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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 DIET & CARE Vet unable to diagnose Critical Health Issue

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    • Squishy
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        Hi guys. My little guy has been at my local vet hospital (Lort Smith, Melbourne) for 5 nights now.
        He has GI stasis. And I picked up on this very early on. He is around 4 years old. Mini Lop/possible cross.

        Since being at the hospital:
        *He has been on and off fluids via IV.
        *Been on gut stimulates and some pain relief.
        *Has been up and down with his eating. But mostly OK. Preferering greens.
        *Has been doing some small amounts of poos and wees. Mostly small, dry black poos.
        *He has little to no stomach noises.
        *Had an Xray but all the vets including the bunny/exotic specialist could not see any obstruction.
        *He is sometimes looking quite well and alert. And other times very lethargic. Lying very flat.
        *His glucose levels are up and down but showing his pain levels have been dropping over all.

        He just had his blood sent off so hopefully that shows us something. But overall. The vets have said they are very confused about his symptoms and up and down recovery/no signs of why he isn’t getting better over all or even getting worse. as well as confused as the cause of the GI stasis and how to help him.

        Depending on the blood results he may come home tomorrow as he will be happier here with me as we always spend a lot of time together and at night he likes to sleep next to my bed. Hopefully again this may bring his mood back up. But also I’m worried about him being in pain/unwell/getting worse. Etc etc.

        If anyone has any ideas/advise/questions I’d like to hear from you as the good vets at the hospital are quite unsure what steps to take next. He seems well enough that putting him to sleep doesn’t seem relevant at this time. But of course I don’t want him to suffer so I won’t drag things out if things are dire. I love my little mate and want the best for him so I’m putting this out there for any help at all.

        Thank you for your time. ???


      • Sarita
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        18851 posts Send Private Message

          Did the vet check his teeth?


        • jerseygirl
          Moderator
          22338 posts Send Private Message

            Ditto. Stasis is often the result of unintdentified source of pain and rabbits are notorious for dental problems!

            I’d get the vets to research EC (Encephalitozoon Cuniculi) in relation to gut stasis also. I’m coming across stories from owners of their vets suspecting there is a link. Be it the spores directly causing inflammation in the gut, or inflammation & pain elsewhere and stasis being side effect. I even wonder about nerve involvement in the gut since this parasite is known to invade brain tissue and cause neurological disturbances. The problem is EC is not always reliably diagnosed via blood tests. 

            Been on gut stimulates and some pain relief.

            Have they been continuing with pain relief?

            {{{Vibes}}} for Squishles.

            ETA: I know Dr’s Louise Pierce and Gerry Skinner both do a lot of work with rabbits. There is also the Melbourne Rabbit Clinic of course.


          • Squishy
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              His there. Sorry. Forgot to mention teeth looked really good.


            • Squishy
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                Again yeah the teeth looked good. I will ask the vets of their knowledge on EC. And mentioned what you said.

                He still is on pain relief and glucose is normal so there isn’t an indecation of really bad pain. Apparently.

                He will be sent home with pain relief that I administer via needle.


              • jerseygirl
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                  Posted By Squishy on 9/09/2015 6:14 AM
                  Again yeah the teeth looked good. I will ask the vets of their knowledge on EC. And mentioned what you said.

                  I just want to clarify, the gi stasis is not typical “red flag” symptom of EC infection. So if you do mention it, they may look at you strange. ; )

                  It can happen as secondary to other EC symptoms (like head tilt) but what I had read was some people suggesting it

                  was a direct symptom. Unproven at this point. Hope I’m making sense.


                • Squishy
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                    Thank you for your help! I’m at the vet now and he is going to be coming home. I will show them your message and that should make some sense to them. The rabbit specialist is not here so I’ve been unable to talk to him about it. I’m going to see how he goes at home and if worsens perhaps give one of the vets here in Melbourne you have recommended and get the current file sent over. Hopefully he just gets better.


                  • jerseygirl
                    Moderator
                    22338 posts Send Private Message

                      Healing {{{Vibes}}}


                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                        (((((((Feel Better Bunny)))))


                      • BarbaraC
                        Participant
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                          Hi Squishy. Another underlying cause of the GI Stasis could be liver torsion. This is a condition that most vets (even vets who specialize in rabbits) do not even know about so they don’t think to look for it. I believe it is usually confirmed with an ultrasound but may show up on an x-ray too. Since your vet has already done one of these you could ask him or her to check them again to see if the liver looks ok. Also, the blood work would most likely show elevated liver enzymes and there would be abdominal pain or discomfort in the area of the liver.

                          The good news is that if this is liver torsion you are treating it correctly. Also, typically if the bunny makes it through the first week the bunny’s liver will be scarred over enough to prevent toxins from the atrophied lobe from flushing back into your bunny’s system. If this were to happen there would be nothing you could do to help.

                          The hardest part is not knowing what is wrong. I hope that whatever is causing your bunny’s symptoms resolves itself and he gets better soon.


                        • Squishy
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                          19 posts Send Private Message

                            Thank you everybody for the vibes and kind words

                            Squishy has come right around and made a recovery. Still keeping a close eye on his poos. But so happy he is back to normal and not in any distress with his sore tummy.


                          • LittlePuffyTail
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                              Glad to hear this positive update.


                            • Squishy
                              Participant
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                                In case anyone was wondering Squish is all better now! So so happy to have him back to normal! Thank you everyone for the advice and kind words. It really helped. ??


                              • jerseygirl
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                                22338 posts Send Private Message

                                  ** Binkies!! **

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                              Forum DIET & CARE Vet unable to diagnose Critical Health Issue