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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.
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Lilac losing weight
- Thread starter Orenoko
- Start date
a reader of books
Warren Veteran
I'm sorry it's taking so long to get her results back. That does seem like an awfully long time. I'm glad she seems well in herself, at least, and that you have the sore hocks and eye problem under control at the moment. These elderly bunnies just collect health issues like they're trying to get the full set, don't they? I understand why you want to know if there's any underlying issues that are causing her weight loss, though, especially when she has such a good appetite. I do hope you'll hear from the vets soon.
Orenoko
Mama Doe
Funnily they called me about an hour ago, they're concerned about liver function so will consult a specialist, I let them know that she is still well in herself with the exception of in the last 24 hours I've noticed a little bit of teeth grinding. Not much but it's not normal for her. Seems to happen close to when she is due a dose of metacam.
I'll update again hopefully before new year with anything further!
a reader of books
Warren Veteran
Ah, hopefully they'll get back to you with news from the specialist more quickly than about the results, and that it's nothing too worrying. I'm sorry she doesn't seem completely comfortable, though.
Orenoko
Mama Doe
She's still absolutely fine in herself, she seems pretty ravenous whenever there is food around. I haven't had a chance to weigh her as I don't have accurate scales but she seems happy enough in herself. No update from the vet due to it being Christmas so we are just carrying on with our usual routine of medication for the time being.
Orenoko
Mama Doe
Little concerned for Lilac, her eye issue has come back and she sneezes a little, which was the same symptoms she had before. I still have some of the eye drops that she had so I've restarted them last night, and will be scheduling a vet appointment. She also seems to have some slight neurological symptoms (nystagmus). associated with her ear lump, so I've got her on meds for that. We did have a bit of teeth grinding last night but she has been ok this morning. I slept in the living room as I wasn't feeling well myself, and she was munching away most of the night bless her. Bit concerned that these things seem to be recurring unless she's on medication 24/7. I am starting to wonder if we are getting to the stage where things could be getting too much for her but it's so hard to tell when she is still active and engaging with life as it were.
Orenoko
Mama Doe
Thanks, she seems back to her usual self again today! It really is hard to tell if I'm overreacting and paranoid or not... I start a new job on Monday so not even sure of my availability next week but have booked her an appointment for Thursday for a checkup.
I am sorry to hear that Lilac is very up and down at the moment, I always find when we are on edge with bunnies every little thing seems to make us as owners more anxious.
I do hope you get on okay at the vets and everything goes okay.
Sending hugs from another bunny slave who is also friends with the sofa right now lol!
Good luck with the new job!
I do hope you get on okay at the vets and everything goes okay.
Sending hugs from another bunny slave who is also friends with the sofa right now lol!
Good luck with the new job!
Cinnabun14
Alpha Buck
Vibes and hugs for you and Lilac, I hope she gets better soon and your job goes well!
Orenoko
Mama Doe
Hi all
Lilac went for a checkup yesterday, the vet consulted the RVC about her liver and they said they aren't concerned by it so that's positive. However she is getting her previous symptoms back (sneezing, neurological symptoms), and every time I try to stop the medication that helps the neurological symptoms they come back. Her weight is stable which is positive. We had a discussion around quality of life as she remains very active (for an old lady anyway) and her appetite continues to be really good. I was clear that I don't want medication to be the only reason she is "okay". The vet recommended we continue treatment for a few weeks while I decide whether to go for another CT scan. We think her symptoms are related to the lump at the base of her ear. While it's clearly affecting her, I'm not sure of the benefit of another CT scan as I said to the vet it won't change my approach to that issue. There's no way I'm putting her through invasive surgery, and I'm not sure if I can justify the cost if that's the case (she is insured but has had a CT for this issue before so I'd need to see if they'd even cover it again).
So we're still a bit confused, I just want her to be comfortable and happy and to ensure she's not in pain.
As a side note, can't remember if I've mentioned it but she was tested for EC just before xmas and she doesn't have that.
Another side note, she has become so much more friendly in recent weeks/months. She has always been so aloof with humans so it's quite sweet to finally have a bit of a cuddle bun.
Lilac went for a checkup yesterday, the vet consulted the RVC about her liver and they said they aren't concerned by it so that's positive. However she is getting her previous symptoms back (sneezing, neurological symptoms), and every time I try to stop the medication that helps the neurological symptoms they come back. Her weight is stable which is positive. We had a discussion around quality of life as she remains very active (for an old lady anyway) and her appetite continues to be really good. I was clear that I don't want medication to be the only reason she is "okay". The vet recommended we continue treatment for a few weeks while I decide whether to go for another CT scan. We think her symptoms are related to the lump at the base of her ear. While it's clearly affecting her, I'm not sure of the benefit of another CT scan as I said to the vet it won't change my approach to that issue. There's no way I'm putting her through invasive surgery, and I'm not sure if I can justify the cost if that's the case (she is insured but has had a CT for this issue before so I'd need to see if they'd even cover it again).
So we're still a bit confused, I just want her to be comfortable and happy and to ensure she's not in pain.
As a side note, can't remember if I've mentioned it but she was tested for EC just before xmas and she doesn't have that.
Another side note, she has become so much more friendly in recent weeks/months. She has always been so aloof with humans so it's quite sweet to finally have a bit of a cuddle bun.
joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
Good to have a largely positive update. Its good to hear its not EC & you don't need to be concerned about her liver values either. I can understand why you are questioning the usefulness of of a CT scan. Do you mind my asking why you don't want her to be ok just cos of the meds? Or is it specific meds you don't want her on forever?
Mousey was like that. She always ran over for smooches cos Joey & Boo did but other than that was not people-y at all...until she became a solo bun in need of lots of care. I'll take that kind of cupboard love anyday - if its from a rabbit
Mousey was like that. She always ran over for smooches cos Joey & Boo did but other than that was not people-y at all...until she became a solo bun in need of lots of care. I'll take that kind of cupboard love anyday - if its from a rabbit
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.
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.
Orenoko
Mama Doe
Hmmm good question! I suppose I'm just thinking about quality of life, as in I don't want her to only have a quality of life because of medication if that makes sense? But she does seem happy at the moment and she's learning to tolerate all the forced fussing she gets (probably because she gets a fenugreek crunchie after medicine time!)
