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X-ray

gemmaloveslugs

gemmaloveslugs

Young Bun
Hi

My poorly bunny may need an X-ray tomorrow, they say she will need a GA for this, i really don't want her to have a GA as she is 10 this year, they said they can take the X-ray from above but it would not be effective and a waste of money. Has anyone had their bunny X-rayed while awake? if so did it prove to be effective for you?

Thank you x
 
gemmaloveslugs said:
Hi

My poorly bunny may need an X-ray tomorrow, they say she will need a GA for this, i really don't want her to have a GA as she is 10 this year, they said they can take the X-ray from above but it would not be effective and a waste of money. Has anyone had their bunny X-rayed while awake? if so did it prove to be effective for you?

Thank you x
Click to expand...

Is it a chest xray that is needed ? If so then whilst it may be possible to get a dorsal (from above) view without need for sedation/GA it may not give the Vet the full picture of what is going on. A ventral view (taken when Bunny is on his/her back) could provide much more useful information.

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Man/LagomorphOverviews/Imaging_Rabbits.htm
 
gemmaloveslugs said:
Hi

My poorly bunny may need an X-ray tomorrow, they say she will need a GA for this, i really don't want her to have a GA as she is 10 this year, they said they can take the X-ray from above but it would not be effective and a waste of money. Has anyone had their bunny X-rayed while awake? if so did it prove to be effective for you?

Thank you x
Click to expand...


Hi Gemma :wave:

I'm guessing from our PMs that this might be connected with the recent bout of stasis?

Have a read of this from retired specialist vet Frances Harcourt Brown - it might give you some idea of what vets can and can't do with respect to X-rays and sedation:

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/Me...g-up-taking-radiographs-and-blood-samples.pdf

You should discuss this with your vet, taking into consideration her current state of health as well as her age.

Feel free to PM me :)
 
Jack's-Jane said:
Is it a chest xray that is needed ? If so then whilst it may be possible to get a dorsal (from above) view without need for sedation/GA it may not give the Vet the full picture of what is going on. A ventral view (taken when Bunny is on his/her back) could provide much more useful information.

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Man/LagomorphOverviews/Imaging_Rabbits.htm
Click to expand...

She had blood tests yesterday that showed signs of anaemia and inflammation, she's currently recovering from a bad stasis, she is now eating and pooping on her own but they said the look of her results could possibly point to a tumour but they aren't sure, i would have assumed gut inflammation could be caused by the stasis and all the medication she has been on?


I'm sick with worry, i wish there was a way i could restrain her whilst they do the X-ray
 
MightyMax said:
Hi Gemma :wave:

I'm guessing from our PMs that this might be connected with the recent bout of stasis?

Have a read of this from retired specialist vet Frances Harcourt Brown - it might give you some idea of what vets can and can't do with respect to X-rays and sedation:

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/Me...g-up-taking-radiographs-and-blood-samples.pdf

You should discuss this with your vet, taking into consideration her current state of health as well as her age.

Feel free to PM me :)
Click to expand...

Hi

yes, she seems on the road to recovery as she is eating much more hay & forage now and a few pellets, she isn't right yet but it's going in the right direction. Her blood results have made me feel an anxious wreck though, Im due to see a more experienced vet tomorrow who is going to properly go through her results with me and talk about the X-ray, i just wanted some knowledge to go in with tomorrow so i know what options there are, i feel like although i need to know what is going on inside for her, im terrified at the thought of her being sedated at her age.

It's interesting to know you could calmly put them in a trance state, they may not allow that but its hopefully an option. I really don't want to have to do this more than once as they charge £260 per X-ray
 
gemmaloveslugs said:
She had blood tests yesterday that showed signs of anaemia and inflammation, she's currently recovering from a bad stasis, she is now eating and pooping on her own but they said the look of her results could possibly point to a tumour but they aren't sure, i would have assumed gut inflammation could be caused by the stasis and all the medication she has been on?


I'm sick with worry, i wish there was a way i could restrain her whilst they do the X-ray
Click to expand...


I should ask the vet further questions about the anaemia. There are two sorts - it can be regenerative or non-regenerative. It's possible it's from an ulcer due to the recent bout of stasis - was ranitidine given to protect the stomach? Or it could be due to some other abnormality and I guess that's what the vet would like to exclude.

