Libby's chronic gut issues

nicki said:

Hi,

It's a mixed picture.

I have confirmation from the specialist from the royal veterinary college in London that Libby has an active EC infection. She tested positive for antibodies which show that she is beyond the first 35 days of the infection (IMDG?) I think. She has advised to treat both bunnies with Panaure puppy and kitten wormer as the dosage is lower and it is easier to administer. It is obviously upsetting the Oliver has been exposed to it too.

The specialist feels that the EC may not be the primary cause of Libby's illness but could have flared up as a result of something else going on/gut related possibly. She said that EC takes advantage of other problems.


On a more positive note, I lowered the Gabapentin dose last week and it seems to be working well in conjunction with the Cisapride, ranitidine and Metacam. Libby is much happier, with a reduction in pain levels and is eating well and her poos are looking much better. It has been great to see a bit of her sparky personality back. Her eye looks much better and she is urinating comfortably.


If she does not respond to the Panacur in two weeks and still needs meds to keep her gut working and control her pain, then the specialist has suggested that the next step would be scanning her gut to look for the problem.

I am very cautious about Libby's recovery but will just take her feeling better in herself for now. She is all cosy in her warm shed lying with her paws on a snuggle safe with Oliver and eating loads of Apple and Banana critical care from her spoon!


Any helpful experience would be appreciated.

Nicki

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nicki said:

Thanks Mighty Max,


By the way, have you noticed Panaure/Panacur affecting gut motility?

Libby's tummy and eating has been really hard work since Wednesday when I started the Panacur and she seems to be straining more again and Oliver my other bunny's eating is ok but a little off and his droppings are smaller than usual.


They are also both stressed from vet trips and ongoing meds and interference from me.


Thanks,
Nicki

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joey&boo said:

I've just been getting familiar with your girls story. It does sound as though she is making progress in the right direction. Wishing her loads of get better vibes.

My four buns are on panacur at the mo & I haven't noticed it impact on poo quality but their long visit to the vet last week certainly did. I reckon its likely to be the stress of being poorly & all the necessarry interventions

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nicki said:

Hi Jane,
Thanks for replying - I was at my wits end!!

I had the same thought that her caecum may have obstructed.

However, we have had some soft poo during the night, so a bit of progress. Definite wee too.
She is not yet eating but took her meds and fibreplex and is more alert.
Will keep going with trying to get to 20ml every 4 hours as advised.
The interaction between the different meds could be doing more harm than good?



Thanks,
Nicki

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nicki said:

Hi I am hoping someone spots this because I am completely stuck and I don't know how to update.

Libby has been seen by the vet today and on Thursday.
She remains on Metacam, Gabapentin, Cisapride, Metoclopramide and Ranitidine for her gut issues, urine issues, arthritis all of which may/may not be linked to EC.

She has not produced any poo for going on 30 hours. She is straining and trying but her bowel is not emptying.
She was taking grass, fibreplex, wet parsley until earlier today.


When she saw the vet this morning, she had loud gut sounds, temperature ok and he could feel soft poo and felt she was not in gut stasis.

He spoke to the specialist at Royal Veterinary College and they said to continue to syringe feed and to take her off the Panacur in the short term as this can cause depression/poor appetite in some rabbits.

I have followed their advice and kept going with the meds and the syringe food/tiny bit of baby food - approximately 5-10 ml every two hours.
There are still no poos and Libby is now not really eating at all. She is also stressed with the syringe feeding.
I am going to phone the emergency vet for further advice but not sure what more they can do - maybe subcutaneous fluids?

Any advice appreciated.
Sorry if this doesn't make sense.


Nicki

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nicki said:

Thanks Mighty Max,
The next step will probably be a scan to see what the underlying issue is with her gut. However, I need to get further information from the specialist and build Libby up first as it is a trek.

She is eating a little fresh grass, wet plantain and a few blackcurrant leaves. She likes rose leaves so I’ll have a look.

I really appreciate your posts, the last week has been hard and it makes a real difference having you and Jane and others therexx

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nicki said:

Hi Jane,
I’m not certain.
Some was ‘cow pat’ and looked fairly Caecal.
There have been some individual blobs also - some with mucus - faecal?

She is resting in a warm, sunny spot and has eaten some wet parsley.

I will contine syringe feeding every 4 hours.

I’m realistic about Libby’s longer term prospects - just aiming for comfortable and eating, pooing.

Thanks Jane, you’re so kind,
Nicki

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nicki said:

Thanks Jane for the information regarding Megacolon - your knowledge is always welcome and never overload.

Libby is going to have a full body scan on Thursday at the Royal Veterinary college in London to try and diagnose her underlying condition. She will stay there overnight tomorrow.

The specialist suspects that she may have adhesions/scar tissue from her spay which have attached to each other and are affecting caecum/gut function, causing sticking and narrowing.
However, she said that they go in with an open mind because it may be something unanticipated e.g. tooth root issue.

The procedure is low risk with no GA.

The specialist has said they will present the findings to me and if surgery only option, they consult as a team to consider if it is appropriate and won't pressure me at all.

I think the scan will at least give me a diagnosis and we can take it from there - I am not going to put Libby through an endurance test.

I am nervous about the next few days but know Libby and I can't carry on as we are.

It was a good call to have a break from the Panacur in this case - Libby is happier, eating better with improved gut motility and poo output albeit not normal. She is cuddled up with her tartan covered snuggle safe and Oliver.




Nicki xx

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nicki said:

It was time to say goodbye to Libby yesterday.

She had her scan on Thursday and the results showed a significant abnormality of the bowel/thickening and inflammation, which was the cause of Libby's straining and pain in passing poos.

The specialist planned to try an antibiotic to target any infection in the bowel and try to reduce the inflammation.

Sadly, Libby went into an episode of not being able to pass poos on Saturday and despite me giving all the meds and syringe feeding, she deteriorated yesterday and was very poorly and in severe pain/gut stasis.

Her chances of making it to try the antibiotics/prognosis did not look good and I wanted to give her peace.

I held her until the end.
Libby was a joy to have as a rabbit. She was a rescue found on this forum. She had an extremely lively, friendly and affectionate personality.

My poor little Oliver was devoted to her, so not sure how he is going to cope. He is over 8.
I will monitor him and come up with a plan as I don't want him to be alone.

Goodbye my beautiful Libby - I will post on the rainbow bridge when I can.


Thanks to all who have taken the time to support me over the past couple of months,


Nicki x

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