Rachylou, I'm so sorry Jimby is poorly
I hope the panacur helps.
I agree with others, 8 isn't old really, and I'm surprised at any vet saying 'There's nothing more we can do' without so much as a faecal really! With money being tight at the moment, maybe looking into a new vet is an idea so you know you're getting your moneys worth? Whilst I know he's on panacur it sounds like you had to push for this, and a vet should be working off initiate to investigate the problem a little more off their own back I feel.
In regards to the worms, some worms are zoonotic and this includes pinworms however, please believe me when I say kissing Jack and then kissing Jimby isn't likely to spread them at all - you would need to have an extremely heavy infestation yourself and, not to be grim but have very poor hygiene in order to spread them to Jimby. (I'm not suggesting anyone who's ever caught worms is unhygienic by the way - just that to pass them onto a rabbit would be quite a feat). Jack isn't likely to spread them to rabbits either, washing his hands after going to the toilet is enough to protect others. It's a moot point anyway since he is on a lengthy course of panacur now.
There are a couple things I want to mention in a desire to help, so I hope it doesn't cause upset as it's genuinely not intended x
First the litter boxes. I don't how often they are being cleaned out so I don't know if it's an actual problem but as you suggest it is one and they need cleaning out more I thought I would mention this. With any animal good husbandry is the best preventative measure against illness & endo/ecto parasites, but of course animals can and do still get sick in even the cleanest of environments :wave: If you do feel however the rabbits aren't getting cleaned enough and so are often eating soiled hay this does really need addressing. I developed my asthma whilst working in extremely dusty environments in a zoo (anyone who's ever had to deep clean a meerkat enclosure or deep straw beds in very enclosed areas will know what I mean) so I do feel your pain. However, paper mouth/nose masks are an absolute god send, very cheap and really help. Perhaps investing in those and doing inbetween cleans when you feel Dan isn't doing enough is an idea so you can ensure they are getting cleaned out enough, and because it's only between and not all the time, shouldn't be too harsh or triggering for you to do the odd clean with protection. :wave:
Ie the pellets/herbs. Reducing/cutting their herbs won't cause weight loss - but overall reduction in calories can, and as someone else mentioned, buns can loose weight very quickly due to their high metabolism. It would be worth at this time slightly increasing his pellet ration to see if this helps - or slowly changing to another brand that has a bit higher energy. While Jimby isn't old he's no kitten either, and as rabbits get older age effects them differently. Some get overweight and some do struggle to keep the weight on (Like my Micky who was the same age as Jimby). It's worth baring in mind we've just got into winter, and again this can trigger weight loss in buns whom are prone to it, and it can happen quickly too. If they're not getting enough energy from food they will start using up fat reserves, which goes very quickly since rabbits don't have a lot of it.
I'm not of course suggesting this is care related at all since Jimby does have other symptoms than weight loss, just that these are a couple of points that could be addressed in the mean time to see if they help. Good luck, and healing vibes for Jimby, Rach. :wave:
They eat together but have different bowls so I know if he is eating his share.
Up till about a month ago we had stopped giving pellets just unlimited hay (Dan changes their boxes as it really affects my asthma, but he often doesn't do it enough and they are left with peed on hay to eat)
Then we started up with the Profibre pellets, a small portion per day but due to finances cut down dramatically on their fresh herbs.
It's only over the past week at most that we have seen the change in Jims.
No I mentioned a blood test and she said 'it is very hard to get blood from a rabbit'
Which yes I know is true but he has had blood taken before so it is possible.
Believe me I will be getting what ever test we can if need be, I'm not going to give up on my boy!!
Jane I think he may be drinking more, I think that may have been going on for a while.
If it is kidney failure is that a death sentence?
