ER Vet?

[Katie779]

I’m really worried about Holly as she hasn’t been acting herself for the past couple of hours. She was active and eating/pooping fine all day but for the past few hours I haven’t seen her eat or drink anything. Her stomach does not feel hard but I did hear a loud gurgle. Do you think she should be seen by the 24hr ER vet? I decided to wait another hour or so and see how she’s acting, but if she still seems off I’ll probably take her.

[Deleted User]

Sorry Katie, I can’t help you out – I have NO idea. For as naughty as Henry is, so far he’s been in good health so I have no experience. Just that I hadn’t seen you for a while and want to keep up to date with everything Holly, I had a sticky at your forum and wanted to say hi and I hope Holly feels better soon.
Henry goes for hours not eating, drinking or pooping – but that’s normal for ‘him’. So I would like to say not to worry, but if that isn’t the norm for your precious Holly, maybe it is a reason to be concerned? And I have never heard Henry make a sound ever let alone his tummy – again, our (human) tummies growl and make noises, maybe a bunny’s does too? – but again, we know how sensitive our bunny’s are, especially when not eating and drinking. I really hope someone with experience reads your forum soon and can give you some guidance.
I’ll be thinking of both you and Holly (as I always do).

[LongEaredLions]

How long has it been since you saw her eating? Also remember that just because you haven’t seen her eat, doesn’t mean she’s not. If it’s been 6+ hours you may want to try the vet, but otherwise, I would give her a tummy rub, some simethecone if you have some, and give her her favourite foods. If you don’t see any eating in 6-12 hours of when you first noticed lack of appetite, I would see the vet. How loud was the stomach gurgle? Were you close to her?
(((Vibes)))

[Katie779]

Sorry I haven’t been on in a while, Andi! Been really busy with school lately.

So, bad news is it’s stasis. Good news is that I gave in 3 hours ago and she’s been at the University 24hr vet hospital. We’re waiting on the exotic specialist to come in and decide if she needs an x-ray because her stomach became pretty distended. I’m an absolute wreck. This all happened so fast with no warning. Her diet hasn’t changed and nothing stressful has happened to her, so I’m not sure what brought this on. I’m praying that she didn’t somehow get ahold of something she shouldn’t have and be blocked, needing surgery.

Not only am I in tears, but I’m so stressed as to how I’m going to pay for a surgery if she needs it. It’s crazy how much more expensive the University vet is compared to my regular vet! $200 for just the visit, another $100 for IV fluids. I can’t even imagine what an X-ray and surgery will cost… if only this had happened during the week when I could see my regular vet, but I’m thankful at least that we have a 24hr vet in my city.

Can bunnies go into stasis randomly, for what seems like no reason? I’m really at a loss.

[Deleted User]

Oh Katie – I am so sorry! But aren’t you the best bunny mum ever!
I am just sick (literally) for you in relation to the vet bill. Your worried about Holly and have to worry about a bill at the same time – so cruel/unfair!
Why bunny’s go into stasis? especially on weekends when our local vets aren’t available, we’ll sometimes never know. I sometimes think they do this to test our love for them??? I know this sounds silly (and I know it is), but if and when you need a reason, sometimes this can be the only explanation.
I know how upset you are, again I am so sorry your having to go through this with Holly. I hope you have someone with you to hold your hand and dry your tears? I’m sure you do. Vibes for Holly (and you). Take care and keep us updated – I won’t stop thinking of you both till you post again, hopefully with good news. Get better Holly!

[Beka27]

Oh no! Poor Holly!

I’m glad you were able to get her in! Please keep us posted!

[Katie779]

No news yet. They just called me and said she was being transferred “upstairs” to the exotics hospital for blood work. Is bloodwork a common thing to get in this situation? The vet I spoke to said the exotics vet thinks it may be some kind of infection. I’m literally freaking out because the blood work just pushed my estimate up to $700 ($350 of which I paid in advance). I have $1000 set aside in a savings account for pet emergencies so I’m awfully close to the end of my funds. I have a feeling they’re still going to want an X-ray, but I’m not really sure how much that’ll cost if blood work upped my estimate by $400. Does this seem outrageously expensive to anyone else, or is this normal? My regular vet is significantly cheaper, but I don’t think she can wait until Monday when his office opens if I pulled her out of the hospital.

