Nena's jaw/tooth root abscess

[yaretzi]

I hope all goes well with the Dental. Will she be having the CT scan under the same GA ?

Unfortunately not - the CT scan needs to be after the 1st June when my new Petplan year kicks in as it's going to cost around £1000, plus I will have to travel probably to Bristol for it as Manor Vets aren't getting a CT scanner until the Summer. Unfortunately Nena decided she needed a dental just 3 weeks early! Wish she could've held on but it wouldn't be fair to wait, sadly. It is disappointing as obviously we want to minimise GA's, but luckily she does deal with them very well.

I've just called Petplan to find out what my renewal for this year is... it's gone up from £27 a month to £32 which is fine and the excess has gone from £90 to £100 which is also fine - and best of all, no requirement for me to pay 10% or 20% of the claim! I am so pleased. Although I have realised that the ear issue and the dental abscess issue may count as 2 conditions, so it will be 2 excesses which will be a shame.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Unfortunately not - the CT scan needs to be after the 1st June when my new Petplan year kicks in as it's going to cost around £1000, plus I will have to travel probably to Bristol for it as Manor Vets aren't getting a CT scanner until the Summer. Unfortunately Nena decided she needed a dental just 3 weeks early! Wish she could've held on but it wouldn't be fair to wait, sadly. It is disappointing as obviously we want to minimise GA's, but luckily she does deal with them very well.

I've just called Petplan to find out what my renewal for this year is... it's gone up from £27 a month to £32 which is fine and the excess has gone from £90 to £100 which is also fine - and best of all, no requirement for me to pay 10% or 20% of the claim! I am so pleased. Although I have realised that the ear issue and the dental abscess issue may count as 2 conditions, so it will be 2 excesses which will be a shame.

Well at least the Insurance Premium isn't being hiked up too much. I wonder if there is a possibility that the Ear Infection could legitimately be considered to be linked to the Dental abscess. It's a long shot, but maybe see if the Vet thinks it to be a clinical possibility. Then you would not have to pay 2 excesses.

Anyone thinking that Rabbits are 'cheap' Pets to keep needs to have their head read !!

 

[yaretzi]

Nena had her dental yesterday - all went well! I asked Molly to clip some fur around her back end as she does leave some caecals and if the fur is its usual length she does struggle a bit, but if it's trimmed a bit it really helps her out. Nena has a couple of hairline fractures on a couple of the remaining teeth on her abscess side.

No sign of any abscess in her mouth at all. She has dribbly eyes still but nothing bad in there - just her tooth roots pushing on them a bit. Her snotty nose is definitely snot.

We are thinking of waiting until Manor Vets has a CT scanner as Molly hopes it might be a bit sooner than when we last talked. So I'm going to monitor Nena and call in around 6-8 weeks to see how the CT scanner is coming along. Obviously if she exhibits any signs of being uncomfortable or symptoms getting worse.

Nena was pretty knackered after she came home yesterday - she took 3 hops and went straight to sleep! So did Tapla, once she'd gone outside to avoid me :roll:. But once she had had a bit of a sleep she was fine, as per usual .

Tapla had her vaccination too and she is doing very well She has snuffles (minor though, only needs antibiotics once a year or so) and is prone to stasis but hasn't had either for a while. Her cataract-y eyes are getting a little worse but it's still quite hard to tell that they are cloudy at the moment so they are not affecting her much at all.

You are right Jane, they are so expensive I keep putting everyone off having rabbits!

 

[Clare-uk]

Glad the dental went well and that there's no sign of abscess

 

[yaretzi]

Spoke too soon :roll: Had to rush Tapla to the vets on the 22nd as she stopped eating and passed some bloody urine. Turns out they suspect it's only cystitis, so I had to battle with her for 5 days to get her medicine done and during that time both Tapla and Nena were miserable and barely eating. I continued the metacam Nena had been on from her dental and also gave her zantac. When it was time to stop medication they seemed to do okay but now appear to be doing downhill again.

