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Help needed - vets are stumped!
- Thread starter MichelleBee
- Start date
Vegan_Bunny
Warren Veteran
Thanks. Just been to see her. Yet again, she is bright and interested in her surroundings. To quote the nurse "she doesn't look like an ill rabbit".
However it will be a week tomorrow since she has pooed properly...
I have just given her a tummy massage for 45 minutes, so I'm hoping it works.
Has she had a dental check under a GA by any chance? Perhaps she has some spurs that aren't being seen my a conscious check. Of course, it's a risk to put a poorly bun under a GA, but if she doesn't improve soon, this might be your only option, for either a dental or an xray.
cpayne
Warren Veteran
I'm wondering if her gut just slows down like Doughnuts for no apparently reason and then gets constipated so then doesn't eat as she is in pain. Doughnut is on metaclop twice a day now but she was on it 3 times a day and I also have metacam if I think she's in pain and give her infracol. I personally don't think the metacam helps that much as if she is constipated all she needs to do is to go to the toilet and then she's fine and bright again. Could you ask to try metaclop for a week and see if it helps, she's on 0.5ml twice or three times a day, I just monitor her.
Rupert & Tia
Mama Doe
Is she still having vetergesic? Rupert had that and he didn't really poop for 2-3 days - but when he did, it was disgusting, looked and smelled like poorly human poop!! I know they give it as its a strong painkiller but it does slow things down.
How is she eating now? My vet said that if there's not much going in, there isn't much to come out, but like you, I was worried sick.
Hope she's feeling better soon x
How is she eating now? My vet said that if there's not much going in, there isn't much to come out, but like you, I was worried sick.
Hope she's feeling better soon x
cpayne
Warren Veteran
Yes when Doughnut has these episodes it comes out in just a big soft lump, both poops mixed together and lots of it everywhere. Then she's happy again and starts eating! They did try rantidine first with her as it depends where is slowing down, but it's her upper gut that needs help so changed to metaclop, maybe rantidine will help your little one more. It seems to be trial and error sometimes if you can't find exactly what is wrong. We still don't know what is exactly wrong but just have learnt what works and keeps her healthy.
MichelleBee
Alpha Buck
Well I've been to see Phyllis again tonight. She's still bright and active and has been eating all day. She passed one large mucous covered poo at 6am this morning, but nothing since.
She is also drinking, but they are keeping her on fluids and still syringe feeding to try to make her poo.
Still hoping she starts pooing again tomorow
She is also drinking, but they are keeping her on fluids and still syringe feeding to try to make her poo.
Still hoping she starts pooing again tomorow
Vegan_Bunny
Warren Veteran
Very odd. I *think* mucus in their poo is a sign that their guts are inflamed. I'm not 100% sure about this, though. Surely she must poo if she is eating!
Sending lots and lots of vibes.
bunny babe
Wise Old Thumper
Topping up the vibes for her.
I know when my buns have been in stasis and they start pooping it can be mucussy (is that a proper word!) so it could be inflammation related. Is she having zantac as it helps to line the tum I believe.
I know when my buns have been in stasis and they start pooping it can be mucussy (is that a proper word!) so it could be inflammation related. Is she having zantac as it helps to line the tum I believe.
Jinny
Young Bun
Just a random thought here - Can bunnies have Mint? Like the herb Mint? The only reason why I say this, is because in humans and many many other animals, if you have a bowel disorder, mint, or indeed Camomile, or Nettle, can help soothe the guts....soooo was thinking that maybe, if it's inflammation related, and that is what is slowing her down - if she could have some of those herbs, then maybe it may help her? Someone more knowledgeable might be able to answer that, and the safety of those herbs for bunnies, for you.
Another thing - having just had my Littleblack, just start pooing - admittedly he was only not pooing for a very short time in comparision to your bunny, he produced a few mucusy poos. He still isn't pooing as much as normal, and they are smaller, but they are forming up nicely and growing in number. I actually found that the thicker I made up the Recovery powder, and used a Recovery long tipped Syringe, the better, and also in the last couple feeds, I put in the smallest amount of roughage from the Critical Care pouch I bought the other night in too. I did it because, if a human lives on liquid diets, the stools can be soft and not have any body - so I figured that maybe that might help my bunnies guts. I checked with the bunny expert who said it certainly can't harm doing it, but normally he wouldn't suggest it as Recovery is already a balanced formula. Just throwing it out there, as something that may or may not have helped my bunny, and might or might not help yours.
Crossing my fingers for you, and sending 'calm yet productive gut' vibes to your bunny.
