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Emphysema

Jasperello

Warren Scout
Hi everyone,

So my Jasper has been a poorly bunny for a month now, and we have been passed to Craig the exotic specialist at Chine House again. Unfortunately my only previous experience of Chine House was with Millie...which didn't end well. So naturally I was beside myself when I had to return there with Jasp, and cue me sobbing on the waiting room floor with my bunnies, by myself, having to hand them over to be admitted for 3 days. But I digress, so details:

Jasper, M, outdoor, neutered, (bonded with Lola).
*noticed he was breathing noticeably heavier and faster than the other 4, initially convinced myself I was over-reacting and he was fine, but should have trusted my instinct :(

*Emergency app at vets on a Saturday, oxygen needed, X rays taken of 2 views (not under anaesthetic) which led to a query of pneumonia, enlarged heart, possible mass, heart failure etc. and a referral to Craig.

*Immediately started antibiotics, option to admit to OOH vets or take home and monitor every hour in the night and more meds at 3am- I took him home.

*Returned the next day on Sunday, no improvement.

*Monday emergency appointment to see Craig. His take on the views of the x-ray was Jasper's lungs looked over inflated with trapped air. Ultrasound gave no extra clues.

*Tuesday blood results came back but needed to be reviewed by Craig on Wednesday- a small indication in one aspect of the white cell count for infection, nothing major, and nothing unearthed of any real help. Meanwhile, talk of an MRI at another vets, but this was apparently going to cost over £1200 alone.

*Wednesday no further suggestion of an MRI and a long day of waiting for a decision on next steps. So after a lot of protective 'mother bear' fussing by me, I make the drive down at 4.30 ready for a polite but firm 'I'm not leaving until someone tells me what's going on' discussion, when I get a phone call mid-journey to say I can take Jasp and Lo home!

*Plan is to complete a three week course of corvental and baytril and re-asses his condition with x-rays (under anaesthetic this time)

And here we are now, 3 weeks after starting the Baytril and a few days shy of a 3 week course of corvental, waiting to be re-assessed on Wednesday this week.

His breathing is no better, (but no worse either) we're still consistently around the 110-130 respiratory rate a minute mark all day, every day.
He looks to be losing more weight and I can feel each rib now :( He is however still eating and drinking, and generally pretty lively.
I fear the worst every time I get up in the morning, every time I come home from work, each time I walk up to the shed to check on him, and I even dreamt last night I had to give him mouth to mouth...Not feeling very positive today, and have no idea what is actually wrong with him.
We were warned they had seen rabbits with this presentation before that didn't get better either. So yeah. Not great.

Not sure what I'm after by posting this, unless anyone's got any ideas? Just a waiting game to see what the new x-rays will show I guess.
Thanks for reading x

Laura
 
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Hi Laura, I’m sorry to hear Jasper is poorly. I cannot offer any advice but wish you all the best and hope they get to the root cause of it and he can start on the road to recovery. Hindsight is an annoying thing, I have often wished I’d listened to my instinct with other buns or at the very least questioned the vets more.

Write down any questions you may have for the vet, don’t let them fob you off and if you feel overwhelmed when you do go back take a moment to think. Will be thinking of you both
 
I'm sorry Jasper's health is such a concern. I haven't any experience or knowledge but couldn't just read & run. I hope his upcoming review can offer some more answers. Please let us know what happens
 
Hi everyone,

So my Jasper has been a poorly bunny for a month now, and we have been passed to Craig the exotic specialist at Chine House again. Unfortunately my only previous experience of Chine House was with Millie...which didn't end well. So naturally I was beside myself when I had to return there with Jasp, and cue me sobbing on the waiting room floor with my bunnies, by myself, having to hand them over to be admitted for 3 days. But I digress, so details:

Jasper, M, outdoor, neutered, (bonded with Lola).
*noticed he was breathing noticeably heavier and faster than the other 4, initially convinced myself I was over-reacting and he was fine, but should have trusted my instinct :(

*Emergency app at vets on a Saturday, oxygen needed, X rays taken of 2 views (not under anaesthetic) which led to a query of pneumonia, enlarged heart, possible mass, heart failure etc. and a referral to Craig.

