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Sarah Pellet

Pippin'sMum

Alpha Buck
Hi, does anyone know/know of Sarah Pellet? My boy Parsley has a problem with one of his elbows, I had him xrayed last week and it's a real mess. My vet doesn't know if it's osteoarthritis/infection/or maybe even bone cancer. The elbow is hard and swollen, he has (and always has had) an odd gait. It became more swollen last week and he was lame on it, and holding it up at rest. He's on daily Metacam now, and seems fine, but still has this odd gait.

The xray showed the bones have some thinning in places, but new growth elsewhere, one patch that looks like a balloon almost, and small, loose pieces of bone around the edges of his elbow.
I spoke to my vet on the phone, and suggested a specialist looked at the xrays, and she said she would send them to Sarah for her opinion. Am I right in thinking she is a Gold Standard in rabbit medicine?

My vet has mentioned amputation, but obviously we don't want to do anything too drastic without a definite diagnosis. She also said if it is cancerous it may have already spread. I'm in bits, I don't want to lose him, I've lost two of my boys in a year, one from bloat, the other from bladder/kidney stones.
 
Hi, does anyone know/know of Sarah Pellet? My boy Parsley has a problem with one of his elbows, I had him xrayed last week and it's a real mess. My vet doesn't know if it's osteoarthritis/infection/or maybe even bone cancer. The elbow is hard and swollen, he has (and always has had) an odd gait. It became more swollen last week and he was lame on it, and holding it up at rest. He's on daily Metacam now, and seems fine, but still has this odd gait.

The xray showed the bones have some thinning in places, but new growth elsewhere, one patch that looks like a balloon almost, and small, loose pieces of bone around the edges of his elbow.
I spoke to my vet on the phone, and suggested a specialist looked at the xrays, and she said she would send them to Sarah for her opinion. Am I right in thinking she is a Gold Standard in rabbit medicine?

My vet has mentioned amputation, but obviously we don't want to do anything too drastic without a definite diagnosis. She also said if it is cancerous it may have already spread. I'm in bits, I don't want to lose him, I've lost two of my boys in a year, one from bloat, the other from bladder/kidney stones.

I am very sorry to hear about Parsley :cry:

Not met SP personally but I have heard good reports about her

http://www.animates.org.uk/html/Vets.html
 
I'm pretty sure she's the vet Jemimah uses. (There is definitely an RUer that has spoken highly of her). I did see her name on the Gold Standards list in a recent Rabbiting On.

I hope you can get some answers and a solution.
 
Hello :)

Yes, Sarah Pellett is Alf's vet and has been for at least 4 years, probably more. In that time I've never had any problems with her, and she's always done everything she can for my bunnies.

You're right in thinking she's Gold standard. Not only that, but Animates - where she operates from - were the first ever practice to be awarded Gold standard in being a rabbit friendly practice. Sarah's the only specialist in rabbits/exotics there and has her own dedicated Exotics building on the premises, fully equipped for both treatment and in-patients. She's seen Alfie through countless dentals, investigations, stasis bouts, other illnesses, vaccinations, routine check ups - even bunny boarding! At times she's even gone above and beyond her job description - staying late or early, calling me to update past working hours, even offering to travel from an event she was due at (I think it may have been in London - it wasn't close, at any rate) back to Animates to help my bridge bunny Dee, if her condition had deteriorated further.

I trust Sarah 100% with my rabbits. She's seen Alfie, Rosy and Dee - the latter two are no longer with me. Not only do I trust her treatment and her knowledge, but I trust her judgment too. If she said it was too much, or wasn't fair, I'd go with that - and I have done in the past, with no regrets. I really cannot recommend her enough, and would not go willingly to another vet!

If you want to know anything more, please don't hesitate to PM me. I really hope Sarah can help your Parsley.
 
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Hi, does anyone know/know of Sarah Pellet? My boy Parsley has a problem with one of his elbows, I had him xrayed last week and it's a real mess. My vet doesn't know if it's osteoarthritis/infection/or maybe even bone cancer. The elbow is hard and swollen, he has (and always has had) an odd gait. It became more swollen last week and he was lame on it, and holding it up at rest. He's on daily Metacam now, and seems fine, but still has this odd gait.

