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Rabbit nappies and wee scold ?

whiskers1

New Kit
Hi, has anyone tried nappies on their rabbits, I’ve read you can get ones that do up from the back which maybe easier than the front I’m just trying to research them for my Honey who has maybe a paralysis problem with her back legs and she has fur loss on back foot which I think may be due to her wee problem I’m washing her every day, also what is good to prevent soreness on the foot I don’t want it to get worse for her.
Any advice is appreciated 🐰🐰x
 
Hi, has anyone tried nappies on their rabbits, I’ve read you can get ones that do up from the back which maybe easier than the front I’m just trying to research them for my Honey who has maybe a paralysis problem with her back legs and she has fur loss on back foot which I think may be due to her wee problem I’m washing her every day, also what is good to prevent soreness on the foot I don’t want it to get worse for her.
Any advice is appreciated ����x

Hello

I assume that Honey is under the care of a Vet and that the actual cause of her hind leg paralysis is known and she is receiving appropriate treatment ?

As Rabbits need to be able to eat their cecotropes wearing nappies is something that there are differing opinions on, even amongst Vets. Also many Rabbits would find wearing a nappy to be stressful and this would add to their problems. Using a nappy on a disabled Rabbit is not something I have ever felt to be appropriate as far as the disabled Rabbits I have cared for goes. But I know some people who claim to have used them on their disabled Rabbit. How successful/beneficial it proved to be I do not know.

If you can give a few more details about Honey's exact diagnosis and treatment perhaps we can offer some suggestions as to how you can help her

In the meantime these links may be useful to take a look at :

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Differentials/paresis.htm

https://www.dechra.co.uk/therapy-ar...cs-antifungals/disease-information/e-cuniculi

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/paralysis.html

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

You will see that nappies (diapers) are mentioned on here :

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/urine-scald.html
 
I used a double layer of towel on puppy pads for my less mobile rabbits, and a very large carrier with a thick layer of fine hay on a puppy pad for a nest area. Hay is quite good at providing a mattress to prevent bed sores and allows urine to wick away. They can also eat it and keep up their fibre intake. Towels worked where the rabbit had some mobility and protected the floor.

Check twice daily and change / wash as needed. It reduced the amount of bum baths, and clipping the fur makes it easier to keep clean and dry.

There are various creams you can use on sore legs / feet / bum eg Sudocrem, Bepanthen (nappy creams in the baby section of supermarkets).

As Jane says, you also need to see a vet to assess what is causing the problem and to provide appropriate treatment on top of the nursing care at home.
 
Hi, has anyone tried nappies on their rabbits, I’ve read you can get ones that do up from the back which maybe easier than the front I’m just trying to research them for my Honey who has maybe a paralysis problem with her back legs and she has fur loss on back foot which I think may be due to her wee problem I’m washing her every day, also what is good to prevent soreness on the foot I don’t want it to get worse for her.
Any advice is appreciated 🐰🐰x


Hi there and welcome to the Forum :wave:

I should take her to see a good, rabbit savvy vet who can then test the urine to make sure Honey doesn't have a Urinary Tract Infection that's causing the wee problem. That can be easily dealt with.

Harder to know what's going on with the hind leg paresis, and there's some info here:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/paralysis.html

http://rabbit.org/hind-limb-weakness-in-the-rabbit/

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Differentials/paresis.htm

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=490&S=5


As for creams to help with the urine scald, these are some recommended ones:

http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Derbymed-SCP-Spray-200ml/productinfo/DERBYMSCP/
Derbymed SCP Spray 200ml is a soothing, antiseptic wound spray that removes excessive moisture from open wounds and aids in the management of cuts, sores and proud flesh.

This cream has analgesic (pain killing) properties:

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/veterinary-s.../healx-soother-plus-topical-cream-30ml-p-7773

This has been recommended by someone on here as very good:

https://vitaltouch.com/product/natalia-baby-bottom-butter-60ml/


Lastly, have a look at this very useful website:

http://www.disabledrabbits.com
 
Hi thank you all, she’s 6 years old, and she’s been referred to the Royal Vet School in Camden we visited this week and she has a CT booked for the 12th, but she has a problem with her right hind leg. We are not sure what it is yet she is eating and drinking like normal, but she is dragging her foot, the other leg is looking the same way, she’s also gets a wet bum and fur loss on her foot which we think is to do with her wee’s. I change the toilet twice a day and wash her everyday to clean her, on another thread from years ago I read someone used special nappy’s which also helped to heal the foot of her rabbit and so she doesn’t wee on her foot. She’s on meds for pain relief and caniculi just in case. I’ve readapted her home to make it easier for her. Xxx
 
Hi thank you all, she’s 6 years old, and she’s been referred to the Royal Vet School in Camden we visited this week and she has a CT booked for the 12th, but she has a problem with her right hind leg. We are not sure what it is yet she is eating and drinking like normal, but she is dragging her foot, the other leg is looking the same way, she’s also gets a wet bum and fur loss on her foot which we think is to do with her wee’s. I change the toilet twice a day and wash her everyday to clean her, on another thread from years ago I read someone used special nappy’s which also helped to heal the foot of her rabbit and so she doesn’t wee on her foot. She’s on meds for pain relief and caniculi just in case. I’ve readapted her home to make it easier for her. Xxx



You're welcome :)


Do I understand this is Panacur for suspected E.Cuniculi? That's good. Totally a possibility.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html

http://rabbit.org/hind-limb-weakness-in-the-rabbit/

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Differentials/paresis.htm


It could be arthritis or spinal damage in some way. One of my rabbits had a burst intervertebral disc which came up with exactly the symptoms you're describing.
 
