Lillabelle not eating

[twistedtiggerz69]

Aw thank you so much. Yes they are adorable together. So loved up. Mischief really looked so happy to see Lillabelle when we got home. He just hates the vet too much to take him as well and he really missed her❣

Lillabelle continues to eat very well. Llllabelle's weight today and was 4.625kg on 14th November and is now 4.645kg so not really changed much but 25g more which is good. Her weight has slowly been creeping from 4.570kg on 30th October so an increase of 75g. I realise their weight can fluctuate due to eating and pooping but we weigh them before their tea every time and it is always increasing slowly.

We are happy with that as we don't want her putting on too much too quickly. We are trying to increase her food slowly so she gets plenty of protein in her for building her muscles back up. However we don't want her eating too much too quickly and causing bloat. Any reason that stops Lillabelle eating well could be disastrous for Lillabelle right now.

Inspector Morse has really been a great help as she knows all the health issues that bunnies face and explained we don't want her getting bloat. I have been reading about rabbit's digestive system and it is very interesting and makes it all make sense with what they should eat and not.

I have read articles on GI stasis before but I know I could read more and I was shocked how quickly Lillabelle's stasis set in and caused her to stop eating. As she did not eat for so long and because the vet did not not give her painkillers for her stasis AND teeth she lost weight too quickly causing her inflamed liver

So now everything has got serious and we really need to do all we can to prevent her needing a liver operation. So thank you for your vibes Pets Mum and to everybun else for your constant vibes

 

[susie bun]

Good to see some positive news as well as the continuing concerns you have for Lillabelle.
It can be really difficult to get their diet right as going into stasis is the worst thing for them. My Bertie is very stubborn and will hold out for what he wants!

 

[a reader of books]

Hi
Lovely to hear from you. Yes it has got to crunch time really. We are monitoring her closely and she is eating so much and we have to put her in the pen a lot as she keeps doing zoomies under the bed
Inspector Morse has been helping us with Lillabelle and she said not to let her jump on the bed as her liver could twist and I don't think zoomies are the best idea either.

Lillabelle does seem to be doing very well however the vet has warned us that she could start to deteriorate again. I am worried as her recent blood tests were not good and pointed to a liver problem and when I read up on LLT it said about mini lops being more likely to get it. Well french lops are like giant mini lops really so that does worry me. My OH is denying any possibility that she is still ill but her inflamed liver can not be ignored.

The vet did mention a CT scan but I found out today we are looking at £1500 so I was a bit shocked tbh. I was thinking it would be nearer £500. It shows that I never leave the house except for the vets or the GP/hospital and life is passing me by So a CT scan is off the cards.

As I said Lils is continuing to eat well. Her coat feels all soft and looks lovely and shiny. Her eyes are bright and she is eating timothy hay atm. The signs look good now but it can very quickly change. Hopefully we will be able to manage things at home.

Yes they are so sweet together. Mischief is starting to look like an old man and everything is starting to droop bless him His young fancy bunny still looks fabulous and he seems very happy with his lot except for the growls and pounces we get now. He has grumpy old man syndrome

I'm really glad Lillabelle is doing so well despite her liver issue, eating so well, and having such a lovely coat, and even wanting to do zoomies. I so very much hope she'll continue to do well and that she won't need any serious intervention. It sounds promising that she's gaining a little weight. I can see why the CT scan is not an option, though. They're so expensive.

Mischief looking like a droopy old man is so sweet, aww. The grumpiness isn't so sweet, though I'm glad to hear he seems very happy, though, with Lillabelle and in general.

 

[redmal]

Thinking if you and sending "get better Lillabelle" vibes.

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

Good to see some positive news as well as the continuing concerns you have for Lillabelle.
It can be really difficult to get their diet right as going into stasis is the worst thing for them. My Bertie is very stubborn and will hold out for what he wants!

Well we do feel positive as Lillabelle is doing really well atm eating well and she eats mostly hay. I say this because we are always seeing her eating lots of hay along with her other food which is great. Also her poo output is usual big size and fluffy in the middle from the 'hay' eaten.

I have decided to start a diary for them so once a day I write up how they are behaving and anything unusual. Also keep an eye on input/output and how they seem to one another. I should have started one when I started noting their weigh ins.

I hope I will keep this up as my memory is not great. I just think I would notice any changes quicker if I note them down every day. Also I can note what their diet is and any changes. Am I being over-cautious or do others keep a diary on their bunnies?

Oh dear does Bertie love his food too? Mischief will not budge if he wants something. He just sets himself down and he is heavy to move then. They should start a club

 

[bunny momma]

I am glad your girl is doing well.
A diary is a good idea. I write notes when they are not normal, ill and for a week or two after they are back to normal. It helps to know what meds, supportive measures are helping and is a good reference if they have the same symptoms in the future.

Can vets repeat blood work before they do CAT scan?

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

I am so sorry everybun! My memory is so bad now I didn't mean to not reply. Thank you for your messages. I hope to get back to you soon ❤

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

Thinking if you and sending "get better Lillabelle" vibes.

Thank you so much. She is seeming so well now

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

I'm really glad Lillabelle is doing so well despite her liver issue, eating so well, and having such a lovely coat, and even wanting to do zoomies. I so very much hope she'll continue to do well and that she won't need any serious intervention. It sounds promising that she's gaining a little weight. I can see why the CT scan is not an option, though. They're so expensive.

Mischief looking like a droopy old man is so sweet, aww. The grumpiness isn't so sweet, though I'm glad to hear he seems very happy, though, with Lillabelle and in general.

