Coco

Angie B said:

Ultrasound was done this morning but Coco appears to have sludge in her bladder as well which gave them problems when doing the U/S so they phoned and said they were going to do an xray as well. This proved inconclusive - there is something there but they're not sure what as it didn't show up very well in the xray either. Luckily they didn't need to shave or clip Coco's fur, they simply used masses of the gel instead to wet it. It's non-toxic and they wiped her down after by the look of it, so she'll be able to wash the rest off herself. She stinks though so I'm so glad I took them both in as normal or I fear Thumper would have rejected her the smell is so bad! She's now on a special medication twice a day - I must google it actually/read the leaflet to find out exactly what it's for. Filip said it's an antibiotic but quite a strong one as it has to be diluted when given as it's very alkaline, so I think it's to help break down the crystals which are definitely present. There's NO BLOOD in her urine though, that result was a definite negative so Filip thinks it's the bacteria and sludge and crystals coming out in her wee which is giving the colour, even though it's drying brown, but if the tests say no blood then I can't argue with that - but it is a relief.

Filip is going to talk to a specialist friend of his and also send him all of the results. This may end up with us taking Coco (and Thumper) on a 1.5hr car journey to this chap's clinic where they have special endoscopy equipment for them to give Coco a GA and insert said endoscopy into her genitals so they can get a camera up there into the bladder to have a proper look to see what's in there. We'll know on Friday or the weekend what's happening as he's got to phone him and it's to do with shifts etc. so he reckons it'll be Friday before we hear.

So for now, Coco's on pain relief daily, plus this new stuff twice a day. She's absolutely delighted at being manhandled so much :lol: as I'm sure you can imagine, poor thing! But with luck she'll soon be sorted out. She's fine in herself though despite the manhandling (so far anyway!), which is fab :thumb:.

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Thank you for such a comprehensive update on Coco

I am so glad you've got some results from the diagnostics. That's a big step forward, if not entirely conclusive. It all makes sense.

I hope she doesn't need the invasive tests, but keep my fingers crossed for the best outcome with the new meds

I hope the meds will help Coco, and that she doesn’t mind taking them too much! I tried hiding emeprid on a shreddie, it didnt work :roll::lol:

Sending some vibes for Coco. Sorry I've not posted her vibes sooner x

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Sending more vibes for Coco. It sounds as though your vet is being very thorough.

Thank you, everyone, and daphnephoebe don't worry! I don't post on everyone's - you can't; it's sometimes sadly impossible to keep up I'm afraid .

Coco is in fine fettle today though she is very, very wary of me. I gave the girls their supper of herbs and fibafirst sticks at bedtime otherwise the only time I see them/Coco is to basically give a quick fuss and then grab for meds. She shot off when she heard my voice as they'd vacated their lovely warm patch of hay in front of the hutch, Thumper was still there but up and stretching, whereas Coco was in the hutch having a quick stretch but then sat in the litter tray which is in the far corner and she knows rightly it's difficult for me to get to her there - so she ain't that dumb :lol:. I can get to her - just open the other door - but that's rare at night. Even when I got the tub of herbs out she refused to come out of the hutch and sat where Thumper does to eat them instead of coming into the shed itself into her normal spot, so she's certainly not my friend at the moment . But, once all of her treatments are over and she's better, she'll soon come around and be my friend again, and that's all I can ask for - that she gets well. So for now I don't mind that she doesn't love me .

Sending positive vibes for Coco.x

I hope that Coco soon forgives you. Even Frosty, who is normally a cuddly bunny, didn’t want picking up the other day after the dental and all the meds and syringe feeding, but a day later he is back to being normal. Sometimes you wish you could explain things to them so they would understand!

Topping up the vibes for her xx

Angie B said:

Thank you, everyone, and daphnephoebe don't worry! I don't post on everyone's - you can't; it's sometimes sadly impossible to keep up I'm afraid .

Coco is in fine fettle today though she is very, very wary of me. I gave the girls their supper of herbs and fibafirst sticks at bedtime otherwise the only time I see them/Coco is to basically give a quick fuss and then grab for meds. She shot off when she heard my voice as they'd vacated their lovely warm patch of hay in front of the hutch, Thumper was still there but up and stretching, whereas Coco was in the hutch having a quick stretch but then sat in the litter tray which is in the far corner and she knows rightly it's difficult for me to get to her there - so she ain't that dumb :lol:. I can get to her - just open the other door - but that's rare at night. Even when I got the tub of herbs out she refused to come out of the hutch and sat where Thumper does to eat them instead of coming into the shed itself into her normal spot, so she's certainly not my friend at the moment . But, once all of her treatments are over and she's better, she'll soon come around and be my friend again, and that's all I can ask for - that she gets well. So for now I don't mind that she doesn't love me .

