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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Final decision on Gus’ ears

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    • Megabunny
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        Well, I know that some people were interested in Gus’ whole ear dilemma, so thought I’d follow up:

        After a month of Baytril, Gus’ ear was still full of pus. The vet said the next step would be the lateral ear canal ablation. Yikes, this looks ghastly!! He knew, I’m sure, that we wouldn’t get anywhere, but he knew I didn’t want to jump into major surgery on my baby.

        I really struggled to decide if I should pursue the surgery. I spoke with many people and had a lot of questions to track down. My final question was why didn’t he try a different medication. He’s been doing all this for a long time (10, 20 years, I think) so he’s seen a lot. He is exclusively exotics. As one BBer said to me, and I fully agree, rabbits are a hugely popular pet and it’s a shame they are considered exotics and more vets aren’t better versed with them. But this doctor does wallabies, ocean creatures, birds, the list goes on and on. He’s seen the treatment of rabbit ear infections progress through the years. Even if the infection clears up, it returns a couple of months later. It’s like a child who keeps getting ear infections until they have tubes in their ears. 

        He said something about there being bone in the ear that does not have skin, so there’s no real means of getting the antibiotic through the bloodstream to the infection. In short, he has tried medication with the infections always returning. He’s also found anesthesia, flushing all the pus out and follow up with antibiotics doesn’t last. Other surgery can result in facial paralysis. The vet was very kind and willing to answer my questions and even go with a different antibiotic if I really wanted to try.

        Even my husband finally agreed it was time to proceed with the surgery. AND we are doing both sides, as it typically progresses to the other ear. He did just one ear on a rabbit, then the bun had to go through it all over again when the infection hit the other ear.

         The breeder I’ve been consulting has given  me a list of all sorts of foods and supportive treatment to have on hand for him, as she said gastric problems post surgery can kill him easier than the procedure. So I’m preparing for some potentially rough times. The biggest thing I’m worried about (probably stupid) is the Elizabethan collar he is going to have to wear for two weeks while the sutures heal. (I believe inside it’s laser but there will be stitches outside, too.)

        Oct. 15 is the big day. I’m so nervous! This is HUGE!! But the vet is amazing so I don’t feel Gus could be in better hands. Just awful to have him go through


      • Deleted User
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          Oh Megabunny! My poor Gus! But I agree, my vet seemed confident and knew his stuff and I’ve never worried leaving Henry in his hands. Trust those big ears of Gus’s to cause a problem – and I thought they were there to balance his body and look cute! So pleased to read (days later – bugga! I can’t believe I only saw your previous thread now) a remedy to this issue. And yes, regardless of how you feel about the vet, it’s still upsetting having your special person (bunny) endure this. But think how Gus will feel once he has fully recovered and healed! Super happy for Gus! More worried about YOU! Lol…..

          PS – I knew your hubby would say YES! Ha ha ha…..


        • JackRabbit
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            I don’t know anything about this type of surgery . . . What will they be doing to his ears? How does this get rid of the infection?


          • LBJ10
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              JR – They essentially bypass the problem area so there is no where for the infection to persist anymore. It’s more commonly done in dogs.

              Here’s an article posted by medirabbit: http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Surgery/Ear/ear_surgery.pdf

              Warning: The article provides pictures of the procedure.


            • jerseygirl
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                I’ll be keeping you & Gus in my thoughts!
                How are you feeling since making the decision?

                I’m curious as to how long the surgery would take, given they’re doing both ears?
                Also, will Gus be staying there post surgery?


              • LBJ10
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                  Oh MegaBunny, your poor little Gus. =(

                  I hope he feels better after this.


                • Megabunny
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                    Thanks everybody. sorry I’m just getting back on this. Yes, I feel really badly for Gus, especially when they will keep him over at least one night. I will not do well if they keep him longer and will argue until I win. Hubby doesn’t know I’m planning to sleep with him when he does return. The breeder who has been getting me prepared for this pointed out that the only time I’ve had any real trouble with him is when I went away for a few days. So I worry about being separated from him for such a stressful procedure.

                    I, too,was wondering how long it will take for both ears to be done and haven’t thought to ask. I am pretty nervous about this. I really hope it works. They admit there are no promises, but I will be able to maintain flushing them out. I just keep worrying I will get “that” call with the doctor all sorry but saying he didn’t survive. I have to stop thinking like that and send hm off with positive energy (or something…I don’t know!)

