Lego's not feeling well. Help?

[MagnoliaDee]

Hey guys... an update. I've been trying to syringe feed since last night. Last night did not go well since I didn't have critical care or a proper syringe. But she did take the food (pellets mushed up with apple juice and pumpkin) herself out of a bowl... a little bit at least. Same thing again this morning. I was able to get more metacam today and some regular flavor critical care. She is really good about taking the c/c and wants lots. The vet said 10 mls every 6 hours... not sure if it's o'kay to give more?

A few very critical things that have me very worried... she has become very thin and weak. I feel like I have failed her by not starting the c/c sooner. She seemed o'kay up until yesterday, when things went drastically downhill. She's no longer moving much. Her poops are now tiny little dots. But the big thing that really worries me is her stomach. Yesterday it was drawn in... I'm used to it being a bit of a paunch. Since she's taken a bit of food the past 24 hours it feels a bit better... less drawn. But I still don't feel comfortable massaging it for her... it just feels wrong.

Right now I think she's panting a bit hard... tho to be honest I think she took a bit of a tumble tonight. She's been wanting to climb high since this started almost 2 weeks ago. So she's been going up in the play tykes cube I have in the room... and tonight I think she got tripped up in the water bowl that I had up there with her. I wasn't in the room, but my husband heard something... and when I checked on her she was on the floor level and a bit wet. So I've taken the cube out of her reach and put her down at ground level.

I have an appointment for her tomorrow morning so the vet can reassess. I did tell her that I don't want her suffering. I'm just feeling kind of lost, and unsure of what to do. She's 11. I'm not sure when you know it's time... but my vet and I will be discussing this tomorrow. Until then can I give more c/c than the 10mls every 6 hours if she wants it? Food is good, but I'm not sure if more is better... esp. when she has lost visible weight and strength.

Thanks,
Sandra

 

[JBun]

If the critical care is all she's eating, I would give more. Basically it is just a form of powdered pellets. I was feeding at least 9cc every 3-4 hours to my 3 lb bun. Since she'll eat it on her own, you may just want to give her as much as she wants to eat. It's not like she will overeat. The amount given has to be more precise when syringe feeding, because you are forcing them to eat it.

 

[missyscove]

How much critical care she needs also depends on how you're reconstituting it (how much water you add). Is "regular flavor" the anise flavor? For future reference I've found that rabbits generally prefer the apple/banana flavor but if she's willingly eating this one that's great.

There is definitely some controversy on gut motility drugs and stasis. I was recently at a talk with an exotics specialist who doesn't prescribe them in her stasis patients as she doesn't believe they help, but there are definitely other vets who do think they're helpful.

Keeping her eating and well hydrated is definitely important. Only you and your vet can really adequately assess how her quality of life is and what her prognosis is moving forward. What's important is keeping her, and you, comfortable (and if that means she has to have some pumpkin everyday, that's okay!)

 

[lovelops]

It sounds to me like you had been managing her quite well and only yesterday she wasn't doing well and to be quite honest
it could be from the fall why she's not better. I'm not one to put any animal down while I can still keep them healthy and going.
I think I have a very different idea from quality of life from taking care of a paralyzed mom.

But in the meantime if you are keeping her eating and drinking water that is the main thing. This could possibly be only one time this happens in the next year or so. We never know...

No matter what, I'm hoping for the best and that she will improve. You are in my thoughts and prayers for sure!

Vanessa

 

[MagnoliaDee]

It pains me to say, but I just went down for another feeding and she was gone. I was encouraged that she was willing to take the c/c and water as well as she was earlier in the day... but last night's feeding at 11:30 pm did not make me feel good. She didn't really want it or water... and she just didn't look as perky.

Lego was such a sweet bunny and has been with me for a good long time. Just recently the vet was amazed at what a good little girl she was, and that she wasn't trying to bite during all of this... but that wasn't in her nature. Even as a youngster she didn't even really chew things much... things like baseboards and such. She was shy and didn't make rabbit friends easily, but she loved her mama... and would squat down facing away from me and then look over her shoulder as if to say "mama... you could pet me now, if you like!". It would melt me each time. Even though she didn't make friends easily she did in her lifetime have two... Frodo and Jacob. Both have passed on already and I hope that they are all at the rainbow bridge happily playing in the beautiful meadow.

I am one to question every decision I make, and I'm sure there are things I should have done differently. The "what-if's" always bother me greatly... but I did the best I could at the time... I hope she knows I tried, and that I loved her... so, so much.

:bigtears:I'm so sorry Lego that I could not make you better. You were a beautiful, gentle, and sweet soul... and I will miss you! Love mama.

I also want to thank everyone here; you were all soo helpful, I'm sorry if I didn't reply to each one of you... my mind and time was on Lego. But your replies meant soo much in such a stressful time. I wish each and every one of you the best, and the best for all your little furries as well.

