plasticbunny
Well-Known Member
IMMEDIATE INFORMATION:
Description (Breed, color, weight): Flemish Giant, 11 lbs
Age: 8 months
Sex: F
Concise Summary of the Rabbit's Condition: A few days ago, I noticed that Molly had lost weight. Her vertibrae were becoming easy to feel and she felt lighter to pick up. I checked her teeth first, they were fine. I felt her jaw, it was fine. I did see her eating but am not sure how much as I've been working overtime the past week and haven't spent much time in the rabbit room. I do know it's not her usual amount. I had made an appointment for Tuesday at the vet, the earliest I could get in.
Today I noticed her making a noise partway between a sneeze and a honk. I also heard a congestion noise and when I put my ear to her side I could hear rumbling as she breathed. Her lower respiratory tract is obviously congested with fluid. I listened to her sinuses as well and they don't seem congested, and there's no discharge. My first thought was pneumonia; however, upon further research I'm leaning more towards Congestive Heart Failure.
From what I've read, CHF's first symptoms can be weight loss, loss of appetite, and tiredness, among others. Because of how the heart of a bunny with CHF works, blood can then pool in the lungs and cause lung congestion. She is young, but because she is a large breed I'm concerned she could be more prone to this.
With pneumonia, it seems that it is usually caused by an upper respiratory tract infection (which Molly did not have), which then progressed to a lower RTI. She is also not running a temperature at all, and she is not gasping, laboring to breathe, or tilting her head up. This is why I'm now doubting pneumonia.
Molly has a vet appointment with a different vet (the only exotic vet that's open Sundays) tomorrow morning. I'm praying she makes it through the night.
Any thoughts on what else it could be are welcome. Any advice is welcome. Prayers and best wishes are definately welcome.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / CHECK LIST: (Please fill in relevant info).
Fecal and Urinary Output
- are the bunny's poops and pees normal? No. Peeing is occuring outside of the litter box. Poops are smaller andharder, so there is obvious dehydration. Output is the same.
- when did they last use their litterbox? Using regularly.
- any unusual behavior? straining to pee? unusual litter habits? Lazier, not lethargic or unresponsive, but laying around more.
- what litter and/or bedding do you use? Aspen litter, hardwood floor.
Medical History
- spayed/neutered? Yes.
- has s/he been to the vet or been sick before?Yes to the vet, No to sick.
- is s/he on any medications? No.
Diet
- what specifically does your bunny eat? Hay,pellets, safe veggies.
- when and what did s/he eat last?Not sure.
- any changes in the way s/he eats? (ie: not eating a particular food, odd chewing motions, etc) I haven't seen her eat pellets in a few days, though my boyfriend has. Decreased appetite regardless.
Other
- movement - any unusual movements? Is s/he hopping normally? Resting a lot.
- is the rabbit molting? No.
- any weight loss? Yes.
- any sign of drooling? wet face? No.
- runny eyes? No.
- wet nose? coughing? sneezing?Sneezing slightly, but no discharge.
- is s/he breathing normally? Breath is not labored and no blue tint on lips/nose/gums. Has obvious congestion in lower respiratory tract.
Additional
- any plants, chocolate or other substances within reach? No.
- has the rabbit been outdoors? No.
- any other pets? if so, have they been ill? Yes to pets, no to ill.
Description (Breed, color, weight): Flemish Giant, 11 lbs
Age: 8 months
Sex: F
Concise Summary of the Rabbit's Condition: A few days ago, I noticed that Molly had lost weight. Her vertibrae were becoming easy to feel and she felt lighter to pick up. I checked her teeth first, they were fine. I felt her jaw, it was fine. I did see her eating but am not sure how much as I've been working overtime the past week and haven't spent much time in the rabbit room. I do know it's not her usual amount. I had made an appointment for Tuesday at the vet, the earliest I could get in.
Today I noticed her making a noise partway between a sneeze and a honk. I also heard a congestion noise and when I put my ear to her side I could hear rumbling as she breathed. Her lower respiratory tract is obviously congested with fluid. I listened to her sinuses as well and they don't seem congested, and there's no discharge. My first thought was pneumonia; however, upon further research I'm leaning more towards Congestive Heart Failure.
From what I've read, CHF's first symptoms can be weight loss, loss of appetite, and tiredness, among others. Because of how the heart of a bunny with CHF works, blood can then pool in the lungs and cause lung congestion. She is young, but because she is a large breed I'm concerned she could be more prone to this.
With pneumonia, it seems that it is usually caused by an upper respiratory tract infection (which Molly did not have), which then progressed to a lower RTI. She is also not running a temperature at all, and she is not gasping, laboring to breathe, or tilting her head up. This is why I'm now doubting pneumonia.
Molly has a vet appointment with a different vet (the only exotic vet that's open Sundays) tomorrow morning. I'm praying she makes it through the night.
Any thoughts on what else it could be are welcome. Any advice is welcome. Prayers and best wishes are definately welcome.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / CHECK LIST: (Please fill in relevant info).
Fecal and Urinary Output
- are the bunny's poops and pees normal? No. Peeing is occuring outside of the litter box. Poops are smaller andharder, so there is obvious dehydration. Output is the same.
- when did they last use their litterbox? Using regularly.
- any unusual behavior? straining to pee? unusual litter habits? Lazier, not lethargic or unresponsive, but laying around more.
- what litter and/or bedding do you use? Aspen litter, hardwood floor.
Medical History
- spayed/neutered? Yes.
- has s/he been to the vet or been sick before?Yes to the vet, No to sick.
- is s/he on any medications? No.
Diet
- what specifically does your bunny eat? Hay,pellets, safe veggies.
- when and what did s/he eat last?Not sure.
- any changes in the way s/he eats? (ie: not eating a particular food, odd chewing motions, etc) I haven't seen her eat pellets in a few days, though my boyfriend has. Decreased appetite regardless.
Other
- movement - any unusual movements? Is s/he hopping normally? Resting a lot.
- is the rabbit molting? No.
- any weight loss? Yes.
- any sign of drooling? wet face? No.
- runny eyes? No.
- wet nose? coughing? sneezing?Sneezing slightly, but no discharge.
- is s/he breathing normally? Breath is not labored and no blue tint on lips/nose/gums. Has obvious congestion in lower respiratory tract.
Additional
- any plants, chocolate or other substances within reach? No.
- has the rabbit been outdoors? No.
- any other pets? if so, have they been ill? Yes to pets, no to ill.