a few days ago i posted about my bunny, buffy. she wasnt eating and hadnt been since thursday morning. I spent the weekend syringe feeding her, giving her metacam, metoclop', infacol and she was steadily the same all weekend, but still not eating and didnt pass poo for 2 nights. I decided on sunday that i would take her to work monday morning. On monday morning she was loads worse. Very poorly looking, lethargic etc. we x-rayed her and vet said she had LOADS of gas in her guts and stomach and would have to be put to sleep as she would be in quite a bit of pain. I burst into tears and was absolutely gutted. I spent the whole day in tears, whilst phoning harcourt-brown in harrogate for advice (my vets had done all they could). They were great but francis wasnt in so phoned a more local vets. Matt Brash (some of you my know from 'zoo vet at large' on the tv) said he would need to take a look at her. I took her to see him yesterday evening and much to my surprise (and relief!) he said he could try to do something for her.
He passed a stomach tube (he did this conscious, as they take them quite well apparently) and got rid of around half the gas (this made her much more comfortable immediately), then he put her on a drip (she was very dehydrated). He said all the drugs in the world are no good if the rabbit isnt hydrated properly. He took her home to look after her and he phoned me back later to say she had responded well to treatment - i was so pleased!
Spoke to the vets this morning (matt had said we woul know one way or the other this morning) and they said she was loads better and had passed 7 piles of poo!!! Went to see her earlier and she was a different rabbit! she should be home tomorrow and i cant wait! I really thought i had lost her!
I cant thank the vets enough and i just wanted to say to everyone - dont give up on them, and if your vet says there is nothing that can be done, contact a rabbit savvy vet asap. When matt saw her last night he gave her a less than 50% chance - and she's pulling through!
He said that there are two things that cause gastric dilation - a blockage, or something they've eaten. Buffy had loads of clover and dandelion leaves on tues and wed night last week and it was the clover that we think caused it. It produces a lot of gas so i would advise anyone NOT to give their bunnies clover!! I didnt even realise until the vet told me!
He passed a stomach tube (he did this conscious, as they take them quite well apparently) and got rid of around half the gas (this made her much more comfortable immediately), then he put her on a drip (she was very dehydrated). He said all the drugs in the world are no good if the rabbit isnt hydrated properly. He took her home to look after her and he phoned me back later to say she had responded well to treatment - i was so pleased!
Spoke to the vets this morning (matt had said we woul know one way or the other this morning) and they said she was loads better and had passed 7 piles of poo!!! Went to see her earlier and she was a different rabbit! she should be home tomorrow and i cant wait! I really thought i had lost her!
I cant thank the vets enough and i just wanted to say to everyone - dont give up on them, and if your vet says there is nothing that can be done, contact a rabbit savvy vet asap. When matt saw her last night he gave her a less than 50% chance - and she's pulling through!
He said that there are two things that cause gastric dilation - a blockage, or something they've eaten. Buffy had loads of clover and dandelion leaves on tues and wed night last week and it was the clover that we think caused it. It produces a lot of gas so i would advise anyone NOT to give their bunnies clover!! I didnt even realise until the vet told me!