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Forum DIET & CARE Sick Simba – HELP!

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    • tanlover14
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        Simba had a small problem eating last week and we noticed he was having trouble with his cecotropes. They created quite a mess on his bum so we scheduled a vet visit as he didnt seem as excited about food either. He was given sub-q fluids and Metacam and popped back quickly. He came home and gobbled up his dinner. The vet thought his cecum felt sore which is why she prescribed the Metacam and thought his cecum had stopped pushing out his cecotropes and that’s why when it “rebooted” all of them were coming out at once and he couldn’t keep up.

        He seemed fine after his vet visit but last night he seemed weird about not eating his pellets. We finally were able to get him to eat a few and some hay. Then today he didnt eat his veggies OR his pellets. I gave him some Metacam and gas meds but he’s still not eating much. He’s eaten very little today. We are taking him in for some sub-q fluids again in the morning but I’m not sure how often I should encourage him to eat through the night to keep him going. All he has eaten are a handful of veggies and about two tablespoons of pumpkin along with a few treats.

        He has me so worried

        Sorry – typing this on my phone and I’m exhausted.


      • jerseygirl
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          Oh I’m sorry poor Simba! : (
          Pumpkin is good when they’re gut is playing up ivebheard. It’s good he’s taking that. Do you have any critical care? You might be able to mix it with pumpkin and give in a dish.

          Metacam can suppress the appetite so it might take a while until he’s interested in food.
          I wouldn’t worry about pellets. It’s so often the thing they go back to last.

          When mine I like this I find it will just be one thing they want so keep trying different stuff.
          With Jersey one time it was chicory (like your dandelion greens over there). With Jelly, he ate grasses, rose leaves and willow. Curly endive also at times.

          {{{Simba}}}have you tried simethicone and syringing fluids?

          Edit: sorry, just saw you wrote had given gas meds.


        • tanlover14
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            Just woke up to check him again…he ate some more pumpkin (about a tablespoon full) and one bite of dandelion (like 1/4 of a stem).

            He has been refusing the pumpkin with CC so this time I put a few tablespoons of pellets in with the pumpkin. He just ate the pumpkin though.

            I gave him two doses of the Metacam over the weekend and then again earlier today when I noticed him not eating veggies again. (Vet advised – we have been emailing back and forth since earlier today.)

            He’s eating some more veggies as we speak – he just gobbled up about 4 sprigs of mint and is on to a few more pieces of dandelion before moving off away from it again. Is there at any point I should say he is okay? I imagine a vet visit would be good anyways? As he is acting funny and has been for over a day about not eating much? Our rescue has been txting back and forth with me also – she had me do the dehydration test with seeing how well the skin on his neck snapped back. It wasnt instant. Which is why she told me to get some pumpkin in him if he likes that and some really wet veggies to help hydrate more:


          • Sarita
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              Did the vet check teeth or do an x-ray?


            • MissD
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                I hope poor Simba gets better soon.


              • tanlover14
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                  His teeth were checked but no x ray was done.

                  I just fed him again and his appetite has picked up – he was eating the pumpkin I gave him, mint, and dandelion leaves. With a lot more vigor than before.

                  Should I still take him in? I’m more inclined to because its the 2nd time this has happened (in two weeks) and anything past Saturday morning I will have to take him to the emergency vet which isn’t my choice for medical care. They are pretty useless unless bunny wise.


                • Sarita
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                    Well if he’s eating then I would see if he continues and go from there.


                  • bullrider76543
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                      OMG Tan lover I missed this all!!! I am so sorry, sending {{{{Healing Vibes}}}} your way. I agree with Sarita, I would just watch him closely. you don’t want to stress him out with another vet trip if he is on the mend. I hope he gets better soon!!!


                    • tanlover14
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                        We did take him in for the Sub-Q fluids. (after speaking with my vet)

                        He has really perked up after the fluids again. I inquired about the Reglan but my vet said Reglan and the other one (can’t think of the name) have been proven to not work in the ways it is actually supposed to. Although Reglan will increase his appetite – so we took some home just in case.

                        Are others aware of this Reglan discovery? I have never heard it before and I wanted to make sure others are getting the right information. The boyfriend and I looked it up and our vet was correct.