*Immediately started antibiotics, option to admit to OOH vets or take home and monitor every hour in the night and more meds at 3am- I took him home.

*Returned the next day on Sunday, no improvement.

*Monday emergency appointment to see Craig. His take on the views of the x-ray was Jasper's lungs looked over inflated with trapped air. Ultrasound gave no extra clues.

*Tuesday blood results came back but needed to be reviewed by Craig on Wednesday- a small indication in one aspect of the white cell count for infection, nothing major, and nothing unearthed of any real help. Meanwhile, talk of an MRI at another vets, but this was apparently going to cost over £1200 alone.

*Wednesday no further suggestion of an MRI and a long day of waiting for a decision on next steps. So after a lot of protective 'mother bear' fussing by me, I make the drive down at 4.30 ready for a polite but firm 'I'm not leaving until someone tells me what's going on' discussion, when I get a phone call mid-journey to say I can take Jasp and Lo home!

*Plan is to complete a three week course of corvental and baytril and re-asses his condition with x-rays (under anaesthetic this time)

And here we are now, 3 weeks after starting the Baytril and a few days shy of a 3 week course of corvental, waiting to be re-assessed on Wednesday this week.

His breathing is no better, (but no worse either) we're still consistently around the 110-130 respiratory rate a minute mark all day, every day.
He looks to be losing more weight and I can feel each rib now :( He is however still eating and drinking, and generally pretty lively.
I fear the worst every time I get up in the morning, every time I come home from work, each time I walk up to the shed to check on him, and I even dreamt last night I had to give him mouth to mouth...Not feeling very positive today, and have no idea what is actually wrong with him.
We were warned they had seen rabbits with this presentation before that didn't get better either. So yeah. Not great.

Not sure what I'm after by posting this, unless anyone's got any ideas? Just a waiting game to see what the new x-rays will show I guess.
Thanks for reading x

Laura

I am sorry to hear of Jasper's problems. As I am sure your Vet has explained there are a few possible causes of the symptoms you describe and infection is one. Whilst a conscious chest Xray may give minimal useful information in order to obtain more helpful views sedation is needed. But of course this is always going to be somewhat more of a risk in a Rabbit with compromised respiration. That said, I have had several Rabbits with similar symptoms who did have to have a GA and they all came through the procedure. The Xray results revealed a variety of conditions in the effected Rabbits including pneumonia, cardiomyopathy and Thymoma. The Rabbits were all then put on appropriate treatment for their specific conditions. Whilst some of the conditions (cardiomyopathy and Thymoma) could not be cured the severity of symptoms were controlled on medication. This bought the effected Rabbits more time to live a good quality of life, albeit it a shorter life.

I really think it is best to wait and see if Jasper starts to respond to the long course of abx, or maybe even ask the Vet if it may be worth changing the abx to an injectable penicillin rather than Baytril, or perhaps including it as well as oral Baytril. I say this as you mention that the blood results did give some indication of active infection being present. I have known that an injectable penicillin to be very effective for some Rabbits with a lower RTI.

I could post some links to information about various possible causes of increased respiratory rate/effort, but I think that reading them may only serve to make you more anxious. I often fall into that trap myself, reading all the possibilities and immediately thinking 'worst case scenario'.

I am sorry that you lost Millie at Chine House and I am sure that this has made revisiting the Practice additionally hard for you. I apologise for not recalling the circumstances of Millie's passing, but I am sure that the Vets are mindful of the situation now and how it may be impacting on your ability to fully trust them. It may help to be open about this with the Vet. Done in a polite and respectful way it should not cause offence. A caring and Professional Vet will fully understand how you feel and the Vet will not want any unspoken lack of trust to make things even harder for you now whilst dealing with poorly Jasper.