                    Thanks again everyone. This just felt like a no-win. Bad to put my guy through it, but bad if I don’t do anything


                  • dewey
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                      I will be looking to see what happens. Good Luck! My rabbit is on Baytril for ear infection right now.


                    • Megabunny
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                        Thanks, Dewey. And I would love to hear how yours makes out…seriously. I’m learning a lot and am now interested to hear how other bunnies make out. I’m curious what symptoms Dewey had that prompted the ears to be checked. (Gus had no symptoms, yet it’s a ROARING infection)

                        I had one BBer I’ve asked a lot of help from tell me that the place she volunteers at doesn’t even use Baytril anymore because it doesn’t work and they use erythromycin. My vet, if I’m hearing it right, indicated even if the ears do clear up, the infection eventually returns. That said, I have to wonder, even if the vet feels they are cleared up, if you should consider going back in several months to have them looked at again. But I don’t really know. I actually called around, and after a bunch on vets would not comment over the phone, I called back to NY state where we’d just moved from and BEGGED a vet office to just tell me what they would generally do with a rabbit, telling them I was here in South Carolina and didn’t know anyone and was desperately trying to make the right decision, with help from many people. That vet reluctantly responded. She said she would put a bunny on a long course of Baytril and if that didn’t work she’d send it to Cornell University for this surgery we are getting for Gus.

                        It’s costing so much money, it better work!! At least it will help me to keep it in control. They said I’ll really be amazed at the difference when I start flushing the ear. Can’t wait LOL

                        Gus has “helicopter ears” and the vet picked up on the fact that the one he always holds down is, in fact, the infected one. Coincidence??


                      • LongEaredLions
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                          I have been super busy this week so I must have missed this. Poor little Gus! I hope everything goes well for the adorable little boy. ((((Vibes))))


                        • Megabunny
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                            Thanks LEL. I’ll probably drive them nuts as the time grows nearer with all the questions and preparation for post op.


                          • jerseygirl
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                              They said I’ll really be amazed at the difference when I start flushing the ear.

                              Are they reporting the change they’ve seen in rabbits or just animals in general?

                              Good to hear you rung around for input from other vets. I’m just sorry you had such difficulty getting answers! I had wondered if emailing Dr Carolynn Harvey in CA would be worthwhile but it’s really getting to close to the surgery date now. Sounds like your former vet would have taken this course (long abx then surgery) too then?

                              I sent a pm to K&K to look in on this thread. She looked into a surgery for her bunny Chuck. She also had a dog that had the “TECA BO”
                              surgery done.

                              For those curious: TECA BO =
                              Total Ear Canal Ablation & Bulla Osteotomy.
                              Phew! Glad it has a acronym!


                            • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                As Jersey said I was presented with the option to do this for Chuck my rabbit who had recurrent head tilt. Given that the option for surgery was in Saskatoon (about 8 hours away), he was senior, blind and deaf and the x-rays didn’t definitively show if we were dealing with a bulla infection or EC, my vet was happy with our choice not to go through with it-he’d been through a ton already. We pulled him off meds for a week to give him time to just be happy and we said goodbye with his buddy Noot at his side.

                                Our dog Mandy had to have this procedure-Teco bo (Total ear canal ablation and bulla ectomy) She had recurrent ear infections for ages, but finally ended up with a middle ear infection, and that was the same info we got; that when the tympanic bulla is infected, the infection is like a sludge and antibiotics will not do anything. I think it has to do with the circulation there but also the shape, and the fat that it’s no longer an outer ear infection.

                                We really struggled with putting her though what seemed like a big surgery; It was really pricey (8000$ was the quote!) and the vet went over a million side effects including that it might not work at all. We did go through with it-and she had no side effects. The issues she had been experiencing were all resolved immediately and she never had an infection again.

                                So although it sounds scary, we had a really good experience with it! I say-if you can afford it go for it!


                              • JackRabbit
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                                  Mind if I ask how you all knew your buns had ear infections?