Thanks again for all the help.
Sandra

 

[ladysown]

realize that your girlie is an older bun.

I had an old meat buck that lived til 13. The last three months of his life he lived wet... drank lots, peed lots, ate what he wanted and then he simply stopped everything.

Geriatric rabbits start to fail. My policy is let them have what they want, try to keep them clean and dry, but know that their bodies are failing and you may need to just let them go.

If she wants the pumpkin...let her have the pumpkin.

 

[AlmightyShortest]

Wow, reading your last post actually has me in tears. I joined to try and get some answers to why my 9 year old rabbit, Lenny, is having GI problems among other things and I came across your posts. I was reading through all of the posts/comments hoping I'd eventually read a recovery so that threw me. I'm so sorry for your loss. Just know you did everything you could. I struggle with the "what-ifs" too but we shouldn't. I've been doing everything I possibly could for Lenny throughout his life and so if this is his time to go then I have to 'try' and accept it but I'm not giving up just yet. And to have your bunny reach 11 is astounding. You should be proud and know she loves you and thanks you for all that you did to make her life the best it could be.

 

[lovelops]

You cannot question every decision you make. If you do you will be in a constant state of paralysis. You were doing great and you did the best for her that you could. You kept her around for 11 years and that is fantastic. I had rabbits die at 4 days and less than a year old on me. So in that aspect, you are a miracle worker! And I agree with AlmightShortest, it actually had me in tears also.

She knows you did the best for her that you could. You cared and gave a damn. Because you did she lasted this long.
Never doubt what you did for her, you did your best for her and she knew it. You didn't fail her. I had posted before on other posts on the passing of other individuals bunnies that we really don't know how much time we have with our pets and every day we have with them is a gift. It sounds to me like she was a wonderful treasure.

I know it's horrible to have to come to the day we have to say goodbye. I have dreaded it, hated it, reacted badly and am still pained. It's pain that never goes away. I think this quote sums it up best.

“You will lose someone you can’t live without,and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is that you never completely get over the loss of your beloved. But this is also the good news. They live forever in your broken heart that doesn’t seal back up. And you come through. It’s like having a broken leg that never heals perfectly—that still hurts when the weather gets cold, but you learn to dance with the limp.”
― Anne Lamott

I think Lego knew you were the best thing that ever happened to her. She knew that the minute you came into her life and she knew that with her last breath. Never doubt that.

I also think with the dedication and devotion you had to her well being and health, that if you should ever decide to get another bunny, you will do a fantastic job with them same as Lego and would make any bunny that is in your heart and home in the future, very very happy.

Hang in there,
Vanessa

 

[pani]

Oh no. I'm so sorry that Lego didn't make it through this. It sounds like she knew how deeply you cared for her, and I'm sure she really appreciated you for it.

Binky free, Lego. I hope you're reuniting with Frodo and Jacob up on the bridge. ray:

 

[lovelops]

realize that your girlie is an older bun.

I had an old meat buck that lived til 13. The last three months of his life he lived wet... drank lots, peed lots, ate what he wanted and then he simply stopped everything.

Geriatric rabbits start to fail. My policy is let them have what they want, try to keep them clean and dry, but know that their bodies are failing and you may need to just let them go.

If she wants the pumpkin...let her have the pumpkin.

Darn straight.. Pumpkin, strawberries, banana... whatever!!!

Vanessa

 

[MagnoliaDee]

I want to thank you all again so much... your words help me to get thru this. I think since we all love our fur-kids soo much you can understand the worry (over did I do the right thing questions) and sadness (that I will no longer be able to pet her and kiss her and love on her) better than anyone else can. Lovelops you have summed it up perfectly... the being in a constant state of paralysis... that is how I felt from time to time, when Lego (and Jacub) were sick. I was talking with my mom the other day and I told her that it's difficult knowing that I are not the best caregiver when my kids are sick... but I try (and tried) to do my best. I'm trying to get my heart to accept that fact. It's difficult... esp. when it all happens soo fast. I want to go back and start the critical sooner... and have taken that little tykes play thing out of the room, so that she couldn't have fallen. But in the end I have to accept that she was an old girl. Anyways it will take time, but I do have all the wonderful memories that we made together, and I can look back on them, and in that way she will never really have left me right?

AlmightyShortest... I'm so sorry to hear that your little man Lenny is also having problems with Stasis. He, and you, will be in my thoughts and prayers, that he makes a full and quick recovery!! (((HUGS)))

(((HUGS))) to all of you, for your continued support, and for helping everyone who posts in here... during times of sickness you are a light that helps us all to find our way thru... no matter the outcome, to a place of healing.

This is Lego with her husbun Jacob.

Thanks again,
Sandra