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3/5 heart murmur in 1yr 7 mth rabbit *update 11/02/18*

daphnephoebe

daphnephoebe

Wise Old Thumper
So one of the girls has been diagnosed with a grade 3 heart murmur today.
We got up and she's hiding in the dig box, cold to touch and refusing all food.

Got her to the specialist at 9am and he's said gut still has sounds and there are pellets in there.
He did however also notice a heart murmur (3/5). This must've developed since her last vaccine 6 to 7 months ago as it's never been mentioned to us before.

Obviously I'm concerned about her as she's so quiet. We've got her on gut mobility meds and also antibiotics in case the murmer has been caused by a bacterial infection (more common in giants, but we want to cover all aspects).

If we get her eating again we will be doing diagnosis as Petplan should cover it.
However, what medications do they use in rabbits with heart murmur? (I know it depends on what issue is causing the murmur).

I know they use fortekor in dogs and cats to reduce strain on heart, is this an option in rabbits?

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Last edited:
daphnephoebe said:
So one of the girls has been diagnosed with a grade 3 heart murmer today.
We got up and she's hiding in the dig box, cold to touch and refusing all food.

Got her to the specialist at 9am and he's said gut still has sounds and there are pellets in there.
He did however also notice a heart murmer (3/5). This must've developed since her last vaccine 6 to 7 months ago as it's never been mentioned to us before.

Obviously I'm concerned about her as she's so quiet. We've got her on gut mobility meds and also antibiotics in case the murmer has been caused by a bacterial infection (more common in giants, but we want to cover all aspects).

If we get her eating again we will be doing diagnosis as Petplan should cover it.
However, what medications do they use in rabbits with heart murmer? (I know it depends on what issue is causing the mumer).

I know they use fortekor in dogs and cats to reduce strain on heart, is this an option in rabbits?

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I'm so sorry to hear this dp :(

Yes fortekor is used in rabbits, alongside such meds as Vetmedin and Frusol (furosemide)

There may be some snippets you haven't seen in some of these links. The heart failure link is for info on meds etc only, not to worry you!

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Cardiology/Failure/congestive.htm

http://rabbit.org/cardiac-heart-disease-in-rabbits/

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/4-6/cardiovascular.html

Detecting heart murmurs and irregularities by is more difficult in rabbits than some other animals. Signs of cardiovascular disease may mimic other ailments in rabbits, the result of oxygen deprivation or poor circulation: incoordination, weakness, weight loss, depression, enteritis, difficult breathing. If suspected, diagnostic measures are as for other animals: radiographs, ultrasound, ECGs, blood chemistries. If detected, medical management could include medications to improve cardiac contractility, reduce edema, and reduce cardiac workload. If vascular mineralization and hypercalcemia is detected, treatment would include diuresis with injections of isotonic saline and dietary changes. We can't solve cardiovascular problems in rabbits, but we can't even help if we don't recognize that they occur.
 
Have they suggested an ultrasound of her heart?

It may be worth establishing the cause of the heart murmur - e.g. whether it's a faulty heart valve. This would pinpoint certain types of meds and give them an ability to predict prognosis/long term outcome.

What about referral to a specialist?

I'm sorry she's not feeling too good, as quality of life is the key as you know. I hope you can find some answers and sending you my love x
 
Our main issue now is to get her eating and regulating her temperature by herself before we can investigate it. But we do intend to investigate if we can get her well enough. (Ultrasound, ECG and xrays)
She's really not well.. I've never see her ill before.

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Last edited:
daphnephoebe said:
Our main issue now is to get her eating and regulating her temperature by herself before we can investigate it. But we do intend to investigate if we can get her well enough. (Ultrasound, ECG and xrays)
She's really not well.. I've never see her ill before.

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Click to expand...

I'm sorry one of your girls is unwell. Certainly getting her stable is the main thing at the moment and you are wise to be focusing on that for now. If you wanted to have a read of some information about Cardiac Disease in Rabbits these links may be useful

https://www.thewebinarvet.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Cardiac-Disease-in-Rabbits.pdf

*Graphic Images on this link*

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Cardiology/Cardio/Cardio_en.htm

I hope your girlie will be feeling a lot better soon x
 
Jack's-Jane said:
That's OK

How's your girl doing now ?
Click to expand...
She had a very small nibble of hay about 1/2 hour ago but she tired herself out digging through the box.
Breathing became very shallow and she just looks tired.
I'll be giving her another syringe feed soon but I'm trying to find a happy balance between feeding and keeping stress down.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk
 
daphnephoebe said:
She had a very small nibble of hay about 1/2 hour ago but she tired herself out digging through the box.
Breathing became very shallow and she just looks tired.
I'll be giving her another syringe feed soon but I'm trying to find a happy balance between feeding and keeping stress down.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Poor darling :(

Which one is it DP? How's the other coping?
 
JessBun said:
So sorry to hear this DP, sending millions of get well vibes, and calming vibes to you. xxx
Click to expand...
Thanks Jbun. OH is working from home so I don't have to cope with it all by myself today.
MightyMax said:
Poor darling :(

Which one is it DP? How's the other coping?
Click to expand...
It's Daphne this time.
Phoebe was in on Wednesday with stasis - she had a dental on Thursday and has been fine since.
D supported P very well during her stasis but D doesn't seem to want much support so P is laying about 2ft away to be supporting but not too supporting.


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She was laying with her eyes fully closed until she heard me near by.

ee56a06987342a78134a0bfef1d4c10a.jpg


b3b8bbf782bf02ee3f1d974d9d4d9d11.jpg


Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk
 
I'm so sorry to hear beautiful Daphne is so poorly. I've no experience or knowledge on heart problems but sending her loads of get well vibes. Please keep us updated xx
 
She's only just gotten out of the tray to go have a drink. She's had 3ml of baby food and one stem of parsley.
I've tried to syringe some more food but she's become so stressed that her gums have become pale pink. (She had around 15ml at 11am, and a couple stems of hay around 12/1).
We've had no faeces from her all day, but the vet isn't concerned about a blockage.

OH will work from home tomorrow, and will go into work in the afternoon when I get home. Just so someone is always home in case of emergency.
She's still cold to touch so I've added more heat pads in.
I'll be ringing the vets back in the morning if there isn't much interest in food and see what they would like to do with her.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk
 
Sending you loads of hugs.

I've no experience with this sort of heart condition. Does it normally become acute so quickly?

Also sending loads of vibes for precious Daphne. I really hope she improves soon.
 
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