Fionabun
Mama Doe
You might remember that I posted a while ago about my bunny Jess who had a fractured rib. There was also some indication that she had an injury to her neck/back too. She went from strength to strength following lots of TLC. Well on Monday night I noticed she was disinterested in her food and had a lot of gas. I treated her at home that night and saw the vet on Tuesday. No particular cause could be found and we presumed that she had aggravated her rib fracture so I treated her with pain relief, metoclopramide, infacol and syringe feeding.
I took her to the vet again yesterday as things were no better at all. She is still lying down lots, looks sore and is almost completely off her food. She got an xray and had her teeth burred which were a little overgrown and sharp. However the xray revealed that the spinal injury has got worse, the top of her back looks more dropped on the xray and she has got a stooped appearance. It can only be presumed that something has happened to make it worse. I am totally devastated.
At the moment, she is home with me and inside with her little friend Clover. She had a little more appetite last night and munched about 3 strands of hay. Otherwise she is being syringe fed (she is a good patient). She is grooming herself though has once or twice made a whimpering noise when doing this. At the moment she looks as though she is starting to give up. She is having metaclopramide (1/4 tab crushed x 2 daily), Metacam x 1 daily, Vetergesic sub-cut injections x 2 daily. She is also having Pancur but nothing to do with this, all my rabbits are on a 28 day course.
I am terrified of her prognosis which I know is probably poor. The vet felt that it was difficult to judge at the moment. We felt it was worth checking out whether the burring of her teeth might make it more comfortable to eat, though my suspicion today is not.
I just wondered if anyone has any suggestions or experience of having a rabbit with spinal injury/chronic pain. She can move, there is no nerve compression but its obviously sore as she is lying down alot and looks uncomfortable. I have a huge decision on my hands here but I know I will not let her suffer. However, I want to give it a bit more time just to see if she picks up a little.
I can't believe this. I can't stop worrying about her and feeling guilty.
Any advice or suggestion would be much appreciated.
Fiona x
I took her to the vet again yesterday as things were no better at all. She is still lying down lots, looks sore and is almost completely off her food. She got an xray and had her teeth burred which were a little overgrown and sharp. However the xray revealed that the spinal injury has got worse, the top of her back looks more dropped on the xray and she has got a stooped appearance. It can only be presumed that something has happened to make it worse. I am totally devastated.
At the moment, she is home with me and inside with her little friend Clover. She had a little more appetite last night and munched about 3 strands of hay. Otherwise she is being syringe fed (she is a good patient). She is grooming herself though has once or twice made a whimpering noise when doing this. At the moment she looks as though she is starting to give up. She is having metaclopramide (1/4 tab crushed x 2 daily), Metacam x 1 daily, Vetergesic sub-cut injections x 2 daily. She is also having Pancur but nothing to do with this, all my rabbits are on a 28 day course.
I am terrified of her prognosis which I know is probably poor. The vet felt that it was difficult to judge at the moment. We felt it was worth checking out whether the burring of her teeth might make it more comfortable to eat, though my suspicion today is not.
I just wondered if anyone has any suggestions or experience of having a rabbit with spinal injury/chronic pain. She can move, there is no nerve compression but its obviously sore as she is lying down alot and looks uncomfortable. I have a huge decision on my hands here but I know I will not let her suffer. However, I want to give it a bit more time just to see if she picks up a little.
I can't believe this. I can't stop worrying about her and feeling guilty.
Any advice or suggestion would be much appreciated.
Fiona x