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And you never really thought Coco was dumb :lol:

I'm glad the meds are going down. What a palaver!

I really hope she gets well

Thank you everyone .

I phoned the vet today as I had expected him to ring me either Friday or Saturday, but he hadn't so I presumed he may not have been able to get in touch with his buddy.

Anyway, he had, he just hadn't had chance to ring me, so me ringing at 5pm made him speak to me :lol:.

Filip's buddy and he have had a good natter and discussion and Mark seems to think that Coco may just have a lot of sludge (that's good really ... I think). So I'm to keep her on this ento... something until Friday morning and take her back in so that Filip can then have a really good feel of her bladder again, to see if it's going soft, hopefully it will be which means this medicine is working.

The downside is that between them they have questioned as to why she has so much sludge. They think it's because she may be erm, fat. She is a little plumper than her sister, but doesn't seem to eat all of the food - I feed them in separate bowls and they seem to eat the same amount. Coco does sit and eat hay for longer than Thumper though, who will go out and play more willingly, so maybe that's why.

Filip also suggested that Coco may be arthritic - a high possibility given that Thumper was diagnosed and xray proved to be so just last year which is now why they're both on arthritic supplements; they have half a tablet each per day, so that should be helping anyway. He also said it could be dental - though I highly doubt that the way she munches on hay, grass, and leaves. She's always eating those three - probably why she's fat :lol:.

But the real downside is this Mark has strongly advised, and Filip has agreed, that Coco is given a GA so that full xrays can be taken of all possible views - lateral? - and others, of her belly, bladder etc, and her head to check her teeth. I'm going to ask if it's a lighter one than they do for operations as she won't be under for too long and then hopefully she'll recover faster and there's less risk, all being well. I'll ask on Friday. But she has had a GA before, albeit 6 years ago when she was spayed, but she was a lot ... slimmer back then, not to mention younger of course.

So Friday is for a general feel and a firk, and then I think it'll be to make an appointment for the GA/xrays.

If Coco has sludge when she is under GA could they not flush her little bladder to get rid of it ?

nickybunny1 said:

If Coco has sludge when she is under GA could they not flush her little bladder to get rid of it ?

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They have mentioned that but they're not sure yet if it is just sludge or if she has stones too, that's why they want to do a number of xrays to confirm first. Also, I don't think our vet has the specialist equipment to flush out her bladder - but I will ask when I take her on Friday; thank you for the suggestion .

Oh I see, I just was thinking that one GA could do two things. My Oliver had yearly flushes due to sludge. I hope all goes well for your precious Coco on Friday x

nickybunny1 said:

Oh I see, I just was thinking that one GA could do two things. My Oliver had yearly flushes due to sludge. I hope all goes well for your precious Coco on Friday x

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No, that's a very good suggestion though, nickybunny1, thank you. It does seem pointless to put her under twice if once could suffice so I will ask. And thank you for your thoughts x

Took Coco for her follow up today. Sadly, although her bladder is a lot softer which shows the antibiotics have been doing the trick in that department, Filip could still feel a stone and therefore she will need surgery after the xrays are done. He still wants to do the xrays to determine precisely how large the stone is, and its exact location, so he'll phone next week to arrange that. Once the xrays are done then we'll arrange for the op. He knows how nervous I am about the GA and he did say if I said no to it, he would respect that, but as I pointed out, the chances of the stone getting larger while it remains in her bladder are high (and he agreed) and as she's only 7 she still has a few years left so really I'd only be putting off the inevitable anyway - he agreed. She's off the antibiotics now as well and just on daily pain relief.

And to top it off, when I went in to the girls at 9 this morning I discovered Thumper was unwell - cowering in the corner and didn't freak out when I got the pet carrier down. Filip listened to her guts and could hear movement, so gave pain relief and gut stimulant. No improvement by 1pm so I gave her metacam (or their new replacement). No change come 3pm so gave her Recovery and she had about 7ml before really struggling so I let her go. She then flopped in the litter tray. I'd done a heat pad as she had been quivering and put that by her in case she was cold. I'm going to leave her now until at least 5pm and hopefully now she's got "food" and water (I always mix it with extra water) in her, she will be acting a lot better if not fully better. I hope so! She seriously couldn't have timed it worse - we're due on a day out tomorrow which I cannot cancel, have no-one to take care of the rabbits as husband's at work and my parents, bless them, wouldn't have a clue, and the day out could potentially be done by my parents (as in taking the children because it's them taking part) but I wanted to go (trying not to whinge!) given it's been booked since January and cost £70! :?

