Please Note - Medical Advice
Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.
You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.
We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.
Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.
Super pic
Do you think Mousey is receiving some mystic messages via her antenna ear?
Does black and white bunny not also get a nibble of Geranium?
Its scary as essentially speaking I am without a vet. Obviously the buns remain registered at Crab Lane but the bunny savvy element is well gone. I've never made "the" final call on any of my bunnies without FHB (a few passed at home) & now I won't even have Ruth.
So I'm having to wing his treatment & care a little. He had a few days when I thought it was his time - he was only taking half his feeds & his movement is really bad. He has since picked up with his appetite - he eats loads of forage & back to guzzling spoon feeds so ok for now.
I've upped his metacam a tad & he's back on panacur . His left leg is really weak & cos he lies on the same side the other isn't much better. Its not as bad as dragging but calling it a limp would be understating things. I need some really gentle physio for him as he feels so stiff. I've been doing little things like massages, ideas stolen from you tube vids connected to disabled bunnies website eg trying to get him to sit as straight as possible, getting him to balance on a chair cushion
Does anyone have an ideas about what I can do to support his mobility issues whilst on lock down? I think we are dealing with EC hind leg weakness plus possible bone pain (which is why he is on metacam)
Thanks for reading
It must be an additional worry for you to no longer have a Rabbit Savvy Vet that you could at least have phone contact with at this time.
With regards to his Metacam, are you giving him 12 hourly doses of every 24 hours ? Many Rabbit Savvy Vets now prescribe 12 hourly dosing as Rabbits excrete meloxicam ( the active ingredient of Metacam/Loxicom etc) faster than other species.
I am reluctant to give specific advice re physio exercises as I dont know if Rudey's hind leg weakness is solely due to EC or if there is some sort of arthritic condition going on too. Massage should certainly be beneficial in that it will promote the blood supply to his leg. Some heat therapy can be beneficial too. But I would not leave him sitting on a heat pad incase he is unable to get off it.
Are you giving him Ranitidine ? Sometimes this can be necessary for Rabbits on a high dose of Metacam in order to protect the gi tract from ulceration.
Sending lots of vibes for your brave lad
Thanks JJ. I know what you mean about physio & not knowing exact nature of his disability - I would have thought his wonky posture alone causes some pain. He isn't on ranitidine no - but he is on tiny metacam dose even with my increase. He's always had it twice daily so covered there. Whether its a coincidence or not I don't know but he is appearing happier with his upped meds .
With massage are hands best or devices? I haven't looked but i bet they make pet ones - seem to recall that on youtube vid ages ago
You can buy devices but hands are fine and what I use for Endeavour
thanks Zoobec - appreciated.
Thanks too C&D - I feel a bit weird as my vets do things so differently (not saying better or worse) to most vets & all his history is there. I think them never having met Rudey could be a barrier, Its great to have a more local vet I could call if need be though x
thanks Zoobec - appreciated.
Thanks too C&D - I feel a bit weird as my vets do things so differently (not saying better or worse) to most vets & all his history is there. I think them never having met Rudey could be a barrier, Its great to have a more local vet I could call if need be though x
Its scary as essentially speaking I am without a vet. Obviously the buns remain registered at Crab Lane but the bunny savvy element is well gone. I've never made "the" final call on any of my bunnies without FHB (a few passed at home) & now I won't even have Ruth.
Thanks everyone
BB - Heather would have been due back from maternity soon but I can't imagine she'd return during lock down. not sure about Becky though
Twice recently we've caught Mousey folding over a bit of fleece blanket to cover Rudey's feet up. Then yesterday she approached bob with a firm nose bump & went straight back to Rudey & licked his foot. She must be trying to tell us his feet hurt