                        Anyways, back to Simba. He was bouncing around his carrier on the way home and when we got him home he started munching on some hay and some more leafy greens (first time he has eaten hay today). So I would definitely say the fluids helped. Keep some vibes for him though!!! I’m hoping when I give them pellets tonight he’ll be back to his normal self – bouncing around for some!


                      • Sarita
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                          Are you talking about reglan and cisapride? I’ve never heard that and have still used it for my rabbits in the past who have had dental procedures afterwards to hopefully keep them eating. Do you mean to get the gut motility moving?

                          You should ask the vet to who you how to do sub-q’s at home – it’s not too difficult unless the rabbit is pretty thin and doesn’t have extra skin, but it’s worth knowing how to do – cuts down on costs and vet visits if you can do this at home.


                        • LBJ10
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                            Glad Simba seems to be doing better. The fluids probably gave him a little rush, but hopefully he will continue to eat once the initial feeling wears off.


                          • tanlover14
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                              Ugh – he stopped eating again a few hours later. He wouldn’t take anything so we force-feed him Critical Care. It’s soo hard to do but we made it a lot more watery this time and syringe fed it with a smaller syringe. It worked better but he was whimpering the whole time. Poor little handsome man. We got some Reglan and Metacam into his system. And thank goodness – tonight he FINALLY ate some pellets. I was really beginning to worry as he hasn’t ate anything with much calories in almost 48 hours. It’s been so hard to get him to eat.

                              The rescue thinks I should continue the Reglan for up to 5 days after his eating habits return to normal. So I think I’m going to continue with that. It can’t hurt him. And our vet advised if we wanted some she would give us whatever we needed to help. She said something along the lines of there have been studies done over the past few years that have not proven that gut motility drugs are actually effective in moving the gut BUT do have side-effects of increasing appetite which is what may help him (why she gave it to us).

                              I’m going to do another force-feed of CC tonight and some water as I haven’t seen him drink from the water bowl yet which also worries me.


                            • tanlover14
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                                Giving Simba CC and force-feeding is terrible. I can’t stop crying. Simple because he looks so helpless and horrible and miserable when we do it. We gave him more tonight even though he ate his pellets. And I syringed some water down him…since I haven’t seen him drink any water.

                                Hmmm, should I keep checking him through the night and giving him watered down veggies to make sure he stays hydrated?


                              • Deleted User
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                                  I am so sorry TL! It sounds like you are trying to do the best that you can. I hope your night went well and that Simba is doing better this morning. (((Healing Vibes)))


                                • Roberta
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                                    Special vibes for little Simba…….. If anyone can pull him through it’s you.


                                  • jerseygirl
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                                      {{{Simba}}}
                                      Will he still take pumpkin?


                                    • hannaroo
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                                        Vibes for Simba! I hope he’s much better


                                      • Hazel
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                                          So sorry to hear Simba is still not well. Did he improve any today? Sending lots of vibes for your poor boy!


                                        • tanlover14
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                                            I swear, it’s like he bounces back to normal a step… and then falls back two more. It’s so exhausting. I really commend all of you who have had to force-fed and stay up with a sick bunny who won’t eat. It’s just so….exhausting. And draining. I feel like I’m running on nothing but caffeine. And having to be his strength. I finally got to bed around 4am last night (after the force feeding of CC). And woke up again around 9:30-10. We got some more CC in him (he won’t eat it on his own, it has to be force fed into him. Anyone got any tricks that might make him more likely to eat the CC on his own?). It’s really depressing and upsets me every time but my BF keeps telling me he’s miserable but he will love us when he’s healthy again. I know he’s right but it’s just so hard…

                                            He ate some veggies on his own today. We gave him some Metacam, Reglan, and simethicone as his tummy still doesn’t feel as soft as the other bunnies. A few hours later he got in his litter box and was munching on some hay. And then later tonight he munched on some pellets and hay again Thank goodness. Because he’s been eating pellets, we’ve been force-feeding him less. But with lots of water syringes also. To keep him hydrated. We separated him from the others for awhile (3 hours) to see what his poos were looking like but he had none. Which freaked me out again. But the rescue told me sometimes when they are bouncing back from a bout of stasis their bodies will gobble it all up leaving less for them to expel. Barely anything at all. That this is a good thing unless he becomes really lethargic and not active. Neither of which he has been since he began eating again.

                                            We will be learning how to administer sub-q fluids tomorrow and getting some supplies to have on hand in case he falls back again. The vet said if he’s not feeling 100% yet fluids can do nothing but help him…so he will be having another dose tomorrow for sure. Hopefully it helps more.

