My rabbit is ill.(RIP)

[Michael]

I have a rabbit that has white liquid coming from both its eyes, it is struggling to breath and has a runny nose, I have looked around and I think it could be LRI, any other opinions on what it could be and how to treat it? I can't take it to a vet because the yare too expensive, I'm so confused on what to dom I think it's going to die if I dont treat it!

Thanks.

Lower Respiretry Infection - LRI.

 

[jcottonl02]

I'm not entirely sure whether it is an upper or a lower respiratory infection, but from what you have described about 'struggling to breathe' I would take him to a vet immediately. I know you said you don't have the money, but even if it means living on beans for a month, I really can't stress this strongly enough.

There's no chance there is anything lodged up in his nose or anything is there? The symptoms don't point so much to it (the white runny eyes etc) but definately need to elimate the possiblity.

From the sounds of it he needs antibiotics, which you might have to go to the vets to get anyway. I don't have much experience with this so hopefully someone else can come along and help soon.


Until that time, I would just try and keep him warm, comfy, wipe his eyes and nose for him etc. and try and keep him hydrated.

I'm sending my thoughts out to him and you

ETS- It may or may not be contagious, but to be on the safe side, keep him away from your other rabbits and pets

Jen

 

[tonyshuman]

Hi, this is very serious. Jen is right, that he really does need antibiotics. To be honest the best thing for him is to be taken to a vet ASAP. It is possible that the vet might let you have a payment plan. IMOM also helps people pay for vet expenses (http://www.IMOM.org )and if none of that is possible, you might contact the local RSPCA to see if they have low-cost vet care available. In a worst-case scenario, it might be best for him to be surrendered to someone who can afford the treatment that it sounds like he needs to stay alive.

In the US, we can get some antibiotics at the farm supply store, but they aren't available in the UK. The antibiotic that your bunny needs is either Zithromax (azithromycin), a penicillin (injectible only), or Convenia (also injected).

For now, you can try to wipe his eyes with a warm damp washcloth, and try to remove mucus from his nose with one of those baby nose bulb cleaner things. With white mucus coming from his eyes, and struggling to breathe, it sounds like it might be an upper respiratory infection, or a combination of LRI and conjunctivitis (eye infection). All of these things need antibiotics to be treated.

To help him breathe, you can give him some towels to prop his head up on--some bunnies will put their noses in the air to get more air in. You can also give him a warm steam treatment by 1) putting him in the bathroom with a hot shower going (so the air gets steamy--don't put him in the shower) or 2) putting a steam source (humidifier, vaporizer, bowl of boiling water) next to a cage he's in and putting a towel over both the cage and the steam source so the steam goes in. These things will NOT treat the bacterial infection(s), though, so they are only able to keep him comfortable until he can get some vet care.

 

[tonyshuman]

This is a video of a nebulizing chamber like I mentioned:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JpVeWhJ8RA&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

A variety of things that can interfere with breathing:
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Respiratory/Differential/respira_diff.htm

And more info on URIs
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Respiratory/Bacterial/URI.htm

 

[Michael]

Thanks for the replys, I wasnt sure wether it was upper or lower at first too, but upper doesnt say anything about Struggling to breath, thats why I assumed it would be lower, until I'm able to take him to the ver I'll try to steam, maybe it will open his airways, his nose is really badly running, it is snot or what ever better name you have for it, I think this is whats blocking hsi airways, we do have chickens that she runs around with, could they have given her a disease, we do have one chicken that is having a respiritry problem, but we have taken her from the flock and the rabbit hasnt been near her, thanks for the help. Hopefully the steam will help until I'm able to take her to see a vet, we also cut her teeth a few days ago ourselves, she had very long teeth which we did not know off, you see she does'nt chew things liek a normal rabbit would, thats why we had to get her teeth, she also lost one by pulling on the mesh of her cage and ripped one out herself. She was ok for a few weeks after this.

Thanks. Mike.

 

[tonyshuman]

Yes it is common for rabbits to pick up infections from chickens, and for that reason it's best if they're not housed together.

