HELP! THUMPER IS SICK

[Lucy/Thumper]

My vet called me yesterday and said he wanted meto talk to a vet with more experience with rabbits. I justtalked to him. Thumper went from 6lbs to 5.4lbs and he shedsconstantly. I rescued him from the pound a yearago. The first month or so he used his litter boxperfectly. Since then he will go everywhere. Infact he was curled up in bed with me one night and pissed all over bothof us. I thought he was just relaxed. It turns outthat the vet doesn't think this is a teritory thing at all.He thinks it is metobolic. Hormonal, possibly atumor on his adrenal gland. Which we could us meds to helpwith symptoms but not heal him. Help you all seem to knowmore that the vets do. He is eating and drinkingnormally. In fact he might be drinking too much, which isalso a sigh. He was in such bad shape when I got him and Ihave only had him ayear. I feel so bad!! Anythoughts suggests or ideas?? I would love to hear from youall!! I don't even know if he is in pain. Like Imentioned in a previous post he doesn't clean anything other than hisears and face. Maybe he doesn't feel up to it?Please help??!! If you have any experience with this let meknow.

 

[Buck Jones]

Unfortunately. I am unable to provide you withany advice regarding treatment, but if you link tohttp://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabrefs.htmland scroll down to Kidney Failure, you will find informationthat may be of assistance to you. It did seem prettycomprehensive at first glance.

So sorry to hear of your dilemma. I hope things do improve inthe near future. We've got some prettyrabbit savvyposters who frequent here, and they may have some suggestions as towhat to do.

Buck

 

[pamnock]

Nutri Cal is high in calories and can helptomaintain body weight. Consult with your vet onthe best route for diet at this time, and if it would be safe to giveNutri Cal.

Do keep in mind that your vet is guessing that the problem maybe an edrenal tumor. A positive diagnosis hasn't beenmade, so there are a number of other health problems that could bepresent including kidney problems as Buck mentioned.

This article makes mention of endocrine disease in rabbits, but statesthat it is not well documented in rabbitshttp://www.hrschicago.org/headtiltfr.html

You may find more helpful info adrenal disease by researching otherspecies . . . (you may also be able to find more info by searching forhypoglycemia or

This link pertains to adrenal illness in the ferret, but you may findsome of the info helpfulhttp://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/adrenal.html

Good info: pertains to dogs with adrenal disease

http://www.planet-pets.com/petperiodicals/petperiod376.htm

excerpt from: www.morfz.com/PATHO_RABBIT.pdf

"Cecotrophy is controlled by the adrenalglands, and therefore may
be altered during periods of excessive stress."

 

[Bo B Bunny]

I looked around and found mostly sites on ferrets. It seems they have a high occurence of problems that way.

Maybe the vet jumped on that idea because of ferrets. I would definitely get the bunny to an exotics vet.

 

[Lucy/Thumper]

Thank you all dearly for your replies.

 

[Cher]

Keep us posted

xo

Cher

 

[Carolyn]

Oh Lucy/Thumper,

You must be beside yourself.

I know how you love Thumper. I wish I had an answer for you.

You and little Thumper will be in my thoughts and prayers. He's comesuch a long way since you got him. I hope something can be done.

I'll contact a friend of mine who has some great references to rabbitsavvy vets. I'll see if we can dig up someone in your neighborhood or anearby town/city that you could call for some advice.

I'm so sorry this is happening. You and Thumper sure have been through a lot.

I'll see what I can find out for you in the way of rabbit specialists in your area.

-Carolyn

 

[pamnock]

Bo B Bunny wrote:

Maybe the vet jumped on that idea because offerrets. I would definitely get the bunny to anexotics vet.

Many exotic vets have very little or no experience treating rabbits, soit's always a good idea to try to find one with good references fromrabbit owners.

Pam

 

[Bo B Bunny]

YES! Our exotics is a great bunny vet.