                                            Jersey – He won’t take pumpkin anymore. He has declined it all day today. I think he got made when I tried mixing the CC and pumpkin. He has barely even sniffed it since. It’s like he knows I was trying to trick him…lol.

                                            Thank you so much everyone for your vibes and for helping us through this. This is my first sickness of this kind with any of my buns…and I have to admit – it really wears on you. And scares the daylights out of you when you just can’t get anything in them. I have had about a total of 6 hours of sleep the past three days. Hopefully tonight will be better since he’s begun eating on his own again. You would think you would just fall asleep so easily….but I spend so much of the time I’m not trying to feed him worrying that it’s like impossible to get much sleep at all. I’m so worried he will come out of this and then slip back again.

                                            If it happens again soon, should I ask about an x-ray??


                                          • jerseygirl
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                                              Because he’s been eating pellets, we’ve been force-feeding him less.

                                              That’s good. I think if he’s eating anything (pellets or hay or veg) you can rest on the critical care. I rather think the stress of a force feed can set them back a little. The important thing is he has taken something into his system- even if its way less then we’d like. I know it’s a difficult thing to gauge.
                                              Personally I don’t think you need worry about nutrition as it takes a long time for them to become depleted. He will have stores in his body nutrition wise.
                                              The main things are fibre and fluid to get the gut regulated.

                                              You could try mix CC up as thick consistency and form little balls or patties. If no interest; then try same with something like banana mixed in but still keeping it firm consistency. Alternatively, try it with a puréed herb.
                                              If he’s developing a real aversion to the CC, try soak some pellets, fluff it up then give in a bowl.

                                              I know it’s debatable whether it helps but you might even want to try pineapple or fresh pineapple juice. I don’t advocate this as a stand-alone remedy. Since you are already treating with motility meds and fluids, this would be just an added aide. A vet I once saw said it was more the acidity that can help balance the gut. Sugar wise, fructose is a simply sugar and can provide a bit of needed energy. Plus the vitamins C in fruit won’t hurt. One of the hydration fluids I initially picked up for Jelly had those fake sugars in it. I don’t really understand why they put this in these products. Glucose or fructose would be much better I would think…

                                              If you’re hesitant to feed fruit, I wonder if dilute apple cider vinegar might help with acidity??

                                              Anyways, back to Simba. He was bouncing around his carrier on the way home and when we got him home he started munching on some hay and some more leafy greens (first time he has eaten hay today). So I would definitely say the fluids helped.

                                              i reckon the motion of the trip might have helped too. I really noticed that with Jelly during his stasis. I even took him for a short drive one night and once back home again, he went and ate hay.

                                              {{{Simba}}} from your reports, I really feel like he’s getting there TL!


                                            • jerseygirl
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                                                (((TL))) If he’s eaten some it’s ok- you can look after yourself now.
                                                I hope you get some rest.


                                              • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                  How is Simba today?

                                                  I know very well how exhausting this sort of illness is. The worst kind of stress IMO. When my buns are sick, I just can’t relax or think about anything else.

                                                  ((((((Vibes for you and Simba)))))))


                                                • Snowytoshi
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                                                    I hope Simba is alright, I would get him x-rayed ASAP. If he has a blockage forcefeeding may be adding to that and making the problem worse. Is he pooping?


                                                  • LeahM
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                                                       Oh my goodness, I know how you feel.  I hope you can get some good rest soon.  It sounds like things are looking really good for Simba.  A little eating is worlds away from not eating at all.  It probably good for him to gradually work up to eating normal amounts, even though I know for you it would be nice to just see him eating normally. 


                                                    • tanlover14
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                                                        Hey everyone,

                                                        Thanks for all the well wishes and vibes for my Simber man and I. I got a little more sleep last night. Thank goodness! I was dragging so hard last night. I wasn’t sure I could function much longer.

                                                        As for Simba – I learned how to do sub-q fluids so he got another dose today and I will be continuing a dose a day for three days (including today) to make sure his system gets back to normal. With some help from a Rabbit Wranglers foster momma (she used to be Simbas foster momma when we adopted him!) – we figured out some helpful ways to make giving him the CC easier. He wouldn’t take the “patties” we made, Jersey. (She tried that with us also!). We mixed it with pumpkin. So then we mixed in some carrot juice to make it more juicer and he fought a bit until he got some in his mouth. When he finally tried it and I got a good grip on him he began taking it easier! Since he’s been eating better we have been giving in smaller amounts.