                                • Megabunny
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                                    Sorry I didn’t see these postings. I am working on messages going to my inbox, not Spam!! Grr

                                    Anyway, working backwards, JR, I randomly took Gus in because I thought he had a UTI, but that was fine. If I’d taken him for an annual check up with this doctor, it probably would have been found sooner. Then, on the other hand, I think my other vet back home looked in his ears at one point and they were fine, but I can’t remember for sure. Apparently, if a rabbit gets so bad it gets the head tilt, it’s pretty much too late. It’s already gone into the brain. (ew)

                                    Thanks for passing this on, Jersey. That makes me feel better hearing KK’s experience. I doubt I could put $8000 into my ears, let alone a pet’s. Your dog is very blessed!!! This is costing $1100 supposedly, but since I didn’t hear anything like, “that includes…” I’m sure there will be additional fees for rechecks… And the rechecks are $75 just like the initial exam!!!!!! I’ll scream bloody murder if he ever picks up a pair of nail trimmers again. Didn’t ask. Just did it… that was another $15. He works in a very rich community and probably didn’t think about it, but sheesh!! I’m used to $40 exams and less for rechecks, but my vet didn’t do a lot of rabbits.

                                    Tobyluv told me about someone on-line somewhere, who would be a really good source, but she checked and that expert was away until Nov. 1. When I got hold of that exotic vet back home (not my usual local vet) I felt better that she concurred with the treatment. Fortunately, I have a nest egg that my recently deceased father left me, so that’s a big help. Although my husband probably would have caved anyway. Happy wife Happy life, right??

                                     

                                    Oh, and Jersey, I think the doctor is going on the patients he’s had. He said one person just kept getting pus and more pus, but after continued flushing, the pus has been almost nil. So once I get hold of it, I think it should be controllable, though I see many vet visits in my future. And I cannot stand the drive. My GPS keeps taking me to one spot, then I look and the vet is across two SETS of two lane traffic…WAAAAAY over yonder. But then I can’t find my way out of a paper bag half the time. My husband usually drives for these things, but it’s always during the day and he has a new job, so I’m soldiering through  After some of the drivers we’ve seen in South Carolina, I figure even I can’t be much worse. But I prefer not to put myself to the test that often.

                                    I think Gus is too goofy to give me the stink eye I hear so many others talk about, so I’m hoping he doesn’t get too mad at me with all this going on. I cannot imagine having a cone on his head for two weeks! I have an emergency kit for him…all kinds of things the breeder has told me which I won’t go into because if you don’t know her you don’t know what a brilliant person she is and would scratch your head wondering what the heck I’m doing. But I trust her completely and hope I don’t need any of this emergency kit…except the willow, which she said has analgesic benefits.

                                    Tomorrow’s the day


                                  • JackRabbit
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                                      Megabunny – I made a mental note of the date when you first posted it and I’ll be thinking of you and worrying about Gus all day tomorrow and hoping everything goes smoothly. Here’s some smooth surgery, fast healing, and comfortable cone vibes to get Gus started . . . {{{{{{Gus}}}}}}


                                    • Deleted User
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                                        Tomorrow???

                                        Tell Gus I will be thinking of him ALL day! And I’ll be worrying about YOU all day!!!
                                        Hug’s to Gus and you from ME.

                                        Gosh…. tomorrow???


                                      • jerseygirl
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                                          Hope it goes well!!
                                          {{{{Gus}}}}}


                                        • Megabunny
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                                            Thanks everybody! I passed along the message to Gus. You’re all so nice, I’m glad to be a member of this wonderful group!


                                          • Dr. Doolittle
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                                              Sending good thoughts and smooth procedure vibes to you and Gus!


                                            • LBJ10
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                                                Good luck Gus!!!

                                                Don’t worry Megabunny, it sounds like this is a good choice given the circumstances and it sounds like your vet is more than capable. I understand about the vet fees though. My vet charges for “office visits”, but the cost of a followup is considerably less. Still, I hate it when they tack on fees for this and that, especially when they didn’t tell you ahead of time. They do that with people doctors too.


                                              • Megabunny
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                                                  Thanks All. it’s getting so close and the anesthesia scares me to pieces!!! Now my husband says there’s likely to be serious problems getting anywhere in the morning due to the crush of traffic at 7, and I don’t want to be late, but we are wondering if waiting till 8:00 might help. 1/2 hour away on a good day and have to be there by 8:30…unless they just say that. I called last week and the tech was just getting in at 9 and the vet wasn’t in til after that. But that would seriously cut it close on time. I don’t want to mess up their schedule for what must be a long surgery, did I mention anesthesia terrifies me?


