Usagi Died

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Usagi_Chan

Usagi_Chan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2007
Messages
163
Reaction score
9
Location
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

For about the last week Usagi was fighting another bout of GI Stasis.
He seemed to be getting better, making poops that were strung together
and full of hair. But last night he died.

I read a web article written by Dana M. Krempels, Ph.D., Department of
Biology, University of Miami, that identified the active ingredient in
pineapple juice as an enzyme called "Bromelain." From some other web
searches I discovered that Bromelain is a combination of several
enzymes. The article says:

Both papain and bromelain are available in powdered form at most health
food stores, and should be reconstituted in water or Pedialyte shortly
before use to ensure maximum potency. Papaya tablets are little more
than a sugary treat: they contain very little active enzyme. Canned
pineapple juice is useless, as it has been cooked, and its enzymes denatured
and inactivated. Even fresh pineapple juice is not as desirable as
powdered bromelain, since it is high in sugar, which is just about the last
thing you want to add to a compromised rabbit's intestine!
Nowhere does it state what concentration should be used. In searching
the web I found nothing also so I guessed at the concentration that
should be used.

There was no necropsy on Usagi but I'm relatively sure that the
concentration I used was too high and probably did internal damage. I emailed
the author of this article and told him that Usagi died and that it was
direectly as a result of his article. His recommendation to use
bromelain rather than pineapple juice should be removed or modified to include
a detailed description of the formulation of the bromelain solution
that he is recommending.

Meanwhile, yes, I'm heartbroken and Thumper is now a widow. The moral
is to be very careful of what you read in articles on the web. One
should never use a recommendation such as that one when it is incomplete.
Even then tried and true methods such as pineapple juice should be used
rather than trying something new.

In Stasis I'm sure most of us get very concerned and are likely to try
anything that promises to work, especially when found in an article
written by a PhD. Biologist. I believe that it was my hand that harmed
Usagi which hurts but I also know I was trying to do the best I could for
him. I will get another companion for Thumper as soon as possible,
being careful that it is a healthy bunny with healthy eating habits that
he loves hay like Thumper, not like Usagi who hated hay.

Anyways, for GI Stasis stick with pineapple juice and don't use a
Bromelain concoction.

Usagi_Chan
 
Usagi_Chan wrote: I believe that it was my hand that harmed Usagi
which hurts but I also know I was trying to do the best I could for him.
Usagi_Chan



Don't blame yourself at all. A very wise and caring person once told me
not to "wear the hair shirt" over something I was beating myself up
over.....now I say that to you.

Be well!
 
I'm so sorry to hear about Usagi! When I read the title of the thread
my heart just sank. I followed his story through his last illness and
his stay at the rescue/hospital. Don't blame yourself at all! You clearly
loved Usagi very much and were even willing to give him up last time he
was sick just so he could get treatment at the rescue place. You did
everything you could. I'm so sad for you and Thumper.
 

I am so sorry for your loss. I know that you loved that bunny with all
your heart. That very obviously came across in your posts. You did
the best that you could for him and he knew that he was loved. Hugs to
you and Thumper. Beckie, Trouble and Trixie
 
REPOST: RECOVERED TEXT


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From: Pipp
Date: 2007-05-29 19:25:18
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

This is awful, I'm so very sorry. :sad: He was such an awesome bunny
and you really cared for him.



And he was very much like my little Pipp -- right down to all the
problems caused by her not eating hay. :(



Usagi_Chan wrote:

There was no necropsy on Usagi but I'm relatively sure that the
concentration I used was too high and probably did internal damage.

I'd like to hear what Randy thinks, but with no necropsy, you can't put
the blame on the Bromelain. It could have been anything. But it's
helpful to give people a heads up that the treatment preceded his death.
All information is helpful.



sas :cry4:


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From: missyscove
Date: 2007-05-29 20:48:18
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

I'm truly sorry for your loss, and my condolences to Thumper. Make
sure to give Thumper extra nose rubs from me.

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From: seniorcats
Date: 2007-05-29 20:58:43
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

My condolences and deepest sympathies.