                                                        Keep vibes coming as I’m still worried he will slip back. Oh yeah, he also made a ton of poops this morning when my BF went out to see him. He was munching on a big pile of hay and pooping out a mountain as he did. So yay for poops! I’ll let you know how the sub-q fluids go tomorrow as well as the CC. He is also still on Reglan. We planned on continuing that for about 4 more days (for a total of 5 days after his appetite had returned to what seemed normal).


                                                      • Roberta
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                                                          So glad to hear Simba is doing better. It must be such a relief.


                                                        • LeahM
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                                                            excellent news! eating and pooping, what more could you ask for!?! SQ fluids is a great skill to have for all kinds of animal situations. I haven’t done bunnies but I’ve SQ’d just about everything else. It can make such a big difference in helping a sick one. Honestly, I think it’s much less traumatic than forcing something into their mouth. You’ll do great!


                                                          • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                              I’m glad he is feeling a bit better and you were able to get some rest.

                                                              When Bindi was sick, I found apple juice in the CC helped him not be so difficult about it.


                                                            • jerseygirl
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                                                                Ditto! Yay for poops!


                                                              • bullrider76543
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                                                                  I am so happy to hear Simba is on the mend!! we were worried for a little while!! still sending {{{{Healing Vibes}}}}


                                                                • Hazel
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                                                                    Yay, that’s great! Good job, Simba! You’re lucky you have such a devoted mommy on hand!


                                                                  • tanlover14
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                                                                      I’ll try apple juice also if it happens again, LPT. The rescue kept telling me to add different things and maybe you’ll find a mixture he’ll be willing to eat so you don’t need to force-feed.

                                                                      He’s been pretty fine now since Sunday morning. He’s been eating very well again with no sign of not being interested in anything, thank goodness. We are doing Sub-Q fluids again today and then stopping the fluids and CC. We are going to continue the Reglan for two more days after today.

                                                                      Fingers crossed once we stop he doesn’t decide to stop eating again! (Since that’s what happened last time, oyyyyy!).


                                                                    • Sarita
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                                                                        I’ve never had any success getting my rabbits to eat CC on their own. I think they just don’t get it to tell you the truth – it doesn’t look like anything they are used to.

                                                                        Knowing how to do sub-q fluids is essential with so many rabbits – it’s not difficult really. So it’s good you can do it on your own now.


                                                                      • MoveDiagonally
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                                                                          I’m late on this one but I’m sending belated vibes for continued improvement!


                                                                        • tanlover14
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                                                                            Simba is doing great again today. I believe we are out of the danger zone.

                                                                            Sarita – the rescue said they have one bunny who will eat them made into almost patties with pumpkin (I think jersey recommended that in an earlier comment) or that sometimes with the carrot juice to water it down a lot they will lick it off the syringe. I don’t really understand how they would WANT to eat it though. When Simba wasn’t eating at all, he was not interested in anything. Much less this horrid CC mixture, LOL. A lot of the bunnies in Rabbit Wranglers are long-term medically ill bunnies so I wonder if they just get used to having to eat it.

                                                                            Thanks, MD!

                                                                            I did have another question now that I know how to do the sub-Q fluids…. when do you administer them? As soon as they begin not eating? Or do you wait a bit after trying to get them to eat other things like fragrant veggies?


                                                                          • Sarita
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                                                                              I always want to try to get my rabbits to eat something first and foremost.

                                                                              Usually when my rabbits stop eating I always take them to the vet first to see what the problem is then if needed and advised by the vet then I would do sub-q fluids.

                                                                              The thing about sub-q fluids is that it is not only for sluggish motility but I’ve used them for rabbits with bladder infections/sludge as directed by my vet.


                                                                            • tanlover14
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                                                                                Ah, that makes sense now.

                                                                                Thanks! I will make sure everyone gets a vet check-up and be advised before administering them then!


                                                                              • tanlover14
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                                                                                  URGH.

                                                                                  More continued vibes for my Simba Bun. He has fallen back into full-blown GI Stasis again. He is refusing to eat. We administered another dose of Sub-Q Fluids and force-fed some CC again with the carrot juice and pumpkin. He took it a lot easier tonight than before so hopefully he’s not minding the mixture as much.