Very best wishes for as good an outcome as possible for Jasper xx
 
I’m so sorry that Jasper is poorly, I’m sending lots of vibes and hugs. I’m sorry that having to go back to that vets was so difficult, it’s understandable, under the circumstances:cry: xx
 
Hi everyone,

So my Jasper has been a poorly bunny for a month now, and we have been passed to Craig the exotic specialist at Chine House again. Unfortunately my only previous experience of Chine House was with Millie...which didn't end well. So naturally I was beside myself when I had to return there with Jasp, and cue me sobbing on the waiting room floor with my bunnies, by myself, having to hand them over to be admitted for 3 days. But I digress, so details:

Jasper, M, outdoor, neutered, (bonded with Lola).
*noticed he was breathing noticeably heavier and faster than the other 4, initially convinced myself I was over-reacting and he was fine, but should have trusted my instinct :(

*Emergency app at vets on a Saturday, oxygen needed, X rays taken of 2 views (not under anaesthetic) which led to a query of pneumonia, enlarged heart, possible mass, heart failure etc. and a referral to Craig.

*Immediately started antibiotics, option to admit to OOH vets or take home and monitor every hour in the night and more meds at 3am- I took him home.

*Returned the next day on Sunday, no improvement.

*Monday emergency appointment to see Craig. His take on the views of the x-ray was Jasper's lungs looked over inflated with trapped air. Ultrasound gave no extra clues.

*Tuesday blood results came back but needed to be reviewed by Craig on Wednesday- a small indication in one aspect of the white cell count for infection, nothing major, and nothing unearthed of any real help. Meanwhile, talk of an MRI at another vets, but this was apparently going to cost over £1200 alone.

*Wednesday no further suggestion of an MRI and a long day of waiting for a decision on next steps. So after a lot of protective 'mother bear' fussing by me, I make the drive down at 4.30 ready for a polite but firm 'I'm not leaving until someone tells me what's going on' discussion, when I get a phone call mid-journey to say I can take Jasp and Lo home!

*Plan is to complete a three week course of corvental and baytril and re-asses his condition with x-rays (under anaesthetic this time)

And here we are now, 3 weeks after starting the Baytril and a few days shy of a 3 week course of corvental, waiting to be re-assessed on Wednesday this week.

His breathing is no better, (but no worse either) we're still consistently around the 110-130 respiratory rate a minute mark all day, every day.
He looks to be losing more weight and I can feel each rib now :( He is however still eating and drinking, and generally pretty lively.
I fear the worst every time I get up in the morning, every time I come home from work, each time I walk up to the shed to check on him, and I even dreamt last night I had to give him mouth to mouth...Not feeling very positive today, and have no idea what is actually wrong with him.
We were warned they had seen rabbits with this presentation before that didn't get better either. So yeah. Not great.

Not sure what I'm after by posting this, unless anyone's got any ideas? Just a waiting game to see what the new x-rays will show I guess.
Thanks for reading x

Laura


Hi Laura

I'm really sorry to hear about Jasper. This is so worrying for you, and on top of all that there is returning to the surgery that treated Millie. It's never an easy thing to do, but as they are the most savvy vets around, I would have a word with Craig and explain the situation and how nervous it makes you following on from last time.

So the course of antibiotics is finished and you are soon due for review. I guess Craig doesn't want to change the abx to perhaps injectable penicillin until he's assessed the situation? Remember a sedation for an X-ray isn't the same as a GA and doesn't post the same risks. I have had rabbits with both upper and lower respiratory issues who've had X-rays and been fine. It does provide a lot of info as to what's going on and will also show whether there's any enlargement of the heart.

I am sending you loads of vibes and will be thinking of you both, whatever you decide to do

Hugs xx
 
Hi Laura, I’m sorry to hear Jasper is poorly. I cannot offer any advice but wish you all the best and hope they get to the root cause of it and he can start on the road to recovery. Hindsight is an annoying thing, I have often wished I’d listened to my instinct with other buns or at the very least questioned the vets more.

