Vibes for Lillian please - U/D 9th July

[Craig 1965]

Further update - 8:45pm. Vet just called with an update. Lillianis getting fluids through a tube in her ear and she's not really doing syringe feeding well. She's presenting as stressed - hardly a surprise, as she will be missing the familiarity of our home and of course Henry - who is also looking a bit sad tonight - in all of this I suspect he is wondering where Lillian is and what is happening.
The vet did say that Lillian is passing blood in her urine - although she did explain that this was likely to be because the stone was attached to the bladder wall, removing it disrupts the bladder and an element of blood will be expected. It is not felt that the passing of blood is related to any complications. The wound itself is very small, the vet is delighted with that, and the wound is clean and healthy - again, all extremely positive at this stage.
They will allow Lillian home once she is eating independantly - and the nurse tonight will monitor Lillian and she has one guinea pig for company so it will be quiet except for the occasional wheek from her new companion.
We are getting an update in the morning and planning around Lillian coming home so I've got some work to do on the bedding and toiliet area.
Thank you all so much again for following and supporting Lillian through this.
Craig xx

 

[Pets mum]

Really hope she comes home tomorrow Craig, I'm sure she'll feel much better in familiar surroundings.. Bless Henry, bet he'll be pleased to have her back too. Hope you manage to sleep better tonight xx

 

[susie bun]

Continuing vibes for Lillian and also sending supportive thoughts to you and Henry.

 

[kattymieoww]

Topping up vibes for Lilian,and be kind to yourself.We're only human and buns do hide things so well.Hopefully things will improve.x

 

[Zoobec]

I hope Lillian is able to come home tomorrow. Sending lots of vibes to Lillian and your wife, it sounds like a nasty fall it seems like you are very hard on yourself, I really hope you will go on your trip, Lillian will still get the best of care

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Further update - 8:45pm. Vet just called with an update. Lillianis getting fluids through a tube in her ear and she's not really doing syringe feeding well. She's presenting as stressed - hardly a surprise, as she will be missing the familiarity of our home and of course Henry - who is also looking a bit sad tonight - in all of this I suspect he is wondering where Lillian is and what is happening.
The vet did say that Lillian is passing blood in her urine - although she did explain that this was likely to be because the stone was attached to the bladder wall, removing it disrupts the bladder and an element of blood will be expected. It is not felt that the passing of blood is related to any complications. The wound itself is very small, the vet is delighted with that, and the wound is clean and healthy - again, all extremely positive at this stage.
They will allow Lillian home once she is eating independantly - and the nurse tonight will monitor Lillian and she has one guinea pig for company so it will be quiet except for the occasional wheek from her new companion.
We are getting an update in the morning and planning around Lillian coming home so I've got some work to do on the bedding and toiliet area.
Thank you all so much again for following and supporting Lillian through this.
Craig xx

Oh so the stone was in her bladder NOT her kidney ???????????

U/D 20th June. The exotic specialist just rang. Sorry, need to dry my eyes. They found, as I suspected, a kidney stone in Lillian. Im pleased that this is the cause but I'm also extremely sad that this has happened- largely because of my negligence with her weight and food.
There are only 2 options we have right now- the vet was honest in that we either go for an op, or Lillian is pts. This is usually where I break down into a blubbering mass. There are a number of complications from the op including stasis, infection and hernia - all are possible. The vet said the risk is about 1% but there is a risk. Lillian may also have problems with the stitches so we'll have to monitor extremely closely.
I don't have any wriggle room for Lillian and the expected bill means we'll have to cancel our summer holiday, but it was my choice to rescue Lillian and she deserves a chance at life, even if I'm the idiot who can't look after her properly.
So we have a confirmed diagnosis and the only option is to operate- which will happen tomorrow. She will have to stay at the hospital to be monitored until all seems well. The we have rehabilitation and that will be a long path and my eyes are full of tears for Lillian, what she must be feeling and what I'm about to put her through- the pain and discomfort and the risk of things going wrong.
Thank you all again for a your continued vibes. Lillian is going to need all the help she can get right now because I'm letting her down.

Further update - 8:45pm. Vet just called with an update. Lillianis getting fluids through a tube in her ear and she's not really doing syringe feeding well. She's presenting as stressed - hardly a surprise, as she will be missing the familiarity of our home and of course Henry - who is also looking a bit sad tonight - in all of this I suspect he is wondering where Lillian is and what is happening.
The vet did say that Lillian is passing blood in her urine - although she did explain that this was likely to be because the stone was attached to the bladder wall, removing it disrupts the bladder and an element of blood will be expected. It is not felt that the passing of blood is related to any complications. The wound itself is very small, the vet is delighted with that, and the wound is clean and healthy - again, all extremely positive at this stage.
They will allow Lillian home once she is eating independantly - and the nurse tonight will monitor Lillian and she has one guinea pig for company so it will be quiet except for the occasional wheek from her new companion.
We are getting an update in the morning and planning around Lillian coming home so I've got some work to do on the bedding and toiliet area.
Thank you all so much again for following and supporting Lillian through this.
Craig xx

If so that is actually 'better' news overall and some blood loss over the first 24-36 hours post surgery is very common.