                                                                                  We gave him a dose of Reglan and Simethicone and I made him run around a bit. He seemed to perk up a bit so hopefully all of these are helping him more……

                                                                                  My poor Lion…


                                                                                • tanlover14
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                                                                                    Sarita – I only administered the Sub-Q Fluids after being in contact with my vet! =) I made myself wait… haha.


                                                                                  • Roberta
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                                                                                      Poor little Simba bun…………….. Lots of vibes heading his way…
                                                                                      Hopefully he will get back to normal soon. It’s a shame you can’t give them furball medicine like cats etc.


                                                                                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                                        Geez….Simba stop putting your Mom on a rollercoaster! More (((((Feel Better Vibes for Simba)))))))


                                                                                      • jerseygirl
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                                                                                          Wow, he is really up and down.
                                                                                          Maybe consult with vet again about the Reglan? It might be worth stopping and just doing fluid and feeds.

                                                                                          I think it was Nova that said when treating Boon that reglan and/or cisapride caused more issues. Though he had chronic GI issues so not the best comparison.

                                                                                          Having him move around is great to get his tum moving. Kudos!


                                                                                        • tanlover14
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                                                                                            My vet isn’t a huge fan of Reglan. Since she says it does nothing for gut motility but rather only stimulates their appetite. She normally never prescribes it but said if I would like to try it I could. Our rescue, Rabbit Wranglers, swears by the stuff. And their vet who deals with their stasis is the only other vet my vet trusts for rabbits so I imagine it’s just a difference of choice.

                                                                                            After we did the first Sub-Qs and CC he began slowly eating again. His eating has definitely picked up more now. Yesterday I took him to the vets and had them also show me how to do the Sub-Q fluids. I was worried I was pressing the needle in to deep. So they had me do it in front of them and nope, I’m doing it right! So I have to stop being so worried when poking around on Simba. He gets really jumpy but they showed me a good way to hold him (with another person) and he didn’t move a muscle the whole time. We’ve continued force-feeding him about 2 tablespoons of CC a day despite him eating. I got some more Sub-Q supplies so I think we are going to go through the whole bag this time before taking him off to give whatever is causing it time to move out again.

                                                                                            She also said not to stop everything at once – that sometimes that can cause them to relapse. So we had planned on stopping the CC first, then the fluids, then the Reglan. I had discussed with my vet the course of action if it falls back again. If he does again she suggested an x-ray. So… lets keep our fingers crossed that he doesn’t need one. Giving him fluids and CC has become easier. Haha! I’m not bawling my head off everytime I have to stab him with a needle or force food down his mouth.. thank goodness.

                                                                                            Rabbit Wranglers said they are going to be begging me to take medical fosters now! They only have 6 people in all the volunteers that can take ones that need fluids or CC. Haha! Oh gosh… All I need is more bunnies over-running my house! =P


                                                                                          • bullrider76543
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                                                                                              I am starting to think this is Simba’s plan to get more attention then the Tans LOL. I am so sorry that you have had such a rough time with him and we are praying for him to get better.


                                                                                            • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                                                How is Simba doing today?


                                                                                              • tanlover14
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                                                                                                  Simba is doing good! Thanks for asking, LPT. I think the true test will be when we take him on the fluids again…. I’m not sure how he will cope then. Hopefully well… and whatever is causing him not to eat will work it’s way completely through his system by that time.

                                                                                                  He has another 7 days of fluids I believe – we have a 1000 ml bag of fluids – with instructions to give him 100 a day. So we are going to finish the bag in the 10 day span and see how he fairs coming off.

                                                                                                  I’m going to be so worried taking him off. Ugh. He does so well for a day or two and then just falls right back.


                                                                                                • MoveDiagonally
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                                                                                                    Yay for Simba doing better!

                                                                                                    I’m crossing my fingers (and Monty’s ears!) that he’ll keep doing well when he goes off the fluids.


                                                                                                  • Roberta
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                                                                                                      Yay for Simba….. Hope the little guy gets well.


                                                                                                    • tanlover14
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                                                                                                        Thanks for the vibes everyone! He is continuing to do well..

                                                                                                        Although last night was the first time I had drawn blood when giving the Sub-Qs. I was a little horrified. It kind of stressed me out a bit so instead of continuing I put him back in with his buds for a few hours so I could get my head back on straight and then re-administered.

