I think my bunny may be dying

[acresap21]

- Location- Waldwick, NJ

- Description (Breed, color., weight)- Dwarf short-haired, black, about 1 lb.

- Age- 8 years old

- spayed/neutered?- No

- Notes on Fecal and Urinary Output
He doesn't seem to have any problems with his feces. But, it also doesn't look like he's had any bowel movements in a while, pee or poop.

- Medical History -- has s/he been to the vet or been sick before? No

- Diet - what does your bunny eat?
- when and what did s/he eat last?
My rabbit eats dandelion leaves and parsley. Along with basic bunny food, alfalfa, and carrots. I don't think he has eaten in a while.

- movement - any unusual movements? Is s/he hopping normally? He will just shake his head. He also appears to have gone blind, all of a sudden. Also, when we hold him or pick him up, he just sits in our arms completely limp. When he gets put back into the cage, he just sits where he would usually pee. And just stays there.

- are there any plants, chocolate or other substances within reach? None what-so-ever

- has the rabbit been outdoors? Never.

 

[Pipp]

acresap21 wrote:

He doesn't seem to have any problems with his feces. But, it also doesn't look like he's had any bowel movements in a while, pee or poop.

How long is awhile? And when did he last eat?

 

[Pipp]

PS: Thanks for the detailed information, it's very helpful presenting it that way. For now above all else, keep him warm and calm.

 

[acresap21]

Pipp wrote:

acresap21 wrote:

He doesn't seem to have any problems with his feces. But, it also doesn't look like he's had any bowel movements in a while, pee or poop.

How long is awhile? And when did he last eat?

When I cleaned his cage today, it looks like it's been a while. It looks like he has eaten more recently, but he, since he seems like he's gone blind, I don't think he can find his food, even if he eats it.

 

[Pipp]

If it came on suddenly, it could have been a vascular / neurological event -- a stroke or whatever.

However, if he hasn't eaten or pooped in awhile, then the symptoms have been going on for awhile and his current status could be a result of that -- and it could be anything. Advanced stasis, a pain reaction, infection, cancer...

I'm honestly not sure he'd make it through the rounds of testing, but a vet may be able to find the source and treat it aggressively -- ie: if there's signs of infection, aggressive antibiotics, incubation (for warmth), warm fluids, etc, may be able to pull him out.

But it's all guesswork. Keep him warm. I don't know if he'll accept warm fluids, at this stage they can probably only be administered via an IV or SubQ by a vet ASAP.

Is he showing any interest in food? A wet piece of parsley under his nose? Anything?


sas ray:

 

[Pipp]

How is he?

 

[tonyshuman]

I agree that it's best to find an emergency vet as soon as you can. A general rule for not eating and not pooing is that 12 hours is worrisome, 24 is an emergency. In this case, the listlessness is a big concern and indicates that it has become an emergency, regardless of the time course of not eating/pooping.

I can't imagine why he would have suddenly gone blind. It is possible that he just is too tired to react to things he's seeing, due to a possible GI upset. The behavior of going to the litterbox and looking like he wants to pass waste but not being able to sounds to me like a GI stasis issue.

Please look in our list of rabbit-savvy vets in your area for an emergency vet. If you can't find one there, just take him to an reputable emergency vet that says they treat rabbits. First priority should be to get him some sub-Q fluids and feel his abdomen for stool in the intestines and possibly a blockage. A pain medicine may also help, such as metacam. An abdominal x-ray or ultrasound may also be helpful to determine if there is a blockage. Blockages can be treated in an extreme emergency situation if it can be seen on the x-ray with some gut motility drugs. These drugs shouldn't be given if you cannot see a blockage on the x-ray as they can sometimes hurt more than help. First priority should be hydration, which may be enough to get his gut going. It could also be gas, which can be treated with simethicone (baby gas-x is preferred as it is a liquid). However, at this state, I would like to have a vet determine whether it is gas or stasis.

On the way to the vet, keep him warm as mentioned above. Try to syringe some water or pedialyte into his mouth if you can. Gentle tummy massages can also help. Good luck!ray:

 

[PunkinsPeeple]

this discussion should be held with a VET - not a forum

 

[acresap21]

I'm thinking it has more to do with his old age. There is only one emergency vet open in the area that sees rabbits and it is extremely expensive. He had white mucous secreting from his eyes that we wiped away. I don't have a job and to incur bills from a vet bill wouldn't be good for me right now, and along with that, I have a dog that is dying from cancer. Please don't think that I would let my suffer. The economy has affected me greatly.

As per his eye sight, he definitely isn't just too tired to pay react because he flinch anytime we touch him and he doesn't even blink when I tried to wave my hand in front of his face.

I don't know what more to do with him.

 

[Pipp]

PunkinsPeeple wrote:

this discussion should be held with a VET - not a forum

It's Sunday, finding a bunny-savvy vet will take some searching, and I'm sure that's in progress.

This forum tells a poster what to expect and tries to help with interim care. It also
tries to steer non-bunny-savvy vets in the right direction when possible, seeing as that is the the vast majority of vets available.

