Chance is going to be euthanized

[Haley]

Wow! Its frightening how even the most seeminglyknowledgable vet still doesnt know it all. I really hope youre able toget him well again. I think at this point, it cant hurt anything, right?

Also, are you a member of etherbun on yahoo? It might be good to sign up and see if anyone else has experience with this.

I'll be praying for Chance. I really hope he continues to improve.

Oh, and did you tell your vet what you found online? Might want to email it to him so he knows for the future.

 

[MyBoyHarper]

I did tell him Haley, and he's a bit hardheaded about things that he doesn't hear 'first-hand'. *Sigh* Men. Well, most men.

I am a part of Etherbun, just joined last week, but never had time topost. I'm about to go typeup a long one with the history andquestions, and see where we go from there.

My vet is at the end of his knowledge with Chance and Chance is onlygetting worse. So I am going to take over with proven methods (such aslower calcium food, more water intake, and Cranberry tablets) to tryand get him more stable until I can take him to LSU. Of course, I'm nottelling my vet this, as he disagrees when I talked about it today. Sowe'll just do this in silence, and continue with the weekly urinalysisas usual.

 

[ahri22]

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the newfood works for Chance!! I'm sorry that your vet (however good he is)wasn't knowledgeable enough about rabbits to know that Chance'streatment was wrong!

It may be that the treatment his on was only making his anaemia worse,and that once you stop giving him the urine acidifier that his bloodwill improve as well!!

I am keeping darling Chance in my prayers He is such a special bunny!!!!

Hugs
Fiona

 

[MyBoyHarper]

Thank you ahri for the kind words andencouragement. I feel at this point, Chance and I have nothing to loseand everything to gain. The treatment with the vet is only makingChance getsicker and worse and he is taking medicines thatare proven dangerous for rabbits and are NOT going to work in thiscase. I feel like Chance can only improve on a lower calcium food, morewater intake (vanilla flavored via syringe, mmmm!) and his cranberrytablets. If anything will work, it'll be those methods.

 

[Haley]

Also, while youre trying alternative healing,have you tried adding any immune system boosters to his food? I giveMax acedophilus (immune booster) and grape seed extract (antioxidant)mixed in with his food daily. Who knows if it helps, but its worth ashot

 

[MyBoyHarper]

Haley wrote:

Also, while youre trying alternative healing, have you triedadding any immune system boosters to his food? I give Max acedophilus(immune booster) and grape seed extract (antioxidant) mixed in with hisfood daily. Who knows if it helps, but its worth a shot

Haley, thanks for the tip, I'll give both a try!

 

[Pipp]

You really need to talk to your vet.Chance needs a SubQ infusion for the sludge, it's easy to do at home,but the vet needs to give you the kit. And he needs to clearit in case there's something else at work with the kidneys.(And you need to get going on the IMOM board andapplication).

So glad to hear there's hope...

sas

 

[MyBoyHarper]

Pipp, I asked him about the SubQ, and he refused. I tried and tried.

IMOM slipped my mind today, I'll get started on that in just a few.

 

[JadeIcing]

Any idea why?

 

[Pipp]

MyBoyHarper wrote:

Pipp, I asked him about the SubQ, and he refused. I tried and tried.

Then maybe there's something else at work here. Don't justlook at the bladder and sludge treatment, researchthe kidneyissue.(I'd help but I'msick).

sas

 

[MyBoyHarper]

I have Pipp, and will continue to do so tonight.

Jade, when asked about the SubQ, his response was, "It's not helpful or necessary in this case."

 

[JadeIcing]

I wonder why he feels that way

 

[undergunfire]

I am so happy that Chance is doing a bit better. I worried about him all day at work.


:hug2:


- Amy

 

[ec]

MBH, i'd strongly encourage you to post onEtherBun - and I'd encourage you to also mention the bit about Chance'sintestines being "raw." How did your vet determine this?

Edit: I see that you did, but haven't read the responses yet. Go for the IMOM app. ASAP!

 

[MyBoyHarper]

I'm aggirvated with my vet for not seeing thatSubQ was needed. I asked on Ehterbun and had a ton of responses allagreeing about needing SubQ.