Nena looks very scruffy, like she does before she needs a dental. She can't possibly need one as it's only been a week and a half. Argh they are so stressful

Have no idea what to do about money. Nena's dental was £200+, Tapla's emergency visit was nearly £200. I keep just thinking maybe I'll get a break from the money worries but it never happens. I never have enough time to get straight again before something else needs my money. Still facing £100 excess for Nena's CT scan, probably another £100 excess for her mouth and probably another £100 excess for Tapla's cystitis/possibly bladder sludge etc if she doesn't perk up. Plus they will both need the new vaccine when it comes out.

 

[Zoobec]

Oh dear, sending lots of vibes for them, and hugs for you xx

 

[Jack's-Jane]

I'm sorry to hear that the girls are struggling. I am sure that not only are they a huge worry to you, but the financial implications must be too. Insurance is obviously a good thing to have, but it sounds as though even if you have it there may well be a significant amount to be paid in separate Excesses.

I really hope things become less stressful soon. Sending lots more vibes for your girls xx

 

[MightyMax]

Oh dear

Thinking of you and the girls .. sending vibes xx

 

[yaretzi]

Thanks everyone I know others have it worse, but it is such a constant struggle. Insurance has been a godsend (when Nena uses up her £2000 amount this year, which she will, they'll have paid out £10k for Nena alone and at least £2-3k for Tapla), but Nena has gone over her £2000 every single year by at least £500 (if not much more) and the petrol to and from the vets mounts up to around £500+ over the year too. Over the last two petplan years I've spent nearly £3k on vets/petrol to get to vets. It's a constant drain and I never seem to be able to find my feet. I've been a student most of that time and now I'm in a job barely paying above minimum wage, unable to work 5 days a week due to illness and just had my hours cut to 3 days a week. Argh!

Abscesses are such an expensive thing to have

They seem a bit cheerier this evening but that's because both of them were already in the shed. Tapla won't come into the shed from the run at the moment which is odd behaviour, and the thing which is concerning me most. She's usually such a pig that she'll do anything for food.

 

[yaretzi]

Nena's eyes have been a bit weepy and sad for a few weeks but we knew she was having some issues with dribbly eyes etc. However she didn't look right so I had a good feel of her jaw and she has a swelling on the other side. It is higher up so it might be her ear. I am getting towards the point now where I don't think it'd be ethical to go on. All I wanted for Nena was some time with little to no maintenance which she has had (i.e. no medication apart from 1 x daily injections, and a dental every 4 months).

Even if the ear was treatable (although we have run out of antibiotics now... ceporex is the last option and she's already on that) I don't think it is ethical to put her through 1 or more major operations on a different body site when her jaw abscess will come back... it's just a case of when.

I've booked an appointment with Molly Varga next Tuesday so we will see. I think now it will be a case of making her comfortable for a short while. I am very sad but I feel differently to before about the thought of having her put to sleep. Nena has had a really good amount of time to be a rabbit again and I don't want to launch into a whole set of operations when there is no guarantee she will come out the other side.

I can't remember if something like lancing the ears was an option to keep the pressure down, but that opens up another problem of flystrike etc. I will have to see what Molly thinks.

 

[MightyMax]

Nena's eyes have been a bit weepy and sad for a few weeks but we knew she was having some issues with dribbly eyes etc. However she didn't look right so I had a good feel of her jaw and she has a swelling on the other side. It is higher up so it might be her ear. I am getting towards the point now where I don't think it'd be ethical to go on. All I wanted for Nena was some time with little to no maintenance which she has had (i.e. no medication apart from 1 x daily injections, and a dental every 4 months).

Even if the ear was treatable (although we have run out of antibiotics now... ceporex is the last option and she's already on that) I don't think it is ethical to put her through 1 or more major operations on a different body site when her jaw abscess will come back... it's just a case of when.

