Head Tilt-Twinkles

[Little Bay Poo]

tonyshuman wrote:

I seem to remember other head-tilt bunnies doing better in the morning than the evening...Ringo and Ronnie perhaps?

Ronnie was pretty much the same regardless of time of day (he's one of those bunnies that never sleeps and is always ready to jump out of his cage). So with him it was a bad "day" here and there but not specific to the time of day. Sounds like everybunny is different in terms of how treatment progresses. I am also glad to hear that Twinkles is doing better, at least for part of the day

 

[JadeIcing]

Ringo is worse at night.

 

[bpotter2]

Thanks, everyone! Update on Twinkles. He was chasing Bon Bon on and off the last two days! He is feeling much better. He does not hide under the sofa, anymore, spending most of his time resting with Bon Bon on their pad in the living room. He is eating well and his output looks normal. He still tilts his head but it is straight when he eats and cleans himself, he keeps his balance. He still occasionally rolls after getting his meds but gets up on sturdy legs and kicks up his back legs to tell me off. He is not back to normal yet, but much improved!
Bon Bon's wet eye was dry at next check and has been since. I decided to wait a couple of hours, then a day and so on. I will keep checking just in case. Bon Bon is happy that Twinkles is well enough to give chase and does not show any signs of illness.
Even my sick fish is doing well, now, after 3 different medications! Hopefully all will continue to improve.
Went for more Chlorpalm today. Had to go to a pharmacy. Guess they forgot to say it was for a bunny as they gave me a chicken flavoured ChlorPalm! I asked if it was real chicken flavouring and the pharmacist said no, it was artificial. I had to take it as they were closing early, they could not put together another and I don't have enough for Sunday. He said to come back on Monday and he'll give me fruit flavoured. I read somewhere that molasses is good to mask the taste of bitter meds for bunnies, so am thinking of adding a bit. Also, the meds are a bit more concentrated so instead of 2.2 ML, I only give 1.1 ML, so that means half the squirts in the mouth.
Another bit of news, the cysts from the improper injections have hardened, created a scab and are in the process of dropping off. All around, good news!
Kathy

 

[tonyshuman]

Be a bit careful with molasses. The large amount of sugar can cause GI slowdown. What about pumpkin puree instead?

Good to hear things are going better.

 

[bpotter2]

Twinkles continues to improve. The pharmacy changed their tune when I called about replacing the chicken flavoured Chlorpalm. He said to try it and if Twinkles refused it, he would change it. I told him Twinkles refuses everything I force into his mouth but I would give it a try. I tasted a small drop of it and it was extremely bitter with no hint of chicken flavour! So I mixed a bit of baby formula apple sauce with it and gave some to him. I could not find the pumpkin so got apple sauce and mashed carrot. Twinkles seems fine so I guess it will do the job.
Yesterday morning I found Bon Bon laying in his cage which he never does. He did not look good. He was shivering and did not respond when I approached him. I immediately called Dr Martinez but he was not answering. I called the regular vet and both vets were not there. The receptionist sent me to their other hospital and within the hour we had a vet examine Bon Bon. Everything looked good, weight good, no signs of stomach obstruction, eyes clear, etc. Then he looked inside his mouth and found an overgrown back tooth with possible abscess. He found a small lump lower cheek same vicinity of overgrown tooth. He gave him fluids, took blood, Metacam and sent him home to rest until 12 o'clock today when he goes in for surgery to fix the tooth and clean out the abscess.
This vet apparently is an expert on animal dentistry, so go figure! He recently successfully did a guinea pig or hamster's teeth. When I got Bon Bon home, he was fine. He hid under the sofa for about an hour then came out, ate and acted completely normal. Still, now I am confident the tooth is what has been causing his teary eye, even back in August. I am worried about the surgery. I just hope all will go well. Knowing the receptionist and one of the nurses has bunnies that are treated at this hospital makes me feel a bit more relaxed.
By the way, this vet says Bon Bon is a girl!!!
Kathy

 

[Flashy]

What a rough trot you are having! I'm so glad Twinkles is improving, but I'm sorry about Bon Bon, hopefully the surgery will go well, and with the right treatment he will bounce back quickly. What are they going to do? extraction?

