Max's Runny Nose

[Haley]

Soo... Max has had that dang runny nose for about 3 months now. We had him on Baytril for ten days, then 3 weeks and no improvement. Finally, the vet did a culture and we just got the results. The only bacteria he had was in insignificant amounts and all were sensitive to the Baytril.

The vet thinks it may be allergies (this is what I have thought all along) and now we're going to try Children's Benedryl. He said to give 1cc twice a day for a few weeks to see if this clears up. I'm also going to be getting an air purifier for the room.

I have dusted out everything! The food, the hay, the cage. And I'm keeping my room spotless (and trying not to use any perfume/spray around max).

Has anyone else given Benadryl? Any success??

Does anyone else have any more suggestions that I'm missing for keeping things allergen free?

Thanks guys...and pray for little Maxwell..I so badly want him to feel ok.

-Haley

 

[bunnydude]

I've never had experience with giving Benadryl, so I can't help you there. But I will pray for Maxray:. I sure hope he gets well soon. He's so lucky to have you looking after him!

 

[Haley]

Thanks for the reply..I gave him the bendryl last night and this morning. It seems to be working! His nose is drying up and the sneezing is stopping!

Yay! I hope it continues to work...except Im a little ticked off for spending 250 bucks for all that Baytril and the culture and everything! Better safe than sorry though!

-Haley

PS. Anyone have any experience with giving benedryl long term? Im gonna do some research

 

[naturestee]

I've never used it before, not with rabbits anyway. It's great that it's working! I think an air purifier would help too, because it helps me.

 

[pamnock]

Keep in mind that theBenadryl could be covering up symptoms of a more serious problem. However, I am glad to hear that you are commencing treatment under the supervision of a veterinarian and that the treatment is helping.

That said, here is an article by someone who successfully used Benadryl for their rabbits. She also includes her vet's phone number for further info.

I had used Benadryl on occasion without much success and the symptoms worsened.



Pam

http://www.geocities.com/pamnock/

 

[Haley]

Thanks Pam.

I had read that article a few months back, and thats what gave me the idea that this could be allergies. I have been giving him the benadryl 2x a day for about a week now and he seems to be doing great. Im supposed to call the vet next week so we can discuss his progress and possibly lowering the dose until the fall.

Im going to continue to monitor him to be sure everything is alright. There is still a little discharge, but it is still clear. And the sneezing has stopped...hopefully he continues to progress

-Haley

 

[pamnock]

Opps! Forgot to post the link to the article. :thud

Here it is for anyone else who would like to read it http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/benadryl.html

Pam

 

[Haley]

haha..I didnt even notice that you didnt post the link! I knew which one you were talking about bc I have it saved in My Favorites and I know she didnt give a dose, but listed her vets #.

Thanks though!

-Haley

PS. if anyone else needs info on benadryl, Naturestee recommended Etherbun, and there are a few topics there that discuss its use

 

[HoneyPot]

Glad to hear that the Benadryl is working!
:colors:


Misty gets a runny nose whenever she is at my parent's house. I had her on meds for it too, and it turned out to be allergies to the carpet I think... funny how sensative their little noses are.

___________
Nadia

 

[Haley]

Okay, so I think Pam was right about the benadryl possibly covering up something worse.

Max has been doing fine, except I noticed that after he eats his nose seems to get runny again. I thought maybe it was just allergies (to the hay or something) but Ive been keeping an eye on him.

Last night it was really bad. One side was running a lot and seemed to really be bothering him. So I picked him up to trance him and inspect his noce/mouth/teeth better, just in case. I was feeling inside his mouth, which felt fine. Then I started to feel around his nose/mouth area and noticed one side of the nose seemed to be a little more swollen. I followed the swollen area down around his jaw line and noticed a large area on the jaw line where there is a large bone-like lump.

Its only on one side, and it feels like tooth or bone, very hard. It seems to bother him when I touch it lightly. Im really upset and dont know how I (or the vet!) missed this before. I made him an appointment (the soonest available was fri). So were going back in.

Any ideas what this could be? Im reading up on molar spurs but it seems to be a little too far forward..

