• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

EC, Weight loss, low bloods & abscess..the list goes on!

Jasperello

Jasperello

Warren Scout
Morning everyone :)
I'm in desperate need of some advice for my Millie.
Background: F, 11 months old, spayed & bonded. Indoors.
(Also have 5 other rabbits: a bonded pair outdoors, 1 bonded with Millie, and 2 more indoors)

Initial issue was an unusual uveitis presentation in both eyes with GI Stasis.

Unresponsive to treatment of Isathal, Baytril, Metacam and then more usual EC eye symptoms came & given the probable EC diagnosis 2 weeks ago, a few days after initial issue.

Since then has come off the Ranitidine & Cisapride and gut returned to normal. No eating problems now. But I had continued with critical care once a day anyway.
Had 14 days of Baytril twice a day.
Currently on Metacam twice a day, Maxitrol 3 times a day both eyes and Clinagel twice a day and Panacur (half way through the 28 day course).

In the last week eyes are now responding well to treatment. She's much brighter in herself, and continues to eat & poo as normal.
However she continues to lose weight quite rapidly- 9 days ago she was 1.48 and now she's 1.29 despite vast improvements in herself and her eating.

When blood tests were done two weeks ago she showed as slightly anaemic & slightly abnormal kidney result.
They've been redone yesterday and will be back on Monday. But the vets feel there is nothing more different to try in terms of medications. They've recommended a referral to chine house in Leicester if anyone is familiar?
However if it is kidneys as suspected, there is no treatment anyway is there?! The EC damage is irreversible.

And I don't know what to do or what to think or what's best for my little Millie. She's so precious to me and so young still I can't stand the thought of having to lose her already.
I've seen there is a similar thread to mine at the minute which is helpful but does anyone have anything to add for me?
Thank you and apologies for such a long post, was just trying to be thorough.
Laura
 
Last edited:
Jasperello said:
Morning everyone :)
I'm in desperate need of some advice for my Millie.
Background: F, 11 months old, spayed & bonded. Indoors.
(Also have 5 other rabbits: a bonded pair outdoors, 1 bonded with Millie, and 2 more indoors)

Initial issue was an unusual uveitis presentation in both eyes with GI Stasis.

Unresponsive to treatment of Isathal, Baytril, Metacam and then more usual EC eye symptoms came & given the probable EC diagnosis 2 weeks ago, a few days after initial issue.

Since then has come off the Ranitidine & Cisapride and gut returned to normal. No eating problems now. But I had continued with critical care once a day anyway.
Had 14 days of Baytril twice a day.
Currently on Metacam twice a day, Maxitrol 3 times a day both eyes and Clinagel twice a day and Panacur (half way through the 28 day course).

In the last week eyes are now responding well to treatment. She's much brighter in herself, and continues to eat & poo as normal.
However she continues to lose weight quite rapidly- 9 days ago she was 1.48 and now she's 1.29 despite vast improvements in herself and her eating.

When blood tests were done two weeks ago she showed as slightly anaemic & slightly abnormal kidney result.
They've been redone yesterday and will be back on Monday. But the vets feel there is nothing more different to try in terms of medications. They've recommended a referral to chine house in Leicester if anyone is familiar?
However if it is kidneys as suspected, there is no treatment anyway is there?! The EC damage is irreversible.

And I don't know what to do or what to think or what's best for my little Millie. She's so precious to me and so young still I can't stand the thought of having to lose her already.
I've seen there is a similar thread to mine at the minute which is helpful but does anyone have anything to add for me?
Thank you and apologies for such a long post, was just trying to be thorough.
Laura
Click to expand...

I am sorry to hear about Millie :cry: If her most recent blood test results do indicate chronic renal failure then whilst there is no 'cure' as such, there are some things that can be done to buy her a bit more good quality time. These may include giving an ACE inhibitor drug called Benazepril (AKA Fortekor). When used to treat CRF Benazepril reduces the protein loss in urine and lowers the systemic and intraglomerular (within the kidneys) blood pressure. Reduction in glomerular hypertension (high blood pressure within the kidneys) slows the progression of kidney disease by reducing the rate of further damage to the kidneys. Fortekor has been found to increase the appetite too.

