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.
Thank you everyone for your support. Elijah hasn't been taking his syringe feeds so well the last couple of days and had become just skin and bone, I knew his time was approaching but given the year I've had, I was worried that that would be Christmas Day. Last night he barely touched his syringe feed and didn't eat his greens overnight, there was hardly any poo in his tray ... his Excel was completely untouched. He was in his bed as close to the radiator as he could get and barely moved when I tried to feed him... I knew he'd had enough. He went very peacefully to the bridge with a vet and nurse who knew him well and have cared for him so very many times.
The shell left behind hopefully will give some answers to veterinary science re his digestive issues... before returning home to us. He had over thirty inpatient admissions for gut problems, I stopped counting, it may have been over fifty.
Dear Elijah, now at peace. But your heart is breaking yet again
2018 has been such a dreadful year
Farewell for now Elijah xx
I have syringe fed him every day for nine months (bar a short hospital stay), I've also syringe fed Dinky, Scally and Esme in that time. Tonight will be the first time of not making up Critical Care, I will be thinking I've forgotten something important now and until I adjust. Checking on his welfare has been a big part of my routine for so long...has been my reason I don't go out for a whole day for years given his much at risk he was... it will be very strange not having that responsibility. Thankfully I had reliable OOH service during the time he was vulnerable.