                                                • tobyluv
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                                                    I wanted to tell you again that I’m thinking of you and Gus. I hope the surgery is a complete success and that the recuperation goes quickly and smoothly.


                                                  • JackRabbit
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                                                      Megabunny — anytime our babies, human and furbaby, have to deal with anesthesia, we moms are going to worry. It’s part of our job. You’ve done your research, gotten reassurance from your old vet, and made the best choice for your baby. Take a deep breath and know that Gus is in good hands. We’ll all be sending you calming vibes and sending Gus successful surgery vibes all day tomorrow. I’m a huge worry wart so I’ll even try to do some of the worrying for you so you can try to get a little rest!


                                                    • Megabunny
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                                                        Thanks so much. I can’t tell you how comforting it is to see even more messages first thing, after waking up and crying as I thought about all this.


                                                      • Cottontail
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                                                          Warm wishes and good vibes for you and Gus.
                                                          We’ll be thinking about you and hoping for a smooth and quick procedure and recovery.


                                                        • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                            I’m so sorry to hear you have to go through with the surgery. I’m wishing Gus a ((((successful procedure)))) and ((((speedy recovery)))).


                                                          • JackRabbit
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                                                              {{{{{{Gus}}}}}} {{{{{{Megabunny}}}}}}


                                                            • Megabunny
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                                                                Thanks folks! I brought him over this morning. May I just complain for a moment about the vet trying to tell me that he should stay overnight because they want to be sure he doesn’t scratch at his ears? I was as nice as possible and told them that I was fully aware no one stayed all night and stared at him the way I could. (Ok, I couldn’t stay awake the whole time) and I have tech training and have never left my dogs overnight from sprays or Such and would very much like to bring him home if possible as I’m planning to sleep near him and can watch over him through the night. I know they just probably don’t want me calling them in the middle of the night, and I get that.

                                                                He has to have an IV catheter. I know those hurt. I can’t stand it. The dog looked so confused as to where I was going with Gus!


                                                              • JackRabbit
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                                                                  Good for you! I have one of “those” stares too!

                                                                  More vibes for Gus {{{{{Gus}}}}} and a power jolt … <<>>


                                                                • Megabunny
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                                                                    Hello again,

                                                                    Just got a call from the doctor. I had actually called a couple of hours ago and learned Gus was waking up from surgery, so I knew he survived. The doctor said he has given him local blocks for pain, he’s still pretty out of it from narcotics, he barely opens his eyes when the doctor goes in the see him, he’s in an incubator, though his temp. is normal and they are culturing the pus to see if it can be identified.

                                                                    I didn’t argue about overnight, especially when I think he’s going to be kept in the incubator.

                                                                     

                                                                    Thanks everyone for the support

                                                                     


                                                                  • tobyluv
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                                                                      I know that you are so relieved the surgery is over. I also know that you are still worried about your sweet Gus, which is natural, and that you want him home with you, but it does sound like they are taking good care of him and giving him specialized care. I hope that you will be able to bring your little guy home tomorrow morning. I’m sure that he wants to be home with you as much as you want to be with him.

                                                                      I wouldn’t hesitate to call the vet and get some progress reports today. They should know that you aren’t trying to bug them, but that you are concerned for your bunny and want the best for him.


                                                                    • Cottontail
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                                                                        Wonderful to hear that his procedure went well, and that they’re taking such care with him.
                                                                        Continuing to send good vibes for you and Gus.


                                                                      • JackRabbit
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                                                                          Glad to hear it went well and the worst part is over! Hopefully you can get some rest tonight because you’re going to want to stare at him all night tomorrow night!


                                                                        • Megabunny
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                                                                            Thanks everyone! Funny, JR.
                                                                            Yes, they all seemed offended when I’d say I was worried about this or that going wrong. When I told the doc I’d been scared he would die under anesthesia he was, like “Oh, no no no.” But you never know and I’m glad to have that part behind us and hope he eats and everything so he can come right home tomorrow


                                                                          • Dr. Doolittle
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                                                                              I know you’ll be concerned until he’s fully recovered and healed, but I’m glad he’s out of surgery. Here’s to lots of cuddling with him tomorrow!