[Sarita]

Well if the stasis is due to infection then bloodwork would not be unusual.

Keep in mind that stasis is not an actual illness, it’s a condition and it can be brought on by illnesses so if it’s an infection that could be the reason for he stasis.

Most ER vets are very expensive – the idea is just to keep your animal stable until you can get your rabbit to your regular vet. Yes, that price is alot but not for an emergency vet…much like an emergency room in the hospital, it’s much more costly.

I hope she will be okay.

[Katie779]

So far the prognosis isn’t good. They decided to skip the blood work and do an X-ray, which didn’t show any blockage, but her stomach is so distended that its pressing on her organs. They’re giving her fluids, pain meds and an anti-biotic for now and are going to try to insert a tube into her belly to relieve the pressure. They wouldn’t give her any motility or gas meds, I’m not sure why as they didn’t really explain to me that well what’s going on.

I hope she will pull through but the vet didn’t sound optimistic. I’m just in shock how fast this all happened. She was eating, pooping and playing just last night. I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without her, she’s really my everything. They said if she makes it through the day they want to keep her over night but I’m going to have to bring her home because I’m completely out of money. We’re at $1200 already and I’m only a college student. I just feel awful, as I’m trying to do everything possible. 

I’m also a little frustrated with the ER. They had her there for over 4 hours and didn’t give her any fluids or pain meds. I feel like if they had been more prompt in treatment it wouldn’t have progressed so bad.

[LongEaredLions]

See if you can convince them to give her gas meds, it really could help. Are they force feeding her?
((((((((((Massive vibes for your sweet baby))))))))))
Thinking of you and Holly.

[Dee]

Katie,
I’m so sorry that you’re going through this with Holly. Many of us here have been through it and know how awful is. The waiting and fear is nearly unbearable. You have already been given great advice, so I just wanted to chime in with hopes and prayers that Holly recovers. You’ve done the right thing, getting her to a vet right away. It’s especially hard to put trust in a vet you don’t know, but that’s usually the case with ER vets. And these things do happen suddenly with rabbits. A few years ago, BunBun was fine at 12am and critical by 8am. There is nothing we can do to predict this, they hide illnesses too well because of their instincts.
Hugs for you and (((healing vibes))) for Holly,
Dee

[Katie779]

I’m really worried because they haven’t forced fed her any critical care and I just spoke to the vet on the phone and he’s refusing to give her gas meds.
I don’t think I can afford an over night stay as it’ll cost another $600. If I bring her home tonight is there anything I can do to help her myself that the vet hasnt done (meds, pedialyte, pellet slurries)? She can be seen by her regular vet tomorrow, but I’m really concerned with her making it through the night. The ER vet said she could arrest at anytime so taking her home isn’t an option, but I’m honestly out of money (and some trust for the vet).

[Katie779]

I actually decided to let her stay the night (had to tap into my school money). Hopefully she’ll be better there than home and I can take her to her regular vet tomorrow morning. I don’t think I’ve ever been so stressed! But thank you all for the support!

[JackRabbit]

I’m so sorry you and Holly are going through this. I fell in love with her from the first pic.

I would have done the same thing you did (dipping into school money). I’m sure some might disagree, but when it’s your baby girl, you want her in the best place. Maybe once she’s better you could check into pet insurance and see if that’s an option. Being a student, I know it might take awhile to build back up your reserve. (you were so smart to have the reserve to begin with). Again, I think you did the right thing for Holly.

Please keep us updated! Sending healing vibes and hugs to Holly {{{{{{{Holly}}}}}}}}

[Katie779]

I’ve been kicking myself for not purchasing insurance! I wonder if they’ll still cover her or if this will count as a preexisting condition?

