• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

  • 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.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

(ERGENT)(PLZ)my rabbit has HEART DISEASE!!! i need ADVICE!!

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY BABY?

  • UR ANSWER

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • UR ANSWER

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
B

baby boi minx

Young Bun
hiya.
we have just been to the vets with my 14 month old
french lop rabbit, his stomach has been getting bigger
and bigger. I adoped him 7 months ago. he was given
allot of junk food before he came to me. the vet has
told me that he has fluid in his abdomen. we have been
told it could be his heart or a tumor. he is having an
ultrasound in the morning.
His tummy is huge and when he lies down he looks VERY
ABNOMAL he finds it a struggle to run around, although
he is eating and drinking well. he lives indoors with
us.
could this be a serious health problem. the vet
indicated to me that medication may halp but his long
term future is unclear. i dont want him on medication
and the side effects unnecerally. what can i do!


THAT WAS THEN... THIS IS NOW...
( NEXT DAY)...

The ultrasound shows that minx has a heart defect, and the fluid build up has been drained, they managed to drain 1 litre of fluid!!! We are very lucky that he has not gone in to shock. The vet said that he was very lucky to have survived with all that fluid as she said... " i am surprised he has lasted this long without treatment" and that he looks very happy and energetic. they are going to do blood tests to rule out liver and kidney problems. We are are treating him with......... to keep the fluid down. can you suggest any special diet to help him, instead of dry mix?... can you give any sort of life expectancy??? And side effects from the drugs? any extra information you can give me with me highly appreciated.

ENY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE ME WILL BE GREAT!!! :wink: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :?: :!: :?: :!: :?: :!: :?: :!: :?: :!:
 
i havent got any advice but i think jane has had bunnies with heart problems and im sure she will be along to offer advice soon
 
Hi

I think we may have sort of corresponded via an email you sent to another member of this Forum.
That member sent you my comments (I AM NOT A VET) on your rabbits situation.
I would imagin Minx is now on FRUSEMIDE a diuretic to help his kidneys drain the fluid from his chest. This will make him feel a lot more comfortable. If the fluid build up in the chest/abdomen gets too bad then the lungs cannot inflate properly and Bun's breathing would become laboured.
If the heart defect is due to a valve problem then it can be helpful to reduce the blood pressure thus taking some of the workload from the heart. A drug called FORTEKOR can be used.
As far as diet is concerned then the normal high fibre low carbohydrate is appropriate. It can also be helpful to add a good daily portion of dandelion leaves as they are a 'natural' diuretic.
The two rabbits I have nursed who had congenital heart failure had a good quality of life for about 6 months after diagnosis. Without treatment they would probably only have lived for a few weeks.
The kidneys will be effected not only from the heart defect but also from the extra workload the diuretics cause. But in my UNQUALIFIED opinion treatment is appropriate as long as your rabbit shows no signs of distress (laboured breathing/not eating/depression) .
The time will come when the medication is no longer able to support your Bun but in the meantime he can enjoy a good life with lots of TLC. He may be lethargic, with a poor exercise tolerence but I am sure he is not 'suffering'.
Please PM me if I can be of any more help.

Janex
 
So glad you got here! When this is picked up you will get great advice from the caring people on this forum who have either been through this or know of it. There is an enormous wealth of knowledge between everyone and all are willing to help in any way they can.
 
Hi there- I'm afraid I don't have any advice but glad to hear you may be getting some- all I can do is to send your bun lots of positive vibes- i so hope it all settles for them
 
I don't have any advice, just wanted to say that I feel for you. It's upsetting when they become ill in any way. It looks like you are getting lots of good advice. Sending you and your bun lots of positive healing vibes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Rabbit with erratic heart rate
Replies
3
Views
229
MimzMum
MimzMum
ActuallyARabbit
Strange Abdomen bloat help!
Replies
16
Views
402
bunny momma
bunny momma
T
Please help. Poor rabbit is desperately ill
Replies
9
Views
570
dex179
dex179
Back
Top