Please keep us updated.

x

 

[Maureen Las]

I can relate to this
multiple problems at once.
at least Bon bon has been diagnosed and, believe me , if he can do guinea pig teeth he can probably do a rabbit, however,

Iwould ask him what his plan of action is in terms of pulling teeth, antibiotics etc

ahead of time. How does he treat an abscess??
if he is well qualified he should be willing to talk to youabout all of your concerns at length.

 

[bpotter2]

I have just read a couple of threads about abscess. I am now extremely concerned!!! From what I can remember, the vet said he would put Bon Bon under and take a look to see more clearly what is going on. First he will take x rays, then go from there. If there are no signs of trouble and the tooth just needs to be clipped , he will do that. He never mentioned extraction at all. He also said that he would have the blood test results in by 12 and that also may be a factor.
As to the abscess, he did not really say much about that except that it was a small lump. After what I have read, I am going to question him about just leaving it alone and treating it with antibiotics instead. I read that Randy will not open an abscess as it can cause worse problems.
I am due there in 2 hours and now I am terrified!

 

[tonyshuman]

It may have been stressful (and probably expensive) but I'm glad you figured out the root cause of Bon Bon's weepy eye. Definitely make sure the follow-up treatment is appropriate, as Maureen said.

I'm glad Twinkles is improving and you found a way to get him to eat his medicine. Hope things continue to improve!

 

[tonyshuman]

x-rays are a good start but the tooth may need to be removed. he will be able to tell from the x-rays. it is usually best not to open an abscess but to treat it with systemic antibiotics instead. sorry for these comments being garbled and bad grammar-wanted to get a word in quick

 

[Flashy]

I know your vet will probably know this, but my old one didn't, but if one tooth is extracted, the opposing tooth needs to be extracted too. My vet didn't extract the opposing tooth and the bun got a horrific abscess.

Hopefully your vet will be FAR better though. Ask your vet as many questions as you want to, or feel you need to. That might help you feel less scared.

Thinking of you.

 

[Epic_win]

The gender fairy came to visit!

 

[bpotter2]

Thanks!!! Am determined not to freak out and will not allow him to open that abscess. Good to know about the opposite tooth. Will question him about that.

 

[naturestee]

If the abscess is related to the tooth and the tooth has to be removed, the abscess would be opened then. But that's a case where it's really necessary. Otherwise yes, systemic antibiotics are a better treatment choice.

What a run of bad luck! :hug:

 

[Pipp]

Which vet are you talking about? Guinea pig teeth are vastly different from rabbit teeth. :?

EDIT: Ah, I didn't see the last few posts about the game plan for x-rays. Sounds more logical.

Glad to hear Twinkles is better!


sas

 

[Flashy]

Any news?

 

[bpotter2]

Hi, am really, really tired so will try to make this short. Two days ago, the vet took Bon Bon in and found what he called an atrocious mouth full of teeth. We went in at 12 and did not leave until 7 that evening, not all surgery time, of course. He had to extract two teeth, align others and clean out a small portion of a partially decomposed jaw bone. He said when he was trying to extract the two teeth, pus exploded. Bon Bon had major surgery. And that is not all. He said he could not finish the job, Bon Bon will have to go back after she has healed from this surgery for another probable extraction and more alignment.
I had a day from hell but Bon Bon had one even worse. We took her home, she barely moved all night. At one point, I could not see her breathing and I thought, that's it, but then she opened her eyes. We were so worried about her. The vet told us to put her in her cage with warm towels and let her sleep off the anesthetic. but she was so cold, we ended up taking turns throughout the night warming her against our chests under warm blankets. We made it through the night and by next morning, she was showing signs of wanting to get up. As the day wore on, she became more active until she seemed almost normal. I had a heck of a time catching her for her evening meds. She will not eat, though, and when I feed her critical care, baby food carrot mash and applesauce, she just lets it spill out and does not want to swallow.
We took her in again today because she would not eat and they gave her extra pain meds and fluids. Bon Bon was extremely angry and scared at being there again but visibly relaxed when I took her to the car to go home. She looks like she feels a whole lot better but not eating is making me crazy! No eating, no poops and we all know how bad that can be.
The vet gave her something to help her digestion moving. I was sent home with more painkillers, digestion stuff, and new tasty ChlorPalm. This evening when I had to give her all her stuff, she got soooo mad! She got ChlorPalm, Metacam, another painkiller, digestion meds, Critical Care, apple sauce and carrots. I managed to get the painkillers down, but she spit out a quarter of the ChlorPalm and most of the food. I have to feed her every 2 to 3 hours, whatever she will take in, but it seems an impossible task. I did notice her sniffing through her greens a number of times throughout the day, trying to nibble but then giving up. We even mushed up some pellets and banana, her favourite, on a plate to let her try on her own, but she ignored it. I am so hoping she will eat on her own and produce some magic capers. We are already expected at the vets tomorrow for more fluids and to see if there is any production.
What really upsets me almost as much as Bon Bon troubles is that the vet said she has been suffering for a very long time. I am now convinced the people we got her from knew her problem and just passed her on without a word. Four vets, over the last 2 years and not one of them capable of diagnosing the problem. This vet, the 5th, was the only one that gave her a thorough exam.
So the good news is that she has been treated, feels well enough to be scampering around with Twinkles, bad news is I cannot get her to eat properly. I just hope I am getting enough into her to have her produce poops. She may have, I cannot be sure as Twinkles has been producing up a storm, I just haven't caught her in the act. I know she didn't the first night as she was in her cage and on our chests all night, but it is possible she might have during the day.
That's all, am going to try to get some sleep.
Kathy

