lalena2148
Well-Known Member
Darfi wrote:
" Loss of appetite and depression. This sign usually occurs because of pain due to the pressure, size or location of the stones, or because there is a complete blockage of the urethra. If there is blockage of one or more ureters the rabbit can quickly develop kidney failure which will result in severe depression and death within a short time. Loss of appetite and depression should always be considered an emergency in a rabbit regardless of the suspected cause and you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
[*]
It goes without saying that if you see any of the above signs in your rabbit that you should contact a veterinarian immediately. If you can collect a urine sample prior to your visit, this may be helpful. (Please see section below on Urinalysis for directions on how to collect the sample).
Urinalysis - A urinalysis can detect abnormal cells and determine the chemical composition of the urine. Urine can be collected from rabbits in a variety of ways.
1. Free catch - Empty the rabbit's litter box and wipe it out with a paper towel, but do not disinfect it so that there is some odor remaining. When the rabbit urinates in the box, collect the as soon as possible by pouring it into clean glass or plastic container. You can also use a syringe or eyedropper to suction up the urine. Take the sample to your veterinarian as soon as possible, but it may be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. The drawback to this method of collection is that fecal contamination is common which may alter the urinalysis results.
2. Manual expression. - Your veterinarian or veterinary technician may be able to gently massage and squeeze the bladder in the awake rabbit and cause the pet to urinate. The urine is directed into a collection cup. This method is successful if the rabbit is cooperative and has a full bladder.
3. Cystocentesis. - This method can be used in either the awake or anesthetized rabbit. The patient is placed on his back and the bladder is grasped by the handler and pulled gently up against the abdomen. A small needle attached to a syringe is then inserted through the abdominal skin and into the bladder. Suction is applied and the urine sample is collected into the syringe. The procedure is accomplished in a few seconds with minimal discomfort to the rabbit. This method allows collection of sterile urine for bacterial culture.
4. Catheterization. - The rabbit is anesthetized for this procedure. A small soft catheter is placed in the urethra and then passed into the bladder and the urine sample is drawn out into a syringe. This procedure also allows a sterile sample collection for bacterial culture. " - SMALL MAMMAL HEALTH SERIES
By Susan Brown, DVM (Bladder Stones)
I'd keep a VERY close eye on him. Make sure he's eating and that he keeps going to the bathroom as you don't want him to go into kidney failure if he has a stone.
He's not eating well? And he doesn't want to play?
" Loss of appetite and depression. This sign usually occurs because of pain due to the pressure, size or location of the stones, or because there is a complete blockage of the urethra. If there is blockage of one or more ureters the rabbit can quickly develop kidney failure which will result in severe depression and death within a short time. Loss of appetite and depression should always be considered an emergency in a rabbit regardless of the suspected cause and you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
[*]
It goes without saying that if you see any of the above signs in your rabbit that you should contact a veterinarian immediately. If you can collect a urine sample prior to your visit, this may be helpful. (Please see section below on Urinalysis for directions on how to collect the sample).
Urinalysis - A urinalysis can detect abnormal cells and determine the chemical composition of the urine. Urine can be collected from rabbits in a variety of ways.
1. Free catch - Empty the rabbit's litter box and wipe it out with a paper towel, but do not disinfect it so that there is some odor remaining. When the rabbit urinates in the box, collect the as soon as possible by pouring it into clean glass or plastic container. You can also use a syringe or eyedropper to suction up the urine. Take the sample to your veterinarian as soon as possible, but it may be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. The drawback to this method of collection is that fecal contamination is common which may alter the urinalysis results.
2. Manual expression. - Your veterinarian or veterinary technician may be able to gently massage and squeeze the bladder in the awake rabbit and cause the pet to urinate. The urine is directed into a collection cup. This method is successful if the rabbit is cooperative and has a full bladder.
3. Cystocentesis. - This method can be used in either the awake or anesthetized rabbit. The patient is placed on his back and the bladder is grasped by the handler and pulled gently up against the abdomen. A small needle attached to a syringe is then inserted through the abdominal skin and into the bladder. Suction is applied and the urine sample is collected into the syringe. The procedure is accomplished in a few seconds with minimal discomfort to the rabbit. This method allows collection of sterile urine for bacterial culture.
4. Catheterization. - The rabbit is anesthetized for this procedure. A small soft catheter is placed in the urethra and then passed into the bladder and the urine sample is drawn out into a syringe. This procedure also allows a sterile sample collection for bacterial culture. " - SMALL MAMMAL HEALTH SERIES
By Susan Brown, DVM (Bladder Stones)
I'd keep a VERY close eye on him. Make sure he's eating and that he keeps going to the bathroom as you don't want him to go into kidney failure if he has a stone.
ray:. Don't stress yourself out too much. I've found rabbits get more stressed when they sense you are stressed yourself.
