Henry at vets again - Henry has sadly gone- U/D 6am thread page 20

[Craig 1965]

MimzMum - your post made me cry - loads.
Omi - yes, I absolutely agree but I don't know when the results are but as far as I know they are usually in house.
Scrappy's little helper - thank you so much for your wisdom and prognosis. When I read it earlier, it made so much sense but I am stoopid for not seeing the signs and behaviour to spot this. Once I read your wisdom, it all fit in place. And that ties in with MimzMum and the infacol.
I would be in an extremely dark place had it not been for the sanity and expert advice and unswatnig support from each and every single person on here who has taken the time to post and guide me and Henry with this.
MikeK - please don't worry or apologise - I am grateful for your post and vibes.
Jane - your have been amazingly supportive with advice that would put a vet to shame. Again, I am grateful that you have followed and provided much needed input.
We haven't had an evening update yet from the vet. I had a big old waterworks when I eventually got home from work (an hour to drive 6 miles), because Henry's Galens Garden forage pack arrived and he's not here to enjoy it. I'm just looking at the box and the forage and wishing he was here to enjoy it. I would take it along to the vet tonight but I feel he needs to have a full day of IV treatment and let the vet and the nurses look after him in their special and dedicated way.
I will update you all once I've had word from the vet tonight.
But thank you all for keeping me sane these last few days. I really sincerely appreciate it.
Craig xx

 

[kattymieoww]

Sending more vibes for your beautiful boy and gentle hugs for you,please don't beat yourself up with "what if's" etc.You are a fantastic bunny dad.xx

 

[Scrappy's Little Helper]

In my experience, no news is good news when it comes to vets. I hope you will get an update from them soon though as I know how hard it is to wait for news, especially when they've been admitted all day and you've no idea how they're doing.

Sent from my SM-T585 using Tapatalk

 

[Craig 1965]

7pm update.
Vet nurse just rang with the latest. Henry is comfortable - or as comfortable as he can be. Poor little bun is all alone on his own and it's alwo worth reflecting on how this affects Lillian (more on her at the end).
Firstly in answer to Rhianna's question - the vets probably would have taken Lillian - your advice is absolutely sound. But I didn't want to place further stress on Lillian by her spending another night in the vets in a small enclosure even though she would have Henry there. Emotionally it would benefit her having that visual and physical comfort but it would also be hard on her because she's spent quite a few nights there. She can (and has) had a chilled day here but I'll fill in at the end.
Vet nurse said Henry is comfortable but there has been no poops yet. They are keeping things crossed for the night.
Syringe feeding is going well - alot better than the mess we made of it. I didn't know that rabbits have a secondary flap in their mouths behind their front teeth and you have to wang the syringe in beyond this flap to get all the meds/critical care into the mouth. So the nurse has been getting critical care into Henry far better than we could. I am stoopid.
The nurse also felt that Henry might have presented as he did due to him maybe having what we would call 'headaches' - possibly due to lack of nutrients. So the IV fluids have been perking him up and he is presenting as better.
The staff have been 'charming' Henry with a variety of different leaves - blackberry and rose petal. And he's been eating them. That really makes me feel useless because I tried him with those last week and he shunned me totally. But today, for the vet nurses, he's more than happy to oblige.
The vet nurse has falllen for him and thinks Henry is charming and such a character - which is why I am so emotionally sensitive with all of this because that really IS Henry.
He has had some injections, and some metacam. The fluids and the IV seem to be working positively for Henry.
Obviously getting food down him in both liquid and solid, combined with the IV meds should start to re-engage his digestive system. Temperature is normal so no sign of any other infection. I am assuming the gas issue will work it's way through with the meds and food in some way.
They will continue to constantly and closely monitor Henry through the night - and I cannot fault the staff for this level of dedication. These staff work relentlessley and selflessly putting the needs and welfare of our pets before their own needs. Hoomans are, at times, very special people.
The hope is, as long as Henry can deliver some poop, to be discharged tomorrow at some point. I am at work so the earliest I can go is tea time. But it is better for Henry because he will be monitored closely when he needs it to ensure that he is safe and improving.
Lillian has dealt with her single day by eating and eating and eating. She has scoffed three platefulls of greens and was going through a 4th when the vet rang this evening. She finished that off in minutes and got to work on her bell for more food so I had to go and ensure she had some more food. She has looked for Henry and understandibly missed him (more likely just for the grooming part), but Henry is her rock, her stabiliser, and she loves Henry in her way, as Henry loves Lillian in his.
Personally, I still have a long long night ahead. I haven't slept well for over a week now. I have been very withdrawn and have had to bury my emotions deep at work and deal with my day job as professionally as I can. I feel exhausted and emotionally drained and this has also shown how inept I am with rabbit ailments and illness. But Henry isn't home yet and I can't relax until he is, and that he is stabilised, and eating freely and comfortable. He has that right and he expects that from life and I must do all I can to give him that.
I also, again, would like to pay my sincerest thanks to each and everyone who has followed this thread, Henry's thread. You have been there for him, and for me. But importantly for Henry. You are an amazing group of selfless caring knowledgable people, from different walks but commonly linked by an unflinching and deep rooted love for rabbits and all animals. And for that, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your vibes. As does Henry.
Craig xx