 

[Maureen Las]

I have a rabbit with a similar type of mouth who has been seen by an animal dentist for 3 years for tooth removal, bite realignment, filing and periodontal disease. Luckily he was never "under" for this period of time and did not have the jaw issues. The first time he went he had 5 molars pulled that were infected..he had been seen by multiple vets who identified incisor problems but were unable to identify molar issues. usually x-rays will tell a different story. My bun had teeth growing into his inner cheek causing severe abrasions ( and Pain)


Right now the fluids are more important than the food although the food will become an issue soon.
This type of surgery is going to require a lot of "nursing" care; he is probably no longer able to eat as he once did and/or he is still recovering from the surgery. my bun also tries to eat greens but cannot chew anything hard, nor eat any hay

He eats gruel of BBT pellets and critical care out of a bowl and also will eat canned pumpkin on his own.
Even thoughyour vet is giving fluids I suggest that you at least attempt to give your bun fluids per syringe while watching to see if he swallows. I would suggest getting flavored pedialyte which some of them like or flavoring water with apple juice when syringing it.
it is extremely important for him to be hydrated while he is getting all these meds. If he is not pooping it is most likely because he is not eating . If you can even get some pure unflavored pumpkin down him per syringe that is a good source of fiber. You can also try cutting up the greens and see if he does better with that or else put them in a food processor so they do not need to be chewed. I also suggest giving him a croc of water and juice rather than a bottle ; a dental bun usually will not touch a bottle as it willcause too much movement of an already sore mouth.

many pain meds will affect organs systems if the bun is not hydrated . You will need to learn to do Subqutaneous fluids at home yourself.
is he getting gut motility drugs?

probably not a good idea if he is not eating ...focus on hydration and pain meds and attempts to syringe fluids ...and later food
You can get a large 20cc syringe from the vet or possibly the drugstore. . Some of them come to a point and can be clipped with a scissors to the size that you require ( those are sold at petco)
It is possible that he is not eating because his mouth feels diffeent and/or because he is still in pain.
i am concerned regarding the jawbone as it sounds as if he did havean abscess .
if you cannot get the chlorpalm in him ask the vet about injectable penicillin which is way easier to give once you get the knack
he is going to need antibiotics for such major work and also because it sounds as if he did have an abscess.
let us know.
and

you will need to monitor whose poop belongs to who so if you need to partition the buns for awhile you should go ahead and do that.
Sometimes it only takes a little while to see the bun that is sick pooping and then it is safe to remove the partition.

 

[Flashy]

Aw, what a horrendous time for all of you.

I wonder if maybe Bon Bon needs stronger pain relief or something? It must also feel very strange as well as painful.

I wish I had something useful to say, but I don't just know I'm thinking of you and wishing him a speedy recovery.

x

 

[Flashy]

Oh, I was writing at the same time as angieluv (I got waylaid along the way by a grandparent, lol).