It in no way takes the place of vet care.


sas

 

[Pipp]

acresap21 wrote:

He had white mucous secreting from his eyes that we wiped away. I don't have a job and to incur bills from a vet bill wouldn't be good for me right now, and along with that, I have a dog that is dying from cancer. Please don't think that I would let my suffer. The economy has affected me greatly.

Unfortunately the mucus probably signals an infection and he could be suffering. Eight isn't THAT old for a dwarf, although he is definitely a senior.

Aggressive antibiotics and fluids may help, and I'd recommend pain killers -- I use Baby Motrin. With his size, probably less than a quarter tab.

It has to be taken with water and food, though, so you'll have to give him a syringe-full of pumpkin, apple sauce, baby food or something related.

Was the mucus in both eyes?

And I'm in the same position myself. It will cost $150 to euthanize my 20-year-old cat and I simply don't have it. All I can do is make her comfortable with pain meds and hope for the best.


sas ray:

 

[tonyshuman]

PunkinsPeeple, we have been making it clear that this bunny needs to go to a vet right now. In fact, you may notice that this entire section of the forum has the subheading "Sick Bunny? Members Helping Members (But Still Call a Vet!)". We never say that our advice is a substitute for vet care, but simply a supplement. Many vets do not know how to properly care for rabbits and will treat them just like a dog or cat, which can be very dangerous. Therefore, we post general ideas of what a treatment should be so that the member can be sure their rabbit is getting the right vet care there. The rest of the advice already posted has been how to keep the rabbit ok on the way to the vet. I understand your concern and agree that Commander Inky Bun Bun needs to go to the vet right away.

Have you thought about CareCredit, acresap21? It allows you to pay off vet bills gradually and most vets take it. I understand that finances are a concern, but I am concerned that he is in a lot of pain. It may be more humane to take him to the emergency vet, have a general examination, and have him put to sleep if the vet thinks it is a prohibitively expensive thing to treat, than to wait until Monday.

Good luckray:

 

[PunkinsPeeple]

be very careful about putting things "INTO" him - if he is blocked or obstructed even a squirt of pedialyte is going to be harmful ---

is he cold?? Flops got really sick and tried to die once and was soooo cold - i wrapped him in a heating pad and blanket and held him tight against me -

sick/dying pets is a rough topic - I just lost Mopsy last year and maybe I shouldn't be in this part of the forum yet ....

Punkin'sPeeple

 

[anneq]

I can relate to your situation.

Our Netherland Dwarf got severe head-tilt when he was about 10mos. old and financially, there was NO WAY we could have afforded the vet if my sister hadn't stepped in and picked it up for us (it was relatively cheap compared to some - only $250.00 but at the time, that was like 2 million to us).

As said above, keeping fluids in him and trying to get him to eat a bit is probably your first priority.
Keep him warm, comfortable and in a quiet area, if you can.

My heart goes out to you - I'll say a prayer for you and hope for the best - please let us know when you can.

 

[Pipp]

Do you live in a rural area with a feed store? You may be able to get injectible penicillin there.

It's a long shot, and not a recommendation we usually make, but might be worth it.

sas

 

[Pipp]

PunkinsPeeple wrote:

be very careful about putting things "INTO" him - if he is blocked or obstructed even a squirt of pedialyte is going to be harmful ---

is he cold?? Flops got really sick and tried to die once and was soooo cold - i wrapped him in a heating pad and blanket and held him tight against me -

Good points/advice here. Keeping him warm is crucial. And more so than the obstruction, shocky bunnies just don't absorb the fluids (when given orally) and food and there's also a risk it could be aspirated into lungs. Thus the conundrum -- he needs fluids and food with the pain meds, otherwise they can damage his stomach and kidneys.

But Pedialytewill rehydrate him if he's not in shock.

sas ray:

 

[pla725]

Nothing really to add but get thee to a vet. I realize an emergency vet is expensive but the rabbit needs help now.

 

[JimD]

Pipp wrote:

PunkinsPeeple wrote:

this discussion should be held with a VET - not a forum

It's Sunday, finding a bunny-savvy vet will take some searching

sas

To acresap21:


My vet is about 20 minutes away from you and has 24/7 emergency service.

Make sure you request Dr. Cattiny.

http://www.pomptonlakesanimalhospital.com/

 

[Amy27]

I just wanted to ditto the person who mentioned Care Credit. Here there are a lot of vets that use the Care Credit interest free for so long, usually it is 3-6 months. You can fill out the application online and it will tell you if you are approved and if so for how much, that way you know before going to the vet. There is also a list of vets that take Care Credit. Here is their website http://www.carecredit.com/
Good luck.

ETA: Jim D and I posted at the same time. The vet he reccomended does take Care Credit I looked it up on their website.

 

[JimD]

Amy27 wrote:

ETA: Jim D and I posted at the same time. The vet he reccomended does take Care Credit I looked it up on their website.

I was just going to add that he accepts Care Credit.