Write down any questions you may have for the vet, don’t let them fob you off and if you feel overwhelmed when you do go back take a moment to think. Will be thinking of you both

Thank you,
and I'm normally the biggest fusspot going as well, always over-cautious and take them for the slightest thing! So on this occasion I talked myself into just thinking it was my anxiety and to calm down...won't be happening again! :)
 
I'm sorry Jasper's health is such a concern. I haven't any experience or knowledge but couldn't just read & run. I hope his upcoming review can offer some more answers. Please let us know what happens

Thank you for taking the time to reply :) x
 
I am sorry to hear of Jasper's problems. As I am sure your Vet has explained there are a few possible causes of the symptoms you describe and infection is one. Whilst a conscious chest Xray may give minimal useful information in order to obtain more helpful views sedation is needed. But of course this is always going to be somewhat more of a risk in a Rabbit with compromised respiration. That said, I have had several Rabbits with similar symptoms who did have to have a GA and they all came through the procedure. The Xray results revealed a variety of conditions in the effected Rabbits including pneumonia, cardiomyopathy and Thymoma. The Rabbits were all then put on appropriate treatment for their specific conditions. Whilst some of the conditions (cardiomyopathy and Thymoma) could not be cured the severity of symptoms were controlled on medication. This bought the effected Rabbits more time to live a good quality of life, albeit it a shorter life.

I really think it is best to wait and see if Jasper starts to respond to the long course of abx, or maybe even ask the Vet if it may be worth changing the abx to an injectable penicillin rather than Baytril, or perhaps including it as well as oral Baytril. I say this as you mention that the blood results did give some indication of active infection being present. I have known that an injectable penicillin to be very effective for some Rabbits with a lower RTI.

I could post some links to information about various possible causes of increased respiratory rate/effort, but I think that reading them may only serve to make you more anxious. I often fall into that trap myself, reading all the possibilities and immediately thinking 'worst case scenario'.

I am sorry that you lost Millie at Chine House and I am sure that this has made revisiting the Practice additionally hard for you. I apologise for not recalling the circumstances of Millie's passing, but I am sure that the Vets are mindful of the situation now and how it may be impacting on your ability to fully trust them. It may help to be open about this with the Vet. Done in a polite and respectful way it should not cause offence. A caring and Professional Vet will fully understand how you feel and the Vet will not want any unspoken lack of trust to make things even harder for you now whilst dealing with poorly Jasper.

Very best wishes for as good an outcome as possible for Jasper xx

Thank you for the reassurance Jane x

While he was admitted he was having Depocillin injections as well as the Baytril but nothing was arranged or said about continuing this when we came home. In hindsight surely it would seem a bit pointless to just do the Depocillin for the 3 days he was admitted, that's not a long enough course surely? Bit late now for me to wonder that anyway.

Yes, thank you I'm terrible for it too, trying so hard to resist researching at the minute until I get a more definitive diagnosis!

As for my baby girl, she had some unexplained neurological symptoms and then got a bad abscess which an idiot vet (not Craig or Chine House, the supposed rabbit-savvy vet at my 'home' vets) prescribed Clindamycin for and it was too late before I found out that's a massive no-no and she'd already had a dose or two and possibly licked the stuff... I'll never no If that's what did it for her or not, but a week later I came home from work one day to find her in a very poorly state with diarrhoea and to cut the story short, she didn't make it through the night. So my last visit to Chine House had been to collect my Millie and bring her home. This sudden and unexpected return there left me distraught, even though they didn't actually cause the problem, it was just too late to save my precious girl. Thank you for the thoughtful advice, I did try to explain through my tears why I was so emotional but will definitely try again to explain my uneasiness over leaving Jasper there.

Laura x
 
I’m so sorry that Jasper is poorly, I’m sending lots of vibes and hugs. I’m sorry that having to go back to that vets was so difficult, it’s understandable, under the circumstances:cry: xx

Thank you for the love. I don't suppose the hurt ever really fully goes away does it? Was the first loss I'd gone through and I tried so hard to save her, she wasn't even 1 year old. My Jasper has just turned 3, and I'm really hoping this has a better ending than last time x
 
Hi Laura

I'm really sorry to hear about Jasper. This is so worrying for you, and on top of all that there is returning to the surgery that treated Millie. It's never an easy thing to do, but as they are the most savvy vets around, I would have a word with Craig and explain the situation and how nervous it makes you following on from last time.

