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Please Note - Medical Advice
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Sulfatrim dose / rabbit gone off food
- Thread starter miss_rosieannie
- Start date
miss_rosieannie
Young Bun
Heard from vets today: blood test showing kidneys liver etc all fine. She's a bit anaemic but said that's expected with an infection/inflammation. Still being syringe fed and no interest in food otherwise. On "a cocktail of meds" to get her gut moving. She still has poo output just not wanting to eat or drink.
They're keeping her in another night and want to do xrays to assess the middle ear to see how deep the infection is.x
They're keeping her in another night and want to do xrays to assess the middle ear to see how deep the infection is.x
miss_rosieannie
Young Bun
Had a further update today - I was struggling to comprehend some of it as I was getting a bit upset.
Fifi is still showing no interest in food, but still passing poo. Being syringe fed still by vets and on meds. They don't want to send her home until she shows some interest in eating herself.
X-Ray shows that the ear infection is deep rooted in the middle ear and has caused some irreversible damage to the bone structure? Or inflammation or something down there. They've mixed together an antibiotic ear drop for her to try and treat it.
Also found she has arthritis in her back, and some of her spine is fused together a bit from it. I had absolutely no idea she had any issues with her back.
She also has some inflammation / issues with her teeth at the roots which showed on X-Ray.
All 3 are chronic conditions.
They said I can go see her later this afternoon and spend some time with her.
I was getting a bit upset so was a bit unclear on if they meant this weekend, or in the future; but she did mention about making a decision about her quality of life.
I don't know what to do for the best, but I'm mainly thinking how stressful it has been for her having to be syringe fed meds the last 6 weeks, and that if she has a sore arthritic back and everytime I've tried to syringe feed her she's been kicking and jumping away, she must have been in lots of pain. I'm not sure if it's fair to keep putting her through that if she is going to require daily medication.
Fifi is still showing no interest in food, but still passing poo. Being syringe fed still by vets and on meds. They don't want to send her home until she shows some interest in eating herself.
X-Ray shows that the ear infection is deep rooted in the middle ear and has caused some irreversible damage to the bone structure? Or inflammation or something down there. They've mixed together an antibiotic ear drop for her to try and treat it.
Also found she has arthritis in her back, and some of her spine is fused together a bit from it. I had absolutely no idea she had any issues with her back.
She also has some inflammation / issues with her teeth at the roots which showed on X-Ray.
All 3 are chronic conditions.
They said I can go see her later this afternoon and spend some time with her.
I was getting a bit upset so was a bit unclear on if they meant this weekend, or in the future; but she did mention about making a decision about her quality of life.
I don't know what to do for the best, but I'm mainly thinking how stressful it has been for her having to be syringe fed meds the last 6 weeks, and that if she has a sore arthritic back and everytime I've tried to syringe feed her she's been kicking and jumping away, she must have been in lots of pain. I'm not sure if it's fair to keep putting her through that if she is going to require daily medication.
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
I had feared that there was more going on than 'just' the ear infection. And to think the original Vet refused to prescribe pain relief :evil:I would not make any big decisions until you have had a chance to have a face to face chat with the Specialist Vet. Sadly, for some Rabbits having a series of chronic conditions can be unmanagable if they are very stressed by all the hands on care needed. I have had some Rabbits whom I have had to let go, not because there was no 'palliative care' offered but because administering the palliative care was too stressful for the Rabbit and they had no quality of life as a result. Then I have had other Rabbits who have had several chronic conditions requiring hands on care numerous times a day. But these Rabbits were not in the least bit bothered and took it all in their stride. What I am trying to say is that there is not a 'one size fits all' when caring for a Rabbit with chronic health problems. Each case will be unique and a holistic approach is needed taking into account what can be done re medication/clinical care etc and the psychological state of the individual Rabbit. Just because treatments are possible it is not always appropriate that they are pursued.
It is an awful situation for you to be in and there are no easy answers. But the Specialist Vet sounds to be empathetic and I think arranging a face to face chat with him/her in the next day or so would be a good idea
miss_rosieannie
Young Bun
Thank you - that's really helpful advice.
That's where my head is at to be honest, it has been really difficult syringe feeding her this last few weeks and it was making her really mistrustful of me too. I don't think it would be fair to continue to put her through that.
I am really upset that she's not been given any/adequate pain relief up until now, she must have been in loads of pain and I just didn't notice
Going to see her in a couple of hours, and I'm going to speak to the vet again too - taking my brother along with me as he'll be more rational and be able to take in what the vet is saying more than me.
