Lilac losing weight u/d 10.02.26

[Orenoko]

Great news that the vets aren't concerned about her liver. I completely understand your feelings about another CT scan and would question what the point would be.

Personally I would think that if she is eating well, is active and is maintaining weight, then I would be happy about her quality of life. Also as long as the meds are not also resulting in unpleasant side effects, I would not be concerned about her being on them long term.

I have also had bunnies, who have become much friendlier after they have needed lots of hands-on medical treatment with meds etc.

I would be happy with the outcome of Lilac's check-up.

Thank you I will try and relax and enjoy the positive-ish news! I think when she shows the neurological symptoms I get quite worried because she just gets stuck in one direction, but weirdly if I pick her up and hold her for a bit it seems to "reset" her. My main concern is if she does it during the night/when I'm at work, how long is she like it for and does it distress her? But I guess I'll never know the answer to that and I'm sure if she was distressed it would show in other ways in terms of behaviour/appetite etc.

 

[a reader of books]

That's really reassuring news that they're not worried about her liver and she doesn't have EC. I'm sorry her previous symptoms have been back, though. I'd understand, too, if you wouldn't do the CT scan since it wouldn't actually change anything for her. With her being so active and having a really good appetite and liking your company, it sounds like overall she's doing well. I think if she'd need medication to have a quality of life, and to keep her neurological symptoms better under control, I'd personally be happy to leave her on them if it's not causing any problems. I think a lot of elderly animals (including humans!) depend on medication in some way to be okay. I don't think that's a bad thing; I think it's very positive that we can offer them medication so they can keep enjoying life for longer, and it does sound from what you've told us like she's enjoying life

 

[Orenoko]

That's really reassuring news that they're not worried about her liver and she doesn't have EC. I'm sorry her previous symptoms have been back, though. I'd understand, too, if you wouldn't do the CT scan since it wouldn't actually change anything for her. With her being so active and having a really good appetite and liking your company, it sounds like overall she's doing well. I think if she'd need medication to have a quality of life, and to keep her neurological symptoms better under control, I'd personally be happy to leave her on them if it's not causing any problems. I think a lot of elderly animals (including humans!) depend on medication in some way to be okay. I don't think that's a bad thing; I think it's very positive that we can offer them medication so they can keep enjoying life for longer, and it does sound from what you've told us like she's enjoying life

Thanks, hopefully we can maintain her where she is where she appears to be relatively comfortable etc. Her feet remain pretty much the same after some initial improvement - no worse, no better - but they don't bother her at all, and the vet wasn't too worried given the steroid cream has helped. Just a bit of a juggling act isn't it with elderly/special needs buns!

 

[RabbitNerd]

I would think to give her some oats and maybe some pieces of dried bread? My bunnies (angoras) are naturally skinny, but I always give them oats and kale, and that seems to help a bit.

 

[Orenoko]

I would think to give her some oats and maybe some pieces of dried bread? My bunnies (angoras) are naturally skinny, but I always give them oats and kale, and that seems to help a bit.

I don't think bread is good for rabbits unfortunately. She does get oats as a treat, I can't give her anything like alfalfa because she has higher levels of calcium in her urine than I (and the vet) would like. Speaking of which I'm not sure if she has a recurrence of her UTI so we're back at the vet first thing tomorrow

 

[Orenoko]

So some slightly positive news, Lilac has gained 20 grams when she was weighed. It's not much but I'll take it!

She was very uncomfortable in her bladder, I was also able to show a picture of blood in her urine, so the vet started her on antibiotics straight away while I tried to get a sample. That was on Wednesday and getting a sample has proved harder than expected! Lilac isn't using her litter tray much, so it's made it more tricky, but finally overnight she has peed on the plastic bottom so I was able to grab the sample and will be running it to the vet this morning. I'm worried that her urine still appears quite bloody, her previous UTI's have cleared up more quickly, but the important bit is we have the sample so it can be sent off for urinalysis.

The vet mentioned a potential referral to the RVC for scans of her bladder and kidneys, so I will see what the results of the urinalysis are and take it from there.