                                                                            • JackRabbit
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                                                                                You say funny but that’s what I’d do! It would be like having a newborn baby home for the first night for me, especially since my bunnies are my babies now that my son won’t let me baby him anymore!


                                                                              • Deleted User
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                                                                                  Wonderful news Megabunny! I’m sooooo relieved for you. And Gus sounds like he’s doing super well……
                                                                                  More cuddle’s to him when you bring him home. (make sure he knows which cuddle is from me! Ha ha ha!).


                                                                                • Megabunny
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                                                                                    Yes, you’re right JR And what is it with those kids not being our babies anymore?? I’ll be up a LOT tomorrow night. I just keep thinking about the poor thing at the vet’s very confused and scared 🙁


                                                                                  • JackRabbit
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                                                                                      I’m sure he’ll be fine. If anything, he’s probably thinking that his mom’s probably worried sick about him! He’s probably napping, all warm and cozy and a little high from the pain meds. Before you know it, he’ll be home and healing and trying to get into trouble.


                                                                                    • dewey
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                                                                                        I know you will be busy with Gus recovery, but let us know what happens. I have been hoping everything goes o.k.


                                                                                      • BumblesBounce
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                                                                                          Sending lots of warm wishes and vibes for a speedy recovery to Mr. Gus! What an ordeal you’re going through, and what a lucky bun he is to have someone so devoted.


                                                                                        • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                                                                            I’m so excited it went well!!!! I didn’t realize you had it lined up so quickly-wonderful! And brilliant that he did well!!

                                                                                            And btw total Kudos for putting your foot down about him not staying overnight-like seriously when are clinics going to stop doing that? It’s not fair for the animals to be all alone, it’s not fair to charge for it (excuse me no one is even there!) -like how is that in anyone’s best interest? I don’t get it-so really really good job standing up and not going for it! I know they pressure us to do that

                                                                                            I’m so excited-please keep us posted as he recovers


                                                                                          • Megabunny
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                                                                                              KK. Once the vet called and gave me a better reason to keep him I agreed. But I can’t stand thinking of him there alone and scared and confused for so long overnight. I’m on pins and needles to get him, but have a job interview at noon, so can’t get him until at least after that. But they figured it would be later in the afternoon. However I’m calling much sooner! Already warned the hubby we aren’t doing too much for our anniversary on Sat. and I’ll be with Gus as much as possible, he already knows that. We are replacing the toilets in our new house and the three of them came to around $600. I said, “That’s cheaper than Gus!”

                                                                                              He just squeezed his eyes and mouth shut. Ha ha! Love me, love my rabbit!


                                                                                            • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                                                I’m glad Gus came through the procedure okay. Give him a hug for me!

                                                                                                That’s how it works at my house too! The bunnies come first! My husband knew that before he married me!!!


                                                                                              • JackRabbit
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                                                                                                  Waits patiently for an update on Gus . .


                                                                                                • manic_muncher
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                                                                                                    Oh my goodness, I hadn’t realized this was so soon either! I’m so glad to see that he made it through surgery and am now waiting for an update too.


                                                                                                  • Megabunny
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                                                                                                      Thanks everyone.. More later. It was a rough night for ME physically but it improved and we made it thru the night. He’s trying hard to get that collar off. Got a job working interview this a,m. So will promise to catch up later. Hugs everyone!


                                                                                                    • JackRabbit
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                                                                                                        My hubby finally “gets it”! We just got home from running errands and he wanted me to do something. I said “Nope. Gotta go check on Gus first.” His reply? “Oh, Ok.”


                                                                                                      • Megabunny
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                                                                                                          Wow JR. You really got that guy whipped into shape!!!
                                                                                                          I’m really not trying to blow this off. I just got kinda rained on all at the same time.
                                                                                                          But here goes:
                                                                                                          Gus actually got his collar untied today, but didn’t slip out of it before I found him. He eats a lot when I hand feed him, but the Timothy has to be just the grassy strips. He prefers I pull the willow off his wreath, though I hung it up, so hopefully he will eat that more. And I bought a water bottle to hold in front of his mouth. Not sure he’s drinking much, if at all, from his bowl, so now he has a choice. I’ve been giving him canned pumpkin to keep his gut working and I stir in something similar to Critical Care and he leans his head up and I drop a ball of it into his big mouth. It’s driving me nuts how hard it is to keep things clean. I think he’s shaking his head a bit less. I honestly can’t bring myself to post a picture. The poor thing. Just can’t do that to him. Dry oak leaves have been a lifesaver, too. The vet said he ate them really well for them, and he continues to do so here. I dip veggies in water and feed him a bite at a time.

