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Will a rabbit in pain show it ?

M

Mart

Mama Doe
Sorry - a very general query I know.

Pasha went to the vets a few days ago and a respiratory infection was diagnosed.

The vet also seemed to think that Pasha had a painful throat (due to the fact that he repsonded / struggled when prodded there (as you would).

The vet gave him a steriod (+painkiller?) injection, but said nothing about coming back for the pain (only to come back if Pasha wasn't responding to the Abx).

Question is - we hadn't noticed any change n behaviour in Pasha that would have suggested a sore/painful throat - so we don't know whether this has cleared up or not.

We'd have thought that a bun with throat pain would not eat particularly well (or drink come to that) - yet Pasha is eating + drinking really well.

So we're left wondering whether he is/was in pain, and whether he needs more meds for it ?

thanks

Martin
 
Buns are good at hiding Pain Martin, they will usually only show it when it's very very very bad, by hunching up or grinding teeth or not eating. With domestic buns they will usually act out of sorts which triggers the owners to think something is wrong. If Pasha were in alot of pain you would know about it, as it is if he's eating and rdinking normally and not acting unusual i wouldn't worry to much just keep a close eye XX

I hope he feels better soon XXX
 
Thanks Phill,

He isn't running/binkying about as he usually does (although he may have a slight limp from the steroid injection which would slow him down).

This might also just be as a reaction to the abx ? and make him more sleepy ?

He's taking the abx fine atm with his water - he generally finishes the 40mls or so within an hour, so I guess its a wat and see.

thanks

Martin
 
As prey animals they have to hide illness, they will generally huddle in a corner and look sorry for themselves when in pain.
Changes in behavour can be due to medication, but keep a close eye as it's better to be safe than sorry.
 
Rabbits seldom show low grade pain. Being prey animals they cant afford to! However, often minor pain will manifest itself in a physiological rather than behavioural way. GI motility is usually the first to be effected (it slows down).Pain also causes 'stress' in the physiological sense and this effects how the major organs function, especially the kidneys. Blood pressure/temperature is also reduced. A Bun showing obvious pain (Immobile, sitting hunched up with eyes half closed, grinding teeth, muscle tremors) is probably in SIGNIFICANT pain.
I expect Pasha has inflammation in her respiratory tract because of the infection and although not acutely painful probably felt uncomfortable when your Vet put pressure on her trachea/larynx.
The steroid would have reduced the inflammation and the antibiotics will hopefully control the infection.
Janex
 
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