Bluebell can't breathe properly, can anyone help me?

[BunnymadBunny]

My rabbit Bluebell is really sick and I could really do with some advice.

So I noticed she was holding her head up high and panting trying hard to breathe and I took her straight up to the vet.

She was kept there all afternoon and she had an x-ray and was diagnosed with pneumonia.
I was told to keep her in and she had a series of injections for five days.
She got slightly better with the injections, but I still wasn't happy so I took her back again.
The vet bascially told me just to keep an eye on her and she probably won't get any better.

Now my rabbit is sneezing, and holding her head up again, I have paid around £200 pound to the vet and my baby isn't any better.
She only calms down slightly when I cuddle her and ideas on what I need to do because I really can't leave her like this.
Plus im not taking her out to the vets in this cold weather when its "pneumonia ".
Please help.

Thanks, Fee

 

[Sky-O]

I think you need a better vet to be honest. Pnuemonia needs likely admittance, oxygen therapy and hefty meds. Equally, it could be a different problem, such as a heart problem, and there are meds that can help that too.

Maybe if you start a thread called 'looking for a rabbit savvy vet in/near *insert your area here*' you might find a good vet who could give her a better chance?

 

[BB Mommy]

I think you need a better vet to be honest. Pnuemonia needs likely admittance, oxygen therapy and hefty meds. Equally, it could be a different problem, such as a heart problem, and there are meds that can help that too.

Maybe if you start a thread called 'looking for a rabbit savvy vet in/near *insert your area here*' you might find a good vet who could give her a better chance?

Ditto.....

The symptoms you describe could be a heart problem, that could be treated quite sucessfully with meds, but if it is pneumonia she should be admitted.
Def search for a better vet

 

[Fifibutton]

I can only second what the Sky and BB have said but would also like to add for home treatment where there are breathing difficulties a nebuliser might help. There is more info on this thread about nebulisers.

 

[BunnymadBunny]

Would a heart issue not show up on an x-ray then?

Is it ok to post a vet search in this section? Also I won't mind travelling to find a good vet.
Anything to get her better!

The vet was meant to be good with rabbits. She breeds them and shows them.

Thanks

Felicity

 

[Sky-O]

It's fine to post in this section and also in Rabbit chat

It should show up on an x-ray but may not and may also be missed. I remember Donna's Pearl was first misdiagnosed when the vet missed her problematical heart on the x-ray and then a different vet picked it right up from the same x-ray.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Given that she improved on antibiotics it seems bacterial infection is more likely than heart disease. She may have relapsed as the course of abx was stopped too soon

She may also require a diuretic to clear the fluid from her lungs. This would help her lungs to function more efficiently.

If there is any way you can get her to a Vet tonight I would as she is obviously very unwell

 

[parsnipbun]

TBH I am not sure that breeding and showing rabbits is a good recommendation for a vet [for a variety of reasons]

Please start a new thread asking for new vet in your area urgently - mouth breathing is very serious

 

[BunnymadBunny]

yes I have started a thread in two places on the forum now.

Yes i know its serious, but we have snow here and It is very cold out for my rabbit.

I can only go to the emergency vet and they are clueless unless it is a dog or a cat.

So it is pointless tonight, shes curled up with me as I type, the quicker I find a specialist the quicker I can book her in.

Shes eating and drinking and her poo seems alright. Shes much calmer with me as well.
Im very worried about her, but she will get help as soon as I can. Money is no object.

Fee

 

[BunnymadBunny]

Just a thought

Can anyone tell me what anitbiotic would be best for her?

I can try calling the emergency vet to get some antibiotics, as all her details should be on the computer.

I might not have to even take her out in the cold then.

Fee

 

[Sky-O]

To be honest, oxygen therapy is likely to be vital as well as anitobiotics. You're going to have to really think hard because if you don't take her, and she dies, will you blame yourself for not taking her? Likewise, the other way around too.

I would imagine only injectable antibiotics and injectable anti inflammatories would be sensible with her breathing so bad. Have you been taught how to inject? Would your vet be comfortable with you doing that without seeing her?

What does your gut instinct say about what she needs?

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Could you get here

http://www.eastgrinsteadvethospital.co.uk/what-sets-us-apart

I dont know them personally, but they do their own OOH cover and have staff on site 24/7

I truly believe that your Rabbit needs admission sooner rather than later. Mouth breathing is a very poor prognostic sign, even with intensive care.

 

[BunnymadBunny]

Well I can do injections, as I worked as an animal carer for 3 years.

She will see a vet asap, but my vets closed, the emergency vet will not have a clue.
We took our dying rat there and they were like "what do you want us to do with him?
If I thought the emergency vet would do anything at all for her she would be there now.

She has had some treatment before as I said in my first post and I strongly believe, she needs a different vet.
If I can find a rabbit savvy vet open now I will take her now. Shes my baby and I love her.
Shes not dying now, she just needs help before it gets worse.

 

[bunny babe]

I have put some links to old threads on your other thread of bunny savvy vets in your area. Please try to get Bluebell to a vet asap.

 

[Captain Helen]

I hope you can find a better vet who can help her. Sending lots of vibes for Bluebell xx

 

[Elena]

Whereabouts in the SE are you?

 

[Sky-O]

How are things this morning?

 

[BunnymadBunny]

She has been to the vets, I asked about this oxygen therapy and she told me Bluebell was not bad enough to need that.
She has had two injections, one was an anti-inflammitory and the other was antibiotics (metacam).
She is going back tomorrow for more injections and just have to see how it goes for now.
Vet told me if she gets worse I can phone her tomorrow and take her in for some help.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

She has been to the vets, I asked about this oxygen therapy and she told me Bluebell was not bad enough to need that.
She has had two injections, one was an anti-inflammitory and the other was antibiotics (metacam).
She is going back tomorrow for more injections and just have to see how it goes for now.
Vet told me if she gets worse I can phone her tomorrow and take her in for some help.

Metacam is an anti-inflammatory, not an antibiotic

I hope poor Bluebell responds to treatment

 

[Mackers]

Get your vet to phone my extremely bunny savvy vet - Simon Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton (01604 478888). He ususally prescribes Zithromax for pnuemonia but it's not licensed for use in rabbits. I had an elderly rabbit who had repeated bouts of pnuemonia and it worked wonders. Sadly, each bout created further scarring on the lungs until she finally had enough but it gave her a good year before she was beyond help.

ETA - agree with everyone else though - I'd get back to a vet tonight as mouth breathing IS an emergency.