 

[InspectorMorse]

So some slightly positive news, Lilac has gained 20 grams when she was weighed. It's not much but I'll take it!

She was very uncomfortable in her bladder, I was also able to show a picture of blood in her urine, so the vet started her on antibiotics straight away while I tried to get a sample. That was on Wednesday and getting a sample has proved harder than expected! Lilac isn't using her litter tray much, so it's made it more tricky, but finally overnight she has peed on the plastic bottom so I was able to grab the sample and will be running it to the vet this morning. I'm worried that her urine still appears quite bloody, her previous UTI's have cleared up more quickly, but the important bit is we have the sample so it can be sent off for urinalysis.

The vet mentioned a potential referral to the RVC for scans of her bladder and kidneys, so I will see what the results of the urinalysis are and take it from there.

Sounds like she could have bladder sludge/stones x

 

[Orenoko]

Sounds like she could have bladder sludge/stones x

Yeah that's what I was thinking. The antibiotics do seem to be improving the situation in terms of less blood in the urine but it's not where I'd like it. She has a recheck on Friday morning so I'm going to discuss this with the vet. Unfortunately the most rabbit-savvy vet at my practice has left so I will need to check if there is someone else who is confident in them or if we need to be referred to the RVC.

 

[Orenoko]

The sample I gave to the vet unfortunately wasn't enough, I was only able to get a tiny bit, but she has finally graced me with a new sample in the right place this morning so that's gone to the vet now! It seems to be back to a more normal colour. @InspectorMorse do you have any info re treating potential bladder sludge (if that is what it is)? I vaguely remember some stuff being posted here about reducing calcium intake. I know not to feed alfalfa, but not as up to speed on other things that might be high in calcium and don't want to chatgpt it.

 

[InspectorMorse]

The sample I gave to the vet unfortunately wasn't enough, I was only able to get a tiny bit, but she has finally graced me with a new sample in the right place this morning so that's gone to the vet now! It seems to be back to a more normal colour. @InspectorMorse do you have any info re treating potential bladder sludge (if that is what it is)? I vaguely remember some stuff being posted here about reducing calcium intake. I know not to feed alfalfa, but not as up to speed on other things that might be high in calcium and don't want to chatgpt it.

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/Media/Default/Beaumont%20Sainsbury%20Animal%20Hospital/documents/Rabbit-Sludgy-Bladder-RVC-factsheet-published-062021.pdf

Low Calcium Diet for Rabbits with Urinary Tract Problems

 

[Orenoko]

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/Media/Default/Beaumont%20Sainsbury%20Animal%20Hospital/documents/Rabbit-Sludgy-Bladder-RVC-factsheet-published-062021.pdf

Low Calcium Diet for Rabbits with Urinary Tract Problems

Thank you so much check up in the morning for the little lady.

 

[Orenoko]

So we've been for a checkup this morning and part of the urine test results are back, it's showing some crystals. The culture isn't back yet but the vet had space to do a bladder scan today to see if there are any stones. She's also down to 1.2kg which is another concern as she's a mini lop so should be much more than that. I think she used to weigh roughly double when I first got her (albeit that was 2017!). They are going to take a look at her liver and kidneys as well on the scan and if they find anything concerning they will refer to the RVC.

I do worry that we're fighting a bit of a losing battle, she can't afford to lose any more weight and her health issues are gradually increasing, so I'm pretty concerned that we might be getting close to having to make a call. If she does have bladder stones I wouldn't put her through major surgery so we'll see what the results of the scan are and take it from there. I'm not even sure if I want to put her through any other invasive tests or procedures at this point as I can't see it changing much in terms of treatment if that makes sense. She's definitely seemed happier since treating for the UTI and was stretched right out in a sploof last night so I can tell she is feeling more comfortable but she must be very stoic considering everything she has going on bless her.

 

[a reader of books]

Gosh, she's coping with a lot, isn't she... Sending her so many vibes I'm glad she's seemed happier since you started treatment for the UTI. I can see why you're concerned about her weight loss, though, and why you're worried you might be fighting a losing battle, and I definitely understand why you wouldn't want to put her through major surgery at this point.