If you wanted to read about the type of surgery its appears Lillian had- ie a cystotomy & urolith removal and NOT a nephrectomy & nephrolith removal then the details can be found here:

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00.../Indiv_TechniquesRabbit/Cystotomy_Rabbits.htm

I hope that Lillian will be able to return home today x

 

[Cuthbert&Dillon]

Topping up the vibes for this morning. xx

 

[Pets mum]

really hope that Lillian had a good night, you too Craig xxxx

 

[Craig 1965]

Oh so the stone was in her bladder NOT her kidney ???????????






If so that is actually 'better' news overall and some blood loss over the first 24-36 hours post surgery is very common.

If you wanted to read about the type of surgery its appears Lillian had- ie a cystotomy & urolith removal and NOT a nephrectomy & nephrolith removal then the details can be found here:

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00.../Indiv_TechniquesRabbit/Cystotomy_Rabbits.htm

I hope that Lillian will be able to return home today x

Jane - my apologies for my complete and total misunderstanding of the stone Lillian had. I think at the time, I probably had information overload and 'assumed' what I was hearing was what I commonly know as kidney stones. Turns out that it was a stone in her bladder - something the receptionist last night talked to me about as her bunny had suffered exactly the same condition. Thank you Jane for your wonderful links and your support and kind words.
And thank you everybun. Awaiting an update from the vet as I type and will update once we have talked to the vet.
Craig x

 

[Omi]

Sending more vibes for Lillian and I hope you get a positive update soon.

 

[susie bun]

Do hope Lillian can come home today. Sending lots more love from myself and Bertie bunny.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Jane - my apologies for my complete and total misunderstanding of the stone Lillian had. I think at the time, I probably had information overload and 'assumed' what I was hearing was what I commonly know as kidney stones. Turns out that it was a stone in her bladder - something the receptionist last night talked to me about as her bunny had suffered exactly the same condition. Thank you Jane for your wonderful links and your support and kind words.
And thank you everybun. Awaiting an update from the vet as I type and will update once we have talked to the vet.
Craig x

Craig I am not at all surprised that you have reached information overload, you are going through a very stressful time and I defy anyone to be able to claim to take in all facts given 100% accurately. I have had several Rabbits undergo the removal of bladder stones over the last 21 years. Every one of them made a full recovery. The oldest Bunny was 12 when she had the op !!

Getting all the necessary dietary modifications sorted out will be important in the long term management for Lillian. This diet sheet may be useful to print off

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/ar...t-for-rabbits-with-urinary-tract-disease/view

Making sure she has a good water intake will also be important. Options may include using bottled water if you live in a hard water area, Ashbeck Bottled Water has the lowest calcium content and is available from Tesco. Adding a splash on unsweetened apple juice to water, adding Protexin Pro C to water https://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/ProC-Professional.aspx can make some Rabbits drink lots more. Most Rabbits will drink more from a bowl than from a sipper bottle.

Exercise is important too as very sedentary Rabbits are far more prone to a build up of bladder sludge.

I really am very optimistic for Lillian and the fact that you are such a conscientious care giver means that everything possible will be done to minimise any chance of further UT problems x

 

[Craig 1965]

Thank you JJ - you've brought the waterworks on for me again.
Firstly, my wife is presently still asleep - nursing 2 mahoosive black eyes and a blocked nose (she had a huge bleed from there yesterday). That's patient number one I have to sort out.
The vet has literally just rung - I've just put the phone down. She is in quite a positive mood - althoughI know I'm going to (rightly) get a significant lecture when we go to pick Lillian up in 2 hours time from now.
Here's the latest. The vet is comforted (and surprised) that Lillian is eating independantly - she wasn't doing well with syringe feeding and one of the nurses brought in some basil (she's always turned her nose up at that here) and she's tucking into basil and hay as we speak. So they have removed the ear tube and now she is eating they are very pleased.
She has not yet passed any poops - but I suspect those of you who are far more knowledgable than I, will state that this is not unusual due to the fact she's hardly eaten for the last 2 days and she's had quite intrusive significant surgery. The vet is giving us meds to give Lillian to ensure her gut is stimulated to prevent stasis. So we are to monitor poop output - which sounds easy but unless Henry starts popping out raisons with his initials on them, :lol:I'm not sure how I'm going to know what is a Henry poop and what is a Lillian poop. The vet said (and to fully endorse JJ's thorough analysis), that there will probably be some blood in her urine but this should subside in the next 24/48 hours.
Her soreness due to the urine scald is making a remarkable recovery - I think the vet is encouraged by how quick Lillian is healing from that, and we have to put cream on and keep it very dry. The vet is really really pleased with how her wound from surgery is looking - so I suspect that it was an incrdibly precise surgery - demonstrating the highest level of skill.
I think there is an optomistic tone to the vets words and I think they are confident of a very full recovery and I hope that perhaps in maybe 2 weeks or so, Lillian should be well on her road to recovery.
Henry seems to be missing her - his body language suggests he is feeling confused and lost. She I'm sure he will welcome Lillian back this afternoon.
If I am able to, I will try and take a photo of Lillian when she is back later today - I am sure she would want to show you all how she is and say a HUGE thank you to you all for all your daily vibes.
I'm off to dry my eyes (again) and start preparing the bunny area.
Craig xx