Anabolic steroids can be useful, they act as an appetite stimulant, reduce uraemia (raised levels of urea in the blood), reduce muscle wastage (which often accounts for the weightloss seen with CRF) and may help with the retention of electrolytes.

If blood tests show low potassium (hypokalaemia) then a Potassium supplement could be given

If anaemia is a feature of the CRF then giving Erythropoetin may be an option. It is a hormone normally produced in the kidneys.

Rabbits in CRF do need some dietary modifications which include moderating calcium intake -eg minimal alfalfa hays/pellets and restricting phosphate intake, so no carrots, tomatoes or banana

Sometimes fluid therapy becomes necessary- fluid given IV or possibly subcutaneously.

Maybe you could discuss the above with your Vet ?
 
Jasperello said:
Morning everyone :)
I'm in desperate need of some advice for my Millie.
Background: F, 11 months old, spayed & bonded. Indoors.
(Also have 5 other rabbits: a bonded pair outdoors, 1 bonded with Millie, and 2 more indoors)

Initial issue was an unusual uveitis presentation in both eyes with GI Stasis.

Unresponsive to treatment of Isathal, Baytril, Metacam and then more usual EC eye symptoms came & given the probable EC diagnosis 2 weeks ago, a few days after initial issue.

Since then has come off the Ranitidine & Cisapride and gut returned to normal. No eating problems now. But I had continued with critical care once a day anyway.
Had 14 days of Baytril twice a day.
Currently on Metacam twice a day, Maxitrol 3 times a day both eyes and Clinagel twice a day and Panacur (half way through the 28 day course).

In the last week eyes are now responding well to treatment. She's much brighter in herself, and continues to eat & poo as normal.
However she continues to lose weight quite rapidly- 9 days ago she was 1.48 and now she's 1.29 despite vast improvements in herself and her eating.

When blood tests were done two weeks ago she showed as slightly anaemic & slightly abnormal kidney result.
They've been redone yesterday and will be back on Monday. But the vets feel there is nothing more different to try in terms of medications. They've recommended a referral to chine house in Leicester if anyone is familiar?
However if it is kidneys as suspected, there is no treatment anyway is there?! The EC damage is irreversible.

And I don't know what to do or what to think or what's best for my little Millie. She's so precious to me and so young still I can't stand the thought of having to lose her already.
I've seen there is a similar thread to mine at the minute which is helpful but does anyone have anything to add for me?
Thank you and apologies for such a long post, was just trying to be thorough.
Laura
Click to expand...

Hi Laura :wave:

It's good to hear from you again, but really sorry to hear about Millie :(

I am pleased she is on the Panacur, and that her eyes are doing well at the moment. What you've described could be phacoclastic uveitis which is indeed caused by EC.

Regarding her kidney results, it all depends on whether the damage is caused by EC or by something else. It's easy to blame all on EC!

In the past I had a rabbit with severe kidney values who was very poorly. He was admitted for three days IV fluids and after that time his bloods were retested. He was normal! If it's an acute 'assault' on the kidneys then indeed the kidneys can recover. This isn't possible in all cases but it's something to bear in mind.

Continuing from this I would strongly suggest that during this period of medication for Millie that she get some regular fluids. If not at the vet for IV, then perhaps sub-cut fluids (which don't take long to administer and are under the skin) either at the vet or at home, if that's possible.

The other two things that have helped my rabbits enormously in this position are:

1. Fortekor. It's an ACE inhibitor which is generally used for heart failure, but has a side effect of helping the kidneys.

2. Anabolic Steroid. This is not the same as a cortico-steroid. It helps build up muscle and red blood cells, and so is useful if there's any anaemia present.