Another thing - having just had my Littleblack, just start pooing - admittedly he was only not pooing for a very short time in comparision to your bunny, he produced a few mucusy poos. He still isn't pooing as much as normal, and they are smaller, but they are forming up nicely and growing in number. I actually found that the thicker I made up the Recovery powder, and used a Recovery long tipped Syringe, the better, and also in the last couple feeds, I put in the smallest amount of roughage from the Critical Care pouch I bought the other night in too. I did it because, if a human lives on liquid diets, the stools can be soft and not have any body - so I figured that maybe that might help my bunnies guts. I checked with the bunny expert who said it certainly can't harm doing it, but normally he wouldn't suggest it as Recovery is already a balanced formula. Just throwing it out there, as something that may or may not have helped my bunny, and might or might not help yours.
Crossing my fingers for you, and sending 'calm yet productive gut' vibes to your bunny.
here is something I've used with success when some of my buns had stasis. I am in the states and here the plant (weed) is called chick weed, it is also known as stitch weed. It is in the genus Stellaria, and there are many kinds if it.
It has a slight laxitive effect (on humans too!) and can help get things moving along. Many of us have it in our lawns and gardens or can be found in brushy lots etc. Some people even grow it on purpose for salads etc.
hoping someone in the UK who might be familiar with your varieties will chime in. We have several types in the states.
It has a slight laxitive effect (on humans too!) and can help get things moving along. Many of us have it in our lawns and gardens or can be found in brushy lots etc. Some people even grow it on purpose for salads etc.
hoping someone in the UK who might be familiar with your varieties will chime in. We have several types in the states.
MichelleBee
Alpha Buck
Unfortunately we weren't allowed to see her last night as they had too many emergencies. She had a good night on Weds night, where she was eating throughout and drinking.
Her tummy felt nice and soft on Thurs morning, so the vet thought that she might have passed some cecotrophes and obviously eaten them again, as there was no evidence of poos.
They cut back on the fluids and syringe feeds, but then she stopped eating as much on her own and wasn't as active.
Thurs afternoon they upped the feeds and fluids again, and she starting eating and drinking again. She also passed a couple of mucusy poos.
They have contacted several rabbits specialists in the area to get us some quotes ( Phyllis isn't insured for digestive system disorders). So we will see how much the specialists can do and when they can fit us in. They're all about an hour or so away though, so I really hope that the journey doesn't stress her too much. However, we seem to be at stale mate at the minute, so we will have to get her to a specialist really.
I just hope we can get her better somehow.
Her tummy felt nice and soft on Thurs morning, so the vet thought that she might have passed some cecotrophes and obviously eaten them again, as there was no evidence of poos.
They cut back on the fluids and syringe feeds, but then she stopped eating as much on her own and wasn't as active.
Thurs afternoon they upped the feeds and fluids again, and she starting eating and drinking again. She also passed a couple of mucusy poos.
They have contacted several rabbits specialists in the area to get us some quotes ( Phyllis isn't insured for digestive system disorders). So we will see how much the specialists can do and when they can fit us in. They're all about an hour or so away though, so I really hope that the journey doesn't stress her too much. However, we seem to be at stale mate at the minute, so we will have to get her to a specialist really.
I just hope we can get her better somehow.
bunny babe
Wise Old Thumper
Could you get her to FHB or could your vet give her a call for any advice.
Sending lots of vibes x
MichelleBee
Alpha Buck
Got an appointment today in Leeds at 4.30pm. Don't know who with, as I'm stuck at work again - OH is taking her.
I am so worried.
I am so worried.
MichelleBee
Alpha Buck
Thanks everyone. The specialist is keeping her tonight, doing an x ray and trying different meds.
OH said that the vet wasn't talking as though she's a seriously ill rabbit (although obviously we know that she is ill), so im guessing that must mean that there is some hope for her.
Fingers crossed that they don't find anything major on x rays.
OH said that the vet wasn't talking as though she's a seriously ill rabbit (although obviously we know that she is ill), so im guessing that must mean that there is some hope for her.
Fingers crossed that they don't find anything major on x rays.
Vegan_Bunny
Warren Veteran
Sending lots and lots of vibes her way. I hope whatever it is, is treatable. You are doing everything you can to get her better.
MichelleBee
Alpha Buck
So little miss Phyllis has had a conscious x ray and there is some impaction in her intestines. However, the vet is fairly confident that with different meds and increased pain relief, they should be able to get things moving.
I'm so pleased that they didn't see anything else untoward. I know we are not out of the woods yet, but at least it's sounding more positive than it has.
Thanks for everyone's support.
I'm so pleased that they didn't see anything else untoward. I know we are not out of the woods yet, but at least it's sounding more positive than it has.
Thanks for everyone's support.