Yes we hope these are all good signs to her recovery. She continues to do well and showing great interest in food but I thought today she looked a little skinny but she feels ok. He spine is not too bony and she has a lovely full tummy.

We weigh her twice a week atm but as she has the vets on Friday we are leaving it until then when the vets weigh her. We don't want to unnerve her by picking her up beforehand.

We reduced her pellets by 10 as she left two small poops out of a caecotroph. It could be the Excel pellets as IM said Excel Pellets sometimes cause these. However if she starts to lose weight we would then increase her pellets slightly again.

Her ultrasound on Friday will hopefully show that her liver is healed and the blood tests will show her liver enzymes are at more normal levels. If not we are looking at her having a liver operation at a referred specialist vet. So we are praying that tomorrow shows Lillabelle is starting to get better

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

I'm really glad Lillabelle is doing so well despite her liver issue, eating so well, and having such a lovely coat, and even wanting to do zoomies. I so very much hope she'll continue to do well and that she won't need any serious intervention. It sounds promising that she's gaining a little weight. I can see why the CT scan is not an option, though. They're so expensive.

Mischief looking like a droopy old man is so sweet, aww. The grumpiness isn't so sweet, though I'm glad to hear he seems very happy, though, with Lillabelle and in general.

Mischief does look a bit like a grumpy old man and he does growl at us and pounce when we go near his food as in tidy up the hay on the tray or something

However he is not really grumpy unless we go near his food. He does jump on the bed and get a bit bolshy if we forget his dinner. He starts pushing everything about and picking up things and throwing them about.

He has also been hoovering up food recently and has put on 200g in weight as Lillabelle is eating very daintily. We fear L may not get her much needed quota so we are feeding her slightly away from him now to make sure xxx

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

I am glad your girl is doing well.
A diary is a good idea. I write notes when they are not normal, ill and for a week or two after they are back to normal. It helps to know what meds, supportive measures are helping and is a good reference if they have the same symptoms in the future.

Can vets repeat blood work before they do CAT scan?

Thank you yes she continues to eat weĺl.
Yes I thought it may be useful as we can notice any changes quicker.

Well yes we are going to ask for a repeat blood test to be done tomorrow when she gets another ultrasound done. The problem is we can't really afford a CT scan and a liver operation so I really hope she does not need them. Hopefully her blood test shows her liver enzyme levels are improved

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

I apologise for my late replies. My pain means higher meds which then make me more drowsy and so reflects in my messages as I forget and repeat things plus it takes me ages to write a reply.

Lillabelle is having another ultrasound tomorrow plus a repeat blood test so I am wondering if anyone could send more vibes for her please? These tests really need to show improvement tomorrow

 

[Pets mum]

Sending lots of vibes for her, really hope all goes well, and she gets good results. Sending extra vibes for you too, hope the meds help with the pain x

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

Thank you so much Pets mum. I am sure your vibes will help Lillabelle tomorrow in the hope she has good results of both U/S and blood test but also that she is not too anxious and the vet is able to do these tests without a GA as well.

Thank you for your vibes for me as well. I am feeling better today actually just nervous for tomorrow. L is not affected though and just seen her eating loads of lovely timothy hay x

 

[bunny momma]

Sending you and Lillabelle lots of positive vibes.
I hope her liver is healing.

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

Sending you and Lillabelle lots of positive vibes.
I hope her liver is healing.

Thank you so much Bunny Momma. You have been so supportive through Lillabelle's illness

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

Lillabelle went for her ultrasound today. We left her in the vets and walked down a big hill to go shopping and then got a call from the vets saying L was ready to be picked up after only 40 minutes!

Apparently the nurse said that she was such a good girl getting her ultrasound and blood test done. She said she was such a sweetie. I really think Lillabelle loves the stroking and head rubs but like many rabbits she hates to be picked up.

The ultrasound is not great news. The vet said the inflammation around her liver is slightly worse than the last ultrasound. The part of the liver that is affected is substantial and appears mottled. I presume that means there could be scarring of the liver? There is still blood supply to that part of the liver though.

We are now waiting for the blood results. The vet said that Lillabelle is looking really good in herself and is an ideal weight now at 4.720kg. The vet is also happy she is eating well and behaving as normal at home. We are hoping the results are better as it means that her liver is now starting to heal and has a good blood supply. That could mean we can manage this at home by monitoring her closely with regular ultrasounds.

However there would be the risk of her having another gut stasis episode (especially being a dental bun) in the future without warning. We are really hoping her blood test is good as otherwise we are looking at the next stage being a CT scan, possible biopsy and liver operation. We will have to make choices that give Lillabelle the best chance of the best life that we can do within our means.

Come on Lils! We need good news for you!!

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

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[bunny momma]

Sending vibes for good results with her blood work. She is doing well so even if you had the means, I would be hesitant to put her through a long GA for a CAT scan or such invasive surgery at this time.

I hope you will be able to worry a little less too. You are much more knowledgeable (thanks largely to IM) about what to watch for and how to manage it if her dental issues cause her to not eat and she starts to go into gut stasis. You also know she has dental issues so I am confident you will get her teeth addressed quickly so she return to her normal diet ASAP. Plus you know how important it is to get adequate pain management.

Sending you all lots of positive vibes.

 

[Pets mum]

I think bunny momma has said it very well, so adding my vibes for Lillabelle. I've said it before, but I think the care you give your bunnies is wonderful, they are so lucky. Paws crossed for good blood results xx