CloverRabbits
Well-Known Member
Hello!
I haven't been on here in forever. I have an old 8 year old buck who has seemed to slow down a bit. He normally lives outside in a large hutch with lots of out of hutch time, but he started really struggling in the heat this summer, so he's been living in the barn (with outside time in nice weather) for the last few months now. He is in a large x-pen. He is always in a clean environment and has fresh hay, pellets, and water at all times.
I noticed a few days ago, probably closer to a week ago, that he was drinking more than normal - I'd say a cup a day of water vs 1/2 cup or less that he normally will drink. I was honestly very busy with family things the last week, so he didn't get out of his pen, and I didn't check him over
I picked him up to let him out on grass this morning, and noticed his one testicle was quite enlarged, and painful to the touch. It is smooth, not lumpy, and about 2-2.5 times the size of his other one. He is otherwise acting happy, eating, running around, etc.
I had some powdered Baytril, but I actually had it from my horse, so 1 tsp=2 grams. I calculated he'd need about 12 mg, so I put just less than a pinch in his water (which I checked to make sure he was drinking ok, and he was). That pinch should last him 2 days. I am thinking that he either has an infection of some sort, or cancer. At this point, I really cannot afford to bring him in to get examined by a vet, and if it is cancer, I just want him comfortable. I am going to call a couple of vets tomorrow and see if I can get proper antibiotics and maybe metacam for him without actually bringing him in, though I kind of doubt anyone will do that.
So I guess I was just wondering if anyone has experience with this? If it is an infection, what antibiotic would be an option to use? What is the metacam dose (he's 5 lbs) just in case I do get someone to prescribe it (so I can double check that it is a safe dose for pain maintenance)? He is an old man, and while I do not want him to suffer, I cannot justify spending hundreds of dollars on him, and I will not treat him for cancer or get him neutered at this stage in his life. Is metacam good for long term pain maintenance in rabbits with cancer? I can take a picture and post it tonight if it will help.
Thanks all I feel so bad for him, but I know that he's nearing his time, and I just want to make him as comfortable as possible (or try to treat an infection if that's what it looks/sounds like!).
I haven't been on here in forever. I have an old 8 year old buck who has seemed to slow down a bit. He normally lives outside in a large hutch with lots of out of hutch time, but he started really struggling in the heat this summer, so he's been living in the barn (with outside time in nice weather) for the last few months now. He is in a large x-pen. He is always in a clean environment and has fresh hay, pellets, and water at all times.
I noticed a few days ago, probably closer to a week ago, that he was drinking more than normal - I'd say a cup a day of water vs 1/2 cup or less that he normally will drink. I was honestly very busy with family things the last week, so he didn't get out of his pen, and I didn't check him over
I picked him up to let him out on grass this morning, and noticed his one testicle was quite enlarged, and painful to the touch. It is smooth, not lumpy, and about 2-2.5 times the size of his other one. He is otherwise acting happy, eating, running around, etc.
I had some powdered Baytril, but I actually had it from my horse, so 1 tsp=2 grams. I calculated he'd need about 12 mg, so I put just less than a pinch in his water (which I checked to make sure he was drinking ok, and he was). That pinch should last him 2 days. I am thinking that he either has an infection of some sort, or cancer. At this point, I really cannot afford to bring him in to get examined by a vet, and if it is cancer, I just want him comfortable. I am going to call a couple of vets tomorrow and see if I can get proper antibiotics and maybe metacam for him without actually bringing him in, though I kind of doubt anyone will do that.
So I guess I was just wondering if anyone has experience with this? If it is an infection, what antibiotic would be an option to use? What is the metacam dose (he's 5 lbs) just in case I do get someone to prescribe it (so I can double check that it is a safe dose for pain maintenance)? He is an old man, and while I do not want him to suffer, I cannot justify spending hundreds of dollars on him, and I will not treat him for cancer or get him neutered at this stage in his life. Is metacam good for long term pain maintenance in rabbits with cancer? I can take a picture and post it tonight if it will help.
Thanks all I feel so bad for him, but I know that he's nearing his time, and I just want to make him as comfortable as possible (or try to treat an infection if that's what it looks/sounds like!).