I am an idiot

[Ivory]

I posted earlier in the "Plugged Up" thread about Erik and how he was constipated, it resolved, then we were having problems but they seemed to be resolving. I also couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.

Well, I know now.

We took abdominal x-rays of him earlier. Also of another rabbit. It was a big mess, he did something in one order and told me to do something in another, and it was just a bunch of miscommunication....

The point is that somehow we messed up the order of Xrays, figured it out later, and redid them.

The other rabbit is fine. Erik isn't so much.

Erik has a hairball bigger than a golfball in his stomach. I have no idea how. I brush him at least every other day. He gets at least a cup and a half of moist greens every day, generally more. He gets a small amount of pellets, unlimited hay of the timothy persuasion and a handful of alfalfa every night.

Erik is eating to an extent and drinking somewhat and beginning to poop a little bit. I was seriously worried that it was this, and it is.

He got 100 CCs of SQ fluids just a minute ago. He's acting generally okay- hopping around and seems to enjoy hopping around. None of that "forced happiness" sick rabbits sometimes get. The little booger tricked me.

But the xrays are definitely his this time, and he's definitely got a huge impaction.

I just don't know how this happened. He gets brushed. He gets moist foods. He gets fluids. He gets all sorts stuff, even with the slight change I had made in his diet a few weeks back.

I could scream right now, I really could. I hope he pulls through this...

 

[Flashy]

At least you know now, and that's the important thing.

Sometimes these things happen no matter what we do for our little furries. I don't have any advice except don't blame yourself becauseyou have done everything you can for him, and will keep doing it. He couldn't ask for any more

 

[okiron]

At least you figured it out in time *huggies*

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

I hope he gets better and very soon. *Hugs*

 

[BlueGiants]

Don't beat yourself up over this. You found out, that's the important thing. And there is still time to do something...

{{{{{{{ HUGS}}}}}} :hug: Sending healing vibes you way....

 

[Ivory]

Thanks...yeah me too....I hope he does....

 

[Thumpers_Mom]

You are not an idiot! You found out and are trying to help him. :hug:

I hope he feels better soon.



*jackie

 

[tonyshuman]

you're not an idiot--you knew something still wasn't quite right after he started pooing again, so you got the x-rays. that's smart!

i'm amazed at the size of that hairball! it seems like you take good care of him, with brushing, food, etc. i feel bad for the poor bunny--and for you! good luck to you both! and keep him hopping to get that thing moving!

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Not an idiot, just human. That's what happens sometimes...... we aren't perfect!

Now, the good news is, you know what's going on and can work with that.

Poor guy sounds like he's miserable (NOT!) hopping around.

I'm so glad you've seen some poos...... I'm crossing all my fingers, toes and eyes that he's going to pass this hairball soon!

 

[maherwoman]

Praying for Erik...ray:

 

[Ivory]

Lots of small poops this evening. He ate a few treats and hopefully will eat a few greens. He appears to be feeling better.

The plan is: four days of supportive therapy. If condition improves, keep going to a week. If condition gets worse or doesn't, we're considering surgery. I'm not looking forward to it but if its what has to be done then it's what will be done.

 

[Pipp]

Weird, the same thing just happened with Jordan, my vet misplaced or mixed up the xrays, spent a few days not knowing what was wrong, although when they were finally located, there wasn't anything there. :sigh:

So nobody knows why he's been sick.He's home now, and I'm praying there's no relapse - again.

I'm realizing that more often than not, the diagnostic procedures(and even the necropsies) are proving inconclusive with rabbits. I'm finding that really strange, but so often there's just no reason.

They always sayhair accumulation is usually a symptom, not a cause, although I'm not so sure when they're molting like that. With Pipp just a day or two of a less-than-perfect diet for the occasion can set her off.

With Pipp I've still have the best results with fluids and fibre (diluted juice and pumpkin). My vet has the best results with Critical Care -- which are actually fluids and fibre.

(Note about Critical Care: soak it for a loooong time. The stuff sucks up fluids like nobody's business, you want that to happen BEFORE it hits the GI tract).

I haven't usedLaxotone or anything,and I've used Cisapride and Reglan in the past, but I have no idea of the effects, I stopped after a few doses. I alsoused it withMetacam, so that may have madeher more comfortable. Metacamhas helped even tummy issues as long as she's well hydrated when she gets it,but without fluids, it has been h*ll on her kidneys when she takes it, I can tell.

Because the hairy issues usually also cause gas, I'm always doing gentle tummy massages and encouraging exercise. When it is gas, the massages and vibration therapy is definitely the most effective (Simethicone alone isn't usually enough), probably will also help a sluggish gut and the goop).

I feel very weird telling YOU anything, but this is what I'd say to acivilian. :twocents

Hope he's feeling better soon and that ucky hairball flows gently out of his system.

sas :clover:

 

[Ivory]

I don't think that gut motlity drugs would be the smartest thing in the world, you don't want to use that in Erik's case.

Actually....the X-ray didn't have much gas on it. No more than normal. We caught this EARLY, before any distension or bloating started. Thank God.

The Laxatone does appear to be helping. Tonight he's going to stay in his cage so I can monitor him closer.

Tomorrow I think he's getting more SQ fluids. I want him to get more, anyway.

 

[Pipp]

Ivory wrote:

The Laxatone does appear to be helping. Tonight he's going to stay in his cage so I can monitor him closer.

Tomorrow I think he's getting more SQ fluids. I want him to get more, anyway.

I always have that problem... exercise really is important, but I want to monitor my guys. onder:

I've always combined the two schools of thought by saying 'fluidsfirst, then give them the laxatone', just a guess, but seems logical if the argument is the laxatone keeps the mass from getting hydrated.

Gas or not, I'd still try massage and/or vibrations --the natural method of gut motility therapy.

PS: Great way to really bond with your bunny. (It takes them a few minutes, but they eventually realize it feels GOOD!)

sas :clover:

 

[Ivory]

Well he isn't really letting me pet him...he's rather trauamtized from the day. I'll give him a belly rub if he doesn't act up too much.

 

[Ivory]

OKAY.

We have good news!

Erik had considerably more poops this morning!

They weren't quite up to normal size, but they were pretty good. They were clumped with a LOT of hair. I think this means the hairball is passing......and we want that impaction OUT!

He ate some apple, a little bit of greens, and some of the Nibble Rings treats. (Basically alfalfa rings fortified with vitamins.) He isn't eating like a pig as normal, but I'm not expecting that for a few days.

He's going later in the morning for his fluids, in about two hours.

*crosses fingers that he'll be okay*

I feel better about this. I really do.

And the kind of sad part is...I'm think it's sort of cool that I can keep his X-ray. I can use it for presentations and stuff.

*is cautiously optimistic*

 

[JadeIcing]

[align=center]GO ERIK![/align]

 

[Thumpers_Mom]

:woohooCome on ERIK...You can do it!!!:happyrabbit:

 

[Bo B Bunny]

I'm really excited that he's doing well. I swear everyone who pushes the fluids is having a bit better luck don't you think?

Come on Erik - More hairy poos for us!!!

Is there any way to upload those xrays to the computer? they would be AWESOME for reference and I'd love to see them.

 

[Ivory]

I don't know if my scanner is big enough to get the whole thing, I'll trya little later.

Ordering some Critical Care today, will hopefully have it by tomorrow....

He had his fluids this morning, seems to be doing better. He's getting his exercise! I will put him in the grass later to see if he munches on some.