Update on Henry and his paw U/D 28th Feb

Hello everybun. Following on from Henrys paw thread about 4-5 weeks ago, here is the final update from the vet visit today.
There's a thread in Health about an incident with Henry last night and this was something the vet is pondering.
As far as Henry's paw is concerned, she is satisfied that his paw is now sufficiently healed although in her opinion, it is still weak due to the fact he has not been using it fully for the last 4 weeks. So it's lacking muscle strength. That's perfectly understandible. But his paw is now the right shape, it weight bears and Henry is using it fully without hinderence. He has also gained an additional 50g so he is 1.95kg.
But Henry isn't without an additional problem. Henry's eye that flared up a few weeks ago, is continuing to weep tear fluid. There are a number of possible causes that this could be. It may be a blocked tear duct, it might be a genetically narrow tear duct or there is a possibility that it could be infected with some other germ. So after some discussion and deliberation, we agreed the best practice was to take a swab and have the fluid analysed and we can then rule in or rule out what the underlying issue is and treat it. Results from the swab are due back on Thursday so we will know by then.
I feel for little Henry, I really do. I feel as if his predicament is somehow my fault - even though there will be a huge chorus of "it's not your fault Craig". The poor little bun has been through it for the last few months and all he and I want is for him to be healthy and free from funny eyes and sore paws. And it's vital for Lillian who is so completely dependant on Henry for her wellbeing. Watching them go outside, it is so obvious Lillian follows Henry constantly and is at her most relaxed when she is near him, so it is essential that I can get Henry all healed up. The episode with him last night was probably the icing on the cake for me and after another 4 hours kip (on the sofa), I am short on energy today. But Henry seems fine today. He deserves a good healthy life - it is his right and in some way I feel I'm letting him down on that right now.
I'll update the thread when the results are in and take it from there.
Thank you all again for following his little journey. Henry sends nose bumps to you all. It is nice to know you are all there, interested.
Thank you - Craig x

I'm glad to hear Henry's paw is better and I hope his other issues can be easily and quickly sorted for him.
I haven't replied to many threads since my 3 bunnies have been gone, but your post here has resonated with me deeply. The ten years I spent with Mimzy, Pip and Fiver brought me so much in terms of love, companionship, knowledge and friendships that I owe to them still. Had I not accepted a little brown lop eared ragamuffin who'd been dumped on my ex-husband's doorstep in 2007 I'd have missed out on so much in life. I think this is an underlying current with many bunny parents and it leaves us feeling that no matter how much we do or give up or strive for on their behalf it never seems to equal what they give us in return...including those grey hairs I grimace at in the mirror ever day! :lol:

But rest assured, what we do for them is so much more than we can know. The rabbit is a most mysterious creature and it's very nature is to hide what would be obvious in a dog or cat so that they aren't any more vulnerable than God has made them. So we will by default not see as much as we would like when it comes to their health. We do our best, as do our vets, and they live much longer and more fulfilling lives than do most of their wild counterparts.

That's my fancy way of saying, you spent the night on the couch to be near Henry in his hour of need...he certainly must know how deeply he is loved and cared for, and Lillian too. You're doing a fine job, Craig, the best you can in this instance. No one could rightfully ask more of any bunny parent with exception of ourselves.

Every moment, even the ones where we are struggling to understand our bunnies, are cherished and precious. I am confident it is understood and gratefully accepted by them.

A lovely reply from Mimzy'sMum there! I am pleased the Vet was pleased with Henry's paw and hope it won't give him anymore trouble from now on. Quite a few bunnies seem to have runny eye issues, it seems they sometimes have to just put up with it if flushing doesn't help. It's something Henry had before you got him so not your fault.

I'm really pleased Henry's paw is healing well. Hopefully he will regain the muscle there as he moves around more.

With regards to his eye problem, in my experience, blocked tear ducts (if that's what the issue is) is something that can keep recurring. With Scrappy, on my vet's recommendation, I took her to the RVC to see a specialist to have a scan taken to see what was going on there. We discovered that the issue was the root of one of her incisors. Unfortunately her previous owner's vet had removed the tooth, but had only snapped it off rather than fully extracting it. This meant the root had calcified and remained in the socket. There was a risk that any operation to remove it could potentially do more harm than good so we had to leave it and manage the weepy eye as and when it occurred. I just thought I'd mention it as it's another possible avenue of investigation. Although there's no guarantee you'll find a permanent solution, in my case at least, I found it helpful to know the root of the problem (no pun intended!)

Anyway, sending lots of nose rubs for Henry. I hope you're doing ok too xx

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The specialist vet rang today following the swab she took of his eye on Monday. The lab had grown the swab tests on a culture and the results came back negative. The vet said that after a 48hour incubation, no nasties were found - leading her to conclude that at present anyway, Henry has no specific nasty bugs in his tear duct. The labwill grow and culture for a further 48 hours to make sure that there are no slower growing beasties and then, with the view that there are no nasties hiding, she will perform a tear duct flush next thursday for Henry under local anaesthetic. He has had the procedure before - before we adopted him so I'm hoping that if nothing else, it'll give him some breathing room and maybe help with the draining of his tear fluid.
In general terms, Henry appears ok - he's presently stompomg his hind legs for the last half hour in the kitchen/diner rabbit area and yet we can see nothing outside of any concern. But clearly something has spooked him. He's been hammering away for the last 30 minutes none stop.
Hopefully th etear duct flush will go smoothly and without any problems.

Sending vibes for Henry. x

From what I've read it is a fairly simple procedure. My friend's rabbit has had it done but the eye started watering again and I have read of a few more where the Vets have said there is nothing more that can be done.

Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but has Henry had any skull radiographs taken to ascertain whether his weepy eye is associated with elongated tooth roots ? If the tooth roots elongate than can occlude the nasolacrimal ducts and prevent them from draining. This presents as 'weepy eye(s)'.



A bit more info here :

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Eye_diseases/Differential/Runny_eyes.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00...iquesRabbit/nasolacrimal_duct_cannulation.htm

Craig 1965 said:

The specialist vet rang today following the swab she took of his eye on Monday. The lab had grown the swab tests on a culture and the results came back negative. The vet said that after a 48hour incubation, no nasties were found - leading her to conclude that at present anyway, Henry has no specific nasty bugs in his tear duct. The labwill grow and culture for a further 48 hours to make sure that there are no slower growing beasties and then, with the view that there are no nasties hiding, she will perform a tear duct flush next thursday for Henry under local anaesthetic. He has had the procedure before - before we adopted him so I'm hoping that if nothing else, it'll give him some breathing room and maybe help with the draining of his tear fluid.
In general terms, Henry appears ok - he's presently stompomg his hind legs for the last half hour in the kitchen/diner rabbit area and yet we can see nothing outside of any concern. But clearly something has spooked him. He's been hammering away for the last 30 minutes none stop.
Hopefully th etear duct flush will go smoothly and without any problems.

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Local anaesthetic is usually the way to go. Some vets need to sedate, but it's often not necessary.

Bugs in the tear duct can be caused by dental issues. What are his teeth like Craig?

Elongated tooth roots can be a culprit, but there's nothing to be done about it and my vet doesn't believe it's worth taking skull radiographs as it's another expense and doesn't give her anything more to work with.