So the course of antibiotics is finished and you are soon due for review. I guess Craig doesn't want to change the abx to perhaps injectable penicillin until he's assessed the situation? Remember a sedation for an X-ray isn't the same as a GA and doesn't post the same risks. I have had rabbits with both upper and lower respiratory issues who've had X-rays and been fine. It does provide a lot of info as to what's going on and will also show whether there's any enlargement of the heart.

I am sending you loads of vibes and will be thinking of you both, whatever you decide to do

Hugs xx

He's one of those REALLY in-demand vets and he never seems to have any appointments or time for a phone call or anything, but I suppose its a good thing that he's so popular, he is the most sought after, qualified and experienced vet around our midlands region. So we haven't had a follow-up chat or visit since we were sent home 3 weeks ago, so I've reached that point now where I'm just desperate for Wednesday so we can hopefully have some sort of information or positive news about Jasper. It's very different going there to going to my primary vets, like you can always speak to the nurse or even the vet sometimes and they ring you to check up on your poorly rabbits or whatnot, so this long, lonely wait hasn't been great for me. But that's what happens with specialists and large vet hospitals I guess.

Thanks, because I hadn't thought about that re: the sedation. And I've begun to really fret about that especially as his breathing is so bad and has been for what seems like a long time to me now- I just keep thinking how much longer can he go breathing at at least double the rate he should be without getting too tired and just giving up?! 4 weeks seems a long time to keep that up.
 
He's one of those REALLY in-demand vets and he never seems to have any appointments or time for a phone call or anything, but I suppose its a good thing that he's so popular, he is the most sought after, qualified and experienced vet around our midlands region. So we haven't had a follow-up chat or visit since we were sent home 3 weeks ago, so I've reached that point now where I'm just desperate for Wednesday so we can hopefully have some sort of information or positive news about Jasper. It's very different going there to going to my primary vets, like you can always speak to the nurse or even the vet sometimes and they ring you to check up on your poorly rabbits or whatnot, so this long, lonely wait hasn't been great for me. But that's what happens with specialists and large vet hospitals I guess.

Thanks, because I hadn't thought about that re: the sedation. And I've begun to really fret about that especially as his breathing is so bad and has been for what seems like a long time to me now- I just keep thinking how much longer can he go breathing at at least double the rate he should be without getting too tired and just giving up?! 4 weeks seems a long time to keep that up.


My thoughts are with you, and will be with Jasper tomorrow :D

Sending you loads of strength and hugs, and vibes for the little man xx
 
He's one of those REALLY in-demand vets and he never seems to have any appointments or time for a phone call or anything, but I suppose its a good thing that he's so popular, he is the most sought after, qualified and experienced vet around our midlands region. So we haven't had a follow-up chat or visit since we were sent home 3 weeks ago, so I've reached that point now where I'm just desperate for Wednesday so we can hopefully have some sort of information or positive news about Jasper. It's very different going there to going to my primary vets, like you can always speak to the nurse or even the vet sometimes and they ring you to check up on your poorly rabbits or whatnot, so this long, lonely wait hasn't been great for me. But that's what happens with specialists and large vet hospitals I guess.

Thanks, because I hadn't thought about that re: the sedation. And I've begun to really fret about that especially as his breathing is so bad and has been for what seems like a long time to me now- I just keep thinking how much longer can he go breathing at at least double the rate he should be without getting too tired and just giving up?! 4 weeks seems a long time to keep that up.

Topping up the vibes for Jasper's appointment today. I hope that the outcome is a positive as possible xx
 
Thanks for the positive thoughts and well wishes for today, unfortunately it wasn't a great visit.

Had a long chat with Craig and he is describing Jasper's condition as Emphysema. He talked about discussions at conferences and research etc. and how its rare or poorly reported and recognised. But he himself has come into contact with rabbits with Jasper's presentation before. The positives end there, if you can even find a positive in that.