Yeah Panacur and a anti inflammatory, the vet from the refereal vets called to say from her blood tests that were done in the week she has an inflammation and the caniculi result will be back in the week and they are going to do a urine test when she has her CT scan. I’ve just bathed her again and put some Vaseline on her foot for her. I’ve had to put her separate so she can eat because my other rabbit is dominate over food and sometimes she try’s to nip her, and humps her still, also Im going to try and do some physio with my rabbit. 🐰🐰🐰🐰🌸🌸
 
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Yeah Panacur and a anti inflammatory, the vet from the refereal vets called to say from her blood tests that were done in the week she has an inflammation and the caniculi result will be back in the week and they are going to do a urine test when she has her CT scan. I’ve just bathed her again and put some Vaseline on her foot for her. I’ve had to put her separate so she can eat because my other rabbit is dominate over food and sometimes she try’s to nip her, and humps her still, also Im going to try and do some physio with my rabbit. 🐰🐰🐰🐰🌸🌸


You seem to have all bases covered.
Good luck for her ongoing care :D
 
Just heard back from the Vet School regarding Honey's blood test result and its positive for Ecaniculi my other rabbit will have to be on panacur as well as a precaution, but what else can I do to lessen the effects of Ecaniculi on Honey, Im trying to get her to put on weight as she has lost weight so her immune system will be stronger. xx
 
Just heard back from the Vet School regarding Honey's blood test result and its positive for Ecaniculi my other rabbit will have to be on panacur as well as a precaution, but what else can I do to lessen the effects of Ecaniculi on Honey, Im trying to get her to put on weight as she has lost weight so her immune system will be stronger. xx


To help a rabbit to put on weight you can feed a pinch of porridge oats twice daily, and also add in readigrass to the hay which is higher in calories. Fibafirst sticks are also quite nutritious and good food value:

https://supremepetfoods.com/fiba-first-2/

You could also think about using echinacea to boost the immune system.

https://www.baldwins.co.uk/baldwins-echinacea-angustifolia-herbal-fluid-extract


Also, don't forget to clean the litter trays with bleach, especially on days 21 and 28 of treatment to disrupt the life cycle of the parasite.
A 1% - 10% bleach solution held in the litter trays for 30 seconds is sufficient to do this.

Also, if there are places where urine might have been, try and also clean them, as the spores are transmitted in the urine.

With regards to Metacam, it's use in E.C. is to control the inflammatory response as the E.C. spores erupt into organ tissue, as this can cause longer term damage. It can also make the clinical symptoms of the condition worse. But all of this needs to be weighed up against the possible side effects of the NSAID, which can include compromising the kidneys. You could discuss this with your vet.

Lastly - good luck :)
 
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Thank you MightyMax, great advice about the bleach and the litter trays, I need to get them back on the fibre first sticks and readigrass xxx
 
It is always good to have a diagnosis. As someone who has cared for two disabled bunnies; I know how dedicated you are to Honey and how lucky she is to have you. Your idea to begin some physical therapy on Honey is a good one and something I wish I knew almost 20 years ago when my first disabled bunny lost the use of his hind leg.
Sending you many positive vibes for you and Honey.
 
Thank you, sorry for late reply the medications she is on don’t seem to have an affect, she’s just had a bath and now she’s on her bum shuffling around, I feel like she’s my first born. Xx
 
Update on Honey she is definate for E cuniculi the CT scan didn’t show anything, I have to try and get a wee sample so kidneys can be checked, how do I do that? X
 
Update on Honey she is definate for E cuniculi the CT scan didn’t show anything, I have to try and get a wee sample so kidneys can be checked, how do I do that? X


If you want to get a urine sample, the vet can express her bladder, but of course if she's just had a pee that won't provide anything.

You can put a litter tray with only hay in it and then when she wees get a syringe and pull the urine up into it. Keep it in the fridge till you can get it to the vet (as soon as possible).

For kidney function though, a blood test would be better. Did the vet suggest that?
 
Hi Mighty Max, they took blood samples but they weren’t able to get a urine sample, it would of been easier if they were able to, I have to get more loxicom tomorrow, there doesn’t seem to be an improvement in her back legs as far as I can see she uses her front legs to move around more. I’ve just given her another bath and her appetite is brilliant she’s pooping loads, I keep praying for her. Xx
 
Hi Mighty Max, they took blood samples but they weren’t able to get a urine sample, it would of been easier if they were able to, I have to get more loxicom tomorrow, there doesn’t seem to be an improvement in her back legs as far as I can see she uses her front legs to move around more. I’ve just given her another bath and her appetite is brilliant she’s pooping loads, I keep praying for her. Xx


If a vet can't get a urine sample conscious, they can sedate and get one via a needle called Cystocentesis.
This would be a last resort so have a go at perhaps encouraging her to drink (and pee) with a bit of apple juice in the water.

http://www.greendale.co.uk/rabbit_urinalysis.html
 
Hi Mighty Max, I didn't think I would be able to, then I picked Honey up to give her a bath then she just done a wee allover the floor so I got 2 spoons and managed to salvage and scoop into a sample pot hope fully the result are back soon, Im taking her to the vets again today at 5pm I just need help with he, Im worried about her poos they are to small, and she is losing more fur due to the scald. Im worried incase they advise putting her to sleep, I don't want her to get worse and suffer but if she has a chance of fighting it and having a good quality of life. I was researching old threads on the site and I came across a post from a few years ago and some rabbits had been to see a lady called Caroline who did acupuncture on poorly bunnies and they had recovered well so I replied to the old thread but the admin had reposted it as a new thread. x
 
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