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ravenmoore36

ravenmoore36

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Aug 23, 2015
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Eastbourne East Sussex
Today a sunday we had to see the weekend cover vet at our practice. Our little man would not eat.....not a morsel. He has anti biotics and a critcal care porridge type of thing he has syringed into him every 2hrs and every four through the night. Hoping eating by morning. V worried. He never gets sick!
 
Did they give you pain meds? They are essential in helping to get a rabbit eating again. Gut motility meds are often prescribed as well.

Did the vet check the stomach to make sure there was no bloating or a complete blockage?
 
He has had to go back today..... still not eating. Just the gloop we syringe into every 2 hours. Had a jab to get his system running. There is no evidence of pain. His tummy im told feels fine. Its not his teeth. No temperature. Pee and poo normal. Vet is flumoxed. Hoping jab he had will get his appetite running. If not back he goes tomorrow and will be kept in. Hoping he starts eating......soon.
 
There are many health problems that can cause a rabbit to stop eating. Basically anything that causes a rabbit pain can cause them to stop eating. It could be anything from a cecal impaction, urinary or kidney problem, heart problems, to dental issues(which can't be completely ruled out unless the dental check was done under GA as a conscious exam isn't as thorough). You may need to have xrays and blood tests done at this point, along with a thorough dental exam under GA.

A rabbit not eating is a rabbit in pain. That is the evidence of a rabbit being in pain. Just my opinion, but any vet that doesn't prescribe pain relief for a rabbit not eating(and with no evidence of kidney issues), likely isn't a rabbit savvy vet. Rabbit savvy vets know the importance of adequate pain relief in a rabbits recovery from illness and to help get them eating again. If your vet didn't prescribe at least some metacam/meloxicam for pain relief, it's likely the vet isn't a rabbit savvy one.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=500

Am I guessing right that you are in the UK? You have several very good rabbit specialists in your country. If you would like to post your general area, I might know of one near your location. Seeing a rabbit specialist can make a big difference in a rabbit getting the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
 
He had an injection that gave pain relief and to stimulate his system. He had started to nibble in the last 8 hours. Plus he is on oral anti biotics. Have to be very careful with meds for him.... he has had adverse reactions in the past after a post op infection on his teeth that has left him with chest problems.
 
JBun said:
There are many health problems that can cause a rabbit to stop eating. Basically anything that causes a rabbit pain can cause them to stop eating. It could be anything from a cecal impaction, urinary or kidney problem, heart problems, to dental issues(which can't be completely ruled out unless the dental check was done under GA as a conscious exam isn't as thorough). You may need to have xrays and blood tests done at this point, along with a thorough dental exam under GA.

A rabbit not eating is a rabbit in pain. That is the evidence of a rabbit being in pain. Just my opinion, but any vet that doesn't prescribe pain relief for a rabbit not eating(and with no evidence of kidney issues), likely isn't a rabbit savvy vet. Rabbit savvy vets know the importance of adequate pain relief in a rabbits recovery from illness and to help get them eating again. If your vet didn't prescribe at least some metacam/meloxicam for pain relief, it's likely the vet isn't a rabbit savvy one.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=500

Am I guessing right that you are in the UK? You have several very good rabbit specialists in your country. If you would like to post your general area, I might know of one near your location. Seeing a rabbit specialist can make a big difference in a rabbit getting the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Click to expand...
Thanks. We are already under a lagamorph specialist in maidstone, trinity vets for luna. They were brilliant, fixed luna belle who had ecu niculu... excuse my spelling of that. Thanks for your help
 
Thank you for your help. We are already under a specialist in maidstone because of our luna. They diagnosed her with ecu niculi... excuse spelling. They would have been next port of call today had he still not been eating... but he is trying to eat now. Slowly but trying. He is still on critical care food every 2 hours... cross fingers he continues to improve. Thanks again
 
I'm glad to hear that he's started eating some again. Sometimes they just need a little critical care to jump start their system. Remember to keep his usual food around even when you're syringing him the critical care so he has plenty to choose from when he does want to eat.
 
Nothing is ever easy. Back to vet today. Now he has a temperature no evidence at all of any pain. Apears to be viral! New antibiotics and an anti inflametry to be on the safe side.
 
Nothing is ever simple. Yesterday- great, started eating today back to the vet. It seems he does have an infection, his temp is up today. There is no evidence in behaviour or symptoms of any pain. He is not sitting scrunched up, no pain when manhandled by the vet. What kind of infection is the mystery. Our vet is very bunnied up. Gave him a thorough poking and prodding no pain. Just run with new meds see what happens.
 
Ok, but antibiotics treat bacteria not viruses, so I wonder what thoughts your vet had in terms of what they are treating? Did they suggest any labs or tests?
 
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Trinity is a great vet. Glad you have a such a good specialist that you can go to when it's needed. Hope your bun is feeling better soon.
 
Thanks. Its so scary not having a clue what it is despite every effort put in by our vet and ourselves. Now i know what its like getting up in the night for feeding!
 
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