I've booked an appointment with Molly Varga next Tuesday so we will see. I think now it will be a case of making her comfortable for a short while. I am very sad but I feel differently to before about the thought of having her put to sleep. Nena has had a really good amount of time to be a rabbit again and I don't want to launch into a whole set of operations when there is no guarantee she will come out the other side.

I can't remember if something like lancing the ears was an option to keep the pressure down, but that opens up another problem of flystrike etc. I will have to see what Molly thinks.

These times are always very difficult, but I understand your point of view 100%. Nena has had a lovely time with you since her diagnosis, and you with your hard work and care have bought her more time than it was ever thought possible.

I will be thinking of you when you go and see Molly.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Nena's eyes have been a bit weepy and sad for a few weeks but we knew she was having some issues with dribbly eyes etc. However she didn't look right so I had a good feel of her jaw and she has a swelling on the other side. It is higher up so it might be her ear. I am getting towards the point now where I don't think it'd be ethical to go on. All I wanted for Nena was some time with little to no maintenance which she has had (i.e. no medication apart from 1 x daily injections, and a dental every 4 months).

Even if the ear was treatable (although we have run out of antibiotics now... ceporex is the last option and she's already on that) I don't think it is ethical to put her through 1 or more major operations on a different body site when her jaw abscess will come back... it's just a case of when.

I've booked an appointment with Molly Varga next Tuesday so we will see. I think now it will be a case of making her comfortable for a short while. I am very sad but I feel differently to before about the thought of having her put to sleep. Nena has had a really good amount of time to be a rabbit again and I don't want to launch into a whole set of operations when there is no guarantee she will come out the other side.

I can't remember if something like lancing the ears was an option to keep the pressure down, but that opens up another problem of flystrike etc. I will have to see what Molly thinks.

I think I would feel the same if faced with a similar scenario with one of my Rabbits. You are obviously very in tune with Nena. Knowing when enough is enough is something I feel certain you will be able to do. Nena has done so well and has been able to enjoy her life despite her problems. That is all thanks to your care and for always doing what is best for her.

I am sure that Molly will be supportive as she has been throughout x

 

[Clare-uk]

I can understand and sympathise with how your thinking. I think when you are in tune with your animals you seem to know, that gut feeling changes. I will be thinking of you and Nena on Tuesday.

There is no doubt that you have done fantastic with her treatment and giving her that chance to just be a bunny

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

 

[Omi]

Sending hugs to you and lots of vibes for Nena. I hope your appointment with Molly goes well on Tuesday. I totally understand how you are feeling about it all.

 

[Barn Yard Bunnies]

Big hug. Hope Tuesday is alright. Xxx

 

[Zoobec]

You've both done fantastically well to get so far, I think you have done the absolute best by her, nursing her as you have whilst still letting her enjoy life to the full. I'll be thinking of you both xx

 

[yaretzi]

Thanks for your support everyone.

Took her in to see Molly today. Nena's dribbly eyes has caused a sore patch under one eye which has only come on in the last 3 days. She also has a dribbly nose so has a little bald patch. She's had both eyes trimmed underneath and the skin looks pretty okay. Little bit sore in one place but Molly just recommended a little bit of vaseline now and then as a barrier. Molly prescribed Nena some antibiotics (ronaxan) for 10 days for her dribbly eyes and nose, and some bisolvon. The liquid coming out is a bit thicker than before so was crusting up the fur (it was significantly crusty today but has been okay until now!) but she had a good look and doesn't suspect abscesses there. I'm to check back in with Molly this time next week to see if we need to continue the antibiotics longer than the 10 day course, and take it from there really.

Molly doesn't feel that Nena is in any real pain, just discomfort, and that metacam (1ml 2 x a day for a 2.4kg bunny) will be sufficient to keep her happy. Nena was doing binkies yesterday and still has a full appetite. I've been giving her a bit extra food and she has remained 2.4kg so she is clearly not suffering at the moment.