I can't thank you enough for all your help this last few weeks x
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bunny momma
Wise Old Thumper
Jane has put it so well, I can only send some comforting vibes for you and your bunny.
miss_rosieannie
Young Bun
Saw her and she's super stressed from recovering from anaesthetic and being in vets.
Apparently eating small amounts of hay but nothing else.
They're keeping her in until Sunday to syringe feed her and get all her meds in - vet agreed would be fair to see if shes eating voluntarily by Sunday and if not then to let her go x
Apparently eating small amounts of hay but nothing else.
They're keeping her in until Sunday to syringe feed her and get all her meds in - vet agreed would be fair to see if shes eating voluntarily by Sunday and if not then to let her go x
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
Thank you for the update and I really hope that she will show some interest in eating for herself over the next 48 hours. Sending many vibes for her xx
jewaller
Alpha Buck
dear miss_rosieannie,--both my elderly buns-were treated at home 24/7-for [a year.]--it was intense-but they passed in there own environment-the oldest was 13yr.,it is why I am on r-u.[solice]-I would not let any vet tell me it was useless..i have more questions than answers,but I empathize with your situation,-please make the right decision-sincerely james waller-from the other kent-usa
miss_rosieannie
Young Bun
Thanks all.
Vet advised me to bring her home this afternoon - she still hasn't had much interest in food there just bits of hay and small amounts of veg and they've been continually syringe feeding her.
I've been given 6 different medicines and critical care to try and syringe feed her with throughout the day and they're hoping a less stressful environment might help her, and we've agreed to give it until Monday and assess her then and if she's still not voluntarily eating then to make a decision.
She's been sat in her den ever since we got home. Managed to hand feed her a good amount of veg but she's not eaten any of it on her own or any hay on her own. She's used the tray for a wee but no poo that I can find.
Strangely she did a wee whilst I was hand feeding her, and she's never weed away from her litter tray before.
Just come to see her again and she's lay down and looks pretty fed up. I'm going to do the medicines and critical care in about half an hour but she looks so fed up currently the thought of doing so, and causing her stress, is breaking my heart a bit even though I know I'm helping her.
Vet advised me to bring her home this afternoon - she still hasn't had much interest in food there just bits of hay and small amounts of veg and they've been continually syringe feeding her.
I've been given 6 different medicines and critical care to try and syringe feed her with throughout the day and they're hoping a less stressful environment might help her, and we've agreed to give it until Monday and assess her then and if she's still not voluntarily eating then to make a decision.
She's been sat in her den ever since we got home. Managed to hand feed her a good amount of veg but she's not eaten any of it on her own or any hay on her own. She's used the tray for a wee but no poo that I can find.
Strangely she did a wee whilst I was hand feeding her, and she's never weed away from her litter tray before.
Just come to see her again and she's lay down and looks pretty fed up
. I'm going to do the medicines and critical care in about half an hour but she looks so fed up currently the thought of doing so, and causing her stress, is breaking my heart a bit even though I know I'm helping her.Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
Thanks all.
Vet advised me to bring her home this afternoon - she still hasn't had much interest in food there just bits of hay and small amounts of veg and they've been continually syringe feeding her.
I've been given 6 different medicines and critical care to try and syringe feed her with throughout the day and they're hoping a less stressful environment might help her, and we've agreed to give it until Monday and assess her then and if she's still not voluntarily eating then to make a decision.
She's been sat in her den ever since we got home. Managed to hand feed her a good amount of veg but she's not eaten any of it on her own or any hay on her own. She's used the tray for a wee but no poo that I can find.
Strangely she did a wee whilst I was hand feeding her, and she's never weed away from her litter tray before.
Just come to see her again and she's lay down and looks pretty fed up
I know how emotionally draining it is to care for such a sick Bunny
So you have my sincere empathy.Is one of the drugs she is on called Buprenorphine (AKA Vetergesic/Buprecare) ? Buprenorphine is an opiate pain killer and whilst it is very effective for severe pain it can cause marked sedation in some Rabbits. Another strong pain killer-Tramadol- can have the same effect although IME not as much as Buprenorphine. I am mentioning this as if she is on either of the drugs that may account for some of her lethargy and lack of voluntary eating.
How is she doing this morning ?
miss_rosieannie
Young Bun
No bruprenorphine, she's got:
-Cisapride oral
-Metaclopromide oral
-Metacam oral - nearly twice dosage than last vets
-Cerenia oral
-Marbocyl oral
-Trizaural ear drops
Most are twice a day, one is once a day and one is three times a day. I've got it all written down in the bathroom where I've been administering it (trying to keep a routine for her as read it can minimise stress a little if she can expect a beginning and end to the meds) she's just asleep next to her bed and I don't want to wake her just yet to go look. They said I was ok to measure them all into one 5ml syringe to save having to try and get 5 syringes into her so we got that down her that way last night.
