2 Poorly rabbits

[Mel D]

Hi, I have a mini rex rabbit called Bambi who is only 3yrs old has recovered from 2 stomach blockages,Gi-Statis and hospilized twice. Now she is a lot better now but I was informed by the vet that she has a large tumour in her abdomen which they cannot operate. Bambi has had all these problems after being neutered.
My other standard rex rabbit called Fudge who is 2yrs old has possibly got Ec his back legs are weak but apart from that he is still eating and drinking well.
Fudge hasn't had much luck since day one of owning him he has had pasturella,bloat,malloclusion and his cheek teeth are not in good state.
The vet has told me he has only 4weeks to live.
Can anyone advise me of this Ec disease and if there is any chance of treatment as I don't want to give up on him?
Thanks in advance

 

[lilbun]

I'm sorry to hear about your poorly rabbits.
There are many of us here whose rabbits have survived ec, even when at first it appeared hopeless. What treatment is your bunny on?
As for your bunny with the tumour, obviously prognosis depends on what and where it is. Has your vet been able to answer this? How was the tumour diagnosed?
It sounds as though you have littel confidence in your vet. Maybe you could ask them to refer you to a rabbit specialist for a second opinion- you are entitled to one xx

 

[Mel D]

Thank you for your reply, Bambi the rabbit with the tumour is at the bottom of her stomach and although she is happy and acting normal the vet said that he thinks its a tumour but doesn't really know but it is quite large but doesn't seemed to have grown.
As for Fudge the vet just said there was nothing he could do for him and hasn't prescribed anything for him and just said that it won't be long before he dies, have you any ideas what I could try and treat him with?
I live in Southampton in Hampshire and would like to find a proper rabbit vet does anyone know a good rabbit vet?
Thanks

 

[HCB]

I personally would want a second opinion. I know some places cant be operated on (one of my rabbits had stomach cancer- she was fine one day, then the next she just lay there with sad eyes, thats when the vets diagnose her with stomach cancer, and she had to be pts), but if its in other areas it can be removed safely. You should ask about this, maybe your vet is thinking the bun wont come out of the GA, or the cahnces are low, but if they can do it, itd be worth a shot.

Iv had no experiacne with EC but read many posts on here, and almost everyones bun survived, although most with long last effects, but they live a happy, relatively normal life. Please dont give up on this bun. I presume youve been prescribed pancur for this bun? (if not, id definately go to a different vets, as it seems everyone on here used it). Heres soom good vibes for them

 

[HCB]

Sorry, you posted just before i finished my post- please go to a different vet tomorrow, it doesnt sound like your vet has any idea about the ec at least! If you have a qucik search on here there are many posts on EC and tey probably have a treatment plan on it, i remember reading most people had a 28 day course of panacur for starters!

And the fact they arent doing any tests on the other bun isnt very hopefull, i would have thought theyd do a biopsy and blood tests and xrays, that kinda thing, to at least give it a chance!

 

[rachylou]

Hi Mel
Firstly i am so sorry to hear about your poorly buns.
You must be devestated, all i can say is that you are your bunnies voice, they can not speak for themselves so if you think they still have fight left in them you should definatly have a second opinion.

 

[Mel D]

I will definately look for a different vet first thing in the morning and buy some pancor.
Fudge had a blood test 4 weeks ago when he had bloat and this is what it said:
UREA: 8.3mmol/L normal range: 3.6-8.6.
CREA: 234mmol/L normal range: 71-159 Very High
TP: 77g/L normal range: 55-72 High
ALT: 25U/L normal range: 31-53 Low
ALKP: 75U/L normal range: 70-145
GLU: 12.17mmol/L normal range: 4.17-8.06 Very High.
I asked the vet what it all mean't and they talk so technical,what I picked up was he has bad kidneys that will cause problems later on in life,dehydrated,
something to do with the red blood cells,but liver ok. From then onwards I suringe fed him for a week as well as medication and he got over the bloat and was fine until a week ago when his rear legs are getting wobbley.
He still eats and drinks and seems happy,and I am not going to give up on him.

 

[lilbun]

So you vet has suspects e.c. and not offered any treatment?
If it is e.c. your bunny needs a 28 day course of panacur or lapizole, plus an anti-inflammatory and supportive treatment. I would also advise xrays and blood tests to check the weakness isn't caused by something else.
Is your vet certain the 'tumour' isn't a mass of compacted faeces and hair?
I can only repeat my advice that you should seek a second opinion xx

 

[Mel D]

Hi, Bambi the rabbit with the suspected tumour went back to the vet on Thursday and he examined her and said what ever the tumour/mass is ,it hadn't grown, he doesn't know what it is he never offered an xray or anything he just said can't do anything for her.
She had an xray over a year ago when she had her 2 blockages in her stomach, the xray just showed the blockages not a tumour unless when she had the another blockage 6weeks ago it may be the tumour/mass causes these blockages.
She seems very active and well at the moment I hope it stays that way.

 

[lilbun]

We cross-posted.
I'm not sure about those blood test reference ranges :?- the blood tests results don't seem so bad when compared to these (you need to scroll down to page 148):
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...epage&q=harcourt-brown rabbit anaemia&f=false

Did the vet do a blood test for e.c. titre at the same time by any chance?

