Critically Ill Rabbit (muscle wasting/mobility issues)

[binkiethebunny]

Pete is a rescue bunny we’ve had for 5 years. He has become quite ill. Several months ago he started losing a lot of weight and muscle mass. We literally have 0 exotic specialists in our province – so we can only deal with vets whose experience is “seen more rabbits.” He is now basically skin and bones and has developed trouble walking, often tripping and falling. He was diagnosed with kidney failure a couple months ago, but we were told it was not at a critical stage. His rapid turn is beyond alarming and despite taking him to four different vets, there is no dignosis or improvement. We think he may have a parasite or some sort of underlying infection. He was on a short does of antibiotics prescribed by the vet and he seemed to improved at first, but then deteriorated again. It is so horrible to watch your bunny suffer like this with literally no vet to help. Has anyone had any experience with rabbit symptoms like this before or does anyone now any resources we could use. We are trying to keep him as comfortable as possible, feeding him food and water.

Tate

[Azerane]

I’m sorry to hear of your troubles, there could be many causes but parasites for me is always a good guess when sudden weight loss despite good eating is experienced. Has the trouble walking stemmed from his weight loss? Or was he unstable when he first started showing signs of being ill? Do you know if the kidney failure is a cause or a result of the weight loss?

A thought that springs to mind is likely an uncommon result of a relatively common paraiste E cuniculi, which after infection first lodges in the kidneys and can cause scarring and damage to the kidneys, after which point it moves to the brain and causes neurological issues. However you usually don’t see weight loss, or kidney damage. Typically the rabbit first presents with a head tilt or trouble walking/lack of strength in hindquarters and the progressive head tilt is usually what leads to loss of condition because they have trouble eating without assistance and can’t move around. I don’t know if there are cases of E.c where the kidney is so severely affected before other symptoms become apparent. Panacur is the treatment for E.c, usually given with an anti inflammatory over the course of about 28 days.

There are possibly countless other options that I’m simply unaware of, the above is just something that sprung to mind. I’m very sorry to hear about Pete’s condition and I really hope you can work it out or at least get him stable.

[LBJ10]

What are all of his symptoms? Sometimes EC doesn’t present itself in the “traditional” manner. I can lead to renal failure though.

[jerseygirl]

I’m sorry your boy is so poorly. I understand it must be so difficult to see and frustrating too.
Did he have bloodwork done to determine the kidney failure? Did the vet conclude the weightloss is due to this?

What antibiotics (and duration) was he on?

EC is something that sprung to my mind also.

Sending healing {{{vibes}}} for your rabbit!

[Bam]

EC can hurt the kidneys and cause renal fialure. Molly Varga, British rabbit vet and authour of the 2nd edition of The Textbook of Rabbit medicine suggests these meds for kidney failure brought on by ec:

This is from Molly Varga’s webinar on e cuniliculi from Jan 2016, it’s available here http://therabbitvet.com/webinar/archive/all. You need to create an account to access it, but it’s free. 

The above suggested meds should be given together with Panacur, because Panacur kills the parasite that causes ec. It is very slow- acting though and must be given for a minimum of 28 days. 

(Anabolic steroids reduce the loss of protein through the kidneys.)

I’m very sorry your rabbit is so ill. 

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Dropping by to send some {{healing vibes}}!

[binkiethebunny]

Hi, Thanks everyone for your response and healing thoughts.

Pete has only showed signs of hind limb weakness/instability in the last 2 days. Weight loss has been progressing over at least 6 months (from about 6 pounds to 4 pounds) – it seemed to start after a bout of G.I. stasis this past summer that occurred during a molt in hot weather.

When his lethargy and weight loss did not improve by Autumn, a Vet examined him and ran full bloodwork, urine analysis, etc. Results were good except high blood calcium levels detected -Kidney function was described as “reduced but not dire.” At that point it was suspected that weight loss and reduced kidney function were the result of an infection – either bacterial (pasteurella) or parasitic (e.c.). He also had (And still has) deflated testicles, with crusty, scaling (looks sort of like eczema). The vet had never seen a rash like it before. But said it could be hormonal, urine scald, or possibly a symptom of pasteurella.

Pete did a 2 week course of Baytril orally and seemed much improved; active, eating, drinking, and producing pellets like normal. 2 weeks after finishing Baytril his lethargy returned along with reduced appetite and reduced drinking. So he was prescribed an additional 2 weeks of Baytril but his symptoms did not improve – he developed additional new symptoms: sitting in a hunched posture, wheezing and loud nasal sounds upon exhalation. Vet suspected upper respiratory infection. Sub Q fluids given (Jan 13) and Baytril has been extended for an additional 2 weeks (started Jan 11th). He started Panacure this Morning. Also waiting on result of a nasal swab.