                                                                                                          He was good through the night. Well, he’d start shaking his head and I would pet him and he’d hunker right down and stop. He’s really not pooping like he should, but he’s eating better, so I hope that picks up.

                                                                                                          Seems like we are on our way


                                                                                                        • JackRabbit
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                                                                                                            Does the collar extend past his face so he can’t eat or drink normally out of a bowl? How long does he have to wear the collar?

                                                                                                            Glad he’s eating, even if it takes hand feeding him. Poor guy wonders what on earth is going on.

                                                                                                            I’m sure he’ll be pooping lots, again soon. He’s been through alot the past couple of days, and you have too! Hugs to both of you!


                                                                                                          • JackRabbit
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                                                                                                              Does the collar extend past his face so he can’t eat or drink normally out of a bowl? How long does he have to wear the collar?

                                                                                                              Glad he’s eating, even if it takes hand feeding him. Poor guy wonders what on earth is going on.

                                                                                                              I’m sure he’ll be pooping lots, again soon. He’s been through alot the past couple of days, and you have too! Hugs to both of you!


                                                                                                            • Megabunny
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                                                                                                                Gus has to wear it for TWO WEEKS! I’ve wondered about trying to shorten it a bit w/o actually cutting it. Might mess with that tomorrow. So pathetic. He was trying to lick his front paw just now and could only bring the paw up to the collar and lick the collar 🙁


                                                                                                              • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                                                                                                  So glad to hear he’s home! Kahlua is like that with cones-she’s a sneaky flexible booger!

                                                                                                                  I’m definitely waiting for updates!

                                                                                                                  and lol at your hubby’s facepalm over the vet bill-we should start a ‘rabbit husbands’ support group


                                                                                                                • JackRabbit
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                                                                                                                    Aw, I couldn’t watch that. I feel so sorry for him. It must be just killing you to see him so pitiful. Just remember that its all for his own good and he’ll be out of the collar soon. It will be a long two weeks though.

                                                                                                                    I’m guessing the collar is to keep his back feet away from the incisions and ears. Hopefully it won’t get in the way when he feels better and tries to run. One thing’s for sure — there will be mega binkies when the collar comes off (from both of you)!!


                                                                                                                  • Megabunny
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                                                                                                                      K&K My husband would be the president of the club!! He would cause an uprising!


                                                                                                                    • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                                                                                                        Ha! Ok maybe the husband support group is a bad idea! Abort abort!

                                                                                                                        On a side note, you could trim the e-collar! Definitely done that before-a bit of duct tape on the edges smooths it too


                                                                                                                      • manic_muncher
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                                                                                                                          Poor Gus… stuck in the cone of shame. Sounds positive, but I agree that it’s gonna be a long 2 weeks! Make sure you are taking care of yourself too!!


                                                                                                                        • Deleted User
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                                                                                                                            Oh MB – it sounds so sad and so cute all at once, ha ha ha….. But once Gus is feeling better he’ll thank you for it (at least that’s what I’d tell myself). Did you give him my hug from me yet???
                                                                                                                            I know 2 weeks sounds like a long time, but it’ll be over before you know it – you’ve been through worse, I know you’ll get through this. How’s Robbie going? Is he affected by this? I know if it were my dog’s, the answer would be NO! Lol!


                                                                                                                          • Megabunny
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                                                                                                                              I had wondered about making the cone just a bit smaller. Actually, I thought he was coming home w/ an e collar, and maybe it’s stil considered that, technically, but it’s, like nylon (?) and very flexible and I actually found him getting a back foot around it for a few scratches. It comes just to the tip of his nose, and he did finally manage to grab some hay up for himself, so I’m going to leave it alone I guess. It’s waking us both up to get up through the night, but I guess I’m just so wonderful my husband voted for me to sleep in our bed and still set the alarm, instead of staying in Gus’ room like I did the first night. I’ll never understand him (hubby, not Gus)

                                                                                                                              Got some botanical grass and oat hay, so trying to keep the variety going, especially when I’m tired of hand feeding him every strand of hay, trying to fill up his big 12 pound body…and he’s so picky about what to eat and what to just chin!