 

[Mel D]

Thank you very much for finding out that information for me,the vet didn't test him for Ec because I don't think he thought it was neccessary because he had no symptoms of it then.
I will get a test for him tomorrow.

 

[prettylupin]

I live in Southampton too. :wave: We are a bit short of good rabbit savvy vets here. Can you drive to Fareham? I'd recommend the Companion Care clinic at Park Gate, Fareham....this is where I go. Ideally i'd recommend my vet Mackie Hobson but he's away in South Africa at the moment. There are two other vets there I would recommend: Pablo and Annedine. Mackie won't be back til December - he is the best, but Annedine is very good as well and I met Pablo for the first time a few weeks back and felt he was good too. I hear Anthony the other partner is also good but he usually runs the Portsmouth clinic. Annedine and Pablo tend to be around daily at the Fareham one.
http://www.companioncare.co.uk/fareham/the_team

Sorry I can't recommend anyone closer. I go to Fareham too! :roll:
Good luck with it all :wave:

 

[Mel D]

Thank you for recommending companion care in fareham that is the vets I am registered with and you are right in saying Mackie is absolutely brilliant he has done several operations on my rabbits.
Annadene and Pablo are wonderful too but unfortunately it was Pablo that had said that there was no cure for Fudge and Bambi.
I haven't lost confidence in them its just I don't want to give up on them, I love them so much.
I have just found a possible rabbit Savvy in Romsey, Orchard vet surgery does anyone know this vet?
I have purchased pancor this morning and am treating all 3 rabbits even fudge,I hope it helps him.

 

[prettylupin]

but unfortunately it was Pablo that had said that there was no cure for Fudge and Bambi.

:shock::shock: Really!! Did he seriously not suggest an Xray or further investigation?? I'm shocked! I know for certain that Mackie would never do that, i've been using him for years and he's very open minded and is fantastic with rabbits.
I'm disappointed with Pablo in that case and am grateful for you passing this feedback on, seeing as i've just started using him in Mackie's absence.
Annedine was very good when Poppy had her impaction - she's also very good surgically I understand so perhaps you could ask her for a second opinion?
I really am very surprised that you have had this response from Fareham! :shock: and am very disappointed.

I would personally steer clear of the vet you have in mind in Romsey! I know who you are referring to and i've been there and she treated our male bun when we first adopted him a couple of years ago. She not only vaccinated him with Cylap without weighing him or doing a full exam and despite him being ill when we mentioned our concerns (we were pretty new to buns then) - he was cold, lifeless and had wet himself that morning - he had stasis/bloat which she completely missed and we only realised later when he had it again - but she then proceeded to 'clip' his teeth with pliers! :shock: I did feedback to the RWAF who had her on their list and they were equally shocked.
So basically our bun was sent home with stasis untreated, hypothermic, no pain relief, and with a nice dose of Cylap - which yes he did react to with total body stiffness and the VHD 'limp' and in agony from having his teeth clipped and spent the rest of the day and night in pain with us reassured that nothing was wrong! It was a miracle he didn't die frankly, so IMO I would steer well away from that clinic!

 

[prettylupin]

Thank you for recommending companion care in fareham that is the vets I am registered with and you are right in saying Mackie is absolutely brilliant he has done several operations on my rabbits.
Annadene and Pablo are wonderful too but unfortunately it was Pablo that had said that there was no cure for Fudge and Bambi.
I haven't lost confidence in them its just I don't want to give up on them, I love them so much.
I have just found a possible rabbit Savvy in Romsey, Orchard vet surgery does anyone know this vet?
I have purchased pancor this morning and am treating all 3 rabbits even fudge,I hope it helps him.

When using the Panacur it is a good idea to do a 28 day course if you believe Fudge has an active infection, and disinfecting with 10% bleach solution the environment of days 21 and 28 are supposed to be important in removing any spores shed in the urine on these days. You will also need to keep all food source/hay away from urine throughout the course of Panacur and treat both rabbits if they live together.
I really am very surprised at Fareham! Sorry, I just can't get over it, Pablo seemed very knowledgeable to me when I was there a few weeks ago. I have also discussed EC in the past with Annedine and she ran through the treatment and investigations and differential diagnoses so perhaps you could go back to your current practice and have a chat to them? It may be simply that the 'usual' client would not want to pursue any treatment for the tumour for example....esp if the prognosis is not good....i'm not making excuses for them but rather suggesting that discussing options with them and asking questions might get you a different response?? We really are terribly short of good vets down here now Mackie has disappeared
I do hope you can figure something out or find someone to help you with your buns.

I would actually ask Pablo if he could refer you to an exotics specialist - this would be the best way to find someone specialising in rabbits in the area. You are entitled to request a referral if you really want one for a second opinion and my experience of Pablo is that he would be open to this and I can't imagine for a minute he would refuse you.

 

[prettylupin]

p.s. you and your buns sound familiar! I think we might have chatted in the waiting area about a year or so ago when you came to collect your bun post-stasis?? :wave:

 

[Mel D]

Thank You for your advice, you probably have spoken to me in the past I have visited Companion Care many many times and I i'm always talking to people in the waiting area about their pets.
I will definately cancel that appointment at romsey today and make another appointment to see either Pablo or Annadene for more tests.