The lump is suspected to be ear related, not jaw. Molly is not a fan of opening up any abscesses to drain them as it's generally not effective and can cause other issues. I agree with that. I explained to her regarding my hesitation to put her through surgery and she agreed to be led by me. Surgery would be required for this (i.e. there's no other appropriate treatment). We discussed doing a CT scan at some point to establish how bad the ears are, which if nothing else will help us make a decision about quality of life. They hope to have a CT scanner there by the end of the summer.

I guess it's just a case of wait and see, and try to judge when she goes downhill a bit.

The appointment went well, better than I thought, but I'm just quite deflated and sad.

I contacted Windwhistle Warren on Friday to start the home checking process just so that I know I'm working towards it, as I am so concerned about leaving Tapla alone. I can deal with losing Nena... it will suck, but I'll manage the same as I've managed with other pets... but I can't deal with Tapla losing Nena. Based on my email including details of my vet, pics of their accommodation, and my experience/qualifications (I have an HND in Animal Management and a BSc in Animal Biology) they don't need to home-check me so that's good, so I'm in a position to get a boy fairly quickly when we know more about Nena.

This is all feeling very real now.

 

[Zoobec]

I'm glad that Molly is in agreement with you, I think that helps in this kind of situation. I am sure I would do exactly the same as you are doing, Nena still sounds like she is very happy in herself with a good quality of life, and that is the main thing. She will be living for the moment, oblivious of the fact there is anything wrong.

I know it is very hard, but you are putting Nena and Tapla first, as usual.

Sending hugs to you, and vibes that Nena will remain comfortable for as long as possible.

 

[BerryJane]

Glad it went better than you hoped. I sometimes think its the unknown that is the most stressful..

Hugs to you all xx

 

[MightyMax]

Thanks for your support everyone.

Took her in to see Molly today. Nena's dribbly eyes has caused a sore patch under one eye which has only come on in the last 3 days. She also has a dribbly nose so has a little bald patch. She's had both eyes trimmed underneath and the skin looks pretty okay. Little bit sore in one place but Molly just recommended a little bit of vaseline now and then as a barrier. Molly prescribed Nena some antibiotics (ronaxan) for 10 days for her dribbly eyes and nose, and some bisolvon. The liquid coming out is a bit thicker than before so was crusting up the fur (it was significantly crusty today but has been okay until now!) but she had a good look and doesn't suspect abscesses there. I'm to check back in with Molly this time next week to see if we need to continue the antibiotics longer than the 10 day course, and take it from there really.

Molly doesn't feel that Nena is in any real pain, just discomfort, and that metacam (1ml 2 x a day for a 2.4kg bunny) will be sufficient to keep her happy. Nena was doing binkies yesterday and still has a full appetite. I've been giving her a bit extra food and she has remained 2.4kg so she is clearly not suffering at the moment.

The lump is suspected to be ear related, not jaw. Molly is not a fan of opening up any abscesses to drain them as it's generally not effective and can cause other issues. I agree with that. I explained to her regarding my hesitation to put her through surgery and she agreed to be led by me. Surgery would be required for this (i.e. there's no other appropriate treatment). We discussed doing a CT scan at some point to establish how bad the ears are, which if nothing else will help us make a decision about quality of life. They hope to have a CT scanner there by the end of the summer.

I guess it's just a case of wait and see, and try to judge when she goes downhill a bit.

The appointment went well, better than I thought, but I'm just quite deflated and sad.

I contacted Windwhistle Warren on Friday to start the home checking process just so that I know I'm working towards it, as I am so concerned about leaving Tapla alone. I can deal with losing Nena... it will suck, but I'll manage the same as I've managed with other pets... but I can't deal with Tapla losing Nena. Based on my email including details of my vet, pics of their accommodation, and my experience/qualifications (I have an HND in Animal Management and a BSc in Animal Biology) they don't need to home-check me so that's good, so I'm in a position to get a boy fairly quickly when we know more about Nena.

This is all feeling very real now.

Thinking of you Yaretzi. I know how this feels ... Getting towards something you've known about all along, but magically managed to postpone.

I hope Nena remains well in herself for as long as possible x