Good luck. Let me know how she gets on x
 
Thank you both so much, I was hoping you two would pop up to help! Will definitely discuss all that with the vet on Monday. I'm not very patient at the best of times and not knowing what's going on is very difficult. They could have run the tests in house but they'd have to interpret them as no rabbit machine, and given the seriousness of it they advised to have them run externally to be on the safe side, hence the wait til Monday.

One of my other girl rabbits weighs 1.30 and she's about 6 months old but she doesn't look or feel the same as Millie does. Millie looks and feels very lumpy along her back and you can see the various outlines of her back leg bones etc so I'm convinced it's muscle wastage to blame for the weight loss.

Zucc is the rabbit bonded with Millie so he's being treated on a 9 day course of Panacur too. He seems to be just fine still.
In a little while I'll reintroduce myself on the forum in & see if I can add some pics so you can see all my lovely buns, might keep me occupied for a while in between medicines & feeds :)
 
Jasperello said:
Thank you both so much, I was hoping you two would pop up to help! Will definitely discuss all that with the vet on Monday. I'm not very patient at the best of times and not knowing what's going on is very difficult. They could have run the tests in house but they'd have to interpret them as no rabbit machine, and given the seriousness of it they advised to have them run externally to be on the safe side, hence the wait til Monday.

One of my other girl rabbits weighs 1.30 and she's about 6 months old but she doesn't look or feel the same as Millie does. Millie looks and feels very lumpy along her back and you can see the various outlines of her back leg bones etc so I'm convinced it's muscle wastage to blame for the weight loss.

Zucc is the rabbit bonded with Millie so he's being treated on a 9 day course of Panacur too. He seems to be just fine still.
In a little while I'll reintroduce myself on the forum in & see if I can add some pics so you can see all my lovely buns, might keep me occupied for a while in between medicines & feeds :)
Click to expand...


You're really welcome :D

Just a point - if you're treating Millie with a 28 day course of Panacur, you really ought to do the same for Zucc, at the same time :) A course for 9 days is for worms and will not affect EC. This means that if Zucc is harbouring EC, as soon as Millie's course is completed she could be reinfected by Zucc, as he will not have had the full EC treatment. I hope you get what I mean!

Yes, it would be lovely to see some bunny pics :love:
 
Hi Laura, sorry to hear your little girl is poorly. My bun Mr Bubble has been diagnosed with ec and has eye problems (I have a thread about him). I am also battling to keep his weight from falling although his kidney tests came back ok. He is eating about 3 times what he used to, just to slow down the loss.

Sending vibes for your little one.
 
Test results- no kidney disease (yay!) but very worrying white cell count result

Thank you Weedug, I'm sorry you're going through it all too.

We've had the results back today and kidneys, liver etc have come back raised but it was nothing to be concerned about apparently. However she's still anaemic and her white cells have dropped even more in the last two weeks. It's now only 1.1 when a normal range is 3.3-12.0. They are seriously concerned.

And she's had an awful reaction to the first bloods being taken from her and has a nasty infection with a lot of scabs and a big section of pus, and it needs lancing but she's far too vulnerable to have any anaesthetic so they won't do it yet. And that infection developed despite being on Baytril at the time.

So it's back on the Baytril 0.8 now for another week. Back to have bloods done again on Wednesday and to check the wound.
My poor little girl :(

My lovely vet is off tomorrow and she told me she's going to research any link between EC and low white cells bless her.
So anyone on here with any ideas?!
Thanks a lot, Laura
 
I'm so sorry to hear about your girl been poorly :( vibes for her :love:

I believe ec is usually associated with low haemoglobin and rbc count? Bunnies are usually anaemic. I'm not sure about wbc count tho, hopefully someone with more knowledge will know more.

Sorry I can't be more help but didn't want to read and run tho. Noserubs and hugs xx
 
binkybunnyox said:
I'm so sorry to hear about your girl been poorly :( vibes for her :love:

I believe ec is usually associated with low haemoglobin and rbc count? Bunnies are usually anaemic. I'm not sure about wbc count tho, hopefully someone with more knowledge will know more.