Here's some info on it:

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/circulatory-system/anemia/overview-of-anemia

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Hematology/Differentials/anemia.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Man/LagomorphOverviews/Clinical Pathology_Rabbits.htm
 
MightyMax said:
I should ask the vet further questions about the anaemia. There are two sorts - it can be regenerative or non-regenerative. It's possible it's from an ulcer due to the recent bout of stasis - was ranitidine given to protect the stomach? Or it could be due to some other abnormality and I guess that's what the vet would like to exclude.

Here's some info on it:

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/circulatory-system/anemia/overview-of-anemia

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Hematology/Differentials/anemia.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Man/LagomorphOverviews/Clinical Pathology_Rabbits.htm
Click to expand...

Yes she has had 0.5ml of ranitidine since Monday afternoon twice a day, she also said her protein levels were low and something to do with not absorbing, she said she could have an infection which is why some results are showing as they are, she is now on Baytril twice a day, i didn't fully understand about the absorption part as i was so upset and didn't quite take it all in at the time of the call.

Yeah i think that's why they would like to X-ray, they said i don't have to, that i could continue with medication but if it's something causing her pain, i really should go ahead even if it worries me sick
 
Coco had an xray last week due to bladder issues. She initially had an ultrasound scan where they "held her like a baby" - vet's words! - but that proved inconclusive due to what appeared to be sludge, so they then did an xray. How they did that I don't know, but they didn't GA her or even mildly sedate her. However, the xray which I saw was a pretty decent shot of her bladder and lower half - though of course I'm no vet. I'm assuming they still held her "like a baby" with the vet nurse suitably attired. Perhaps you could ask if that might be an option?
 
I wouldn't recommend this but with my honey who was dealing with headtilt, we didn't want her going under GA but did need a CT scan. they ended up placing her in a small see through plastic container, similar to a storage box. She stood in their whilst they took her CT scan!

don't know if this could be a possible option at all?

Topping up the vibes for your bunny xxx
 
Hi, Sorry for the late update and thank you all for your advice :wave:

So on Lugs last vet visit i saw my usual vet who is brilliant and not the other vet who i had to see during Lugs stasis. My regular vet disagreed with the other vet and said she wouldn't want to X-ray at Lugs age, which i was grateful for as i was out of my mind with worry.

As Lugs had gained weight and improved in herself she also doesn't think she has a Tumour. She does have a problem with her red blood cells and she did a urine test which showed she was losing protein through her urine and she had a different type of blood test also which i should find out the results any day now, she said some of her blood results could be that she has an infection. She is on Baytril for a few more days then she will go back for another urine test and another blood test to see if anything alters after the antibiotics.

It is hard to take it all in when id gotten myself in such a worried state, but it sounds like their may be a problem regarding the kidneys/liver but i won't know for sure until all her results are back, hopefully then i will know how she really is.

She seems good in herself, she's hopping about, eating and pooping, although i think all the medicines have upset her tummy a bit as shes doing a mixture of messy and normal poos, i took her off Ranitidine but do you think that was the right thing to do? i originally thought maybe that was causing the messy poo but it could likely be the Baytril :?
xx
 
gemmaloveslugs said:
Hi, Sorry for the late update and thank you all for your advice :wave:

So on Lugs last vet visit i saw my usual vet who is brilliant and not the other vet who i had to see during Lugs stasis. My regular vet disagreed with the other vet and said she wouldn't want to X-ray at Lugs age, which i was grateful for as i was out of my mind with worry.

As Lugs had gained weight and improved in herself she also doesn't think she has a Tumour. She does have a problem with her red blood cells and she did a urine test which showed she was losing protein through her urine and she had a different type of blood test also which i should find out the results any day now, she said some of her blood results could be that she has an infection. She is on Baytril for a few more days then she will go back for another urine test and another blood test to see if anything alters after the antibiotics.

It is hard to take it all in when id gotten myself in such a worried state, but it sounds like their may be a problem regarding the kidneys/liver but i won't know for sure until all her results are back, hopefully then i will know how she really is.

She seems good in herself, she's hopping about, eating and pooping, although i think all the medicines have upset her tummy a bit as shes doing a mixture of messy and normal poos, i took her off Ranitidine but do you think that was the right thing to do? i originally thought maybe that was causing the messy poo but it could likely be the Baytril :?
xx
Click to expand...


Hi Gemma and thank you for posting back about Lugs :wave:

Did the vet say to take her off the Ranitidine? I wouldn't want to go against a vet's advice, but it's not something I would do at this stage as it's probably protecting her stomach more than anything. That's it's primary role, in decreasing the production of stomach acid. Messy poo can indeed be caused by Baytril.