The xray showed the bones have some thinning in places, but new growth elsewhere, one patch that looks like a balloon almost, and small, loose pieces of bone around the edges of his elbow.
I spoke to my vet on the phone, and suggested a specialist looked at the xrays, and she said she would send them to Sarah for her opinion. Am I right in thinking she is a Gold Standard in rabbit medicine?

My vet has mentioned amputation, but obviously we don't want to do anything too drastic without a definite diagnosis. She also said if it is cancerous it may have already spread. I'm in bits, I don't want to lose him, I've lost two of my boys in a year, one from bloat, the other from bladder/kidney stones.


Yes P, she is definitely a Gold Standard in Rabbit medicine :) I would not hesitate with a referral to her.

I'm sorry to hear about Parsley. How long do the vets think this has being going on?

Hugs for you. I hope this doesn't mean he's going to leave you anytime soon xx
 
Thank you for your prompt replies, I am heartened by your confidence in Sarah's abilities, thanks Jemima for your comments.

Not sure how long it's been going on MM, I've had him almost a year (he came from our rescue), and he's always had a funny gait, he has a pad of fur on the side of his foot that doesn't get worn away due to the way he moves. The vet thinks it could be an old trauma, or a congenital problem.

I hope she can interpret the xrays and give me some good news.

Thanks again
 
Thank you for your prompt replies, I am heartened by your confidence in Sarah's abilities, thanks Jemima for your comments.

Not sure how long it's been going on MM, I've had him almost a year (he came from our rescue), and he's always had a funny gait, he has a pad of fur on the side of his foot that doesn't get worn away due to the way he moves. The vet thinks it could be an old trauma, or a congenital problem.

I hope she can interpret the xrays and give me some good news.

Thanks again


I hope it all goes well. I feel for you and Parsley xx
 
Thank you MM, I'm hoping it's nothing too serious. My vet phoned me last night to say Sarah is away at a conference, and so may not be able to review his xray till Friday, so it may be next week before I hear. he seems happy in himself, bobbing about and eating well, but I'm still worried. I hope you are OK and hope to see you sometime soon xx
 
Thank you MM, I'm hoping it's nothing too serious. My vet phoned me last night to say Sarah is away at a conference, and so may not be able to review his xray till Friday, so it may be next week before I hear. he seems happy in himself, bobbing about and eating well, but I'm still worried. I hope you are OK and hope to see you sometime soon xx


Thank you - I hope so too :D
 
Got a call yesterday from my vet, she has the results from Sarah, who thinks the same things as my vet - either osteoarthritis/osteomyelitis/osteosarcoma. She has suggested xraying him again for metastases in his chest (if present, my vet said she wanted to pts straight away), if no other tumours present, then full blood tests and a fine needle aspirate for joint fluid to see if there is infection/inflammatory cells. He's gone in today for these tests. I'm so worried, almost in tears all day yesterday, but I don't think I'll have him pts today if tumours are in his lungs, he seems ok for the moment, happy enough and although lame on that leg he's getting about well enough. I will increase his dose of Loxicom if necessary, and we talked about using Tramadol for pain relief. Anything anyone can tell me about it's use I'd be grateful.

Waiting now to hear from my vet when she's xrayed him.
 
Got a call yesterday from my vet, she has the results from Sarah, who thinks the same things as my vet - either osteoarthritis/osteomyelitis/osteosarcoma. She has suggested xraying him again for metastases in his chest (if present, my vet said she wanted to pts straight away), if no other tumours present, then full blood tests and a fine needle aspirate for joint fluid to see if there is infection/inflammatory cells. He's gone in today for these tests. I'm so worried, almost in tears all day yesterday, but I don't think I'll have him pts today if tumours are in his lungs, he seems ok for the moment, happy enough and although lame on that leg he's getting about well enough. I will increase his dose of Loxicom if necessary, and we talked about using Tramadol for pain relief. Anything anyone can tell me about it's use I'd be grateful.