                                                                                                        I have noticed though with his veggies he has only been eating kale. I’m not sure we really noticed it before because we saw him eating the veggies and would be like okay… great he’s still eating! But today is one of the days we had spent more time in with them during their veggie time and realized he was actually only eating the kale. Before he’s always been a huge veggie fan.

                                                                                                        Think I should be worried he’s slipping back again? I’m not sure if this just came on or if he’s been eating only the kale for the past few days. UGH. Should I try enticing him with more fragrant veggies again? When he wasn’t eating I managed to get a few bites of mint in him…. Hmmmm….


                                                                                                      • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                                                          Ricky drew a bit of blood once when giving Bindi Sub Q. Makes you feel just awful. I was always surprised at how calm and fine Bindi was with us sticking him with a needle several times a day.

                                                                                                          Sorry, hard to keep track with so many bunnies here, but have you had his teeth checked? Seems like something is just not right with him going up and down like this.

                                                                                                          ((((((More Vibes for Simba)))))))


                                                                                                        • tanlover14
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                                                                                                            He has had his teeth checked each time he has gone in – it was the first thing I thought about actually!


                                                                                                          • tanlover14
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                                                                                                              I am so frustrated.

                                                                                                              We had gotten through about 1/4 of his fluids tonight. He was so jumpy. My BF ended up getting stabbed with the needle twice and the 2nd time he was bleeding everywhere. Simba of course freaked out even more and began grinding his teeth very hard. So we let him go back in with his buds for the rest of the night instead of giving him all the fluids because he was so stressed.

                                                                                                              I’m so worried. I don’t feel like I’m doing enough for him. Although I don’t know what more I can do. The vet said we can keep following his progress the next few weeks and see if he gets better and can successfully come off the fluids.

                                                                                                              I just don’t know if I should be pushing for more….


                                                                                                            • tanlover14
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                                                                                                                The vet has us trying to reduce the amount of times a week we give fluids. SO we are going to be doing every other day fluids along with the CC and Reglan and see how he does on that. She hopes kind of weaning him off will work better than the sudden stop in fluids and meds.

                                                                                                                We are keeping in contact over the next few weeks and she said if there’s still no improvement we will look into other options.


                                                                                                              • Sarita
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                                                                                                                  I have to wonder if the daily subfluids are keeping him from eating…has she done any x-rays?


                                                                                                                • Hazel
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                                                                                                                    So sorry Simba’s still having problems. I don’t have any experience with subfluids and Reglan, but I’m hoping he’ll get better soon. I agree with Sarita though, maybe x-rays would help shed some light on his condition.


                                                                                                                  • bullrider76543
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                                                                                                                      I am so sorry that Simba is still having issues. I hope that he feels better soon. still praying and sending {{{{Healing Vibes}}}}


                                                                                                                    • Monkeybun
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                                                                                                                        Poor Simbun!

                                                                                                                        I totally sympatize with you on this, as I have been having to force feed Smudge and give her now 4 different meds as well. It’s hard to put them through that!

                                                                                                                        Get well vibes for Simba!


                                                                                                                      • jerseygirl
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                                                                                                                          I’m so worried. I don’t feel like I’m doing enough for him

                                                                                                                          You honestly are. Observation at this stage is enough. Now is the time to let his body start doing what it’s meant to and you step in if there is regression.


                                                                                                                        • tanlover14
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                                                                                                                            Sarita – the sub-qs seem to be the only reason he IS eating. Whenever we stop the sub-qs that’s when he regresses and stops eating. Every time he gets the sub-qs he jumps in his box and gobbles down hay a little while later. He always seems more active after them. So I definitely believe they are helping.

                                                                                                                            As for x-rays – the vet is kind of at the same point with Jersey. She believes right now we should observe him as he DOES get better with the sub-qs. You can definitely notice the difference. If he continues to not get better as we wean him from the sub-qs, Reglan, and CC then she said we can discuss getting him in for some x-rays or ruling other things out for the cause of this. I’ve heard stasis can really take some time to get them out of – with small bouts of it for quite awhile. So I’m hoping it’s just that simple – even if I HATE having to hold him down for sub-qs. The CC has gotten better. He fights a little but will now eat it from the syringe himself. The Reglan he LOVES so there’s been no trouble with that either.

                                                                                                                            His stomach has seemed gassy. Kind of tough compared to the other bunnies when we press on it – so when we notice it we have been giving him simethicone.

