Penelope.NDwarf
New Member
Hello.. I have been very impressed with the wealth of information and support on this Forum. I have read many threads regarding recovery for our bunnies after GI stasis BUT could not find anything regarding possible injury to body after IV in leg, etc. My daughter's 4 yo Netherland Dwarf, whom we've only had for 9 months; stayed in an Emerg Vet Clinic for 2 nights and released back to us on the 3rd day with meds and critical care feeding instructions.
1. I'm having heck of a time getting her to syringe feed her the critical care. Any tricks of the trade? She's so tiny and fragile and obviously healing that I don't want to overdue it or stress her out more. She will happily eat fresh vegetables & drink water but that's it otherwise... no interest in her hay or pellets (btw she is pooping just not regular size yet or quantity). I have been getting her to eat/nibble on the hour mark as that brings me to my next dilemma.
2. She honestly seems injured and not using the front leg where the IV was put in and only hobbles if we stress her out too much. She leans to that side or finds something to support her like the wall or her bed. She can't or won't even get in her litter box, etc. I did lift her in yesterday but that seemed to stress her out more but I wanted to see if she'd start grazing on the hay too. But she literally lept/fell over the side to go hide in her cubby spot. She does free roam in my daughter's room.
So I'm wondering from everyone's experience with their bunnies at a vet clinic and getting IV; does it take their little legs awhile to feel normal or could something have gone wrong at vet as I know she was fine and was a very frisky happy hoppy bunny.
I really appreciate any advice on this as the Emerg Vet has simply told me now to monitor and that bringing her back into their clinic would be too stressful / detrimental to her recovery at this point; which I would agree. I don't have a rabbit specialist vet as of yet either as hadn't had the need but will be on the look out for one too now.
Cheers,
Rebecca & Maya, and Penelope the bunny
1. I'm having heck of a time getting her to syringe feed her the critical care. Any tricks of the trade? She's so tiny and fragile and obviously healing that I don't want to overdue it or stress her out more. She will happily eat fresh vegetables & drink water but that's it otherwise... no interest in her hay or pellets (btw she is pooping just not regular size yet or quantity). I have been getting her to eat/nibble on the hour mark as that brings me to my next dilemma.
2. She honestly seems injured and not using the front leg where the IV was put in and only hobbles if we stress her out too much. She leans to that side or finds something to support her like the wall or her bed. She can't or won't even get in her litter box, etc. I did lift her in yesterday but that seemed to stress her out more but I wanted to see if she'd start grazing on the hay too. But she literally lept/fell over the side to go hide in her cubby spot. She does free roam in my daughter's room.
So I'm wondering from everyone's experience with their bunnies at a vet clinic and getting IV; does it take their little legs awhile to feel normal or could something have gone wrong at vet as I know she was fine and was a very frisky happy hoppy bunny.
I really appreciate any advice on this as the Emerg Vet has simply told me now to monitor and that bringing her back into their clinic would be too stressful / detrimental to her recovery at this point; which I would agree. I don't have a rabbit specialist vet as of yet either as hadn't had the need but will be on the look out for one too now.
Cheers,
Rebecca & Maya, and Penelope the bunny