I'm going to go to my friend's vet on Thursday and see if she'll agreeto the SubQ, but she's expensive. No idea how much SubQ through herwill cost, especially if he needs it daily or weekly.

What type of SubQ is needed? The bag of sailine solution through an IV?(My dog had that particular method done years ago when he had stones)

 

[Bangbang]

I don't know if this will help but there is avet here in western australia that specialises in rabbit/animaldentistry and exotic animal care, this is her email address
ejvetdent @aol.com, it may be worth a shot.Obviously you can't go see her...with her living in australia and allbut maybe if you explain your situation and see if she has any adviceto offer. Justa thought.

Goodluck MBH and Chance, Bangbang and I are cheering you on:bunnydance:

 

[seniorcats]

I've used lactated ringers solution for kidneyfailure. You can probably order bags throughanInternet vet supply. A prescription is not needed.The same for the tubing and needles. actually most TSC's andfarmers exchanges carry a lot of these supplies.

Forgot to mention I pay $3.00 for a 150 ml bag. Some vetscharge $10 to $15 for the same bag. Just depends on thevet. We've been going to the same vet for 15 years and have20 animals he treats. He tends to give us med's and suppliesat cost.

If this other vet gives the ok on subq fluids but the cost for suppliesis high, let me know and I will send you some via mail. Theshelter where I volunteer buys several cases at a time through Internetorder or I willget some from my vet.


And here's a good article on bladder// kidney issues from Veterinary Partners. You may have already seen this one.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=514



Still praying for the 2 of you.ray:

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

This may be of some help, but, you might have already read it.

Bladder Problems in Rabbits
by Josie Thompson, DVM, Civic Feline Clinic, Walnut Creek
from the Spring 1995 issue of East Bay House Rabbit News
[align=center]


There are 2 forms of bladder lithiasis (stone formation) in the rabbit.One is actual stones and the other is sludging of crystalline materialfilling the bladder. Both can cause medical problems for the rabbit.The urine of rabbits is alkaline with a pH of 7 to 9. In thisenvironment calcium carbonate, oxalate and triple phosphate formeasily. Normal rabbit urine can be opaque and dry in a crystal form.The amount of water can affect the density. Also normal urine can attimes appear rust colored. It is important to distinguish this fromblood if your rabbit appears unwell.

Unlike cats and dogs the symptoms of bladder infection or urolithiasiscan be silent. Lethargy, painful abdomen, inappetance and urinescalding can be present. Straining to urinate and blood in urine arenot always seen. A good physical exam by your bun veterinarian isnecessary. Diagnosis may be made by palpation of stones or a doughyfeeling to the bladder if it is filled with sludge. An x-ray of theabdomen and urinalysis are the first steps. If infection is present aculture and sensitivity should be sent to the lab.

There is some evidence that obese, inactive rabbits are more prone tothe sludging syndrome and also diets high in calcium and protein mayplay a role.

Treatment depends on the type of problem. Surgery as for stones inother species is indicated if solid single or multiple stones are seenon x-ray. An experienced rabbit veterinarian can do this with minimalrisk. The sludging syndrome is usually treated by trying to diurese(give excess fluid) under the skin and expressing the bladder (to bedone by a vet) and possible catheterizing and flushing the bladder overseveral days. The big problem is how to prevent reoccurrence when thecause of the stones is not fully understood. The recommendationscurrently are to lower the calcium in the diet by feeding less pelletsand more oat or grass hay and choose low calcium veggies (stay awayfrom dark leafy greens). Also appropriate antibiotics for infection andweight reduction for the obese. Rabbits excrete calcium through theirkidneys if fed high calcium diets rather than through the intestine andthis is the physiologic basis of the problem. Consult your rabbitdoctor if you feel your bunny may have a problem. [/align]

 

[TinysMom]

I can find lactated ringer solution online that is about $5.00 for 1,000 ml - but it says it requires a vet's prescription.

Peg

 

[Maureen Las]

I just read this through for today.


I have a better feeling about it somehow


I'm telling you that I don't think that I would every trust one vet for my rabbits.

Since I really have to use about 4 vets in this town for differentthings (and the dentist in verona for teeth)I realize that one humanbeing can't know everything

Thats why I would rather be hospitalized at a teachinghospital than another kind because people put their headstogether.

Maybe Chance has a good Chance after all