                                                                                                                            I have been noticing some hair in his poos every once in awhile though so maybe he does have hair that is just taking a long time to pass through? The rescue told me if he’ll take water from the syringe it’s better hydration if he does have hair in there. So I’ve been giving him those daily also as he’ll usually take quite a bit before getting annoyed with me, lol.

                                                                                                                            Thanks everyone for the continued well wishes. It’s always nice to have people behind you when you really are worrying and stressing over your buns. I’m quite certain I may have gone insane by now if I hadn’t been able to come on here for encouragement and advice. Last night we did the sub-qs and they went much smoother so I suppose I will have to chalk the other night of blood and horror (lol!) up to just a stressful night for all. Sigh.


                                                                                                                          • Sarita
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                                                                                                                              It’s true – I’ve had a rabbit with stasis that lasted 2 weeks and that was with trips daily to the vets (except weekends). It can be a long process. Mango had some weird gas bubbles but those were the result of the gut slowdown – he had probems on and off all his life with this.

                                                                                                                              Pepe we did a sonogram on and he had a blockage and the vet did really heavy duty sub-q fluids to help break up the blockage (otherwise the body is just absorbing the fluids), reglan, pepcid ac (to help with the ph balance) and that took a few weeks as well. He did have dental issues though and that is most likely what was the cause of his gut slowdown.


                                                                                                                            • hannaroo
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                                                                                                                                Hang in there tanlover! Your doing so well with all the treatment I hope simba improves soon! X


                                                                                                                              • LeahM
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                                                                                                                                  This sounds sooo stressful! I’ve been there with other animals, though. The road to recovery can be long and exhausting. You say that after the fluids, he immediately jumps in the box? I’m wondering if it is more the needle poke itself that is helping him…. Maybe a rush of adreneline? If it is really that fast, the fluids haven’t had a chance to help him yet. This also made me wonder, have you tired accupuncture?


                                                                                                                                • tanlover14
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                                                                                                                                    LeahM, he doesn’t immediately jump in the box for hay. It’s a little while later. I’d say maybe a half hour to an hour later.

                                                                                                                                    Sarita, he was in and out of the rescues for almost a full year before we adopted him. None of them said he ever had an issues before. I keep thinking it was from his horrible shed that he had – but I can’t be positive. Nothing in his diet changed.

                                                                                                                                    He seems to be doing fine on the every other day of fluids though! He was fine when we only got the 1/4 of the fluids in him, I waited a day, and then we did them again the next day. He’s due to have them tonight also. He seems to be eating fine on the every other day though! Which is encouraging. Maybe weaning him off them instead of just stopping suddenly will help. I keep finding poos with some hair in them though – only about one strand a day or less so hopefully it’s him pushing whatever is in there out.


                                                                                                                                  • tanlover14
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                                                                                                                                      Fluids last night went HORRIBLE, again. He’s fighting us SOO hard when we try and administer them. I’m really not sure of any other way to hold him, I’m pretty sure I’ve tried everything. We get the needle slightly in and then he just fights like the devil and it ends up coming out. Broke a few blood vessels so he had some blood – but nothing too traumatic. He growled REALLY hard at me towards the end so we finally just gave up. Gave him some CC and I syringed some water into him also. Since he’s not taking the fluids easily – I’m hoping syringing the fluids and keeping up with the CC will help keep him extra hydrated. I think we are more worried about hydration now that his eating is going well again to help push whatever is causing the stasis (fur I still believe) out.

                                                                                                                                      I wonder if he’s fighting so much because he’s starting to feel better? I was getting better at them and feeling more confident about them again but dang – this boy can really fight when hes determined to. He was much easier to do in the beginning, haha!


                                                                                                                                    • Deleted User
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                                                                                                                                        For what it is worth my own reaction is yes!, you’ve probably turned the corner. unless its in a new and unexpected way if getting meds into them becomes more of a challenge I generally feel we are getting somewhere! So hope your ordeal is coming to a happy ending!

                                                                                                                                        And doesn’t it just stun you when you are reminded of how much power is in those tiny bodies! Lord but they can kick!

                                                                                                                                        Sending you All positive thoughts and looking forward to hearing how he is eating and well weeks after the fluids have ended.