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=57570&forum_id=93&highlight=rabbit+chicken

Tooth roots that grow out of control can also cause eye and nose problems. The roots are below the gumline, so you can't see if they are abnormal without an x-ray. Oftentimes a tooth that is not normal in the part you can see is also abnormal below the gumline, and the roots can be growing strangely. Oftentimes they will grow into the nasal passages or around the eyes, putting pressure on these things and causing excessive runny nose or runny eyes. That's usually clear mucus, though. It's just something to think about. Since you said she had strange teeth that needed extra care, it's worth thinking about whether the teeth might be the cause of the runny nose and eyes. That is something that cannot be fixed at home either--it requires x-rays and a vet to extract the teeth if they are problematic.

 

[Michael]

The rabbit does have all white gums, do you think I should uploader a picture?

So yes, his gums to look infected.

 

[tonyshuman]

You can't tell if the gums are infected by their color. White gums would be more of a sign of the bunny not getting enough oxygen, in my book.
http://www.ehow.com/list_5978733_causes-white-gums-puppies_.html
http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-4/emergency-preparedness.html

 

[tonyshuman]

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=502&S=5

 

[pla725]

I won't repeat much of what others have said other than get to a vet. I've been in the no money situation and some how got a payment plan.It is very serious as your rabbit is not getting enough oxygen and is struggling to breathe.

 

[Michael]

tonyshuman wrote:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=502&S=5

This does'nt say anything! :shock:

 

[Pipp]

How old is he? What breed?

What has he eaten recently? What isn't he eating? Is he drinking?

If he has white gums, he may be in shock. Keep him warm.

Its possible seeing as he had teeth issues this is a tooth root abscess and the pus is running out through his eyes.

I don't know that the nebulizer is going to do anything without antibiotics, but if it helps him breath temporarily, still probably worth it.

Do you have a rabbit rescue in your area? I think he's sick enough that you should surrender him if they'll take him.

If you were in the US I'd say go to a farm store and get injectable penicillin, but they don't have that in the UK.

Do you have any antibiotics you can buy over the counter for farm animals? Some will kill a rabbit but some may be safe.


sas ray:

 

[Michael]

Pipp wrote:

How old is he? What breed?

What has he eaten recently? What isn't he eating? Is he drinking?

If he has white gums, he may be in shock. Keep him warm.

Its possible seeing as he had teeth issues this is a tooth root abscess and the pus is running out through his eyes.

I don't know that the nebulizer is going to do anything without antibiotics, but if it helps him breath temporarily, still probably worth it.

Do you have a rabbit rescue in your area? I think he's sick enough that you should surrender him if they'll take him.

If you were in the US I'd say go to a farm store and get injectable penicillin, but they don't have that in the UK.

Do you have any antibiotics you can buy over the counter for farm animals? Some will kill a rabbit but some may be safe.


sas ray:

At this point I think letting her go would be the best option, even worse today, have no vets in my area and shes getting worse. She wont even eat anything. :?

 

[Pipp]

I think $10 worth of antibiotics will clear it up if you can get your hands on some.

Any options there at all? Farm supply store? Anything like that?


sas :?

 

[Pipp]

PS: If you do decide to try and save her and she doesn't eat for close to 24 hours, you'll have to at least force feed her a little honey water to prevent a liver problem they get from not having eaten.

If she still doesn't eat after that, she'll need baby food or mushed up pellets or something to keep her intestinal tract moving.

If you're in farm country, maybe a neighbour with sheep or other livestock may have antibiotics on hand. Here's a list of the safe ones. It says whether they're oral or injectable.

Good luck.

http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Antibiotics/Safe_antibiotics.htm

sas :clover:

 

[tonyshuman]

Unfortunately, in the UK, most good antibiotics won't be available at a farm store. It's possible though. Is there a vet you could surrender her to, or a shelter? That may be the best. The site I linked to before had this info I wanted to share:
"The gums and conjunctiva turn muddy brown to eventually white as the shock condition deepens. The ears may actually become cooler because shock causes blood to flow away from the extremities. The prognosis for an overheated rabbit that has collapsed and is showing signs of severe shock is grave. Rabbits in this condition need immediate veterinary intervention including drugs to combat shock and cool intravenous fluids."

It mentioned that white gums are a sign of the body going into shock.

If she is not eating and will not take water or a mixture of pellets and water from a feeding syringe, she needs immediate vet care.

 

[Michael]

We decided to go for a drive and take her to the nearest vet, the next day when we went out the garden tocheck on the rabbit she had sadly died.

Thanks for your replys. :grumpy

 

[Maureen Las]

I am very sorry

Maureen

 

[Happi Bun]

Oh no, I'm sorry for your loss.


:rip: