More Bunny Bladder Sludge Issues

[Sarita]

Two of my rabbits now have bladder sludge – well actually with Twizzler this is an on-going issue and now Giselle has some sludge.  I’ve had urinary tract infeciton issues with Giselle before as well but it’s been awhile.

My regular vet is on maternity leave and I took them to another vet who I’ve used before and is part of the same organization just different clinics and she is very competent too.

She said bladder sludge is extremely frustrating and there isn’t a “cure” for this and not really a real known cause.  I’ve mentioned what I know and she agreed that larger more sedetary rabbits seem to be prone to this.  I also mentioned that I heard that even the calcium levels in their blood might not be representative of this and in some cases is lower and she said that is true.

She is doing bloodwork on Twizzler and Giselle – they are both around 7 years old and very large rabbits to see what the bloodwork says.

I am going to treat with antibiotics – not sure yet what she is giving me and sub-q fluids.  She said I should try to be more aggressive with the expressing the bladder too and that might help with eliminating some sludge.

I’m afraid to see these vet bills because I also have Pepe in for a molar trim – it seems his left side was having issues.  I’m afraid his molar issues are going to be on-going as well – I had them trimmed about 2 months ago and was hoping I could start going longer in between trims.

I guess these things are to be expected with older rabbits too but I hope that I don’t have to take them in for a good long while or at least until my other vet gets back because she usually gives me some breaks on the bills

[jerseygirl]

Sorry to hear it Sarita! Do you think the sludge has anything to do with age also? Or is that a given – older rabbits being less active? It’s awesome you know how to do so much for them yourself, that must help keep some of the vet fees down a bit.
That’s interesting about the blood calcium connection… Anyway, thanks for the updated info you’ve given on bladder sludge (here and in other post). Seems it’s one of those issues to always be vigilant about.

Hope Pepe, Twizzler and Giselles health improves.

[kralspace]

Goodness, Sarita, you certainly have your hands full! I hope everyone gets better for you. Reading this makes me wonder if I should shoo Hershey out every night for some exercise whether she wants to or not. She’s pretty content to sit on the ramp and watch Simba roam around.

Kathy

[KatnipCrzy]

It is great that you are able to give sub-q fluids and even express the bladder.  Did you bun look at you like your were crazy the first time you tried it?  I think my buns would be highly offended- and confused since they only have to be subjected to my whims once a month for nail trims.

[MooBunnay]

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve got another one with the bladder sludge – that must be really frustrating especially since there isn’t anything to cure it. Is there anything at all that can be done diet wise to help? I saw you mentioned that calcium really doesn’t have anything to do with it, but maybe they could get more hydrated by giving them veg that is really wet? You are much more advanced than me so I’m sure you’ve probably thought of everything already. Could you possibly get them to be more active by bringing them in a different area of the house to have play time? Or put in a new box or something for them to play in? I know my bunnies get much more active and curious when there is something new introduced to their play time.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Sorry to hear about your bunnie’s conditions. I don’t know anything about bladder sludge but I can sure relate to the ongoing vet bills as I’m dealing with lots of issues lately myself (statis episodes and recurring ear infections). How many bunnies do you have, Sarita?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Ohhh I’m sorry to hear that!! {{Twizzler}} {{Giselle}} Sludge is hard

Obviously I’m in no position to offer advice, I think your the expert on this *hugs*

[Sarita]

Well Giselle seems to still not be up to par so I gave her some metacam this morning – I’ll have to see how she is when I get home. I think I will do more fluids for her tonight and hand feed her if she doesn’t eat.

Twizzler seems fine and is eating – nothing seems to stop her from eating.

The vet gave me baytril for both of them which my regular vet says is very good for urinary issues.

Hopefully I’ll hear about the bloodwork today or tomorrow.

I’m concerned about Giselle especially but I do see some fecal poops. I guess I’m afraid of kidney/renal failure like Jingles – as usual I’m reading in the worst before I have an answer or a chance for the meds and fluids to work.

Pepe was pretty tired too but I gave him some metacam today and hopefully he’ll be okay.

I did end up keeping Twizzler and Pepe there overnight on Monday and took Giselle in on Tuesday and picked up the whole bunch yesterday too.

I think Twizzler’s bonded sister/mother/daughter (not really sure their relationship in that way) was happy to have her back – she seemed a bit confused and angry not having her there but she started grooming her last night when she came back.

[Beka27]

oh i’m sorry to hear about all this Sarita! if it’s not one thing, it’s another…

(((((((((((Giselle!))))))))))) (((((((((((Twizzler!))))))))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Is this problem more common in female rabbits?

[Sarita]

I don’t think so LPT – I’ve had 2 male rabbits with this problem as well. I don’t know why I end up with the all the bladder sludge bunnies.

Jingles (a male Californian) and Brando (a male Californian) also had this. Jingles had renal/kidney failure but I’m not certain it was related to bladder sludge and neither is the vet. Brando passed away about 2 years ago.

It seems to be a problem in my larger rabbits – they really need to get more exercise which I think would help them pass the sludge easier, but they aren’t very active.

The vet said they really don’t have much information on bladder sludge in rabbits – it just has not been studied enough – I suggested she study it :~) She did mention diet but moreso alfalfa pellets than fresh greens and hay but she knew that my rabbits were on an appropriate diet which is what I already knew.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Maybe I can help! I have access through my university to all the online journals (most scientific journals put them online now too with restricted access) I can’t post them here, but I’ll see what I can get and email it to you!! I have a lot of vet journals I can access.

[Sarita]

That would be great K&K if you have time. I’d love to see what is out there on the vet journals. I know vets do continuing education in the US – not sure it’s required in every state and they do all those vet conferences to surely there is someone out there who is interested in rabbit bladder sludge :~)

[jerseygirl]

Lesley, do you have access to Exotics DVM mag?

There is 2 articles by Dr Frances Harcourt-Brown

Calcium Metabolism in Rabbits. Frances Harcourt-Brown, BVSc, MRCVS. 15 (Vol 6.2)

Approach to Selected Orthopedic Disorders (unsure on this one. Also Vol 6.2 but author Nigel Harcourt-Brown?)

Both based on papers in exotics from 2004 conference.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Oh no Sarita! I am sending you healthy bunny vibes. I hope this all clears up soon and you get you regular vet back real soon!

[BinkyBunny]

Oh, Sarita, I am sorry. I know you are worried especially about Giselle. I will send healthy bunny vibes as well.

I found some interesting information on all.experts.com.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Rabbits-703/2008/8/bladder-sludge-urethreitis-1.htm

It’s our infamous Dana Krempels, and she has similar information – it not being due to diet etc, and has some great links that might be helpful. (Links to Dr. Frances contact information and book (the one you already know about).   Looks like the short of it is that they think it is some sort of metobolic bone disease, yet I would have to research more to find out how they treat that diagnosis or what their advances are in that area….so keep us updated on any additional findings.

[kralspace]

How are the bunnies doing today, Sarita?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

That’s a mag I don’t have access too I found that DVM’s name, Frances Harcourt-Brown but couldn’t access anything online, I think it’s a UK based journal. I guess I’m lucky to have some vet journals, as U of A has no vet program I did find a great exotic vet journal though!

[jerseygirl]

Oh no probs. I think they have a pay per view thingy but thought I’d ask you first to see if you had free access. What’s the vet journal you did find called?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I have access to quite a few, but the one I really liked was Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine

[Author]

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