Plus my daughter has decided (!) to break out in what appears could be a cold and what they're doing tomorrow she needs her strength and could really also have done without a cold.

Honestly, I'm not going to book anything again :lol:. It's Gung Ho! at Wynyard Hall (google it) and looks tremendous fun. The last time they did something similar a couple of years ago, my son had a streaming cold but did manage to do 1 of his 2 slides - his sister ended up doing 3 slides instead of 2. Tomorrow they get 1 and that's it. Their timing is impeccable, you really couldn't make it up!

Angie B said:

Took Coco for her follow up today. Sadly, although her bladder is a lot softer which shows the antibiotics have been doing the trick in that department, Filip could still feel a stone and therefore she will need surgery after the xrays are done. He still wants to do the xrays to determine precisely how large the stone is, and its exact location, so he'll phone next week to arrange that. Once the xrays are done then we'll arrange for the op. He knows how nervous I am about the GA and he did say if I said no to it, he would respect that, but as I pointed out, the chances of the stone getting larger while it remains in her bladder are high (and he agreed) and as she's only 7 she still has a few years left so really I'd only be putting off the inevitable anyway - he agreed. She's off the antibiotics now as well and just on daily pain relief.

And to top it off, when I went in to the girls at 9 this morning I discovered Thumper was unwell - cowering in the corner and didn't freak out when I got the pet carrier down. Filip listened to her guts and could hear movement, so gave pain relief and gut stimulant. No improvement by 1pm so I gave her metacam (or their new replacement). No change come 3pm so gave her Recovery and she had about 7ml before really struggling so I let her go. She then flopped in the litter tray. I'd done a heat pad as she had been quivering and put that by her in case she was cold. I'm going to leave her now until at least 5pm and hopefully now she's got "food" and water (I always mix it with extra water) in her, she will be acting a lot better if not fully better. I hope so! She seriously couldn't have timed it worse - we're due on a day out tomorrow which I cannot cancel, have no-one to take care of the rabbits as husband's at work and my parents, bless them, wouldn't have a clue, and the day out could potentially be done by my parents (as in taking the children because it's them taking part) but I wanted to go (trying not to whinge!) given it's been booked since January and cost £70! :?

Plus my daughter has decided (!) to break out in what appears could be a cold and what they're doing tomorrow she needs her strength and could really also have done without a cold.

Honestly, I'm not going to book anything again :lol:. It's Gung Ho! at Wynyard Hall (google it) and looks tremendous fun. The last time they did something similar a couple of years ago, my son had a streaming cold but did manage to do 1 of his 2 slides - his sister ended up doing 3 slides instead of 2. Tomorrow they get 1 and that's it. Their timing is impeccable, you really couldn't make it up!

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Oh no Angie, talk about a stress overload I am really sorry that Coco will need sugery, but as I posted previously, I have had a few Rabbits who underwent the procedure and all came through it really well. Even the 11 year old !

I am also sorry that Thumper has been poorly and now your daughter has made it a hat trick

Bloody typical that everything happens at once, and on a Bank Holiday weekend just for 'good' measure ....................

Sending loads of vibes for all of your girls and some calming vibes for you. I will even agree to agree with all of your posts in GC for all of next month :lol:

I'm sorry to read that both bunnies are given you cause for concern at the moment. Hopefully the x ray will shed further light on what's going on with that stone in Coco's bladder. Although I can certainly empathise with your worry about her undergoing surgery.

I hope Thumper is doing better now and you'll still be able to go on your day out tomorrow. Goodness me, bunnies really are the masters of awful timing!



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Sending lots of vibes for both your girlies and I hope that you get to go tomorrow.

Angie B said:

Took Coco for her follow up today. Sadly, although her bladder is a lot softer which shows the antibiotics have been doing the trick in that department, Filip could still feel a stone and therefore she will need surgery after the xrays are done. He still wants to do the xrays to determine precisely how large the stone is, and its exact location, so he'll phone next week to arrange that. Once the xrays are done then we'll arrange for the op. He knows how nervous I am about the GA and he did say if I said no to it, he would respect that, but as I pointed out, the chances of the stone getting larger while it remains in her bladder are high (and he agreed) and as she's only 7 she still has a few years left so really I'd only be putting off the inevitable anyway - he agreed. She's off the antibiotics now as well and just on daily pain relief.

