breathing issue?

[DustBun]

My lop bunny, Dust Bunny, has only been with me for four months and we've already had quite the ride. Dusty is a rescue from the NY SPCA - from what I've gathered, he was very neglected before his rescue. He was fostered and well taken care of before I adopted him although he did have some medical issues. He had a malocclusion and his front teeth were removed - leaving him with just his back teeth. He's always been a very aloof bunny, preferring to hang out under my bed rather than play. (He's not a chewer for obvious reasons). I asked the vet his age and she really couldn't give me any idea. Given his energy level, I was err on the side of an older Boy.
About three weeks ago, Dusty stopped eating completely and his stool became very small and misshapen. I took him to the vet (thank goodness) and he was diagnosed with a tooth spur that was making chewing uncomfortable. During his exam, the vet noticed he was quite pale. Further tests revealed extreme anemia. He was touch and go for a few days. Eventually the Vet came to the conclusion he had a gastric ulcer and was bleeding into his stomach. Treatment was fairly successful and, after 6 six, Dusty came home. He seems to be doing well... eating well again and anxious for treats. However, I don't know if I'm just paranoid now but, I'm concerned with what seems to me to be heavy breathing (not long, labored breaths but heavy panting almost constantly). He's always been low-key so I cant say if he's lethargic but i've noticed no other "symptoms". Im keeping "his" room cool and am fairly sure its not heat related. Im no bunny expert - and his recent medical concerns have me extremely cautious. Any ideas?

 

[Pipp]

Oh sorry, I missed this.

How is he now?

The heavy breathing can just be a stress issue or nothing at all, I seem to have my guys heavy breathing for not much reason, so I don't think that alone is cause for alarm.

It also may be a pain thing, although I doubt it, and you can't really give him anything for that because of the ulcer.

I would guess that the ulcer was caused by lack of food to begin with and he hopefully is on the road to recovery.



sas :clover:

 

[tonyshuman]

:yeahthat:

It's hard to say what's causing that, and since the vet sent him home while it was presumably still going on, I would guess it's not a big deal, so stress is a good possibility. Other causes of heavy breathing are more serious and the vet would have addressed them before sending him home.

What an adorable guy, and sorry his health is not so good. My Muffin was neglected before she showed up at the shelter where I got her, and it took her about 3 months to take food from my hand (and she's very food-motivated), and 6 months for her to not run away from a hand coming toward her. Bunnies take a long time to trust.

 

[DustBun]

Thanks so much for the advice. I feel a little better... I just want to do whats best for him. I know he had a very hard life before I got him.

 

[Flash Gordon]

my Flash breaths like that too normally after hes been out of his cage for a couple of minutes....my other bunnies dont breath this way...let me know if u find out why cuz im curious too..

 

[Maureen Las]

How is his breathing now?

 

[DustBun]

about the same I guess but he seems to have no other "issues". he's eating and defecating normally and is anxious for his teats. i'm just going to keep a close eye on him and hope for the best

 

[Maureen Las]

can you post a video of him so that we could see his breathing? ; it may help us determine if it is normal or otherwise

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

What was his last heart reading? Was it good? Do you have an xray of that by chance? Just wondering...I had a bun w/ heartfailure. Heavy breathing followed prolapse of third eyelid.

 

[DustBun]

I don't have an exray and the vet didn't indicate any heart issues when he was there although he does also have an exposed third eyelid. is this something i should be worried about? The vet noted the eyelid on his last visit but didn't seem to think it was a problem.

 

[DustBun]

I posted a youtube video of Dusty - he was "relaxing" under my bed. Hopefully, I'm just being silly...


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqvTI5bOOH8[/ame]

 

[DustBun]

Another view:


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_viN1g5mKg[/ame]

 

[Maureen Las]

Is it warm in the room? ; does that breathing pattern ever change?

 

[DustBun]

No, it's fairly cool in the room and the breathing pattern is constant. That video shows him laying down and "relaxing" but when he's eating or grooming it's the same.

 

[Maureen Las]

My rabbits breathe like that when they are warm or frightened or afterI cut their nails( stressed)
I would have that checked out by a vet although it will be hard for the vet to see it because the rabbit will be stressed.

maybe you can initally send the vet the videos for viewing

 

[DustBun]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I called the vet and explained my concerns. I am very lucky to have a very talented and sympathetic vet. I also explained that I really didn't want to stress him by dragging him in for the hour car ride in my non-air conditioned vehicle in 95 degree weather. The vet and vet tech were nice enough to look at my videos and sadi they didnt see anyting to be concerned about. I am so relieved. The last visit put me in the poor house (six nights in the hospital). Thanks all for you bunny wisdom!!

 

[Pipp]

Its good that you contacted the Vet.

I have had bunnies who breath rapidly just on a regular basis, but he's got quite the vibration going, doesn't he?

How long has he been home? It would be normal if it was a stress or excitement thing, but its odd if its all the time. Could it just be when you're watching? Having a human in the vicinity?

I don't think its anything critical, but definitely something to watch, and ditto with the third eyelid protrusion. That can be a symptom of a few things and something to keep an eye on, too. (heh! of course an eyelid is something to keep an eye on!)

No urgency, I'm sure he's fine, but I'll keep a lookout for more information on this.



sas

 

[DustBun]

His breathing has been on a regular basis - and i never noticed anything like this before his last medical issues (He came home less than three weeks ago). The vet thought that he might still be anemic and the heavy breathing is to get more oxygen his blood. I will definitely keep an eye on it and the eyelid. I feel like Im obsessing over every little thing but its great to have this forum to kinda air all that. Thanks!

 

[Morgan223]

Hi—I saw this thread and I’m having a similar issue. I’ve had my bunny for 2 days now. She came to me via an airplane so she had to get a health certificate from a vet before she came. She seems to be breathing really quickly and her sides move in and out when she breathes and her head bobs sometimes. She lives inside and my heater is set at 70 degrees so she’s not overheating. She’s eating, pooping, playing with me, letting me hold her, and isn’t lethargic at all. She’s not wheezing, and has no discharge coming from her nose. I don’t think she’s stressed either. How worried should I be?