I am pleased she won't be having an X-ray. I know you were very worried.

I hope the blood test results show enough to make a conclusive plan going forward.

Vibes for you both xx
 
MightyMax said:
Hi Gemma and thank you for posting back about Lugs :wave:

Did the vet say to take her off the Ranitidine? I wouldn't want to go against a vet's advice, but it's not something I would do at this stage as it's probably protecting her stomach more than anything. That's it's primary role, in decreasing the production of stomach acid. Messy poo can indeed be caused by Baytril.

I am pleased she won't be having an X-ray. I know you were very worried.

I hope the blood test results show enough to make a conclusive plan going forward.

Vibes for you both xx
Click to expand...

Hi

No, the vet didn't actually say when to come off the Ranitidine so i thought as her stasis seemed so much better she no longer needed it but i have now put her back on it twice a day after your advice, thank you.

I really hope the medicines that are causing her messy poo don't cause her to go back into stasis, ooooh buns are such delicate little babies. She has Protexin Pro - Fibre daily to help with her gut flora but after some research i found a post by JacksJane that advised that Prebiotics are more beneficial, Avipro was the brand mentioned, is this something you have used at all?

She is also having half a capsule of Nutracys Plus Cat per day, which i believe is to help with her inflammation.

Thank you for your help and vibes xx
 
gemmaloveslugs said:
Hi

No, the vet didn't actually say when to come off the Ranitidine so i thought as her stasis seemed so much better she no longer needed it but i have now put her back on it twice a day after your advice, thank you.

I really hope the medicines that are causing her messy poo don't cause her to go back into stasis, ooooh buns are such delicate little babies. She has Protexin Pro - Fibre daily to help with her gut flora but after some research i found a post by JacksJane that advised that Prebiotics are more beneficial, Avipro was the brand mentioned, is this something you have used at all?

She is also having half a capsule of Nutracys Plus Cat per day, which i believe is to help with her inflammation.

Thank you for your help and vibes xx
Click to expand...



I started to use Avipro Plus for one of my Rabbits, who has a serious and complex chronic gut problem, following the advice of an Exotics Specialist Vet.

Avipro Plus is not a PRObiotic, it contains PREbiotics. PREbiotics are not destroyed by gastric enzymes, where-as PRObiotics often are

https://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/Avipro-Plus_4.aspx

I am not claiming that Avipro Plus is a cure all, but it certainly made a huge difference for my Rabbit and he will remain on it daily for the rest of his life.

Rabbits tend to drink more water if Avipro Plus is added to it as it makes the water taste a bit sweet. Maximising water intake is always beneficial to a Rabbit with poor GI tract motility.

Even if Avipro Plus does not do any real good it does not do any harm. As with any suggestions/advice I offer on here I will add that I'd discuss the use of the Avipro Plus with your Vet. I am only a Rabbit carer, I have no qualifications in Veterinary Medicine :)
 
gemmaloveslugs said:
Hi

No, the vet didn't actually say when to come off the Ranitidine so i thought as her stasis seemed so much better she no longer needed it but i have now put her back on it twice a day after your advice, thank you.

I really hope the medicines that are causing her messy poo don't cause her to go back into stasis, ooooh buns are such delicate little babies. She has Protexin Pro - Fibre daily to help with her gut flora but after some research i found a post by JacksJane that advised that Prebiotics are more beneficial, Avipro was the brand mentioned, is this something you have used at all?

She is also having half a capsule of Nutracys Plus Cat per day, which i believe is to help with her inflammation.

Thank you for your help and vibes xx
Click to expand...


Hi Gemma

Of course it's always your vet should advise, but you can check with them when to actually reduce or stop any of the meds she's on :)

Yes bunnies do seem to be fragile, and especially when they are under the weather then we have to take extra care, for sure.

The current thinking - as endorsed by Frances Harcourt Brown (retired Rabbit Specialist vet) and my own rabbit savvy vet is that probiotics and prebiotics are of no particular benefit to rabbits because of their stomach acid. Frances has said that neither probiotics nor prebiotics have been shown to have any efficacy:


Pre-biotics and probiotics were mentioned. It has been shown that they may increase the rate at which commercial rabbits can be grown, there is no evidence to support any medical benefit to rabbits or if they can help rebalance gut flora in poorly rabbits.



However, I doubt they will do any harm, even though they contain sugar, so use your own judgement and vet's advice as to whether to spend money on feeding them :)
 
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