Liver-node torsion

[Lili]

Hey, 

I haven’t been on here on so long, but I had the scariest(and most expensive) Christmas ever and I just thought I’d give a little update.

On the 22rd I went to feed sally breakfast and she had 0 interest in food, within 20 minutes she was completely flat and barely moving. 

Couldn’t get into the rabbit clinic, so eventually found an emergency vet, who admitted her for 12 hours and eventually sent her home with instructions to give 2ml of critical care every few hours. They’d given her fluids and taken some blood tests. She was a little better when she came home but not much and still not eating

Thankfully I was able to get her into the rabbit clinic the next day, and they were amazing. Did an ultrasound and an X-ray, and were pretty confident that she has a liver node torsion, this time she was sent home with instructions to give 20ml of cc every few hours and ranitidine every 12. She started grinding her teeth, so we went back the next day and added meloxicam every 24 hours for pain

The 24th, we finally started to she some improvement, she was nibbling fruit if encouraged, drinking and making a bit of effort to clean herself

Because my uncle was visiting from overseas for the first time in a long time, and skipping Christmas with the family (an hour and a half drive away) wasn’t really an option so the vet at the rabbit clinic suggested we admit her at the emergency clinic on Christmas day, so she spent another 12 hours there on fluids. The rabbit savvy vet was amazingly helpful and wrote out clear detailed instructions for the emergency clinic but I’m not very confident that they read them all 

She’s still getting all the medication now but she’s really really picked up. Pretty much back to normal although her appetite is still a little lower than normal, but shes eating and drinking. I still need to go back and get a few blood tests done just to check that everything’s improving and we’ll go a have a proper check-up as soon as the rabbit-clinic re-opens in early January 

It was just so scary guys, I thought I was reasonably prepare for emergencies but not as well as I thought. I knew about critical care, but I didn’t notice that the non-rabbit savvy emergency vets 2 ml instructions for cc were wayyyy to low. And even though I’d done my research and found a rabbit-savvy vet I hadn’t even thought about who I’d call in an after hours emergency, so if anyone else hasn’t planned for that please take this as a reminder and find one before you need one. 

Has anyone else had any experiences with liver node torsion? What treatment did you buns go though. Surgery was a possibility but I think we’ve managed to avoid it this time

Also the first vet gave her fluids in one of her ears 4 days ago and it’s become sort to half-lopped since, should I be worried?  

Sorry if this post is a little long, but I spent Christmas getting told that I was spending to much money for ‘just a rabbit’, that they’re ‘pests’ and lots of rabbit meat jokes, so I mainly just wanted to get it all out somewhere where people know just how important bunnies are to their human-parents. 

[Bam]

Thank you for sharing! It must have been terrible. I’m glad she’s doing better! Here is a thread from Sept 2015 about liver torsion: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/140595/Default.aspx

The ear might go up again, I have a bun whose ear was hurt in a fight and it lopped for days – a week. I’ve heard about other such cases, but not after having been given fluids. I’ve only had vets give sub Q fluids, not intra-venous, but sub-Q of course is the quicker option and suitable if the bunny isn’t to stay at the vets.

People ought to stop saying stuff like “it’s only a rabbit.” At least you won’t have to hear it from anyone on these forums! 

[Lili]

Thanks bam, That thread link was super helpful.

I’m not particularly worried about the ear, more just worried if it going lopped was a sign of infection ect. she looks perfect either way.

She’s been getting up to her regular sneaky tricks today, so nice to have her personality back, it was really heartbreaking before.

Exactly, especially when I didn’t know if she was going to be alright yet, so rude. Lucky that we have the internet to share our love for our buns.

[Bam]

I’m so glad to hear she’s back to her true self =) It’s awful when they are sick and not acting like themselves.

Unless there’s redness, swelling, excessive warmth or tenderness around the lopping ear, it doesn’t seem like an infection. But you should of course check the ear daily, there’s always a slight possibility that bacteria from the skin can hitch-hike on a needle and cause a local infection.

[Lili]

Thanks so much for you help
Good news, I went to the rabbit-vet today and she’s been given a clear bill of health.
When she gets her vaccinations in March they’ll rerun blood tests and double-check but the vet was very happy with her progress.
The ear is fine, apparently she is part lop (news to me) which means that the added weight to the ear from the fluids did a bit of damage to the cartilage.
It may pick up but probably not, shes not used to it yet so the vet had to clean it for her and silly girl keeps dipping it in her water.
In my opinion a half-lop eared bunny just makes her more unique and I’m just so so thankful that she’s healthy.

[Bam]

Great news! Thanks for the update!
She must be so super-extra-cute with one ear down and one up =)

[Lili]

Thanks, it’s such a relief to know she’ll be alright.

She’s been given clear instructions that she’s never allowed to get sick when the rabbit clinics not open again. she is super-extra-cute, especially because she’s still learning that its there, her confusion when it gets dunked in her water is too funny

[Niamian]

Glad to hear everything turnd up ok. Vibes for you and your girl!
And this was a good thing to remind us all about taking emergency vet and plan in consideration.

[Author]

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