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Unusual mycobactrial infection of GI tract presenting as dysautonomia.
- Thread starter thumps_
- Start date
Thank you everyone. He'll have his 1st. dose as soon as it arrives, either tomorrow or perhaps Sat. It's a real struggle to keep him eating enough, & he's got tiny "stasis" poops.
The fundamental issue is that his own immune system is destroying the nerve ganglia in the gut, & this process will continue. We've looked at long term immunosuppression with steroids. Rabbits do badly, & succumb to overwhelming respiratory infection, within a relatively short time. Also steroids increase gut hypomotility!:roll:
Because the disease process is patchy & has mainly affected the caecum & all we can do is to "overstimulate" the autonomic nervous system, my concern is that areas of normal innervation will "cramp" painfully.
Because we cannot arrest the disease, only buy a little more time, I want any extra time to be good quality, not a misery of pain.
Also the caecum is not only the place of fermentation by bacteria to release nutrients, but a very important place for the absorption of nutrients.
Thumps has formed a very unusual relationship with me, & other humans. He's very much a rabbit, AND he has found a way to both communicate with people, together with some human social behaviour. I'm not only his owner, protector, & able to manipulate his environment in ways he can't eg. open closed doors/ put on the fire, I have done my best to give HIM as much rabbit behaviour as I can, so I'm all he has as a companion bun.
A friend keeps her buns in a colony. When a bun is seriously ill, a partner bun continously grooms the sick one, & hardly leaves it. Thumps knows he's very ill, because he has asked me to stroke him (a particular way of lying down) so frequently. When he's had enough, he sits up & I've always respected this. I've noticed that he can often poop after stroking, & sometimes manages a few mouthfuls of food.
I have been very deeply privileged indeed to have this quality of relationship with a rabbit. He has returned my efforts 100 fold, by adaptation to human ways, & in what he has given to me.
Thank you donnamt. There's no phone call yet so I guess it hasn't arrived.
Last night was lovely, he asked to go out, & was really playful in the evening with slightly improved stamina. It 's pure joy to see him feeling a bit better.
No worries from my viewpoint poppymoon. I know you are always behind us. Rather I've been concerned for you, with 2 dental/stasis buns.
I always think of you when I check Thumps ears for over heating :lol:
poppymoon
Wise Old Thumper
its me who's not been too great. until today the buns have been fine but now lord eric has decided not to eat his usual things - just cardboard, paper and some raspberry leaves (my poor baby plant is almost bald!)
must admit tho, my ears feel pretty warm today - and my nose is wet (hayfever:roll
.Marie phoned - 1st. dose of domperidone at 8.45 tomorrow.
Please wish us luck tomorrow folks.
Thumps has decided he likes plantains (uk wild plant NOT mini bananas) but only likes them dry. They are said to be soothing for gut inflammation in buns as well as good fiber.
biscandmatt1
Wise Old Thumper
Of course poor Marie has the most unenviable task of syringe feeding him first, or getting something in his tummy to reduce the risk of gut cramps.