It was decided further x-rays would not be necessary- there has been no improvement at all in his symptoms etc. and there was no expectation for any imaging to show anything we don't already know, and if anything it would just show us he's stayed the same or got worse. That combined with the very real possibility he wouldn't survive the sedation, as Craig put it, led us to abandon plans of doing any more x-rays. The plan now is to add in a steroid as the final medication combination and see how he reacts to it. He has had the PTS conversation with us for when his quality of life is no longer good. For now my Jasp is generally pretty happy still, eating, drinking, hopping around my garden (currently as I type this I'm watching him having a dig in a pile of dirt and chinning some stones...) We've been warned its likely a maximum of months as a best case scenario :cry:

For those interested, and those in the future who may be interested in the treatment:
The treatment plan is to try to prevent further damage to his lungs and hopefully provide some relief from the worst of the symptoms, using an antibiotic, bronchodilator and steroid as follows:
Baytril 2.5 % 100ml 1ml once a day
Corvental 0.25 of 100mg capsule twice a day
Prednicare 1mg twice a day

So we'll just take each day as it comes for now.
Anyone with experience or an interest in emphysema or other lung disorders please feel free to chat with me or others on this thread, lets see if we can turn it into a place for information and guidance because so far it seems rather mysterious and rare or under-reported in rabbits. I'll change the title of the thread too.

Laura x
 
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Thanks for the positive thoughts and well wishes for today, unfortunately it wasn't a great visit.

Had a long chat with Craig and he is describing Jasper's condition as Emphysema. He talked about discussions at conferences and research etc. and how its rare or poorly reported and recognised. But he himself has come into contact with rabbits with Jasper's presentation before. The positives end there, if you can even find a positive in that.

It was decided further x-rays would not be necessary- there has been no improvement at all in his symptoms etc. and there was no expectation for any imaging to show anything we don't already know, and if anything it would just show us he's stayed the same or got worse. That combined with the very real possibility he wouldn't survive the sedation, as Craig put it, led us to abandon plans of doing any more x-rays. The plan now is to add in a steroid as the final medication combination and see how he reacts to it. He has had the PTS conversation with us for when his quality of life is no longer good. For now my Jasp is generally pretty happy still, eating, drinking, hopping around my garden (currently as I type this I'm watching him having a dig in a pile of dirt and chinning some stones...) We've been warned its likely a maximum of months as a best case scenario :cry:

For those interested, and those in the future who may be interested in the treatment:
The treatment plan is to try to prevent further damage to his lungs and hopefully provide some relief from the worst of the symptoms, using an antibiotic, bronchodilator and steroid as follows:
Baytril 2.5 % 100ml 1ml once a day
Corvental 0.25 of 100mg capsule twice a day
Prednicare 1mg once a day

So we'll just take each day as it comes for now.
Anyone with experience or an interest in emphysema or other lung disorders please feel free to chat with me or others on this thread, lets see if we can turn it into a place for information and guidance because so far it seems rather mysterious and rare or under-reported in rabbits. I'll change the title of the thread too.

Laura x

Oh bless him. Well obviously the diagnosis is not great news, but the treatment he is now on could well bring about a significant improvement in the severity of his symptoms. I had a Rabbit with a similar diagnosis and whilst he could not be cured a treatment regime which included a corticosteroid enabled him to enjoy a good quality of life for at least 10 months from initial diagnosis.

It is hard for us as we know what the problem is and that it is terminal. But the effected Rabbit does not know any of that and as long as they are feeling OK within themselves then as far as they are concerned there is absolutely nothing wrong.

I hope that every day will be as good as possible for Jasper, he will always be living in the moment and not bothered about any 'what ifs'. Doing that may be harder for you, I completely empathise with that fact xx
 
Thanks for the positive thoughts and well wishes for today, unfortunately it wasn't a great visit.

Had a long chat with Craig and he is describing Jasper's condition as Emphysema. He talked about discussions at conferences and research etc. and how its rare or poorly reported and recognised. But he himself has come into contact with rabbits with Jasper's presentation before. The positives end there, if you can even find a positive in that.

