Max isnt well

[Haley]

Max wasnt looking toowell when I got home from work yesterday. I know he had eaten that morning before I went to work. I knew something was really wrong last nightwhen he wouldnt eat his veggies or even perk up for a treat.

I felt his belly and listened and it sounded a little gurgly (and was a little full) so I started giving him simethicone (1cc every few hours). I also gave him a little Metacam in case there was any pain. He didnt eat anything last night but he slept in bed with me and he definitely pooped (although they were small and some were slimey).

This morning he looked a little better. I gave him some more simethicone and metacam. He nibbled on a little hay and I got him to eat about 6ccs of pumpkin/pellet/pedialyte slurry. He still seems lethargic and his belly still feels a little bloated, but I figured he was pulling out of it.

Just now he went poop and it was all diahrrea. Now Im wondering how to go about this. Do I treat for diahrrea and give him some oats or banana-- or will that just make it worse if its CD? Do I continue with the simethicone? His urine was also dark brown in color.

I would really appreciate any advice. Ive never dealt with stasis or gas before so I only know what Ive picked up here. Im going to syringe him some pedialyte right now.

Im thinking about taking him to the vets but Im not confident they would know any more than I do right now.

 

[Snuggys Mom]

I don't know what to say except keep him hydrated until you can get him to the vet's.

I'm sorry he's not well.

Toby had similar issues and would go right from stasis to diarrhea like that, back and forth. It's crazy.

 

[Flashy]

I don't really know, but is it worth giving him a probiotic which might help his gut for all aspects of it.

Also, is it possible he has eaten something dodgy?

Other than that I have nothing to say other than good luck, I hope he is ok.

 

[Haley]

Well now Im all confused. Hes looking perky and alert. Hes eating some romaine and just sucked down a syringe of pedialyte. I hope this is a good sign.

 

[naturestee]

Can't keep a good dutch down!

Sprite was like that when she had a seriously bad case of gas last year. When she slowly started coming out of it, all poops were runny and had mucous. That cleared up as she continued to improve though.

Have you been massaging his belly? That will help get the gas out too. It worked wonders for Sprite. The simethicone didn't seem to be making it to the problem spot, but my hubby is really good at making bunnies fart.

 

[jordiwes]

Sounds good to me! Sounds like a bout with gas that has passed. Sending good thoughts your way.

 

[ra7751]

Hi Haley,

Sounds like he might have a little GI issue here. When you say diarreah...(not trying to be gross here) is it just very loose or is it coated with a yellowish mucous? If it's loose, I would stay on a normal rabbit diet and push the hay and maintain hydration. We have had some success with using rolled oats...and even more success with using cooked plain whiterice to slow down the gut. Simethicone is a good idea in this situation. If it is yellowish mucous...that is an indication of a bacterial imbalance and probably a growth of clostridium. The mucous is an indication that the body is trying to protect the walls of the intestines. When I get that condition, high fiber (if not hay then pumpkin or maybe some watermelon), lots of hydration and I use a drug called metronidazole (Flagyl) that is excellent at targeting that nasty bacteria. Based on your second post...I would take a "steady as she goes" approach...keep things basicand just keep a very close watch and see how things develop. It might not be a bad idea to do a fecal float just in case. Last time we had something similar, the rabbit had hookworms (that was a first). Sometimes it is less costly just to deworm them since the fecal is a little pricey and it's not always perfect.

And since you are using Pedialyte....I have been searching for something people could use that don't have the capability of doing sub-q or IV infusions and that would be better overall than the Pedialyte and still be administered orally. I think I have found that product. I am starting to use it now on dehydrated and weaning cottontails and will see how things go. It is offered by a company that specializes in wildlife rehab formulas and supplements. It looks very promising. Time will tell.

Randy

 

[Pipp]

Good advice from all. I hope Max is bouncing back.

(And I'm agreeing with the Probiotics now. I've had a few discussions with medical people, and I've been sold!)



sas

 

[Haley]

Thanks so much for the advice guys.

The poop is just very soft like diarrhea, no coating or anything. Max doesnt eat very much hay because he has no front teeth. Sometimes he will nibble on a little, but not often. I have him in his condo right now so I can keep an eye on things. Hes nibbling on a little more romaine. He also ate some oats and a little tiny piece of banana.

I'll keep you guys posted. Its looking like maybe he's coming out of it- I was just scared by the diarrhea since his poops had been fine all night.

Oh, and yes I have been doing lots of gentle tummy massages all night.

 

[JimD]

<<<prayers>>>

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Hugs and prayers. Come on Max!

 

[f_j]

I hope he's coming out of it - I'll be thinking of him!

 

[Haley]

Update: We have poops!

Just as I was settling down to watch a movie I saw Max munching on his pellets. When I came in to check on him afterwards there were a ton of poops. Im going to keep an eye on him for the next few days but I think we're out of the woods.

 

[Offspring2099]

Yay for Max.

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

Yay, fingers crossed Max keeps improving.

 

[HoneyPot]

Just saw this now! What a relief. Why did I ever think bunnies were low maintenance.

Hope he continues to give you more well formed poops! How's he doing this morning?

Nadia

 

[Haley]

Well, the little piggy jumped on my chest to wake me up this morning for breakfast, and then proceeded to bury his head in his bowl and scarf down the pellets!

so I'd say he's doing great.

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

Ha ha, that's great to hear!:biggrin2:Give Max a kiss from me, glad the little guy is feeling better.

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

That's great Haley. Good boy Max.

 

[LuvaBun]

I'm late coming to this, but it sounds as if things have greatly improved .

Good boy Max - keep them poops coming, and stop worrying your mom



Jan