Need Advice for Senior Bun

[HotCrossBuns]

So I have a 12 year old female mini rex bun who has been having some ear problems lately. She has been to the vet twice and they have done swab cultures to identify why her ears are always itchy and bothering her. 

The first time around she was put on the oral medicine Orbax, for 21 days and that seemed to help while she was on it, but soon after I finished that round I found yellow like wax on the inside of her ear.

Cue the second vet visit where they swabbed her ears to look for mites, and the vet found yeast so she prescribed Baytril four drops in each ear once a day. 

The Baytril has seemed to help now that the yeast is gone but her ears still seem to be bothering her. At least the inside part where the yeast was. 

They also recommended an x ray to check for some inner ear infections but blood work would have to be done prior to see if she is a candidate for anesthesia. Now, even if her blood work comes back okay I am still a bit concerned with putting her under because of her age. She has no other health problems, besides some molar spurs that need to be trimmed, also another reason why she would be put under, to have those trimmed as well as having an x-ray. But I am not sure what to do. Any advice?

[Sarita]

I would do the bloodwork and if she is a candidate put her under anesthesia for the molar trim and x-ray. Yes, there is a risk but there is also the risk of not doing anything and continuing to have her mouth hurt and her ear infection continue.

I know this may sound harsh but I have had many senior rabbits as well and have had to put them under anesthesia and they’ve been fine but I also felt if they were under anesthesia and something happened, then I hoped it would be painless since they were already having medication and under anesthesia. It’s just a risk I always felt was worth taking. Yes, I was always anxious but I always knew in the end it would be for the better one way or another. I know it’s scary because we do cherish our senior rabbits.

[HotCrossBuns]

I agree Sarita, I will be taking her in within a week or so for her blood panel. I’ll discuss what needs to be done with my vet from there. If she turns out to be a good candidate for the anesthesia I think I will do it. She is still eating normally now but I am very worried about her molar spurs. I guess if she does end up not waking up after the procedure she will have gone peacefully. Thank you

[Author]

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