It was decided further x-rays would not be necessary- there has been no improvement at all in his symptoms etc. and there was no expectation for any imaging to show anything we don't already know, and if anything it would just show us he's stayed the same or got worse. That combined with the very real possibility he wouldn't survive the sedation, as Craig put it, led us to abandon plans of doing any more x-rays. The plan now is to add in a steroid as the final medication combination and see how he reacts to it. He has had the PTS conversation with us for when his quality of life is no longer good. For now my Jasp is generally pretty happy still, eating, drinking, hopping around my garden (currently as I type this I'm watching him having a dig in a pile of dirt and chinning some stones...) We've been warned its likely a maximum of months as a best case scenario :cry:

For those interested, and those in the future who may be interested in the treatment:
The treatment plan is to try to prevent further damage to his lungs and hopefully provide some relief from the worst of the symptoms, using an antibiotic, bronchodilator and steroid as follows:
Baytril 2.5 % 100ml 1ml once a day
Corvental 0.25 of 100mg capsule twice a day
Prednicare 1mg once a day

So we'll just take each day as it comes for now.
Anyone with experience or an interest in emphysema or other lung disorders please feel free to chat with me or others on this thread, lets see if we can turn it into a place for information and guidance because so far it seems rather mysterious and rare or under-reported in rabbits. I'll change the title of the thread too.

Laura x


Hi Laura

I'm sorry the day wasn't a better one. However, there is now a plan and although the vet gave a pretty poor prognosis, Jasper himself didn't hear that and will carry on being the happy boy you see until it's time to have his forever rest. And I hope he will outlive all the vet's expectations on that score!

I've had a little rescue rabbit, quite some time ago, with a similar diagnosis to Jasper. He was put on a regime including a corticosteroid and did very well for the time he was with me. Yes it's horrible and sad for us. A loved one leaving us can only be heartbreaking. But I get through these things by enjoying every day, knowing that they feel well in themselves, feel lively and want to eat.

Don't hesitate to get in touch if I can help more. Hugs to you xx
 
Oh bless him. Well obviously the diagnosis is not great news, but the treatment he is now on could well bring about a significant improvement in the severity of his symptoms. I had a Rabbit with a similar diagnosis and whilst he could not be cured a treatment regime which included a corticosteroid enabled him to enjoy a good quality of life for at least 10 months from initial diagnosis.

It is hard for us as we know what the problem is and that it is terminal. But the effected Rabbit does not know any of that and as long as they are feeling OK within themselves then as far as they are concerned there is absolutely nothing wrong.

I hope that every day will be as good as possible for Jasper, he will always be living in the moment and not bothered about any 'what ifs'. Doing that may be harder for you, I completely empathise with that fact xx

That is so true, Jasp is seemingly happy as ever, and yet I'm here stressing constantly about if he's breathing heavier etc. I seem to spend half my time just watching him, counting his breaths, trying to analyse if he's 'bouncing' with it and struggling more than he did the day before...etc. I drive myself crazy, because he's relying on me to judge whether he's coping or not.
 
Update:

Tried the Prednicare for 2 weeks and some days we thought he looked a bit better, other days just as he was without it. Been very hard to judge if its had any positive effect or not, and the weather has added to the difficulty because the warmer days make it worse for Jasper despite any medications. Vet said if I was struggling to tell then it probably wasn't helping that much, but maybe I've stared at him that much I don't even know anymore :( And I guess I don't even know what an improvement is supposed to look like other than slower, steadier breathing?! Anyway it was decided we go the bank holiday weekend just on the corvental and try to figure out if he looked worse without the prednicare.
And the verdict is... I've still no idea. I'm driving myself insane trying to figure it out, one minute he looks relatively relaxed and his breathing is slower, then the next he's very 'bouncy' and his little body looks more like its throbbing again.
I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO!
Now I'm thinking maybe its better to go back on it, in case it is helping ease him, even on those bad, hot days and I just can't tell. But then I think what if its doing harm to him that I cant see? Because the vet said steroids could make it worse too! I cant cope with this weight of making the right decision without having anything concrete to help me.

:cry:
 
I'm sorry that I do not have any experience of this type of issue, but I do empathise with your situation and send lots of hugs.

Sending lots of vibes for Jasper.
 
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