 

[Zoobec]

I think it sounds like he is starting to feel better in himself, due to the meds and syringe feeding. You absolutely should not blame yourself for any of this. You need to try to relax and get a good nights sleep, for you, for Lillian and for Henry too. I hope he will feel better tomorrow and that he will be home soon. Sending more vibes and hugs xx

 

[nap91]

I could see that you'd put on an update and the forum went down and I couldn't read it - I've been refreshing the page for ages waiting to see if Henry is ok!!
Glad he is perking up a little, he's definitely in the best place (even though you were providing him with excellent care) and it sounds like things are going in the right direction. Fingers crossed for another positive update tomorrow x

 

[Scrappy's Little Helper]

Thanks for the update Craig, things do sound a bit more positive. It can take some time for the poop to work its way through but hopefully he will have produced something by tomorrow morning.

Sent from my SM-T585 using Tapatalk

 

[Rhianna]

Things seem to be moving in the right direction with Henry. It is so difficult to know whether to take one bun or two to the vet and when I had a trio it was even more complicated. Trying to weigh up what is best for both buns is not easy. It's good that Lillian is continuing to eat. I've had buns and piggies that have stopped eating when their companion has disappeared so unless the vet advised otherwise I always keep furries with their companions. Lillian is definitely not starving herself so although missing Henry she seems to be coping well.

Sending lots more vibes for Henry. I hope he continues to improve.

 

[Pets mum]

Nice update Craig, thank you for taking the time to post, we're all wlling Henry on, but please look after you too xx

 

[Graciee]

This sounds positive, I'm glad he's getting fluids now, I think that'll really help him

Sending lots and lots of vibes, and look after yourself Craig, the buns need you xx

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[bunny momma]

IV fluids can help so much more than oral or sub q fluids that are not readily absorbed in some sick bunnies. The same applies to some meds. This may explain why he is eating items he did not want from you.

He is in good hands so I hope you are using this opportunity to rest.
I never knew about a flap behind teeth when syringe feeding. I put syringe into mouth between front teeth and pre molars where there is a gap between teeth. Consistency of food also makes a difference.
Sending vibes for henry.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

IV fluids can help so much more than oral or sub q fluids that are not readily absorbed in some sick bunnies. The same applies to some meds. This may explain why he is eating items he did not want from you.

Ditto to this

I really hope that Henry will have passed some poo overnight ? Are they letting him have a hop around and also providing him with a litter tray ? The hopping about will help his gut motility and if he has not got a litter tray but is used to using one at home he may hold in his poo. Topping up the vibes for him and I hope the blood test results are OK xx

 

[mikek]

wishing Henry the very best today xxx

 

[Omi]

I hope that Henry has had a poo productive night and that the blood test results are normal. Sending him lots of vibes and I hope that you get a positive update from the vets when they open.

 

[Zoobec]

I hope there’s good news this morning, topping up the vibes and hugs xx

 

[bunny momma]

Henry is lucky to have such caring people in his life, and Lillian too.
After I just tried syringe feeding Madelyn (and she is a lap bunny) for the first or second time in her life, I have a better understanding of your struggles syringe feeding Henry. Now I feel like I should stop giving others advice on syringe feeding bunnies.
Sending you and Henry plenty of positive vibes that his vet stay has jump started his improvement.

 

[Craig 1965]

Very brief update- apologies for the lateness.
Vet rang this morning (wife not me). Henry had a comfortable night with some poop- black small and hard. Still not feeding independently (I am worried about that) so continuing to support but will reduce dependency on syringe feeding. Has been brighter and standing up and presenting as better although not eating still concern. They are going to keep him at hospital for time being and continue to medicate as would be felt required and to support Henry to eat voluntarily.
I believe this is the most appropriate course of action at this time. No news on any bloods but I’ve not spoken directly to vet as my wife is capable handling that side.
Thank you for all your continued vibes from last night.
Was a bit panicky when the site went down last night as I’d just posted the update and I was worried about you all not knowing how Henry was.
Craig x

 

[Zoobec]

It often takes a while for them to eat voluntarily after stasis so it sounds normal. Also it’s good that he is pooping but it’s also normal for them to be smaller than normal whilst their guts get back to normal.

Topping up the vibes and hugs xx

 

[Pets mum]

sounding more positive Craig. I'm pleased vets are keeping him there for now, they will be able to monitor him constantly, plus it takes the pressure of you somewhat. Sending more Henry vibes from me George and Treacle xx

 

[Craig 1965]

Thank you zoobec and pets mum- for keeping my sanity today. I’m grateful to you for a greater insight into the aftercare problems - something I’m still quite anxious about.