Plus they want me to try and get 10mls of critical care in 3-4 times per day, she dribbled most of that down her chest last night though and wouldn't swallow a lot of it.
I was trying to assess her facial expressions for pain / discomfort yesterday PM but it's pretty tricky isn't it especially when she's been unwell for quite a period of time. Her behaviour isn't normal though I can tell she's unhappy.
She was moving round in the middle of the night and she looks to have passed some pellets in her tray - she passed some v small, unevenly shaped ones during meds last night too. X
-Cisapride oral
-Metaclopromide oral
-Metacam oral - nearly twice dosage than last vets
-Cerenia oral
-Marbocyl oral
-Trizaural ear drops
Most are twice a day, one is once a day and one is three times a day. I've got it all written down in the bathroom where I've been administering it (trying to keep a routine for her as read it can minimise stress a little if she can expect a beginning and end to the meds) she's just asleep next to her bed and I don't want to wake her just yet to go look. They said I was ok to measure them all into one 5ml syringe to save having to try and get 5 syringes into her so we got that down her that way last night.
Plus they want me to try and get 10mls of critical care in 3-4 times per day, she dribbled most of that down her chest last night though and wouldn't swallow a lot of it.
I was trying to assess her facial expressions for pain / discomfort yesterday PM but it's pretty tricky isn't it especially when she's been unwell for quite a period of time. Her behaviour isn't normal though I can tell she's unhappy.
She was moving round in the middle of the night and she looks to have passed some pellets in her tray - she passed some v small, unevenly shaped ones during meds last night too. X
miss_rosieannie
Young Bun
She just weed on my mum whilst being given her meds - she's never ever weed on anyone before. What does this mean is it stress, anger or another sign of illness?
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
When a Bunny is immobile due to being very poorly they often dont empty their bladder regularly. It is only when the are handled that they may wee. Also, it may be that she cannot 'feel' when she needs to wee. So her bladder gets very full and handling leads to a massive wee. Is the wee very dilute- like water ? Or is there any signs of sludge ?
You are doing absolutely everything possible to try to help her and I am sure you are exhausted from all the stress. I am glad you are receiving some help from your Mum xx
miss_rosieannie
Young Bun
She had done a couple of wees in her tray overnight - I was worried she's urinated out of fear with the syringe feeding which would be awful. You might be right with her not going for a wee regularly though maybe that is it.
It was v pale yellow with some white like chalky texture in it. We didn't realise it had happened til we were putting her back in her carrier.
You're right it is completely exhausting and stressful I think I've cried every day this last week with her. I just don't know what to do for the best for her. I'm planning on seeing how she is by tomorrow and I'll discuss what's in her best interest with the vet tomorrow.
The most difficult part is that I'll come to terms with the fact that I need to let her go and then she'll eat a bit of veg and give me some hope. But she's not shown any interest whatsoever in her excel pellets in 9 days now - which obviously being a bunny she would normally beg for, and has been syringe fed critical care and meds since weds which just isn't a good quality of life for her. I just can't see when a turning point will be and I don't want to her to be suffering but I also don't want to make a premature decision. It is so, so difficult.
It was v pale yellow with some white like chalky texture in it. We didn't realise it had happened til we were putting her back in her carrier.
You're right it is completely exhausting and stressful I think I've cried every day this last week with her. I just don't know what to do for the best for her. I'm planning on seeing how she is by tomorrow and I'll discuss what's in her best interest with the vet tomorrow.
The most difficult part is that I'll come to terms with the fact that I need to let her go and then she'll eat a bit of veg and give me some hope. But she's not shown any interest whatsoever in her excel pellets in 9 days now - which obviously being a bunny she would normally beg for, and has been syringe fed critical care and meds since weds which just isn't a good quality of life for her. I just can't see when a turning point will be and I don't want to her to be suffering but I also don't want to make a premature decision. It is so, so difficult.
miss_rosieannie
Young Bun
...update...
Woke up to her eating some pellets from her bowl just now!
Woke up to her eating some pellets from her bowl just now!
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
miss_rosieannie
Young Bun
Thank you both. She's eaten a little more pellets through the day, about a quarter of what she'd usually eat in a day, in total. Been eating hay, out of bed and eating veggies. Still not yet drinking water but in my experience with her water is always the last thing to go back to normal for some reason. Not quite out of the woods yet but definitely going in the right direction, and still on all the meds for now.
We're back at the vets weds for a follow up/check up and to discuss long term meds for her issues x
We're back at the vets weds for a follow up/check up and to discuss long term meds for her issues x