Today his wheezing and nasal sounds seem to have dissipated but he has not laid down in a relaxed position in 1 week. He still shows interest in food, but isn’t drinking from his bowl. My darling boy is trying very hard to be normal, he even hopped all the way out to the kitchen last night, like he usually does, looking for his carrot treat. I am syringe feeding him water, prompting him to eat wet, leafy greens and hay, giving him critical care, keeping him warm and massaging him.
Last night he did something he has never done – urinated and pooped on his blanket – I suspect he is too sick/weak/stressed to use his litter box.
He is trying so hard to fight whatever he’s suffering from!! I feel frustrated and helpless because of the lack of veterinary expertise available to him. I’m on my own to research and supplement and support him in every way I can.

[LBJ10]

It’s possible he was a carrier and his GI stasis triggered a flare. Hopefully the Panacur helps and you will see improvement. If it is EC though, that improvement might take awhile considering how sick he is.

For some vets, simply treating with antibiotics and Panacur is standard protocol for situations like this where they simply don’t know. It could be one or the other, so they treat for both because it could be weeks of no improvement if they chose to treat for one first and then it turns out to be the wrong one. Hopefully I’m making sense here. Anyway, all you can do is treat for both and see if he starts to improve. Since the antibiotics haven’t been working, it would suggest EC. BUT there are some bacterial infections that are resistant to Baytril. So a culture isn’t a bad idea and it sounds like that’s what you’re doing. The symptoms you’re describing though, particularly the hind limb weakness points more toward EC.

[vanessa]

I woudl do panacur for 28 days, and ivermectin for 2 doses separated by 10 days. Medirabbit has the ivermectin dose. My bunny had prolonged slow weight loss before I noticed the EC symptoms. Peeing/pooping outside the litter box could be from nerve damage from EC. I woudl also get some digestive support tablets from Sherwood Forest. The vitamin B turned my rabbit’s weight loss around. Even after he stabilised, I had a hard time getting him to pick up weight again. He went from 5.5lbs to 3.8lbs. At 5.5lbs I felt he was thin. So 3.8 was alarming. I would also add benebac to help keep his belly going.

[vanessa]

You can get panacur oer the counter – it’s a dog dewormer called fenbendazole. Ivermectin can be found at a feed store for cattle/sheep deworming. Medirabbit has the dose. I would start that while I get a vet appointment – and tell the vet what you are giving your bunny, and ask for metacam for pain/imflamation. If you can’t get the sherwood forest digestive support tab online, ask your vet for a vitamin b shot for your bunny. Try the online sherwood forest first though – I dont’ know if I woudl trust a non-rabbit et to measure out and inject. When you get the metacam – check the dosage with what is recommended on meddirabbit, to be sure your vet gave you the right amount.Meddirabbit will list the minimum and maximum dose per kg. Your et should pick the max dose per kg.I woudl start this as soon as possible, stick it out for the 28 days of panacure, and then reevaluate. If it is EC, 2 weeks of baytril might not be enough. Your bunny might need 4 weeks of Baytril or 2 weeks of chloramphenicol if is is really serious. If your vet offers SMZ – ask for 4 weeks of Baytril. SMZ doesn’t give the best results with EC, although it can be given in combimation with other antibiotics. .

[vanessa]

If you choose to measure out your own doses, be extra careful with the math. I’m not trying to promote self medicating yoru bunny, but sometimes they need medicine before we can get them to a vet.

[vanessa]

I just looked at your other posts about Binkie, with his belly issues. My little Lancelot (recovered to some degree fron EC), has had periodic bellie issues too. He varies from diarrhea, to small tiny poops to not eating his night-poops. His belly is sensitive, he can’t tolerate dark fruits, and has stopped eating hay since he came down with EC symptoms in June last year. I have his teeth trimmed every 3 months. (It was every 6 months while he was eating small amounts of hay, but now it is every 3 months). I give him Benebac regularly. I try for once a week. Initially it is once every 2 days for 7 days, then once a week. The Sherwod Forest Digestive tabs with the Vitamin B have helped his appetite and general energy level. He has always had a good appetite, but struggle to keep weight on. He is back up to 4.5lbs now, and more energetic. More weight will help with the muscle mass. That and the energy from the vitamin B will help with him moving around. Lancelot still has weak hind limbs, poor bladder/bowel control, he sits in his pee, and I still bath his feet/tail area every weekend. It wasn’t a complete recovery, but it is under control. I give him 9 days of Fenbendazole (Panacur) twice a year, and 2 doses (10 days apart) of ivermectin 4 times a year.