When Sophie had bladder sludge and UTIs I mostly focused on increasing her water intake rather than reducing calcium. With Lilac having arthritis like Sophie did, I'm guessing that might be contributing more to whatever's going on with her bladder than getting too much calcium, as she'll be moving less and might not be emptying her bladder completely if she can't pee in the right posture, leaving the crystals (and urine) to stay in her bladder more than they should. And I suspect most of the calcium will be in Lilacs dry food, which she'll need if she's already lost so much weight, of course... The amounts of calcium in most other things won't be very significant compared to pellets. It might be worth looking into dry food with less calcium, though. My vet put Sophie on a kind of FibaFirst made for bunnies with bladder problems, I can't remember the name... Urinary Something.

 

[Orenoko]

Gosh, she's coping with a lot, isn't she... Sending her so many vibes I'm glad she's seemed happier since you started treatment for the UTI. I can see why you're concerned about her weight loss, though, and why you're worried you might be fighting a losing battle, and I definitely understand why you wouldn't want to put her through major surgery at this point.

When Sophie had bladder sludge and UTIs I mostly focused on increasing her water intake rather than reducing calcium. With Lilac having arthritis like Sophie did, I'm guessing that might be contributing more to whatever's going on with her bladder than getting too much calcium, as she'll be moving less and might not be emptying her bladder completely if she can't pee in the right posture, leaving the crystals (and urine) to stay in her bladder more than they should. And I suspect most of the calcium will be in Lilacs dry food, which she'll need if she's already lost so much weight, of course... The amounts of calcium in most other things won't be very significant compared to pellets. It might be worth looking into dry food with less calcium, though. My vet put Sophie on a kind of FibaFirst made for bunnies with bladder problems, I can't remember the name... Urinary Something.

Science Selective Vetcare Urinary Health Rabbit Food 1.5kg

Rabbits have a very unusual calcium metabolism. In cats and dogs, calcium absorption is regulated at gut level, and is adjusted according to the body’s requirements.

hyperdrug.co.uk

Was it this by any chance? I could look into that, I'm scattering her food around more to encourage movement as well. Positively her scan didn't show any stones, "just" sludge which obviously isn't ideal but not the worst news.

 

[a reader of books]

Yes, that was it. I have to say Sophie wasn’t that fond of it, but I really liked how it smelled, so hopefully Lilac would agree with me more than with Sophie, haha.

That’s really good news it wasn’t stones. Like you said, sludge is not ideal, but stones would be more worrying.

 

[Orenoko]

Yes, that was it. I have to say Sophie wasn’t that fond of it, but I really liked how it smelled, so hopefully Lilac would agree with me more than with Sophie, haha.

That’s really good news it wasn’t stones. Like you said, sludge is not ideal, but stones would be more worrying.

Thanks, I'll try and see if I can find a smaller one just in case!

 

[joey&boo]

Glad to hear the scan brought relatively good news. You're doing a good job of juggling all her ailments

 

[Orenoko]

Glad to hear the scan brought relatively good news. You're doing a good job of juggling all her ailments

Thanks! We have a short break booked in May so I am a bit worried about the level of care she needs... we have a great pet sitter but it is a lot! We'll see how she goes of course.

I managed to find these in pets at home earlier so I grabbed some for her, she seems to like them:

Science Selective Urinary Care Small Animal Supplements | Pets

Buy Science Selective Urinary Care Small Animal Supplements | Available to order today & Free Delivery on orders over £40

www.petsathome.com

Saw a gorgeous Nethie(?) cross in the adoption section and while I was sorely tempted it would be far far too stressful to try and bond her. Hope he gets a loving home soon.

 

[a reader of books]

Aw, that's good that she likes those. I hope they'll help in some way. And hopefully the Nethie will find a good home soon. I think you're right that she's not in good enough shape to be bonded.

 

[FireRose]

I am sorry to hear Lilac is still not feeling herself. I know there are a few science selective “treats”out there to help with urinary tract. Do you feed forage is there something in those that may help?

I was told once upon a time (Could be out dated information so do check with vets) that a water filter could help with sludge/calcium build up in bunnies too.

As I say it was something years ago, so do check, but I hope bunny is feeling better soon.