightyMax said:
Hmmm.. if the WBC's weren't elevated, then once would assume there's no infection contributing to her breathing difficulty.

Next step is X-rays, right? Is there a date lined up for those?
Click to expand...

Yeah exactly...thinking if it was a heart condition it would show up on bloods too?
The vet suggested dental first (which is on Monday) but maybe I'll ask to see if they can x-ray at the same time, save her undergoing two anaesthetics!
 
FloLo said:
Yeah exactly...thinking if it was a heart condition it would show up on bloods too?
The vet suggested dental first (which is on Monday) but maybe I'll ask to see if they can x-ray at the same time, save her undergoing two anaesthetics!
Click to expand...

No I don't think the heart condition (if there was one)would necessarily show up in the bloods. I've even known an enlarged heart not show up on X-ray either, but be very clear on Ultrasound.

I don't know whether Flo is insured, but may be worth covering all bases at once whilst she's under GA for dental. But I really hope it's nothing like that :)
 
MightyMax said:
No I don't think the heart condition (if there was one)would necessarily show up in the bloods. I've even known an enlarged heart not show up on X-ray either, but be very clear on Ultrasound.

I don't know whether Flo is insured, but may be worth covering all bases at once whilst she's under GA for dental. But I really hope it's nothing like that :)
Click to expand...

Hmm the vet did say xrays and scans. Would prefer if she just had 1 GA because last time she had one she went into stasis...but it was for a spay so bit more invasive. She is insured (thank god) don't think I could afford all of it otherwise. Already at £275ish with bloods, dental etc. Hopefully its nothing sinister!
 
If her breathing isn't right, I would get her seen by the vet before Monday as she may not be fit enough for a GA by then, or it would be an increased risk to her. Gut instinct is normally right - if you think there is something wrong, take her back for a reassessment.
 
Shimmer said:
If her breathing isn't right, I would get her seen by the vet before Monday as she may not be fit enough for a GA by then, or it would be an increased risk to her. Gut instinct is normally right - if you think there is something wrong, take her back for a reassessment.
Click to expand...

Friends said they have noticed it before too - seems intermittent? But vet didn't pick up on anything during the consult last week. I just auscultated her chest and her heart rate is fine, and there aren't any abnormal sounds. Also her abdomen looks fat, I thought maybe it was distended but it feels soft, maybe gassy? I'll post a video of her breathing in a minute. It's just so weird, she is fine in herself otherwise, spent most of the day outside munching on grass and is pooing normally.
Just want to know what is wrong!!

EDIT: Here's a video.
 
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My bunny does exactly the same before he gives me the final signs (less poo & hay eating) before a dental is needed. I can only see it when he rests, not when he is active & just like Flo, the vet never has the chance to see it.
 
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