Just as an update, there’s still been no change as of 5:30 this evening. They attempted to place a tube to her belly twice but didn’t manage to clear much out so they’re continuing with fluids and pain meds over night. The vet was kind enough to humor me and actually go out to a market and purchase her some mint and greens to try and entice her to eat something because she won’t touch hay. He also, per my request, gave her a litter box with the litter she’s used to to hopefully persuade her to go if she can. I know when I brought her to the vet to be spayed she didn’t pee or poop for 10 hours because she was without a box and is fairly well trained.

If she makes it through tonight they think she’ll have a better chance and we’re planning an ultrasound for tomorrow because no blockage showed up on the x-ray. They mentioned surgery as a possibility but advised me that if it’s needed it might be better to have her put down. Is she likely to recover from a surgery? At this point I’m really willing to try anything if it means she’ll pull through, but I don’t want her unnecessarily suffering either.

[JackRabbit]

If there’s no blockage per the x-ray and they know her stomach is puffed up, have they explained to you why no anti-gas med? If they said surgery is a possibility, did they say surgery for what (what are they thinking they might find)? Will they let you be with her (they might not)? Can she have something with your scent or that of “home” with her? If they are OK with her eating mint and greens (if she will), have they said why they aren’t doing Critical Care?

I’m sorry to bombard you with questions — I’m not looking for answers for *me*, I just think you have a right to know these things as her bunny mommy. Sometimes docs and vets don’t offer info because the pet parents may not understand. That’s totally OK for many people, but you sound like not knowing the why’s is causing you more stress.

Hang in there. We’re here for you, and pacing the floor with you.

[Katie779]

I’ve actually asked all those things and am not really getting answers I’m satisfied with. I pretty much insisted gas meds and they outright said no, saying that they’re not needed because when they tried to tube her stomach no gas was released so they’re saying it’s not a gas issue. My regular vet who I’ve been speaking to over the phone said that giving the gas meds couldn’t hurt, so I don’t understand why they’re saying no.

They said they still suspect a blockage even though nothing showed up on the x-ray. All the x-ray showed was that her stomach is severely distended and pressing on her other organs. The surgery would come after confirmation of a blockage from an ultrasound.

She does have her blanket which I asked be placed with her (I have no way of knowing if they actually gave it to her though).

I asked for her to be fed Critical Care and they said no, so I’m not sure why they’ve been trying to feed her everything but…

This whole thing is very confusing to me and I feel like I’m getting little to no answers. I’m just praying she hangs in there so I can bring her to my usual vet who I have full faith in.

[Roberta]

Can you get your usual vet to contact them and insist they give gas medication ?

[Katie779]

He was currently out of the state for the weekend with his family, so I didn’t really feel right asking him. He has promised to fit her in tomorrow so I’m sure he’ll prescribe the meds then. I think all I can do for now is wait for hopefully some good news come morning (it’s 2:45am here now).

[JackRabbit]

Pacing the floor, hoping Holly is feeling better . . .

[Katie779]

Update!

She’s pooped, peed and ate a little hay as of this morning! Her vet was switched at the hospital to the head of exotics and she is WORLDS better. Explained to me in detail everything she’s done since she took over for her early this am. I was able to speak to her directly and the fourth year student who was placed with Holly over night, and both of these people were extremely friendly. She’s continuing her fluid therapy for now, but they’ve arranged to have her switched to my regular vet at 4pm this afternoon where she’ll have her blood tests done (the big vet hospital is getting way too expensive, so transferring her seemed like the best option for me to ensure her continued care). She’ll spend at least one more night at the vet to be monitored and receive fluids, but hopefully we’ll have her home tomorrow!!

The vet also mentioned her “rabbitude” coming back. lol She was apparently demanding some attention this morning and has been being doted upon by the fourth year vet student assigned to watch over her. Also, her distended belly is back to normal. She’s not in the clear quite yet, but I’m thrilled with these improvements!!!

[JackRabbit]

YAY!!!!!!!

[Katie779]

Another update.

Her regular vet decided it would be best to send her home tonight, and I’m honestly really glad he did because so far she seems SO much better. She ran right to her hay as soon as she got home and pulled out a huge pile, and ate some salad too. I don’t want to get too excited, but I really think she’s going to be ok. He gave her some Reglan at the office and prescribed me some to take home to give her 3 times a day for 5-7 days. Soon I’ll bring her back for some blood tests to double check that there isn’t an underlining problem, but the vet thought it was more important to get her back to normal first.

