cotton is very sick

[Samara]

ray: :hug:

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

Sending positive thoughts your way! Hope cotton feels better soon

 

[MiniLopHop]

Are you giving the ivormectan once, then again in 7 days? That is a good protocol.

I'm giving panacur for 28 days, then the two doses of ivormectan to make sure bases are covered.

I wouldn't change what your vet instructed. Keeping her hydrated is very important. If she's not drinking well you might want to ask about doing sub q fluids at home for a while. It's not hard to learn how to do and can really help.

 

[LindseyG]

Thanks! I really hope becky makes a full recovery. I will ask about the sub q fluids although he is drinking out of a water bottle, I don't know if it's enough.

Today I don't see much of an improvement. He still lays on his side all the time. He is more active and alert it seems though, he is still eating and drinking very well. He is eating his normal pellets and lots of veggies too.
I shaved his butt to help keep him clean because he was getting covered in poop. He now has a "lion clip" and looks really silly but I think he is happier now.

 

[MiniLopHop]

I think you did the right thing. Keeping clean and dry is more important than looks, particularly when recovering from an illness. The veggies will also help keep him hydrated, particularly if you run water over them first. Make sure the hay is easily accessable while he can't move very well. I used binky crasy tasty hay because it is very soft and the buns do go nuts for it. It is a grass and herb mixture marketed specifically for rabbits. I normally give it to them in their stroller when we go to the park for a special treat, but she also enjoyed it while not feeling well. It is just softer than the timothy so I didn't worry about her poking herself in the eye.

From what I have read with the ivormec you won't see a ton of improvement until after the day 7 second dose. It took three weeks of dosing with panacur for me to see much of a difference in Becky. Last night I cheered and almost cried. She periscoped for a Cherio! I gave her four just to watch her be able to keep her balance. Her weight is also coming back up to normal, she was very thin for a few weeks despite eating normally.

Personally I would hold to the ivormec for the two weeks then do 28 days of panacur, basically in the opposite order I'm doing it. But that way all bases are covered. I would be a little leary of dosing them at the same time. You can tell her about Becky getting better using the panacur, but you have to dose it daily for 28 days. I mix the powder with baby food and a wee bit of apple juice then give it in a syringe. She gobbles it down.

Hang in there, the first couple weeks are bad watching them struggle. Just know there is hope. All the TLC and nursing is important for him to keep up his fighting morralle. I think buns are very prone to depression and giving up if they feel abandoned. I'm glad you were able to bring him home to recover. There's nothing like being doted on by mom. :hug:

 

[LindseyG]

Thanks. I am so worried about him being away from his 2 buddies. Should I let them visit each other in an xpen daily. The way i'm set up they can't be together 24/7 especially since he can't even stand up. I'm going to try to find a hay like that. Maybe even just get a softer hay like orchard or something.

 

[MiniLopHop]

Honestly I never seperate my bonded buns, not even when going to the vet and only one is sick. Gary has had access to Becky 24/7 the whole time. When she was really bad and couldn't move I set up a padded laundry basket (blankets on bottom and up the sides, puppy wee pad in the bottom, then a sheet that was easy to wash over the whole thing). She was able to rest comfotably with tiny pillows for support, but he could also hop in to check on her. He would lay and wash her face. I think it gave her great comfort. Even Houdini, my other male who lost his mate, Cinderella, a couple months ago was very concerned when he saw the laundry basket (Cinderella had the same set-up before she passed). He layed beside the basket on the other side of the fence. The two pairs will play together but are not bonded. I still think that they care what happens to their friends.

Is there any way you can keep the buns together? I think they can support eachother in ways we can't really understand. This has to be stressful for the healthy two as well becaue they are worried about their friend.

 

[LindseyG]

Thanks. I put them all in their xpen in the grass in a shady spot and Cottonball is going to town eating it and the other two are licking him and laying next to him.

