Bun suddenly refusing medicine

[blinkiebunmum]

Hi, my beautiful bunny blinkie had a cancerous mammary tumor removed at the start of Aug, she has been doing really really well, if you didn't know, you wouldn't have known. Even the vet was impressed with how she sprung back. Sadly she is on palliative care though, on both metacam and bupe. She is peeing a lot and pooping a little, but has suddenly stopped taking her meds. She was taking them willingly (esp the metacam). We've tried everything last night and this morning (including trying to force her which was awful for all of us). I really don't want to ask this question, but is her rejecting it now the start of the end? She is a bit subdued, but no pain indications (I appreciate they hide it), but nothing on the Grimace Scale etc. She is almost 9. Our longstanding Exotics vet is on hols or I would ask her. I wouldn't hesitate to go to a non exotics vet if my bun instincts said she was in pain etc, but I was hoping the hive mind might know what the signals are (and I hate to write this) if this is the beginning on the end. Thank you.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Had you been putting the meds on food before ? It isn’t unusual to have to syringe doses directly into the Rabbit’s mouth.

Is she eating normally?

Being ‘a bit subdued’ could be indicative of pain. But equally it could be that whilst not in pain she’s just not feeling well. Her renal function might be compromised, drinking a lot and lethargy being two signs of renal problems. Longterm use of Metacam can impact on renal function. So regular monitoring of that is needed, ie blood tests.

Without examination and some diagnostics it’s impossible to say if she is ‘coming to the end’.

Is her respiratory rate and effort normal ?

Has there been any unexplained weight loss recently ?

 

[blinkiebunmum]

Had you been putting the meds on food before ? It isn’t unusual to have to syringe doses directly into the Rabbit’s mouth.

Is she eating normally?

Being ‘a bit subdued’ could be indicative of pain. But equally it could be that whilst not in pain she’s just not feeling well. Her renal function might be compromised, drinking a lot and lethargy being two signs of renal problems. Longterm use of Metacam can impact on renal function. So regular monitoring of that is needed, ie blood tests.

Without examination and some diagnostics it’s impossible to say if she is ‘coming to the end’.

Is her respiratory rate and effort normal ?

Has there been any unexplained weight loss recently ?

Thanks for your reply. Yes, originally we were giving to her via syringe whilst having to hold her when she was super poorly, then for a while after that, but then she didn't want it that way for the Bupe and really started to fight it, so we moved to putting that onto a treat which until last night, was working perfectly. She has taken Metacam willingly (without being held) again, until last night. Its so strange. Her breathing is fine, the vets last week she had put on weight, the vet said that was the sign of a happy bun. Genuinely stumped on this one.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, originally we were giving to her via syringe whilst having to hold her when she was super poorly, then for a while after that, but then she didn't want it that way for the Bupe and really started to fight it, so we moved to putting that onto a treat which until last night, was working perfectly. She has taken Metacam willingly (without being held) again, until last night. Its so strange. Her breathing is fine, the vets last week she had put on weight, the vet said that was the sign of a happy bun. Genuinely stumped on this one.

Metacam is very sweet, most Bunnies like it. Did you give the Bupe before the Metacam ? Bupe tastes yucky and she might have thought the syringe of Metacam was going to be more Bupe.

Also, it could be that her lethargy is a side effect of the Bupe, which is an opiate analgesic. If her kidneys are not working too well now she might need lower doses of medication as she won’t be metabolising them so efficiently.The Bupe doses could be accumulating in her bloodstream hence she’s having side effects now that she didn’t have at first.

 

[bunny momma]

Sending positive vibes for you and your bunny.