 

[Pets mum]

So pleased to hear your update Craig, all sounds so positive. Your vet sounds wonderful, wish I had someone like that near to me. Hope Lillian is soon home, and may the poops appear ! That does sound like some fall your poor wife had, hope she heals up quickly, you have got your hands full there ! Big hug xxx

 

[Jack's-Jane]

It sounds as though Lillian is doing brilliantly and I bet she will be almost back to normal in about 5 days. Sorry to hear of your poor wife's woes though. It sounds as though you are going to be on Full Time Nursing care for both Lillian and Mrs Craig this weekend !!

 

[Graciee]

Craig I am not at all surprised that you have reached information overload, you are going through a very stressful time and I defy anyone to be able to claim to take in all facts given 100% accurately. I have had several Rabbits undergo the removal of bladder stones over the last 21 years. Every one of them made a full recovery. The oldest Bunny was 12 when she had the op !!

Getting all the necessary dietary modifications sorted out will be important in the long term management for Lillian. This diet sheet may be useful to print off

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/ar...t-for-rabbits-with-urinary-tract-disease/view

Making sure she has a good water intake will also be important. Options may include using bottled water if you live in a hard water area, Ashbeck Bottled Water has the lowest calcium content and is available from Tesco. Adding a splash on unsweetened apple juice to water, adding Protexin Pro C to water https://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/ProC-Professional.aspx can make some Rabbits drink lots more. Most Rabbits will drink more from a bowl than from a sipper bottle.

Exercise is important too as very sedentary Rabbits are far more prone to a build up of bladder sludge.

I really am very optimistic for Lillian and the fact that you are such a conscientious care giver means that everything possible will be done to minimise any chance of further UT problems x

Jane's advice as always is brill just wanted to say that we use that water here for all our buns have done for a long time now everyone likes it.

Just also wanted to say my vet said no to pro c and the other one (basically don't add stuff to the water like the pro/prebiotic stuff) because it can make sludge worse supposedly [emoji849] it does make buns drink more though if they like it, so idek tbh! Just thought I'd add what my vets now saying. Idk if it's right or wrong though [emoji38]


I'm so glad Lillian is doing well x

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[joey&boo]

I'm glad Lillian is recovering well & will be home with you & Henry soon

 

[tonibun]

Sending all my best vibes for you, your wife and Lillian. xx

 

[Scrappy's Little Helper]

I'm really pleased Lillian is doing so well and can come home later today. I also hope your wife is doing ok, sounds like she had a really nasty fall.

With regards to monitoring output, I think it should be fairly easy to tell her poos apart from Henry's. In my experience when a bun has a gut slow down, when they start pooping again they tend to be smaller and more misshapen at first so they probably will look different to Henry's.


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[Craig 1965]

U/D 2:30pm.
She's home and has demanded Henry give her a full facial wash. The re-introduction was a bit hairy - the vet nurse said Lillian would smell differently and it might cause problems re-bonding. We left Lillian to make her own way out of the carrer - she was reluctant to come out - I think it was all a bit much for her. Once out, she settled in her old familiar place in the kitchen and Henry ran off like a scared.......well, rabbit. Then Lillian came in the living room, settled down and Henry's all over like a loved up teenager - washing and licking her and she's sitting there like a real madam.
Flamazine twice a day for a week. We've got matacam and some gut meds with a name that resembles something from the box of letters in Countdown, and some oral antibiotics called sulp something or other. I haven't seen the surgical wound yet - and I'm not rushing to do that.
One step at a time and slow steps for now. Lillian seems settled but obviously very subdued and she has had a major ordeal so that's understandable.
I'm off to now start on the menial chores like washing, cooking and hoovering and I'll report back later this evening.
Thank you all so much again
Craig xx