                                                                                                                            • BumblesBounce
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                                                                                                                                How is Gus doing? We have been thinking of you!


                                                                                                                              • Megabunny
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                                                                                                                                  Awww Thanks for asking! About 60 hours and counting with that blasted collar on his neck. No way are they telling me I have to keep it on past Wednesday!!! I’ve so had it with him not being able to eat his cecals and having to do major house keeping on him and his pen nearly every day I could scream. He is in brat mode…got out of his pen the other night. My husband said he thought he heard me up at one point (it’s not like we don’t sleep in the same bed!). Well, you know who was banging around, but only chewed one wire that was more OK than a lot he could have picked. His ears are OK, I guess. The infected one looks pusy, and I don’t know if it is pus or leftover silvadene cream I have to put on every day…oh he looooves that!!!

                                                                                                                                  I let him get a breath of air on Friday w/o the collar and when I went to put it back on, he chomped my finger (no break of skin), grabbed the collar and tugged and pulled and tried to throw it aside. My husband came to help as I was screeching, but I was laughing so hard, I just gave him a few more minutes of freedom, then he was better.

                                                                                                                                  Thanks again for asking. Wednesday morning is the big recheck, though I guess the stitches stay in for a full 4 weeks (It’s only been two but feels like 6)


                                                                                                                                • JackRabbit
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                                                                                                                                    You’ll have to be sure to tell the vet that the collar sure is irritating and brings on the grumpies, and Gus doesn’t like it either!!! I’m actually amazed at how well you both have done the past week and a half. I think I would have been crying by day three of the collar. Hang in there!


                                                                                                                                  • BumblesBounce
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                                                                                                                                      Megabunny, you are such a saint! As we can see clearly from your post, its the caretakers that suffer the most from moody patients! At least you can laugh off his grumpies.. And at least he’s feeling well enough to be mad, right?! Bratty and spunky trumps lethargic and depressed!

                                                                                                                                      I’ve got one in brat mode right now, myself– we’re just about two and a half weeks into pen confinement with ours, for a broken metatarsal, and he’s just out of his gourd with excess energy. We have had some luck with Bach’s Rescue Remedy, though.. maybe that would help Gus? It’s very safe and I’ve ready several other threads here on BB from folks who have used it happily on themselves and their buns! Fella mellows out in a matter of minutes with just two drops on a treat. It doesn’t make him lethargic or dopey AT ALL, just takes the anxiety out of his energy. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but apparently four drops in your tea, and it’s smooth sailing!

                                                                                                                                      Keep us posted on his progress– and yours, too! You’re doing such a great thing for him, and I know he will appreciate his happy, healed life once you’re through the nightmare parts of this process. Hang in there!


                                                                                                                                    • Megabunny
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                                                                                                                                        Oh, your poor bunny. At least mine can get out and move around! I’m sorry I miss a lot, as I don’t get on BB a much as I’d like to. And thanks for the words of encouragement! 26 hours and counting until his recheck, and I’m just going to freak if they tell me he needs the collar any longer. Ha ha and he’s going to probably need a new one if that’s the case. This one is shredded in one section. Stupid me just assumed…up until yesterday…that he’d have his collar off in two weeks. I don’t know why. Nothing to base it on and I just don’t know what to expect and I don’t want to ask ahead of time, so I can hold onto that hope that the worst will be behind us. Of course, if they put him on antibiotics, I’ll have to worry about reactions to THAT.
                                                                                                                                        Thanks again for asking. I feel badly I miss out on a lot of other people’s happenings, and it’s not that I’m so single-minded. I’m just busy trying to keep up with friends back home and everything here in our new location.


                                                                                                                                      • BumblesBounce
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                                                                                                                                          No worries! I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we understand that you’re juggling life and a bun who needs lots of care. All that comes first!

                                                                                                                                          Fingers crossed for a cone-free tomorrow!


