Cuthbert&Dillon
Mama Doe
Glad to read that he has started to pick up - such a worry.
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Yes, I did ask a little while ago Only Lunar has ever had an x-ray and I wasn't able to ask anything first except to give consent (she'd been rushed to VetNow after choking on a pellet. Nearly lost her that day, we started to lose her while on the phone but think my Mum managed to dislodge the pellet just in time) As I recall it was a light sedation rather than a full GA? Maybe not so bad, though I'm just thinking that maybe it would be better while he's already under. Then again it means him being under longer so I don't know. I'll ask my vet closer to the time, though we may have moved by then One of the hardest things about moving is knowing we'll have to change vet because I really trust her with the buns.I can't remember - was it you who asked whether a rabbit has to be sedated for an X-Ray?
Answer is .. usually yes, unless the rabbit is very poorly and not moving.
However, Frances Harcourt Brown used, when she was in practice, a controversial technique called: Immobility response or ‘tonic immobility’
(I think it's as controversial as 'conscious dentals' )
How to induce a relaxed immobility response
In docile pet rabbits, an immobility response can be induced by cradling the rabbit like a baby before slowly and gently placing it on its back. Making a ‘shushing’ noise seems to help. This is not how a predator would behave with them. It is very important that the rabbit is not grabbed or restrained tightly. If the rabbit feels threatened, it is likely to struggle and try to escape. If it is handled gently, the rabbit is likely to remain calm and still before entering a relaxed trance like state. Once it is immobile, the rabbit will remain in the same position, often without restraint, unless it is stimulated by sudden noise or movement. It will recover from the experience with no sign of distress once it is turned over into a normal sitting position. Rabbits can be medicated or even fed in this position, which does not indicate a state of terror. Turning a rabbit on its back is very useful for examination of the hocks, perineum and incisors. Matted or soiled fur can be removed. Ultrasound examination on the abdominal organs can take place. Claws can be clipped and radiographs taken without the need for sedation.
Today's news is less great...
He's just been to the vet and apparently the spurs are just starting up again on the left That seems very quick but I'm guessing it's because he's not had as much hay as he should over the past few days.
Maybe he'll correct them on his own now he's getting back to normal eating but it's leaving me extremely worried now.
My normal vet is back on the 8th and I'm seeing her for a couple of the others with their vaccinations, so hopefully I'll be able to talk about it with her then if she has time.
As for Pixel at the moment, he's got to go back again on Wednesday. He's doing okay in himself, eating etc and he's quite bright. He was shaking a bit in the waiting room but had a look around when he saw the vet and then sat up and cleaned his little face
But it's all so scary..
Yes, I did ask a little while ago Only Lunar has ever had an x-ray and I wasn't able to ask anything first except to give consent (she'd been rushed to VetNow after choking on a pellet. Nearly lost her that day, we started to lose her while on the phone but think my Mum managed to dislodge the pellet just in time) As I recall it was a light sedation rather than a full GA? Maybe not so bad, though I'm just thinking that maybe it would be better while he's already under. Then again it means him being under longer so I don't know. I'll ask my vet closer to the time, though we may have moved by then One of the hardest things about moving is knowing we'll have to change vet because I really trust her with the buns.
I didn't know Frances Harcourt Brown used tonic immpobility. That's interesting to know as I know she knows her stuff. However speaking personally it's not something I would personally ever like to do to a rabbit unless it was absolutely necessary and there were no other option for whatever reason - especially after having read the RWAF's page on it a while ago. Just my personal opinion though
I think you have to take each rabbit on a case-by-case basis. What's right for one isn't necessarily right for another.Yes it's very much a matter of what you feel is right, isn't it?
I was having a long conversation on one of the (many!) vet visits over the last two weeks, with the specialist treating my bun, and there is controversy over tonic immobility as there is with conscious dentals. I have been attacked (seriously) for suggesting they might be an option :shock:
My thoughts are, if a rabbit would probably die as a result of an anaesthetic then I would consider options that didn't require GA. I realise some people have said they would prefer their rabbit to die rather than conscious dentals, but I feel everything is worth at least consideration.
I know It was only done on tuesday! He's 2yrs 8 months now and had his first dental in May this year. This was his second one with app a 7 month gap.It does seem very quick for spurs to develop again. What's been his history of dentals thus far? I know the daphnephoebe has avoided her rabbit having to have frequent dentals by not feeding any pellets, but I think you've said that he prefers hay anyway.
He really isWhat a cute little fella
He really is
Always steals everyone's heart :lol:
Edit: Oh, something I've completely forgotten to mention through all of this! Only remembered it when I saw him doing it earlier and it may mean nothing but..
There is one strange thing he's been doing lately (not sure how long for, a good few weeks but it's not very often). He seems to be chewing on litter (fitch) - specifically litter with his urine on it. I keep taking it out his mouth when I see him doing it and try to remove the dirty litter as soon as possible so he doesn't do it but I'm wondering if it means something? It's not really that frequent, certainly not a daily thing but I've caught him doing it a few times and I'm wondering if it could be indicating something? Maybe he's lacking in something?
Feel stupid for only remembering it now Hadn't seen him doing it for a little while but saw him doing it last night.
He really is
Always steals everyone's heart :lol:
Edit: Oh, something I've completely forgotten to mention through all of this! Only remembered it when I saw him doing it earlier and it may mean nothing but..
There is one strange thing he's been doing lately (not sure how long for, a good few weeks but it's not very often). He seems to be chewing on litter (fitch) - specifically litter with his urine on it. I keep taking it out his mouth when I see him doing it and try to remove the dirty litter as soon as possible so he doesn't do it but I'm wondering if it means something? It's not really that frequent, certainly not a daily thing but I've caught him doing it a few times and I'm wondering if it could be indicating something? Maybe he's lacking in something?
Feel stupid for only remembering it now Hadn't seen him doing it for a little while but saw him doing it last night.
No, not yet but I've already decided (subject to asking my vet) to try to get them done at the next dental as I'm concerned there could be more going on here than just spurs. Tooth roots are what I'm really worried about. I don't know a lot about them or how treatable they are. As I understand it it varies depending on the rabbit but I know it's a lot more serious than simple spurs.Has Pixel ever had any skull radiographs taken during a Dental ?[/url]
I could try that, though he does love the taste of newspaper... :roll:I wouldn't worry about him chewing on the fitch right now, but if he does it more, take it away and just use newspaper and hay?
Unfortunately, not through choice. We can't afford to stay in the area so we'll definitely be having to look for another vet. We've been looking all over the country - lincolnshire, wales etc. We were hoping to be nearer my brothers who are somerset/wiltshire way but even that seems too expensive.I hadn't realised that you were about to move. Have you considered which vet you would be using when you do?
FWIW I would be querying the fact that he has spurs starting again after less than a week. I haven't enough experience of dental issues and treatment, but it does seem to me to be very quick. If it were me, when you go back on Wednesday with Pixel, I would be discussing this and possible reasons for it to be the case. To me it could indicate that the dental wasn't performed as thoroughly as it should have been or alternatively that there is an underlying tooth root issue or misalignment that is the problem, which wasn't known by the vet at the time of the last dental. I think if the vet suggests that another dental is necessary, I would definitely want x-rays done before proceeding with any surgery, although it makes sense that both the x-ray and any surgery would be done under the one GA.
I'm sorry that you are having this worry with Pixel.