Please pray for my little guy..I feel like such a bad mommy..this has been going on for about 3 months (and hes been to the vet like 4 times)..I just feel so bad.

-Haley

 

[pamnock]

Abscesses and tumors are not unusual along the jaw line.

You're a great bunny mom! Thanks to your vigilance, you may have tracked down the cause of the problem.



Pam

 

[SunnieBunnie Rabbitry]

:goodjob If it wasn't for your vigilance, you may not have ever noticed that lump and it could have gotten much worse.

:highfive:You're a GREAT bunnymom!

:nicethread- this threadis a perfectexample that Vets (andBunnyParents) areonly human and we can miss things from time to time... it'sbeing ever vigilant that catches theseoversights and bringsyou to the root of the problem.

~Sunshine

 

[LuvaBun]

Good job on finding the lump. Poor Max - I hope that it can be sorted on Friday.

Jan

 

[Haley]

thanks guys.

I just feel so awful and kind of upset. I just feel like maybe if the vet wouldve done a better job evaluating him at least one of the three times he was in, we wouldve caught this before we spent so much time and money treating everything under the sun.

They checked his breating and heartbeat and everything, but I dont think they ever checked his teeth. Also, when he went in to get the culture, they had to put him under the anesthesia and I specifically asked the vet to check in his nose and mouth if possible, while he was out. Im not sure if she even did.

I love this vet and theyre really great to me and Max, but im beginning to feel like maybe they arent the best with rabbits. Were going tomorrow and I will nicely voice my concerns to the vet and see what he says. Im just glad I caught it now, and hopefully we can take care of it.

My poor little baby :-(

 

[pamnock]

Very fewvets actually specialize in rabbits, so are just doing the best they can. When I examine rabbits, I know to check the jaw bone because I've seen so many instances of abcesses and tumors on the jawbone.

I have a showmanship checklist on my website that also serves as a good health checklist. http://www.geocities.com/pamnock/showmanshipexam.html

Pam

 

[Haley]

Thanks Pam, I'll go easy on them. I know they care about him and are trying their best with the info they have, but its so frustrating.

He goes in tomorrow..they'll probably want to do an xray. Im trying to stay positive, but im reading some really bad things about abcesses in the lower teeth...

Everyone please pray for my little guy. Hes my baby and im just so worried!

Thinking good thoughts..

Haley

 

[Haley]

The vet confirmed it.Max has an abcess tooth root on the lower jaw.

They went and did a small biopsy and pus came into the needle..then he pushed a little on the lump and it came out the root of the tooth. My poor little baby.

Apparently my vet said this operaton isnt something he performs, so max will be going to see a specialist next week. Its looking like they will probably have to remove the lower front right incisor. He said they will most likely leave the top one in and we will have to trim it if need be.

The thing about it that seems weird to me is that they didnt do an xray. I would think that if max is having a runny nose, there might be a similar problem on the upper teeth. My vet said thatit would bedifficult to see on an xray.

Im hoping this specialist will have more answers for me. Looks like its going to cost between $400 and 900. Anything for my baby though.

Prayers please...Im really stressed about this whole thing. Poor little Max.

-Haley

 

[pamnock]

Certainly will be keeping Max in our thoughts. I'm glad to hear that the problem has now been diagnosed and hopefully Max will be on his way to a full recovery very soon!

Please keep us all updated.

Pam

 

[naturestee]

I really hope everything goes well. Lots of vibes for both of you!

From what I know, incisor removal is relatively common and rabbits usually do well after they've healed. I'd ask the specialist if removing the matching upper incisor would be a good idea. If it ends up needing frequent trimming, it might eventually have to be removed anyway. Better to have one surgery than two, if the vet thinks it's a good idea.

I'm also surprised that your vet thought an xray wouldn't show problems with tooth roots. My vet suggested that we get Loki xrayed at his follow-up appointment in a few weeks for just that reason. I don't know if soft tissue problems like abscesses would show up, but it will definately show overgrown or misshapen tooth roots, which is what they suspect in his case.

 

[LuvaBun]

Poor Max! At least you know now what the problem was, and that it can be treated. I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts!

Jan