                                                                                                                                      • tanlover14
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                                                                                                                                          After a talk with the vet – we have decided to try him off the sub-qs. We are going to administer water from a syringe throughout the day and continue with the CC and Reglan to see how he does on his own without the fluids! So happy to not have to stab him with those darn needles anymore!!

                                                                                                                                          If he falls back again – we will have to do sub-qs and I will most likely push for an x-ray.

                                                                                                                                          GreyDove – it really is insane! He’s never been much of a fighter – takes the meds a lot easier than my Tans. He was fighting the force feeding quite hard in the beginning but finally got a mixture he was okay with. These fluids the past few times. Darn, those back feet can be so powerful!!! And with a needle in him you really can’t take too many chances of fighting with him with the thing already in him!

                                                                                                                                          We’ll see how it goes those! Keep your fingers crossed for my Simber Bun!


                                                                                                                                        • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                                                                                            ((((((Simba)))))) Hopefully, taking him off the Sub Q will be beneficial. My vet usually says that when bunny is starting to fight meds/sub Q really hard, the fiesty-ness is usually a good sign.


                                                                                                                                          • hannaroo
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                                                                                                                                              Hi tanlover how’s Sing a doing now? Have you had any progress now?


                                                                                                                                            • tanlover14
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                                                                                                                                                He has been doing fine without the fluids!

                                                                                                                                                Thanks for asking! We’re not out of the clear yet – but I think he’s doing progressively better. He’s eating on his own and pooping. That’s what I really care about! Hahaha!


                                                                                                                                              • hannaroo
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                                                                                                                                                  I’m so glad he’s on the mend! Must be alot less stressful! I hope he continues to do better and you get out of the woods! (((Vibes))) good luck for the job btw ! I read it on June chat but forgot to add it into the post. Will be the cherry on top of the icing!


                                                                                                                                                • NuggetBuns
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                                                                                                                                                    So sorry to hear about everything that you and Simba had to go through! A needle and a bunny would be my worst nightmare, props to you girl for handling it so well. He sounds like a really strong bunny and even though he’s not on fluids, it’s good to heard that he’s doing better. I hope there’s no more battle ahead and he fully recovers =D


                                                                                                                                                  • tanlover14
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                                                                                                                                                      Thank you both for the vibes – and thank you so much Hannaroo for the luck on the job!

                                                                                                                                                      Nugget – the first time I put the needle in I thought I was going to pass out, LOL. I got light-headed and queasy but hid it and kept going since everyone was watching! It’s really not that bad unless they fight. Then it seems to be torture. The bubble it makes on their back is actually much grosser to me! hahahah, And then you kind of rub it around and OYYYY, it feels so weird!


                                                                                                                                                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                                                                                                        Yeah, that fluid bubble is gross. One time Bindi had a bubble that was so big it lasted several days and eventually migrated down from his shoulder to under his arm and he had a hard time hopping.


                                                                                                                                                      • tanlover14
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                                                                                                                                                          Simba seems to be having some anal gland problems now, OY. We found he had messy anal glands again last night and this morning (this is what happened right before he went into stasis in the very beginning). I emailed my vet about it and she told me she’d only be worried if he stopped eating again. So we are hoping it’s just some excess leftover cecotropes in there from being so ill lately.


                                                                                                                                                        • Deleted User
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                                                                                                                                                            Poor Simba! I hope he’s back to 100% soon!


                                                                                                                                                          • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                                                                                                                                              Oh wow I’m late!! I’m sending lots of {{{Healing Vibes}}} to make up for my lateness. Yes hopefully his cecotropes just taste a bit gross from the upset tummy, and that’s why he’s leaving them. Did you try wiping them away so you can see if there are new ones or if he’s keeping himself clean after?


                                                                                                                                                            • tanlover14
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                                                                                                                                                                K&K – he ate them as we picked them out, LOL. It was slightly that way this afternoon but not as bad! He seems to still be eating fine though!


                                                                                                                                                              • jerseygirl
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                                                                                                                                                                  Lol!
                                                                                                                                                                  Being hand-fed his “grapes” by his slaves?


                                                                                                                                                                • tanlover14
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                                                                                                                                                                    Actually – my BF texted me to tell me he did that! Lmao!

                                                                                                                                                                    I was like …. “Really….?” Hahahahaha. At least I know I have a boyfriend who will do anything for the care of the bunnies! Hahahah.

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                                                                                                                                                                Forum DIET & CARE Sick Simba – HELP!