Sorry I can't be more help but didn't want to read and run tho. Noserubs and hugs xx
Click to expand...

Thank you binkybunnyox. Yes her haemoglobin is 7.7, so lower than the range of 10.3-15.5, and red blood cells are 3.31 instead of between 4.80-7.20.
 
Jasperello said:
Thank you Weedug, I'm sorry you're going through it all too.

We've had the results back today and kidneys, liver etc have come back raised but it was nothing to be concerned about apparently. However she's still anaemic and her white cells have dropped even more in the last two weeks. It's now only 1.1 when a normal range is 3.3-12.0. They are seriously concerned.

And she's had an awful reaction to the first bloods being taken from her and has a nasty infection with a lot of scabs and a big section of pus, and it needs lancing but she's far too vulnerable to have any anaesthetic so they won't do it yet. And that infection developed despite being on Baytril at the time.

So it's back on the Baytril 0.8 now for another week. Back to have bloods done again on Wednesday and to check the wound.
My poor little girl :(

My lovely vet is off tomorrow and she told me she's going to research any link between EC and low white cells bless her.
So anyone on here with any ideas?!
Thanks a lot, Laura
Click to expand...

Gosh poor Bunny :cry: I do hope that things improve for her soon. Did the Vet mention anything about the ratio of the WBC count ? A feature of many diseases in Rabbits is an alteration in the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes. Stress and increased cortisol levels can also influence this ratio.

Sending millions of vibes xx
 
Jasperello said:
Thank you Weedug, I'm sorry you're going through it all too.

We've had the results back today and kidneys, liver etc have come back raised but it was nothing to be concerned about apparently. However she's still anaemic and her white cells have dropped even more in the last two weeks. It's now only 1.1 when a normal range is 3.3-12.0. They are seriously concerned.

And she's had an awful reaction to the first bloods being taken from her and has a nasty infection with a lot of scabs and a big section of pus, and it needs lancing but she's far too vulnerable to have any anaesthetic so they won't do it yet. And that infection developed despite being on Baytril at the time.

So it's back on the Baytril 0.8 now for another week. Back to have bloods done again on Wednesday and to check the wound.
My poor little girl :(

My lovely vet is off tomorrow and she told me she's going to research any link between EC and low white cells bless her.
So anyone on here with any ideas?!
Thanks a lot, Laura
Click to expand...


I hope your vet can get back to you very soon with some suggestions.

How is she doing today?
 
Jack's-Jane said:
Gosh poor Bunny :cry: I do hope that things improve for her soon. Did the Vet mention anything about the ratio of the WBC count ? A feature of many diseases in Rabbits is an alteration in the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes. Stress and increased cortisol levels can also influence this ratio.

Sending millions of vibes xx
Click to expand...

Thank you :)
No she didn't but I have a print out of the lab results I'll see if I can spot anything about that and when we go back for more bloods tomorrow I'll ask her. Thanks ever so much for your input, really appreciate it. She's happily munching on her hay at the minute, attempted to tackle the toast out my mouth earlier & bit me for my troubles when I gave her the eye drops so she's a perky, naughty little thing today! But I'm very thankful for that :)
 
MightyMax said:
I hope your vet can get back to you very soon with some suggestions.

How is she doing today?
Click to expand...

Evening :wave:
She's quite the perky menace today! Showed her dislike of me giving her the eye drops by nipping me this afternoon! She NEVER bites! Won't let me go near her abscess either. But I'm just so relieved to get home from work each day and find her eating and moving about etc. Back to the vet tomorrow and they are going to speak to Craig Hunt at Chine House for some advice. I would take her to see him but I don't dare put her through that added stress.
 
Jasperello said:
Evening :wave:
She's quite the perky menace today! Showed her dislike of me giving her the eye drops by nipping me this afternoon! She NEVER bites! Won't let me go near her abscess either. But I'm just so relieved to get home from work each day and find her eating and moving about etc. Back to the vet tomorrow and they are going to speak to Craig Hunt at Chine House for some advice. I would take her to see him but I don't dare put her through that added stress.
Click to expand...