My only question is about Critical Care. If she if eating fairly well should I still be giving it to her?

They decided to keep the IV in her ear until tomorrow. Just in case she still needs to be given some fluids. Now I’m just waiting on poop and really hoping for the best

[LolaBuns]

You’re little cutie looks like she could be my Lola’s sister! I am so happy she is feeling better!

[Katie779]

She does look similar to Lola! And thank you so much! I don’t think I can let my guard down yet, as she hasn’t pooped yet since coming home an hour ago, but we’re very hopeful. I’m thinking of, when it’s time for her next dose of Reglan, also giving her some Critical Care.

[Katie779]

And we have poop!! Almost round, a little shiny and in a neat little pile. Poop! haha

[JackRabbit]

If she’s eating plenty of hay and salad you may not need to worry about Critical Care, especially if force feeding is a struggle. Keep her hay fresh (the better it smells the more she may eat) and salad wet (extra fluid) tho.

So glad she’s doing better!

She has the whitest feet and fluffiest rear end! (that’s what I remember most from previous pics — makes ya just want to squishy all that fluff!)

[Katie779]

We just had a small episode. The vet left her IV/catheter thing in her ear to be able to give fluids in needed tomorrow without having to use the other ear. Well, she was violently kicking and pulling at it and it started to bleed so I went ahead and removed it (the vet said I could if necessary). That thing was really stuck on her with a TON of tape. Took about 20 minutes to get it out but after I gave her a treat and she jumped in my lap and looked a little thankful. She seems much more comfortable now and has taken a big drink of water so I think I made the right decision to remove it. The vet hospital taught me a nice trick to getting her to sit calm which made things much easier.

JackRabbit, her butt might actually be my favorite part of her body! LOL

[JackRabbit]

Ok, SHARE the trick the vet hospital taught you!

She does have the best butt. Definitely fit for bikini modeling pics (if you weren’t on for that then you should search “bikini modeling” — Holly was meant for it)!

[Deleted User]

YAY KATIE!!!! I am so excited (I love her too so I’m allowed – ha ha ha!).
You didn’t damage her precious ears did you??? Lol…..
I have had Holly in my thoughts as promised since you first posted.
AND ‘NO’ guys! Holly’s best body part is not her butt (though it is VERY cute!) – it’s her EAR’S!

[LolaBuns]

I vote for the butt!!!!! 

Yes please share this trick! Getting Lola to sit still for anything sounds like a miracle!

[Deleted User]

Oh LolaBuns, if you saw Holly’s little ‘tiny’ ears from a baby and how they grew into magnificent ‘helicopter’ ears – you’d agree with me!

[LolaBuns]

Maybe so AndHenry, maybe so.  I do see the tiny ears in her avatar plus I feel they should get a sympathy vote for having to deal with that iv for so long. Not to mention having it taken out again…ouch! Ok so I split my vote between butt and ears! LOL 

[manic_muncher]

I’m so relieved she’s bounced back. I also want to hear this trick!

[Sarita]

Glad she’s home and better.

[Katie779]

Haha bikini modeling!! I’ll search it that sounds hilarious!

The vet at the hospital noticed that Holly is a sucker for really good petting, so she said to pet her all along her back until she lays down flat then gently cover her eyes while you keep petting her. If you have two people and one person keeps up the petting and covers her eyes and the other does whatever needs to be done she actually stays still (pretty much haha). I was really surprised she let me get that nasty needle out of her ear and pull off the tape without that much fuss/damage to her precious ear fur! 

Do bunnies usually LOVE Reglan? I’ve given Holly two doses since yesterday and she comes running for it and practically yanks the thing out of my hands! LOL Critical care not so much…but she’s eating fairly well so I’m not too worried about the Critical Care. 

