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Very poorly Bunny [emoji22]

Blossom8

Blossom8

New Kit
Hi

I am at my wits end. My 10 year old Rabbit, Zac is not well at all. We took him to the vets on Tuesday because he seemed very subdued and not moving. The vet checked him over and she said he had arthritis and she felt a hard lump in his stomach. She gave us some painkillers for him. But since Tuesday he hasn't really changed he is still subdued and not moving. The thing is he is still eating and drinking, so he is still pooing and weeing as normal which is really good. I just don't know what to do, or wether he is suffering or not or if he is in pain. He hardly moves.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hi, I don't have any experience of a rabbit with arthritis so I can't advise specifically.

Is your vet rabbit savvy? If not I would take him to a rabbit savvy vet for a second opinion. You can post on here asking for rabbit savvy vet required in - insert town name, and hopefully people will recommend someone.

Is he still having painkillers at home? I assume it might be metacam? Maybe he needs a different dose or different painkiller for example.

Sending lots of vibes.
 
Hi Blossom, we have a 10 year old bunny with arthritis as well. She was diagnosed in December but it wasn't bothering her until a couple of weeks ago (she kept stopping eating as she was in pain) and now we've gone onto twice daily metacam to manage it for her. She's very lively though, with a much improved appetite since she went onto regular painkillers. I would be concerned there is another issue (did vet say anything about this lump?) and would agree that you need a rabbit specialist vet to investigate this properly.
 
Yes luckily I have a very good Rabbit savvy vet. Thats all they deal with. Rabbits and Cats. The vet said they could give Zac X-rays etc but the anaesthetic might be to much for him. I just worry so much that he is in pain or suffering. Poor little man can hardly move. He is on Metacam aswell twice a day. I have also noticed that he is drinking like a fish He is such a lovely Rabbit. He was born with me so it makes it even harder I have a extra special bond with him which makes it even harder
 
I replied on your other thread.

I can see now you have metacam. Check that your vet is prescribing the most up to date dosage for your rabbit as some vets still give doses that are too low.

With regards to the lump, I would be asking them to do a conscious x-ray. You could also have some bloods taken to check his kidneys if he is drinking a lot.
 
Im taking him back to the vets tomorrow. So I will find out more then. I don't think he is really up to having x-rays and blood tests. The vet said it was all down to old age bless him. Do Rabbits still eat if they are in pain or suffering. Because he is still eating really well.
 
Blossom8 said:
Im taking him back to the vets tomorrow. So I will find out more then. I don't think he is really up to having x-rays and blood tests. The vet said it was all down to old age bless him. Do Rabbits still eat if they are in pain or suffering. Because he is still eating really well.
Click to expand...

I think that is the best thing to do. It may be that your Rabbit is not actually in pain as such, but is feeling very weak. The abdominal 'lump' is of concern and IMO the Vet needs to consider what it may be and if it could be the cause of your Rabbit's lethargy. I would ask the Vet to check your Bunny for any lymphodenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes) as part of the examination. A blood profile would be useful too.

Sending best wishes x
 
Blossom8 said:
Im taking him back to the vets tomorrow. So I will find out more then. I don't think he is really up to having x-rays and blood tests. The vet said it was all down to old age bless him. Do Rabbits still eat if they are in pain or suffering. Because he is still eating really well.
Click to expand...

Hi Blossom :wave:

I really hope you get some answers today.

Yes, rabbits do eat when in pain and suffering. They are amazingly stoical little animals.

Good luck :)
 
I took Zac to the vets this afternoon. The vet said he has arthritis in his back legs. He said to give Zac some light exercise and massage his legs a little bit. The vet gave him a painkilling injection which has knocked him out. He is on metacam twice a day. But at the end of the day the vet said it was just old age, he said it was brilliant that he had reached 10 years old. In human years he would be 92. So that's pretty good going.
 
Blossom8 said:
I took Zac to the vets this afternoon. The vet said he has arthritis in his back legs. He said to give Zac some light exercise and massage his legs a little bit. The vet gave him a painkilling injection which has knocked him out. He is on metacam twice a day. But at the end of the day the vet said it was just old age, he said it was brilliant that he had reached 10 years old. In human years he would be 92. So that's pretty good going.
Click to expand...


Yes it's very good going :D

I think warmth is also incredibly helpful with our elder buns x
 
He is indoors at the moment in my spare room. It would be to much for him if he was outside its been so cold and wet. Roll on spring when he can go out on the grass in his run and hop around the garden. Hopefully
 
Blossom8 said:
He is indoors at the moment in my spare room. It would be to much for him if he was outside its been so cold and wet. Roll on spring when he can go out on the grass in his run and hop around the garden. Hopefully
Click to expand...


Roll on Spring indeed!

Have 24/7 electrically heated mats for my old and arthritic ones (and the younger ones that live with them!). I find them of great benefit to the rabbits
 
Blossom8 said:
He is indoors at the moment in my spare room. It would be to much for him if he was outside its been so cold and wet. Roll on spring when he can go out on the grass in his run and hop around the garden. Hopefully
Click to expand...

My arthritic Rabbits have benefited from acupuncture aswell as massage. Fortunately my Vet does acupuncture. It is not suitable for all Rabbits, some may find it too stressful. But if the Rabbit copes with it it certainly seems to help. Did the Vet show you how to do the massage/exercises ? Doing them 2-4 times daily can be very beneficial :)
 
Just to let everyone know. Zac is much better now.He is back to his old self again. He is still on the painkillers we have to go back to the vets a week Monday. And we will take it from there. But hopefully he will be okay, obviously his age is the biggest worry, but I will love him look after him and care for him. . It's his birthday next week he will be 10. Thanks for everyone's advice
 
Blossom8 said:
Just to let everyone know. Zac is much better now.He is back to his old self again. He is still on the painkillers we have to go back to the vets a week Monday. And we will take it from there. But hopefully he will be okay, obviously his age is the biggest worry, but I will love him look after him and care for him. . It's his birthday next week he will be 10. Thanks for everyone's advice
Click to expand...

Hi Blossom - thank you for coming back :wave:

I'm so pleased to hear about Zac's progress .. Will you give him a little nose rub from me, if he will accept it?

I love our elder bunnies. I hope I will be as happy and well loved when I am an elder bunny myself :love:

Good luck when you take him back to the vet xx
 
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