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Pippin update with results

Mervinius

Mama Doe
Hi everyone.

So the vet phoned me earlier. Good and bad news.

Blood and urine results all came back perfect, a very healthy bun internally.

Although we are of course pleased, it hasn't got us any nearer to solving her fur pulling issue.

Vet has asked us to monitor her for 4-6weeks.

Only steps for us to take next would be a skin biopsy and/or referring to a rabbit specialist.

She is pulling/licking her chest daily now but not constantly. We're at a loss what to do but we are going to continue with a natural remedy of crab apple as this is helping her drink more and keeping the fur moving through her.



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How frustrating for you. Pleased that her results are good, but it's a bit of a mystery.
I hope you're able to find a specialist to help her.
 
Hi everyone.

So the vet phoned me earlier. Good and bad news.

Blood and urine results all came back perfect, a very healthy bun internally.

Although we are of course pleased, it hasn't got us any nearer to solving her fur pulling issue.

Vet has asked us to monitor her for 4-6weeks.

Only steps for us to take next would be a skin biopsy and/or referring to a rabbit specialist.

She is pulling/licking her chest daily now but not constantly. We're at a loss what to do but we are going to continue with a natural remedy of crab apple as this is helping her drink more and keeping the fur moving through her.



Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk


I do second the skin biopsy. It may come back with nothing at all to show, but if there is anything, you will be able to treat it.

Love to little Pip.

Photos always welcome :D
 
I do second the skin biopsy. It may come back with nothing at all to show, but if there is anything, you will be able to treat it.

Love to little Pip.

Photos always welcome :D
I'm really not sure about the biopsy. I'm worried about them gassing her again so soon.

Pip says thank you for your love.

She's currently munching old meadow hay in their bedroom area rather than the fresher Timothy hay. Will take you some pics when she's emerges.

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How frustrating for you. Pleased that her results are good, but it's a bit of a mystery.
I hope you're able to find a specialist to help her.
The nearest specialist in in Andover which is a long journey from here . Pip is fine travelling when she's with Archie. However Archie is a really really bad traveller he totally freaks out. I wouldn't want to put him through a long journey. So I think this would be a last resort.

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I'm really not sure about the biopsy. I'm worried about them gassing her again so soon.

Pip says thank you for your love.

She's currently munching old meadow hay in their bedroom area rather than the fresher Timothy hay. Will take you some pics when she's emerges.

Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk


Yes go with your gut on that one :)
 
Yes go with your gut on that one :)
Here's Miss Pip for you. This was a pause for 3 secs before she starting running and jumping around the room like it was a great bunny assault course hahaha.
c1699ac7169bf6017084d62d79b1429a.jpg


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Here's Miss Pip for you. This was a pause for 3 secs before she starting running and jumping around the room like it was a great bunny assault course hahaha.
c1699ac7169bf6017084d62d79b1429a.jpg


Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk


Thank you Miss Pip, for your three seconds of stillness which got me my lovely photo of you :love:
 
Hi everyone.

So the vet phoned me earlier. Good and bad news.

Blood and urine results all came back perfect, a very healthy bun internally.

Although we are of course pleased, it hasn't got us any nearer to solving her fur pulling issue.

Vet has asked us to monitor her for 4-6weeks.

Only steps for us to take next would be a skin biopsy and/or referring to a rabbit specialist.

She is pulling/licking her chest daily now but not constantly. We're at a loss what to do but we are going to continue with a natural remedy of crab apple as this is helping her drink more and keeping the fur moving through her.



Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk

Well I am glad that the blood/urine tests were OK, but of course that leaves the ongoing mystery of the fur pulling.

Personally I'd opt for a referral to a Specialist, but I understand that travelling would be a major issue. Are you going to keep a daily diary of her behaviour and also of her exact diet ? I ask as this might highlight a link to a 'trigger' to the fur pulling. Even something as subtle as the time of day she does it-ie does it coincide with when she passes her cecotrophs ?
 
Well I am glad that the blood/urine tests were OK, but of course that leaves the ongoing mystery of the fur pulling.

Personally I'd opt for a referral to a Specialist, but I understand that travelling would be a major issue. Are you going to keep a daily diary of her behaviour and also of her exact diet ? I ask as this might highlight a link to a 'trigger' to the fur pulling. Even something as subtle as the time of day she does it-ie does it coincide with when she passes her cecotrophs ?
Hi Jack's Jane.

We were keeping a diary of everything including food, times we did things and anything that might cause stress. We did this for a year and there was no pattern to the triggers. We noticed the gas occurred 3-5 days after fur pulling and this happened every 5 weeks. (I'm sure this time is due to how long it took for her fur to re grow)

We tried cutting all food except hay then changed and reduced the pellets so we are pretty certain it's not food related.

We don't think there's a particular time, at the moment we see her doing it during the evening, but that's when we are around to see it. I know she does it at night and in the day because the bald patch gets bigger.

I have decided for the next 4-6weeks which the vet has suggested leave her to recover. To try to relax ourselves and to not give her any attention when she's pulling fur. Just in case it's to do with us and she has learnt this behaviour for attention. We're continuing giving her crab apple treatment. She hasn't had any gas since we started this so although she's pulling a bit every day she's not blocking her tum up.

