Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Urgent Health Issue

Viewing 3 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • TRose89
      Participant
      2 posts Send Private Message

        I’m wondering if anybody can help me with a health issue I’m having with my rabbit.  I adopted Louie about 5 1/2 years ago and the vet estimated that he was between 2 and 4 years old when I got him, so now he’s probably between 7 1/2 and 9 1/2.  He’s had some medical issues in the past including an eye removed after an infection and had an ear infection both of which have contributed to a lasting minor head tilt.  More recently is seems as though his top two teeth have been overgrowing and the vet has been clipping them when needed which is rarely.  He easily gets poopy butt, so I’m really careful with which fresh veggies I give him.  So, here’s what’s happened recently:

         Two days ago, I noticed that there was a few tiny drops of blood in his cage that were dried, so I’m assuming they happened during the night.  I checked him over very well and couldn’t find anywhere that it might’ve came from and check his paws and mouth to see if his fur was stained from licking a wound.  His poop and urine looked normal in the litter box and he was eating and drinking fine that day and night.  The only thing I noticed was that his gential/anus area look a little red.  The next day (yesterday) he stayed in his litter box the entire morning and was not eating or drinking.  I could hear some teeth grinding and he was looking pretty uncomfortable and hunched so I took him into the vet for a normal appointment to avoid the emergency vet.  The vet gave me Novasal wipes and instructed me to clean his genital area by gently dabbing the area with a wipe twice a day.  He also shaved him down there so it would be easier to clean.  He told me if this doesn’t seem to be helping or if it gets worse, I can call back and he could prescribe an antibiotic to treat a potential urinary tract infection.  The vet wanted to avoid antibiotics and so did I, if they weren’t needed to avoid potential diarrhea that could make the area worse. 

        Today, Louie seems to be doing a little better, but not much.  He only pooped a few mishaped poops last night as well.  He didn’t eat or drink anything yesterday and I tried offering him all of his favorite treats and putting a little bit of juice in his water along with his normal bottle of only water.  This morning I syringe fed him some critical care, water, simethicone (gas medicine), and part of a chewable baby aspirin based on another rabbit person’s advice.  He ate a tiny bit of parsley that I wet down on his own and a raisin.  He’s not sitting in the litter box today and looks more comfortable.  His gential area looks red still and swollen.  I have no idea how I would get the vet a urine sample to try to diagnose a UTI. 

        I’m wondering how much Critical Care I should be giving him and water.  He’s 4 pounds 6 ounces.  I’m also wondering if I could put some ointment (I have zinc diaper rash ointment, non-petroleum ointment, normal petroleum jelly, and neosporin) on his genital area.  It seems like that would help soothe or protect the area when he urinates throughout the day.  Also if I give him half a baby aspirin (81 mg) and gas drops, how often would I give him this and is this necessary?  He seems much perkier after I gave him the medication and syringe feeding.  He’s still sitting in his cage in the same place, but he’s moving a little more.  If I take him out of his cage, he’s still hoping around the floor and fighting me doing the syringe feedings.  I’m trying to find a vet that has more experience with rabbits than my current vet at this point.  Any help would be appreciated! I can take pictures or give more information if needed.  Thank you!


      • Sarita
        Participant
        18851 posts Send Private Message

          I think the vet needs to do a full blood and an xray too. Don’t give baby aspirin – you cannot determine the proper dosage or even administer a proper dosage of baby aspirin. I don’t think gas relief is the answer.

          It really could be so many issues with a senior rabbit – I hope you find a vet who can do a very thorough exam on him.


        • TRose89
          Participant
          2 posts Send Private Message

            Thank you for the advice.  Is there anything else that I should do to keep him comfortable?  I’ve looked around for vets before here that are experienced with rabbits and chose the current vet I have and he’s been good with the other more common things that have happened.  I don’t feel like there’s many other options though because none of the vets here are very experienced with rabbits.


          • jerseygirl
            Moderator
            22338 posts Send Private Message

              I don’t feel like there’s many other options though because none of the vets here are very experienced with rabbits.

              That’s really unfortunate. I’m sorry.
              Perhaps go with your usual vet & let them know you’re still concerned. You might need to be firm about what you want.
              I do think he probably needs to go on a pain med. Aspirin is probably risky as its a blood thinner but I do understand your wanting to use it when in a bind. You just want to give them relief asap.
              Pain management is important. So definitely something to discuss with the vet.

              I had a rabbit who had some small bleeds and it was hard for me to determine where it was coming from at first. I finally saw it was to do with his bladder. We treated for cystitis.

              {{{Vibes}}} for Louie. I hope your able to find out what’s going on.

          Viewing 3 reply threads
          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

          Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Urgent Health Issue