Waiting now to hear from my vet when she's xrayed him.

I really hope that the Xrays bring 'no mets' news. I have had several Rabbits on Tramadol and they have all responded well to it with no adverse side effects.
 
Got a call yesterday from my vet, she has the results from Sarah, who thinks the same things as my vet - either osteoarthritis/osteomyelitis/osteosarcoma. She has suggested xraying him again for metastases in his chest (if present, my vet said she wanted to pts straight away), if no other tumours present, then full blood tests and a fine needle aspirate for joint fluid to see if there is infection/inflammatory cells. He's gone in today for these tests. I'm so worried, almost in tears all day yesterday, but I don't think I'll have him pts today if tumours are in his lungs, he seems ok for the moment, happy enough and although lame on that leg he's getting about well enough. I will increase his dose of Loxicom if necessary, and we talked about using Tramadol for pain relief. Anything anyone can tell me about it's use I'd be grateful.

Waiting now to hear from my vet when she's xrayed him.


Oh P I am so sorry to hear this.

I really hope tat the X-rays show up no metastases. I have had a rabbit with cancer in the not too distant past, so I really do empathise with how you're feeling now. I hope it isn't that.

As for Tramdol, it is usually well tolerated in rabbits.

This is what Maria Kubiak, rabbit vet, has said about it on this Forum:


I use tramadol quite frequently in rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas with pain that is not controlled by non-steroidals like metacam, or where NSAIDs can't be used due to other health issues. It works well to control soft tissue pain, less well for bony pain and rarely causes sedation and I've had no adverse reactions. Doses required for pain relief in bunnies are much higher than in cats and dogs.


I have to say that my own experience, and that of one of my friend's rabbits recently concerning tramadol wasn't so good. I think if you're going to give it, then make sure you give ranitidine a half an hour before each dose. This will prevent it from messing up the stomach and being a cause of anorexia.

Hugs to you and vibes for Parsley xx
 
Thank you Jane and MightyMax for that info. I've just had two calls from the vet (she's only been qualified a year but is superkeen and seems to be well up on rabbit medicine) to say there are no visible metastases, so thank goodness for that. She's tried to get sufficient fluid from the joint for analysis, but was not able to, so has done a smear and is sending that to the lab. She has also looked at his blood smear, and he is slightly anaemic, and shows a lower than average number of white blood cells, which she says could be an indication of infection. He is coming home with Baytril for now, and she thinks it may be that his elbow will fuse in time, and may not be painful. She also mentioned getting an appointment with Sarah (it's not too far away from me, maybe an hour and a half in the car) if things don't improve over time.

Thanks again for your messages, I really appreciate it, I've been so worried about him. I don't know if it's just me but the boys I've had have always held a special place in my heart, my girls seem a bit less 'friendly' and more independent somehow. I love them too of course, but my boys are real loves!
 
Thank you Jane and MightyMax for that info. I've just had two calls from the vet (she's only been qualified a year but is superkeen and seems to be well up on rabbit medicine) to say there are no visible metastases, so thank goodness for that. She's tried to get sufficient fluid from the joint for analysis, but was not able to, so has done a smear and is sending that to the lab. She has also looked at his blood smear, and he is slightly anaemic, and shows a lower than average number of white blood cells, which she says could be an indication of infection. He is coming home with Baytril for now, and she thinks it may be that his elbow will fuse in time, and may not be painful. She also mentioned getting an appointment with Sarah (it's not too far away from me, maybe an hour and a half in the car) if things don't improve over time.

Thanks again for your messages, I really appreciate it, I've been so worried about him. I don't know if it's just me but the boys I've had have always held a special place in my heart, my girls seem a bit less 'friendly' and more independent somehow. I love them too of course, but my boys are real loves!

Well the update sounds relatively optimistic. I hope that the Lab results will offer up a few more treatment options. Has either Vet mentioned a condition called 'Bursitis' ?
 
