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  • 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.

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Need Opinion

Marjorie

New Kit
My elderly 8 year old lionshead rabbit has had some odd symptoms the last two days. He had large clumps of fecal material in his enclosure and on his hind legs yesterday. He did not make it to the litterbox at all. I cut back on the fresh vegetables and he primarily has his timothy hay mats (which he chews on) and the nuts/seeds/rabbit food mix he always has in his bowl. He ate this morning but did not produce any feces today - normal or otherwise. However, his bottom was wet and there was no urine in his litter pan. He had a urinary infection about a year ago which caused the wet bottom, so I wonder if that is the problem again. He still seems to have energy and does not seem obviously in any distress. Any thoughts.
 
My elderly 8 year old lionshead rabbit has had some odd symptoms the last two days. He had large clumps of fecal material in his enclosure and on his hind legs yesterday. He did not make it to the litterbox at all. I cut back on the fresh vegetables and he primarily has his timothy hay mats (which he chews on) and the nuts/seeds/rabbit food mix he always has in his bowl. He ate this morning but did not produce any feces today - normal or otherwise. However, his bottom was wet and there was no urine in his litter pan. He had a urinary infection about a year ago which caused the wet bottom, so I wonder if that is the problem again. He still seems to have energy and does not seem obviously in any distress. Any thoughts.

My main thoughts are for you to take your Rabbit to a Vet ASAP. The symptoms you describe could relate to several possible health problems, some potentially serious. The only way to establish a definitive diagnosis is by consulting a Vet who will thoroughly examine your Rabbit.

Gut stasis is always a big concern, it can develop as a secondary symptom to other underlying health problems, and 'no fecal output' is a significant symptom. Gut stasis can become very serious and always merits prompt Veterinary attention

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

Some info about Urinary Tract problems, which may include bladder sludge/stones. These conditions can be very painful and can lead to bacterial infections. The condition can also effect the kidneys causing irreparable damage

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/Urogenital_main.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Cystitis_Ele.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/HypercalciuriaRabbits.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Kidney_calcificationRabbit.htm


But please, please do not delay taking your Rabbit to a Vet. The links above are just information, they are not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional Veterinary advice.The sooner the problem is identified and treated the better the prognosis is likely to be

Good luck
 
My elderly 8 year old lionshead rabbit has had some odd symptoms the last two days. He had large clumps of fecal material in his enclosure and on his hind legs yesterday. He did not make it to the litterbox at all. I cut back on the fresh vegetables and he primarily has his timothy hay mats (which he chews on) and the nuts/seeds/rabbit food mix he always has in his bowl. He ate this morning but did not produce any feces today - normal or otherwise. However, his bottom was wet and there was no urine in his litter pan. He had a urinary infection about a year ago which caused the wet bottom, so I wonder if that is the problem again. He still seems to have energy and does not seem obviously in any distress. Any thoughts.


Hi Marjorie and welcome to the Forum :wave:

I'm sorry to hear about your rabbit. When they get older their digestion can sometimes become a bit more fragile. And it's also possible that he has a touch of arthritis, meaning that he can't reach his nether regions so easily to clean and therefore the cecotrophs - night droppings - could get stuck around his fur and clump together. Has the vet ever considered arthritis and possible pain relief for that?

If he's not producing faeces, then I would want him examined by a rabbit savvy vet. I'm sure you know that rabbits can easily go into 'gut stasis' and it's best to catch his at an early stage.

Some info on that here:

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv/basic

http://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/ROWinter10p7.pdf


As you say, it could also be that a urinary tract infection is part of the issue, and it would be worth having the vet do a simple dipstick test for that, in the first instance:

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/Mech_diseases/Urolithiasis.htm

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/generalities/Sludge.htm


Good luck and I hope you can get some help for him soon x
 
Good luck at the vet's.

I am pretty sure that nuts and seeds are not suitable foods for rabbits. Mine never have either. Just 80 % hay, grass, a bit of veg and a few pellets.
 
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