Ann



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From: naturestee
Date: 2007-05-29 21:34:59
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

Wise words. You can't be sure it was something you did that caused his
death without a necropsy. But either way, don't beat yourself up. It
won't do you, or Usagi, or Thumper any good.

Binky free, Usagi. You will be missed. :pink iris:

JimD wrote:Don't blame yourself at all. A very wise and caring person
once told me not to "wear the hair shirt" over something I was beating
myself up over.....now I say that to you.



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From: Phinnsmommy
Date: 2007-05-29 21:51:33
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

Oh no, I to am in a state of shock.

Binky Free Usagi



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From: Pet_Bunny
Date: 2007-05-29 22:43:15
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

I am so sorry Usagi_Chan.

My Pebbles isn't feeling well too and refusing her Timothy Hay right
now, but I have other foods to feed her to keep up with her fibre
content. I believe any type of hay would help in the blockage
situation. Presently I am giving Pebbles Alfalfa hay and pumpkin as a source
of fibre, and her poops are good.

I am interested in the Bromelain, Usagi was taking. There are
breeders who use meat tenderizer which is Bromelain to feed rabbits in
crises. However nobody has the answer to how much do you mix and feed a
rabbit.

I do feed Pebbles papaya tablets. No harm so far, but I use it more
as a treat, and if there is any benefit to a healthy bunny, I'll
continue with the papaya tablets.

Don't blame yourself Usagi_Chan. You have gone through alot in the
many weeks when Usagi wasn't feeling well. There could have been many
other reasons that caused Usagi's passing.

Binkie free Usagi. :bunnyangel:

Rainbows :pink iris:



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From: seniorcats
Date: 2007-05-29 23:46:15
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

I would also like to add you can't heap quilt on top of your loss.
From what I have been able to find, at least on bromelain testing on
rabbits, the toxic dose is very high. It takes a large amount (1800 mg or
more) to cause problems in humans.

This article makes reference to testing on rabbits.

http://www.plasticsurgery.org/medical_professionals/health_policy/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=22502

I guess the bottom line is, rabbits are exotic, prey animals and they
can hide the severity of illness. Necroscopies are expensive and often
inconclusive.

Again, I am very sorry for your loss.


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From: Usagi_Chan
Date: 2007-05-30 00:57:54
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

Thank you for that reference, seniorcats. Truthfully I have been
beating myself up quite a bit over this because I was certain that Usagi died
because I overdosed him. While the data is not specific to rabbits in
that article it says:

In several animal studies, the median lethal dose during oral
administration was greater than 10 g/kg.
What I used was on 500 mg tablet crushed and mixed with 5 ml Oxbow
Critical Care slurry. That is far below 10 g/kg. It's about 1/20 of the
lethal dose. So it is quite possible that it wasn't the Bromelain that
killed him.

That helps me feel better about this, so thanks for finding that.

Nonetheless, until I find an article which gives the specific dosage
information for Bromelainin rabbits or the concentration of Bromelain in
fresh squeezed pineapple juice , I'll stick to old-fashoned fresh
squeezed pineapple juice.

Canned juice is ineffective because the bromelain is destroyed by the
canning process. Freezing the juice is ok.

If and when I get an email from Dana M. Krempels, Ph.D. about her
article I'll post the contents here.

There is a positive side to this. No bunny could ever replace Usagi
but this gives me room in my house to adopt another homeless bunny.

Usagi_Chan


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From: polly
Date: 2007-05-30 03:25:53
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

I am so sorry, i couldn't beleive it when i saw the post.



Binky free Usagi:rainbow:



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From: Flashy
Date: 2007-05-30 05:26:59
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

I read this and am so Gutted for you, I know how much you loved him.



I am just so sorry for you.



Take care of yourself



RIP Usagi, you were much loved.


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From: bat42072
Date: 2007-05-30 08:55:05
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

I am so sorry for your loss.. you only did what you thought was best
for Usagi... you are all in my thoughts...



Rip Usagi



--becky



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From: ~Bracon~
Date: 2007-05-30 09:04:27
Reply: http://rabbitsonline.net/reply.php?topic_id=22968

im so sorry :(




 
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