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Aspiration issues in special needs bunbun

Bindi

Warren Scout
pSy9zE6.jpg


This walking nightmare is Quinn, my 2 year old (nearly 3) male bun.

To date, aside from incidental issues, he has been diagnosed with:
- An initial lung infection that caused permanent lung damage
- Liver insufficiency (currently coming back normal)
- A malfunctioning adrenal gland (hormone chip implanted)
- Bilateral cartilage weakness in both ears
- Suspected cartilage weakness of the throat

He's just been confirmed to have his third lung infection this year, which the vets are telling me is likely because he's aspirating from the weakened throat cartilage. She rather sympathetically said "if it is the cartilage, I'm not sure what you can do about this..."

No, Quinn is clearly not a rabbit with long term prospects. I get that.

She did ask about water bowls vs bottles- Quinn uses and prefers bowls, I don't think he'd even bother with a bottle. Is there a particular kind of bowl or fancy style of bowl that might help? What about the way his food is delivered?

Any ideas welcome. He does have a specialist vet that he hasn't managed to see in a while- they are an hour away and he hasn't been well enough to travel. I'm going to see if I can talk to them as well, but would value input.

Quinn's mummy
 
THe only thing I can suggest is to raise the water bowl so it's easier to take in and swallow. Maybe also with his food. Things like willow or apple branches (or hay) can be placed at varying heights (eg woven through mesh), hung up or placed upright in something like a heavy vase / jar. He can then choose what is most comfortable for him.
 
Thanks. He has a range of water bowls so I'll have to consider depths of sides etc... Food gets scatter fed so I'll have to think about that too... He does get fresh willow often, sometimes hawthorn, bramble and rosehip too, like the 'vase' idea.
 
Thanks. The problem with a lot of those is that he doesn't have mesh that low (aviary with kickboards) but maybe I could find some that I can screw into the wood. I'll have a look, thank you
 
Thanks both. I'm already getting inventive :D I work at a rescue centre so I'll have a look and see what we've got knocking about.
 
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