She’s still not completely herself, but we did get a binky this morning so I know she’s definitely feeling a TON better.We just got back from our regular vet for a check and he says she’s doing extremely well. Poop tests came back negative and I’m just waiting on her blood test results which should be in on Thursday. I think she’s just exhausted from all this because she came home and went right to sleep, but hopefully she eat some salad when she’s done her nap.

These are the tiny ears Andi mentioned! LOL

[Deleted User]

See LolaBuns – I told you!!! LOL! Aren’t they the tiniest ever…..

I’m sure Holly was just relieved to be home, why she went straight to sleep. Gosh, she’s a lucky girl – you are the best bunny mum ever Katie.
She is definitely your baby! 

PS – Bikini modelling is coming up in July – LEL is going to start a new thread, so save and/or get all your Holly butt picture’s ready, I can’t wait!

[JackRabbit]

I hadn’t seen a tiny baby pic of her! Waaaaay to cute!

Will try the petting thing too during next nail trim.

BTW, with all three of mine, meds were a horrible struggle. I finally just said WTH and held the syringes down to see what they would do. Each one came up, sniffed, and licked the med right out of the syringe. I swear it must be a power thing with some buns!

[Katie779]

Aw Andi, she’s definitely my baby girl! I was such a wreck Saturday night and Sunday I think I cried for a day and half straight. I’m so happy to have her home and see her feeling so much better. It’s crazy how these little fur butts become such huge parts of our lives. I can’t even imagine not having Holly.

Her fantastic vet stayed late at work today to get her blood tests results and he called to say that everything is pretty much normal. Her blood sugar is a little high, but nothing to be concerned about and it’s probably just from stress from being sick. Looks like we’ll never know what exactly caused her stasis, but hopefully we can prevent this from happening again.

JackRabbit, I swear Holly is the same exact way! She can sense when something odd is going on, or when I’m trying to get her to do something and she does everything she can to avoid it, but (like with her meds) if I just let her on her own there’s a better chance she’ll take them. lol Such little brats!

[JackRabbit]

Adorable, sweet, fuzzy, squishy, can’t-help-but-give-in-to-them-brats tho!

I was so worried about Holly (and you!). Had to force myself not to think about being in your position or I would tear up. I literally kept checking in just to see if you had posted an update.

[LolaBuns]

That is the cutest baby bunny pic!!!!! 

Lola does the exact same thing.  If I try to force her to take her meds it’s a struggle but if I just show her the syringe she can’t get enough and if I’m not giving it to her fast enough or when it’s gone she yanks the syringe out of my hand and throws it. Silly bunnies. Now getting her to take a pill is a whole other story 

AndHenry – you were right….LOVE those baby bunny ears!

[bunnytowne]

Ahhh relief she is doing better.  Thats good news and she is home now.  Good n feisty I know you are relieved.  

[LongEaredLions]

YAY! I know I am late, but I am so happy she is recovering! What a darling!
It is funny how much worry a tiny creature could cause. But they are worth it!

[Katie779]

Thank you guys so much for your support!! It’s amazing how these little guys bring people together and how compassionate this community is when someone else’s baby is ill. 

I had just one more question. The vet at the hospital told me to feed her as much salad as she’d eat to make sure she stays hydrated. This seems like a lot though, should I still stick with around 2 cups a day?

I know everyone loves pictures, so I took a couple of Holly relaxing on my bed last night (she regained her “bed privileges” because she’s finally stopped peeing on it! LOL)

[LongEaredLions]

Aww, what a darling.
I wouldn’t feed her unlimited salad, as that might decrease her hay intake. As long as she seems to be drinking on her own, I think you’re ok.
I am so relieved, you had me worried there Holly!

[Katie779]

That’s what has me worried. I only see her actually drink from her bowl once in a while. I’m thinking of changing the bowl…maybe she doesn’t like it anymore? lol Or maybe she just gets a lot of her water from salad? I always soak it in water and leave water at the bottom of the bowl for her too drink, too.

And I’m not too sure she eats enough hay either. I might just be being paranoid from her just being sick, but it doesn’t seem like she eats that much hay. She’s my first rabbit though, so I don’t really have a point of reference.

[Author]

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