 

[MiniLopHop]

Oh how wonderful. Bunny support is the best. I bet Cottonball's spirits will be brightened by the visit.

 

[LindseyG]

Thanks. He really did brighten up. Here is mr cottonball today. When I gave him a haircut I inadvertently made him into a poodle rabbit. As you can see though he can sit up which is a huge improvement. He was laying on his side all the time. The next step is standing up! Excuse his wet feet I had bathed his backside this morning.

 

[MiniLopHop]

Wonderful! I'm so glad he's making progress. The little steps make you keep fighting. I think the emotional aspects are very important when fighting illness in buns, even more so than other species because they are so social and sensitive.

My husband has commented multiple times how he is shocked how easily the buns are offended yet they also go crazy with joy. The wonders of bunnyhood.

Give cotton kisses from us.

 

[gmas rabbit]

poor little man, you hang in there and get better. Wet feet are better than poopy ones. He is starting to look healthier.

 

[agnesthelion]

Oh my goodness, bless his heart looks like he is making progress though, how wonderful. I will be thinking of Cotton!

 

[misha]

thinking about Cotton and Becky tonight

 

[MiniLopHop]

Becky is doing good. I'm tucking her into bed.

I hope Cotton is having a good night.

 

[LindseyG]

Cottonball is doing good. He is regaining his strength and can now stand up and almost walk/hop but sometimes he falls over when he tries. He gets right back up though. Im really convinced the ivermectin is what is helping him. He had absolutely no improvement until i gave it to him. He is such a sweet boy. He gets so happy when i walk in the door and wonders what yummy treats i have for him. I'm so happy he is improving . When he went almost a week just laying on his side i really wasnt too hopeful. maybe this will give hope to the people on here who think their rabbit is "too far gone".. My vet discussed euthanasia several times but i always refused.

 

[Bunnylova4eva]

LindseyG wrote:

Cottonball is doing good. He is regaining his strength and can now stand up and almost walk/hop but sometimes he falls over when he tries. He gets right back up though. Im really convinced the ivermectin is what is helping him. He had absolutely no improvement until i gave it to him. He is such a sweet boy. He gets so happy when i walk in the door and wonders what yummy treats i have for him. I'm so happy he is improving . When he went almost a week just laying on his side i really wasnt too hopeful. maybe this will give hope to the people on here who think their rabbit is "too far gone".. My vet discussed euthanasia several times but i always refused.

I wish I'd tried invermectin as a last resort before putting my head tilt bunny down...the breeder I got my current bunny from was pretty possitive that would have done the trick.

Praying for Cottonballs speedy and full recovery! ray:

 

[MiniLopHop]

Bunnylova4eva wrote:

LindseyG wrote:

Cottonball is doing good. He is regaining his strength and can now stand up and almost walk/hop but sometimes he falls over when he tries. He gets right back up though. Im really convinced the ivermectin is what is helping him. He had absolutely no improvement until i gave it to him. He is such a sweet boy. He gets so happy when i walk in the door and wonders what yummy treats i have for him. I'm so happy he is improving . When he went almost a week just laying on his side i really wasnt too hopeful. maybe this will give hope to the people on here who think their rabbit is "too far gone".. My vet discussed euthanasia several times but i always refused.

I wish I'd tried invermectin as a last resort before putting my head tilt bunny down...the breeder I got my current bunny from was pretty possitive that would have done the trick.

Praying for Cottonballs speedy and full recovery! ray:

Please don't second guess yourself. You were doing the best you could with the information you had at the time :hug:

So glad that Cottonball is feeling better. He is very lucky to have you for a mom.

 

[gmas rabbit]

We all second guess ourselves, part of the process is to learn from others, pass on the info and love the ones we have. Been there. Glad that Cotton is improving, he is a sweetie.

 

[wendymac]

So glad that Cotton is showing some improvement! I love the Poodle Doo, too. Continued thoughts and prayers for a full recovery.