[binkiethebunny]

Thanks everyone for their advice and support.

Unfortunately Pete’s state has severely and rapidly gone downhill. He is now unable to move body or hardly move his head and cannot eat or drink. We got some sub. fluids and administered them to him here a few hours ago. We gave him a dose of Panacur to him this morning in hopes he’d improve slightly, but we’ve only seen degradation in health. He was formally diagnosed with kidney failure via blood work severally months ago. So we are not sure if this is renal failure or advanced E. cunculi – or perhaps both. As I mentioned, there is no one here that will confidently see a rabbit, so we are left on our own. I’m not sure what else we can do…He is wrapped in his favourite blankie and has been surrounded by his family – trying to hang onto hope.

[jerseygirl]

{{{{{{Pete}}}}}} Thinking of you, hoping for a positive update.

[LBJ10]

Thank you Vanessa for providing some insight. It’s interesting that you observed weight loss prior to any other symptoms. But EC is tricky and can manifest itself in many ways.

Binkie – We are all pulling for Pete. Please keep us updated!

[Bam]

((((((Pete))))))

[Deleted User]

Love and Hugs to Pete.Stay Strong

[binkiethebunny]

I’m devastated to say that our sweet little Peter Rabbit has passed away.

My sister rescued him from a tourist barn 5 years ago. The other rabbits did not get along with him, so their solution was to put him on a ledge by himself. As soon as my sister knew, she saved him and took him home to live with us. He developed a horrible abscess on his cheek shortly after, and the vet discovered that Pete only actually had 3 teeth and the injury was due to his previously poor conditions. At this time, there were severally wonderfully exotic specialialist working here and Pete made it through complicated surgery and recovered despite the odds. He has made our living room his free roam home for the past 5 years, enjoying the good life of laying in the sun. His favourite past time was to lay down facing the tv and tune into the latest British crime drama. And Pete is the reason I have beautiful Binkie in my life, as I rescued him shortly after from the same barn – we actually believe Pete was Binkie’s dad. Pete has been ill for a little while now, and I feel betrayed by our current vet system. We literally have a renowned veterinary college in our province, yet they cut all funding for exotic specialists. This has left us with no vet qualified to look after our rabbits. The one who has at least has some experience thought Pete could have E. cunculi and put him on the medication several months ago. But the vet told us to take him off it when he experienced some diarrhea. And during this last little while this vet actually left on a leave and we haven’t been able to contact her. I feel the system has truly failed us and we were left on our own. My sister did everything she could to research herbal remedies and treatments along with the vet’s antibiotics to improve his condition and we made the decision to try medication again. We’ve also been grieving the loss of our grandmother, who died last week – so that has really added difficulty to an already difficult situation.

I feel a huge hole in my heart, this little man has been such a joy in our lives. My sister is feeling it even more so, as that’s her little boy. Binkie too senses the loss. I want to thank you all for your amazing advice and support, it’s honestly been more helpful than any vet we have seen. I’m sorry for such a long post, but I wanted to share Peter’s legacy with you all. It’s going to be an extremely rough time processing his death. He was so loved and will be desperately missed – I still can’t believe he’s gone.

Tate

[jerseygirl]

Oh I am so sorry. Both about Pete and your Grandmother. So much to deal with.

Thank you for sharing about Pete’s story. It really sounds as if you already extended his life, rescuing him from that barn,
It’s clear how dear he was to you and your sister.
I read something after I posted in this thread earlier today. I don’t know if it brings any comfort, but it was to do with renal failure being one of the least painful ways to pass. I hope that it was peaceful for Pete and that time will take away some of the sorrow you are feeling right now.

Binky Free Pete!

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

I’m very sorry for both of your losses, what a truly awful week

It’s beautiful to hear how you rescued him and how he got to spend his final years being loved and cared for so well.

He’s free of illness and sadness now, binky free sweet Pete!

[LBJ10]

Oh no, I’m so sorry.

[vanessa]

I’m so sorry. Thank you for doing the best you could. Pete had a wonderful life with you. It is painful for us to watch our dear pets suffer. Sometimes I think the suffering is worse for us than for them, especially in the case of kidney failure. Binky free little Pete.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry. ((((Binky Free Pete))))

[Author]

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