                                                                                                                                        • Cottontail
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                                                                                                                                            Poor little recovery-bed bunnies; Bon and Mega , I wish you patience and fast recoveries!
                                                                                                                                            {{{ anti-cone vibes }}}
                                                                                                                                            {{{ healing foot vibes }}}


                                                                                                                                          • Megabunny
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                                                                                                                                              It has been over a year since Gus’ surgery, and in that time I have received some requests for “the rest of the story”
                                                                                                                                              So… there really isn’t an ending. The surgery has allowed me to get to the problem, but the ears take turns on which gets infected (so good we had both ears done). The cost is astronomical!! Repeated visits and meds. I don’t think he will ever be cured long term, but at the same time I don’t know how I could have NOT done the surgery. That said, I get afraid to get any more rabbits, as Gus is costing SOOOO much. I can’t imagine a second one that might run into problems.
                                                                                                                                              If anyone has questions, feel free to PM me. I seem to get a hit from someone every few months and I’m glad to bounce ideas around with people, but I’m certainly no expert. In fact, I don’t think anyone is. They just cannot seem to get a grasp of these rabbits and their ears, unfortunately. But good we have more and more vets trying to help our buns!


                                                                                                                                            • LBJ10
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                                                                                                                                                Thanks for the update! You’re the only member I know of that has had this done, so at least you can share your experience with others. Doesn’t matter if you’re an “expert” or not.


                                                                                                                                              • Bam
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                                                                                                                                                  Yes, as LBJ says, Gus’s story is very valuable to other people with “ear-bunnies”. I’ve linked to this thread several times. It’s great if members can PM you and discuss ear-things. Personal experience is so valuable. I think you are great for taking care of Gus the way you do and for sharing your story.


                                                                                                                                                • Megabunny
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                                                                                                                                                    Thanks guys! Where’s the “Like” button?  You’re the best…as always!


                                                                                                                                                  • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                                                                                                      Thanks for the update!!! Hope you and Gus are having lovely Holidays!

                                                                                                                                                      Those stubborn bunny ears. It seems when they decide they are going to be infected, they will always be infected. I’ve accepted that Bindi will have chronic infections all his life.

                                                                                                                                                      Just curious, do you clean his ears at all? I assume the longer ear canals make it easier if you do. That’s one problem I have with Bindi, his ears are always completely plugged up with gunk.


                                                                                                                                                    • Megabunny
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                                                                                                                                                        I don’t clean his ears like a cat’s. I flush them. At this point it’s every 2-3 days. The vet gives me NaCl (saline) in a 500 ml bottle, as opposed to the 1000ml bags of fluids that you can’t just cap (unless you attach an IV line). Sometimes it’s been medicated, but most recently it’s just saline which I warm up a little in a dixie cup in the microwave then I suck it up into a 12 cc flushing syringe (has a pointy, curved tip). Then flush gently in spurts. If you really flush hard, the ear drum can rupture, but when there’s an infection, the ear drum is often ruptured anyway, as their infections are typically middle ear.

                                                                                                                                                        Or it could be wax. That is grayish and pus is white. I’ll be darned if I’ve ever been able to really distinguish the shades, though.

                                                                                                                                                        Whatever is in there will flush up and if not out, I grab it with a Q-tip and swipe it out fast. Or flush again. Gus hates Q-tips so I work fast. I don’t know if it’s the Q-tips or the soreness of his ears, the poor thing. Keep a towel under his head to absorb the fluid. I top it with a paper towel so I can just wrap up the pus, wax and Q-tips and dispose of them and nothing too awful is on the towel, though I’m phobic and wash it anyway. 🙂

                                                                                                                                                        Hope that sweet baby of yours is doing well. So glad Bindi is still with you. I didn’t think you’d make it through that whole tongue ordeal. Wow! I’ve lost track of so many peeps, as I don’t get on here too much anymore. 🙁 I discovered Facebook and that is enough electronics for me, usually.

                                                                                                                                                        Oh, also, I wanted to add that my vet says without the surgery that Gus had, it would be pretty impossible to clean out what is deep down because there is such a small opening, it’s like trying to get cream cheese out of a plastic tub with only a pin hole to work through. But there still isn’t a permanent cure either way, far as I can tell.

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                                                                                                                                                    Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Final decision on Gus’ ears