Health problems (mobility, weight loss etc)

[Apollo’s Slave]

My little bun has a few health problems. She’s had health problems since I got her less than a month ago. Mostly mobility and poopy bum. The vet has given us mostly preventative treatment for now. Her back area was shaved, then we were given an orange/yellow medicine to use to clean her with and some metaloxicam. I’ve been cleaning her every day, just using the coloured liquid in warm water (per the instructions) and some paper towels. Within a week, she has dropped a ton of weight. I’ve increased her pellets and I’m planning on slowly introducing oats this week. I was also thinking of adding some alfalfa but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea or not. She’s got a vet appointment in two weeks time as well, so that they can see her hips. The problem that I’m having is her butt area is very stained, and she’s got some dried cecotropes stuck on it. I spent as much time as I could cleaning it off, but there was still some left. I’m not sure if she’s better off with a rescue

 

[JBun]

If she hasn't received a proper diagnosis for her sudden weight loss, and is now on the proper treatment to help her get better, or at least stabilized, then you need to get her in sooner than 2 weeks, as an emergency visit if necessary.

She is extremely thin, to the point that I consider it potentially life threatening. Adding in high calorie food isn't going to make that much of a difference with how severe her condition is, if she hasn't been diagnosed correctly and is on the proper treatment.

So if this hasn't all been done already, the most essential thing at this point is getting the proper tests done to determine the cause of the weight loss and getting the proper treatment started. If these tests haven't been done then these are the diagnostics I would expect. A thorough dental check to make sure that's not causing eating problems and the weight loss. If the teeth are ok, a fecal float test to rule out parasites and a blood test to check liver and kidney function, and for signs of an infection. If neither of those show any problems, checking the heart, possibly an ultrasound of it. If nothing is wrong there, xrays to see if there isn't something else going on internally, maybe even cancer. And possibly a blood test for e. cuniculi.

In the meantime, you can add or increase other foods if you want, but I wouldn't add alfalfa in case it's kidney problems(high calcium isn't good), unless a blood test has already been done and shows kidney function is fine. I would just increase pellets and maybe try oats. But the most essential thing is getting a proper diagnosis, even if you have to take your rabbit to a rabbit specialist(if you haven't already).

I can't recall if you've ever mentioned what vet you use, but if you aren't seeing a specialist or at least a really experienced rabbit vet, Beaumont animal hospital and Trinity Vets might be two possibilities somewhat close to your location. Or if you aren't able to provide the necessary medical treatment and there's a rescue that will take her, then yes, surrendering her to a reputable rescue might be the better choice.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

If she hasn't received a proper diagnosis for her sudden weight loss, and is now on the proper treatment to help her get better, or at least stabilized, then you need to get her in sooner than 2 weeks, as an emergency visit if necessary.

She is extremely thin, to the point that I consider it potentially life threatening. Adding in high calorie food isn't going to make that much of a difference with how severe her condition is, if she hasn't been diagnosed correctly and is on the proper treatment.

So if this hasn't all been done already, the most essential thing at this point is getting the proper tests done to determine the cause of the weight loss and getting the proper treatment started. If these tests haven't been done then these are the diagnostics I would expect. A thorough dental check to make sure that's not causing eating problems and the weight loss. If the teeth are ok, a fecal float test to rule out parasites and a blood test to check liver and kidney function, and for signs of an infection. If neither of those show any problems, checking the heart, possibly an ultrasound of it. If nothing is wrong there, xrays to see if there isn't something else going on internally, maybe even cancer. And possibly a blood test for e. cuniculi.

In the meantime, you can add or increase other foods if you want, but I wouldn't add alfalfa in case it's kidney problems(high calcium isn't good), unless a blood test has already been done and shows kidney function is fine. I would just increase pellets and maybe try oats. But the most essential thing is getting a proper diagnosis, even if you have to take your rabbit to a rabbit specialist(if you haven't already).

I can't recall if you've ever mentioned what vet you use, but if you aren't seeing a specialist or at least a really experienced rabbit vet, Beaumont animal hospital and Trinity Vets might be two possibilities somewhat close to your location. Or if you aren't able to provide the necessary medical treatment and there's a rescue that will take her, then yes, surrendering her to a reputable rescue might be the better choice.

Thank you. We last saw a vet about a week and a half ago, and she’s dropped this weight within maybe 4 days. When we saw the vet, she weighed 2.24kg, I’m going to weigh her today to get an accurate weight loss example. We are booked in for X-rays in a few weeks (our next vet appointment) but I will definitely see if they can get her in earlier. She’s had her teeth checked, been dewormed, and they said her heart sounded good (but that was only listening to it). At this point, I think I’m going to begin contacting rescues and seeing if anyone can take her, as I’m not experienced enough for this, and I don’t know if I can afford it.

 

[Diane R]

As JBun said, take her to the Beaumont. She needs to see a good rabbit vet for a proper diagnosis. No point in trying to fatten her, that's just dealing with the symptoms, she needs treatment. I would definitely want EC testing and other blood tests.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

As JBun said, take her to the Beaumont. She needs to see a good rabbit vet for a proper diagnosis. No point in trying to fatten her, that's just dealing with the symptoms, she needs treatment. I would definitely want EC testing and other blood tests.

Do you know any approx. as to how much it could cost? Aside from that, I have begun contacting rescues. As much as I don’t want to, it does seem to be the best option for her

 

[Diane R]

Do you know any approx. as to how much it could cost? Aside from that, I have begun contacting rescues. As much as I don’t want to, it does seem to be the best option for her

Very hard to say, depends on what exactly they do. But no point wasting time (and money) going to a vet who can't help. No insurance? I can't see how having to move again is better for her. And most rescues have very long waiting lists.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

Very hard to say, depends on what exactly they do. But no point wasting time (and money) going to a vet who can't help. No insurance? I can't see how having to move again is better for her. And most rescues have very long waiting lists.

I haven’t found any insurance that covers pre-existing health conditions, at least not for a decent price. And I wasn’t exactly planning on keeping them either, as I knew I couldn’t afford three rabbits, but just wanted to get them out of the school. I do believe that moving again is better for her, whether I want to or not. A more experienced person, with access to better treatment and can watch her more carefully, definitely sounds better to me. I’m still going to call Beaumont vets tomorrow and see if I can get a consultation, or a price estimation and see how we go.