And to top it off, when I went in to the girls at 9 this morning I discovered Thumper was unwell - cowering in the corner and didn't freak out when I got the pet carrier down. Filip listened to her guts and could hear movement, so gave pain relief and gut stimulant. No improvement by 1pm so I gave her metacam (or their new replacement). No change come 3pm so gave her Recovery and she had about 7ml before really struggling so I let her go. She then flopped in the litter tray. I'd done a heat pad as she had been quivering and put that by her in case she was cold. I'm going to leave her now until at least 5pm and hopefully now she's got "food" and water (I always mix it with extra water) in her, she will be acting a lot better if not fully better. I hope so! She seriously couldn't have timed it worse - we're due on a day out tomorrow which I cannot cancel, have no-one to take care of the rabbits as husband's at work and my parents, bless them, wouldn't have a clue, and the day out could potentially be done by my parents (as in taking the children because it's them taking part) but I wanted to go (trying not to whinge!) given it's been booked since January and cost £70! :?

Plus my daughter has decided (!) to break out in what appears could be a cold and what they're doing tomorrow she needs her strength and could really also have done without a cold.

Honestly, I'm not going to book anything again :lol:. It's Gung Ho! at Wynyard Hall (google it) and looks tremendous fun. The last time they did something similar a couple of years ago, my son had a streaming cold but did manage to do 1 of his 2 slides - his sister ended up doing 3 slides instead of 2. Tomorrow they get 1 and that's it. Their timing is impeccable, you really couldn't make it up!

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So sorry to hear of all this Angie What a stressful time you're having. Not one bunny but two needing attention ...

And sorry to also hear about your daughter.

I hope these worries resolve quickly for you, the buns and family.

Thank you everyone, and Jane, you made me laugh :lol:

Ended up at the out-of-hours vet with Thumper this evening as she was showing no signs of improvement and was quite cool to the touch - no mean feat given the thickness of her fur! Seriously, I could feel how cold she was through her body fur, not just her ears. So off we popped at about 7.45. My son came with me for company, coming off his PC game without hesitation - he's a good lad . Niamh would have come but given she's under the weather and I want her well for tomorrow and bed is the best place, I asked my husband to ensure she was in bed early - the last time we went to the OOH vet with the rabbits at 7.30pm we didn't get home until 11!

Anyway, we were seen fairly quickly and Thumper was indeed cold - 35 degrees instead of around 37.5. Her heart was beating like a train through both pain and fear, and her guts which had been gurgling were now disturbingly quiet. So off Ed popped with her to give her 2 lots of pain relief and some gut stimulant. He was gone ages, but they usually are there. He did weigh her first - I guessed/memory 2.6kg. I wasn't far off, 2.5! I know my bunnies!

While he was gone I'd remembered that the last time she was ill they'd also given her subcutaneous fluids so when he came back I asked if he could administer those too - he apologised for not suggesting it himself so disappeared again. Thumper was not impressed! But upon her return and put back into her carrier with her sister, she started eating! (I always pop a handful of hay in the carrier). Ed was chuffed as well, and she carried on eating throughout and hasn't stopped since, so I'm really relieved. We were home for 9.30 - has to be a record!

I'll keep them indoors - I had the foresight as I thought she was cold, to bring them inside at around 4pm as it's warmer and easier to keep an eye on them - tomorrow and then they can go back out on Sunday. Besides, I won't really have time to mess around tomorrow morning anyway, don't want to put them back out at teatime as it's a bit late/cold after being inside all day, and one more day inside won't do them any harm at all.

So just got to hope Niamh's cold hasn't got any worse by tomorrow. Had an email from the organisers to say it's poured down the last couple of days so "runners are expected to get very muddy so bring a change of clothes". To be honest, clothes already are in a bag as I had an inkling they'd get wet as I think one of the sections of the course involves a foam pool (wet foam, not lumps of foam), but I have to admit I'd not envisaged mud! :lol:

Logging off now to relax, had a rotten day but paws and fingers crossed I think Thumper's on the mend and with luck Niamh will be okay.

What a day!

What a day indeed! Sending lots of vibes xx