Hello :D

That sounds like a good plan :) You're right - if you can avoid unnecessary stress then that's good.

Doesn't like eye drops, eh? xx
 
Not a good update. I'd like to post a picture but it's not very nice, it's Millie's abscess, but it might help people see what we're battling...
And I can't avoid the trip to chine house anymore, my vets say she really needs specialist input now due to her symptoms. Bloods re done today, no improvement in anything and weight still the same. Blood results point to a chronic disease- e.g despite the rarity of it, the possibility of cancer was mentioned or something to do with bone marrow. Trying to keep a level head until we see the specialist tomorrow but I'm a bit all over the place at the minute.
Had to separate Millie and Zuccy, but they are still in the same room. I'm in a dilemma about taking him to the specialist too though because he really doesn't like vet visits, it will take us an hour to get there, and they've had to be separated so is there any benefit to taking him in a separate carrier?!
So many questions and thoughts, sorry :(
 
Jasperello said:
Not a good update. I'd like to post a picture but it's not very nice, it's Millie's abscess, but it might help people see what we're battling...
And I can't avoid the trip to chine house anymore, my vets say she really needs specialist input now due to her symptoms. Bloods re done today, no improvement in anything and weight still the same. Blood results point to a chronic disease- e.g despite the rarity of it, the possibility of cancer was mentioned or something to do with bone marrow. Trying to keep a level head until we see the specialist tomorrow but I'm a bit all over the place at the minute.
Had to separate Millie and Zuccy, but they are still in the same room. I'm in a dilemma about taking him to the specialist too though because he really doesn't like vet visits, it will take us an hour to get there, and they've had to be separated so is there any benefit to taking him in a separate carrier?!
So many questions and thoughts, sorry :(
Click to expand...


Really sorry to hear this update :(

I've battled many abscesses alongside my brave rabbits over the years, and they all look absolutely awful. Thank goodness the rabbits don't look in mirrors or are concerned with their appearance! It's really hard for you though :(

I have also battled cancer in a rabbit, so I do know the awfulness of that possible diagnosis :(

However, for tonight you have to keep your sensible and very brave head on. Not long to wait until you see the specialist :)

Taking Zuccy? If he really will get terribly stressed, and you feel Millie is strong enough to go by herself, then I would just take her. I feel there's limited benefit if they would be in separate carriers anyway. Just my feeling.

Fingers crossed for you all for tomorrow xx
 
Hi, I am sorry to hear about Millie, I am going through the same with Clyde, it's heartbreaking seeing him so thin 😰. He is at 1.03kg. Still awaiting bloods, but vet is pretty certain he has this (or a bone marrow infection). He is on veraflox suspension, metacam, pen n strep injections (?) and vetcal progel to try and increase his calorie intake. (He cannot stand this calorie gel though!) I don't believe he is on any specific medication for the e c as it is yet to be confirmed.
Sending both Millie and you get well hugs, and will continue to follow you're journey X
 
Vickymnx said:
Hi, I am sorry to hear about Millie, I am going through the same with Clyde, it's heartbreaking seeing him so thin ��. He is at 1.03kg. Still awaiting bloods, but vet is pretty certain he has this (or a bone marrow infection). He is on veraflox suspension, metacam, pen n strep injections (?) and vetcal progel to try and increase his calorie intake. (He cannot stand this calorie gel though!) I don't believe he is on any specific medication for the e c as it is yet to be confirmed.
Sending both Millie and you get well hugs, and will continue to follow you're journey X
Click to expand...

Sorry that you are going through it too Vickymnx, hope you get some good news soon and your little Clyde starts getting better. *hugs & vibes for you both* let us know how you get on!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Advanced EC suspected in elderly rabbit
Replies
2
Views
59
dex179
dex179
H
Bonding an ec bunny
Replies
3
Views
122
InspectorMorse
InspectorMorse
L
**UPDATE***Cleo losing weight - Now gaining :)
Replies
8
Views
209
Omi
O
Back
Top