Thank you Jane and MightyMax for that info. I've just had two calls from the vet (she's only been qualified a year but is superkeen and seems to be well up on rabbit medicine) to say there are no visible metastases, so thank goodness for that. She's tried to get sufficient fluid from the joint for analysis, but was not able to, so has done a smear and is sending that to the lab. She has also looked at his blood smear, and he is slightly anaemic, and shows a lower than average number of white blood cells, which she says could be an indication of infection. He is coming home with Baytril for now, and she thinks it may be that his elbow will fuse in time, and may not be painful. She also mentioned getting an appointment with Sarah (it's not too far away from me, maybe an hour and a half in the car) if things don't improve over time.

Thanks again for your messages, I really appreciate it, I've been so worried about him. I don't know if it's just me but the boys I've had have always held a special place in my heart, my girls seem a bit less 'friendly' and more independent somehow. I love them too of course, but my boys are real loves!



You're so welcome, I really feel for you and Parsley ...

I am glad the results are optimistic so far.

Has the vet mentioned anabolic steroids at all? Not the same (as I'm sure you know) as corticosteroids. Anabolic steroids can help wth anaemia and also help build up muscle mass - which may be a good thing for him.

I and other forum members I've recommended them to have found their rabbits gained benefit from them.

Good luck xx

Oh, and I know exactly what you mean about the love for a boy bun :love:
 
[QUOTE=Jack's Has either Vet mentioned a condition called 'Bursitis' ?

Bursitis is a condition of soft tissue, joints have a 'cushion' on the outside between the joint and the skin, which is called a bursa. It swells up when it becomes inflamed, either by pressure, trauma or infection. Parsley's problem is that the bones in his elbow are abnormal. Thanks for the thought anyway.

MM no one has mentioned anything other than Baytril for the moment (I think because of the fine needle aspirate, my vet was worried about introducing infection), but I'm still waiting for further instruction!

We have a bit of a problem at the moment in that the bond between him and Toffee seems to have been upset, probably because he smells different. I've had to separate them when I'm not around, there's a bit of face pulling and lunging at each other. There hasn't been any actual fighting or physical aggression, but I'm just being cautious until things settle down.

Onwards and upwards!
 
Jack's Has either Vet mentioned a condition called 'Bursitis' ? Bursitis is a condition of soft tissue said:
We have a bit of a problem at the moment in that the bond between him and Toffee seems to have been upset, probably because he smells different. I've had to separate them when I'm not around, there's a bit of face pulling and lunging at each other. There hasn't been any actual fighting or physical aggression, but I'm just being cautious until things settle down.[/B]

Onwards and upwards!


Oh sorry about the bond :cry: Like you need any more problems and worries.

Strength to you, and positive vibes xx
 
Bursitis is a condition of soft tissue, joints have a 'cushion' on the outside between the joint and the skin, which is called a bursa. It swells up when it becomes inflamed, either by pressure, trauma or infection. Parsley's problem is that the bones in his elbow are abnormal. Thanks for the thought anyway.

MM no one has mentioned anything other than Baytril for the moment (I think because of the fine needle aspirate, my vet was worried about introducing infection), but I'm still waiting for further instruction!

We have a bit of a problem at the moment in that the bond between him and Toffee seems to have been upset, probably because he smells different. I've had to separate them when I'm not around, there's a bit of face pulling and lunging at each other. There hasn't been any actual fighting or physical aggression, but I'm just being cautious until things settle down.

Onwards and upwards!

Unfortunately the dynamics of a bond can be effected when one Rabbit is unwell in some way. Hopefully things will settle down again soon. How is Parsley doing within himself now ?
 
Jack's Has either Vet mentioned a condition called 'Bursitis' ? Bursitis is a condition of soft tissue said:
I'm still waiting for further instruction! [/B]

We have a bit of a problem at the moment in that the bond between him and Toffee seems to have been upset, probably because he smells different. I've had to separate them when I'm not around, there's a bit of face pulling and lunging at each other. There hasn't been any actual fighting or physical aggression, but I'm just being cautious until things settle down.

Onwards and upwards!


When do you think that might be forthcoming?
 
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