It's been a long 18months of worrying about Pip and wonder if she has been sensing this. Perhaps we fixed whatever was initially wrong but she's now stuck in a cycle of behaviour?

Sorry that was a very long reply

X




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Hi Jack's Jane.

We were keeping a diary of everything including food, times we did things and anything that might cause stress. We did this for a year and there was no pattern to the triggers. We noticed the gas occurred 3-5 days after fur pulling and this happened every 5 weeks. (I'm sure this time is due to how long it took for her fur to re grow)

We tried cutting all food except hay then changed and reduced the pellets so we are pretty certain it's not food related.

We don't think there's a particular time, at the moment we see her doing it during the evening, but that's when we are around to see it. I know she does it at night and in the day because the bald patch gets bigger.

I have decided for the next 4-6weeks which the vet has suggested leave her to recover. To try to relax ourselves and to not give her any attention when she's pulling fur. Just in case it's to do with us and she has learnt this behaviour for attention. We're continuing giving her crab apple treatment. She hasn't had any gas since we started this so although she's pulling a bit every day she's not blocking her tum up.

It's been a long 18months of worrying about Pip and wonder if she has been sensing this. Perhaps we fixed whatever was initially wrong but she's now stuck in a cycle of behaviour?

Sorry that was a very long reply

X




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You've done so much to try and identify the issue. I can't see you could've done any more!

With Max, once the area was sensitised, he just went for it and tore himself up. There was actually no real problem or issue, or rhyme or reason, just him having made the area something he decided to mutilate again and again :(

http://www.catexpert.co.uk/other-animals/rabbits/rabbits-which-chew-their-feet-or-body/


Thinking of what you're going through with Pip, I believe I was lucky to have solved Max's problem. Eventually x
 
You've done so much to try and identify the issue. I can't see you could've done any more!

With Max, once the area was sensitised, he just went for it and tore himself up. There was actually no real problem or issue, or rhyme or reason, just him having made the area something he decided to mutilate again and again :(

http://www.catexpert.co.uk/other-animals/rabbits/rabbits-which-chew-their-feet-or-body/


Thinking of what you're going through with Pip, I believe I was lucky to have solved Max's problem. Eventually x
Thanks MM. Yes vet said we have done everything and they are very well cared for and very healthy. Yes I do think the area is sensitized, the vet said that area of skin is thickened now.

I've read that website before and I'm glad she has never actually caused herself injury.

I'm glad you managed to help Max. Perhaps we will get to the bottom of it or find a way to help Pip manage it. She's been playing in her cardboard castle with Archie tonight and seems very happy.

Xx

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Thanks MM. Yes vet said we have done everything and they are very well cared for and very healthy. Yes I do think the area is sensitized, the vet said that area of skin is thickened now.

I've read that website before and I'm glad she has never actually caused herself injury.

I'm glad you managed to help Max. Perhaps we will get to the bottom of it or find a way to help Pip manage it. She's been playing in her cardboard castle with Archie tonight and seems very happy.

Xx

Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk


You have two very happy little bunnies there :D

Please give that little Pip a nose rub from me to thank her for posing so beautifully for her photo earlier :love:
 
Hi Jack's Jane.

We were keeping a diary of everything including food, times we did things and anything that might cause stress. We did this for a year and there was no pattern to the triggers. We noticed the gas occurred 3-5 days after fur pulling and this happened every 5 weeks. (I'm sure this time is due to how long it took for her fur to re grow)

We tried cutting all food except hay then changed and reduced the pellets so we are pretty certain it's not food related.

We don't think there's a particular time, at the moment we see her doing it during the evening, but that's when we are around to see it. I know she does it at night and in the day because the bald patch gets bigger.

I have decided for the next 4-6weeks which the vet has suggested leave her to recover. To try to relax ourselves and to not give her any attention when she's pulling fur. Just in case it's to do with us and she has learnt this behaviour for attention. We're continuing giving her crab apple treatment. She hasn't had any gas since we started this so although she's pulling a bit every day she's not blocking her tum up.

It's been a long 18months of worrying about Pip and wonder if she has been sensing this. Perhaps we fixed whatever was initially wrong but she's now stuck in a cycle of behaviour?

Sorry that was a very long reply

X




Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk

It must be extremely frustrating and stressful for you. It sounds as though the problem is complex and maybe what started as a physiological response to some sort of discomfort has now evolved into a behavioural/psychological issue.

A couple of ideas to store away for future reference 'just incase' - There have been reports of some success in treating fur pulling/self mutilation/constant itching in animals by giving Acupuncture. Some Vets will dismiss the idea, but others do embrace some complimentary therapies when conventional medicine draws a blank

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5673388/ns/health-pet_health/t/pets-pins-needles/#.WboCFKhSzcs

Luckily my Vet is one who does just that
https://www.twickenhamvets.com/acupuncture/

Then there are cases of the use of Fluoxetine (Prozac !) for treating Psychogenic Acral Lick Dermatitis in Rabbits

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/crivem/2014/142813/

Neither option may be appropriate for your Rabbit, but just thought I'd mention them anyway x
 
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