Need advice for m bunny

[KutuKuti]

Hello everyone,
I am writing from West Bengal, India. Here we do not have any rabbit savvy vets and the vets prescribe canine and feline medications for bunnies. For the last few months I
am seeing that my bunny, Kutu's tummy is appearing swollen. I did a X-ray but no one was able to understand anything. Now in the recent x-ray his tummy is more swollen and there is a mass in his tummy. Nobody here can understand it. I am attaching the recent Xray as well as the previous xray. The mass can be seen in the previous Xray as well. Can you please tell me what you all think it is ? And what should be done about it.
Thank you.

 

[Popsicles]

I’m speaking to some colleagues to get their view, and I’ll get back to you!

 

[KutuKuti]

I’m speaking to some colleagues to get their view, and I’ll get back to you!

Thank you so much.

 

[Popsicles]

We are a bit unsure, I would like to know how it feels on palpation? And if he has any symptoms? Eating and drinking normally? My main thought is caecal impaction but he wouldn’t still have that since January? Very confused, and very concerned for this rabbit’s welfare

 

[KutuKuti]

We are a bit unsure, I would like to know how it feels on palpation? And if he has any symptoms? Eating and drinking normally? My main thought is caecal impaction but he wouldn’t still have that since January? Very confused, and very concerned for this rabbit’s welfare

Thank you for looking into his X-ray. In January I had taken the X-ray because Kutu's stomach appeared a bit swollen to me. But apart from that he had no other symptoms. His pooping and appetite was normal. Even when his swelling did not reduce and it appeared more swollen I took him for another Xray this month. For the last few days his appetite has reduced and his poops lessened. I am giving him Ranitidine. On feeling his stomach a vet here said that he has fluid and food in his tummy. Kutu does not drink much water I have to syringe feed him water. Also he was neutered at a very young age. The vet said it would be difficult for him to neuter later. Also after his neuter he had ripped his one stitch. I took him to the vet and he had given an ointment. After applying the ointment he had seizures, later he changed the ointment. So he had that area open for a few days. Could this have led to some infection growing there ? Could it be peritonitis? Thank you so much for your help once again. This vet who did his neuter so badly is also responsible for thr death of my other bunny due to to wrong medications. That is why I do not trust sny vets here. I have also consulted other vets here but no one can understand what it is.

 

[Thumperina]

I am not going to be a lot of help, but are you sure that Ranitidine is safe for bunnies?

 

[KutuKuti]

I am not going to be a lot of help, but are you sure that Ranitidine is safe for bunnies?

Ranitidine is actually Zantac. An expert suggested me to give Kutu Rantac syrup. I looked up the net and found it is often used during on rabbits. Do you think its unsafe ? Although another expert told me not to use rantac if bunny is pooping. Kutu's poops are less but is it okay to give rantac ? He is also producing soft unformed ceco a lot.

 

[Popsicles]

If your desire is to increase gut motility, metaclopramide or cisapride are better drug options - ranitidine does increase motility but only as a side effect. It is not unsafe, but not sure how useful it is.
When you say your bunny was neutered early - how long ago was this? Since he has had this mass since at least January it is unlikely to be an infection.
If you say there is fluid in the abdomen I suggest the vet could do an abdominocentesis (stick a needle in and remove some fluid) and test the fluid to find out what kind of cells are in there.
Keep feeding him make sure the poops stay normal, syringe feed him critical care if you have to, or mushed up pellets.

 

[KutuKuti]

If your desire is to increase gut motility, metaclopramide or cisapride are better drug options - ranitidine does increase motility but only as a side effect. It is not unsafe, but not sure how useful it is.
When you say your bunny was neutered early - how long ago was this? Since he has had this mass since at least January it is unlikely to be an infection.
If you say there is fluid in the abdomen I suggest the vet could do an abdominocentesis (stick a needle in and remove some fluid) and test the fluid to find out what kind of cells are in there.
Keep feeding him make sure the poops stay normal, syringe feed him critical care if you have to, or mushed up pellets.

He was neutered in June 2015 when he was 4 to 5 months old. I have been asking all the vets to do a needle aspiration on Kutu. But none of the vets are agreeing to do so. Also Kutu's poops are sometimes oval and he normally poops around 450 poops. But now he is pooping less. Could the oval poops mean something ? Could it be megacolon ? Thank you once again for helping me.

 

[Popsicles]

Why won’t they do it? It is a very simple procedure, even I could do it haha. With mega colon I would expect less separate poops and more of just a mess of faecal matter. Sometimes they are slightly oval which isn’t a problem, could you send a picture? It’s a truly baffling case

 

[KutuKuti]

Why won’t they do it? It is a very simple procedure, even I could do it haha. With mega colon I would expect less separate poops and more of just a mess of faecal matter. Sometimes they are slightly oval which isn’t a problem, could you send a picture? It’s a truly baffling case

Sure. I will post a picture. But for the last few days he is pooping bit less and the poops are more round and less oval. Also his ceco is liquid not formed. An expert suggested me to give him metronidazole. Should I give him ? He has a very sensitive tummy and has adverse reactions to many meds. Hence I am scared to give him any meds. Does ranitidine have any side effect ?
Thank you so much for helping me.

 

[Popsicles]

Who is the expert? A veterinarian? It would be useful if it is coccidiosis but this seems unlikely - it would not be a longterm disease and you would expect to see very watery diarrhoea etc. Metronidazole is an antibiotic and it should not be given unless there is an infection, or suspected infection.
I’m not confident on the side effects of ranitidine, but I’m not sure why that would be the drug of choice at this point?
Try and make sure he eats lots of fibre - try adding hay every couple f hours to encourage him to eat it. That should help with gut motility, better poos, and solid caecotropes that he will want to eat more.

 

[KutuKuti]

Who is the expert? A veterinarian? It would be useful if it is coccidiosis but this seems unlikely - it would not be a longterm disease and you would expect to see very watery diarrhoea etc. Metronidazole is an antibiotic and it should not be given unless there is an infection, or suspected infection.
I’m not confident on the side effects of ranitidine, but I’m not sure why that would be the drug of choice at this point?
Try and make sure he eats lots of fibre - try adding hay every couple f hours to encourage him to eat it. That should help with gut motility, better poos, and solid caecotropes that he will want to eat more.

Kutu used to eat lots of hay but after introducing pellets he no longer eats much hay. Now he only eats SPS third cut timothy hay. Is it okay to give him unlimited 3rd cut timothy hay ? And he is given Oxbow organic pellets. Also do you think his molars are overgrown ? Could the mass in his abdomen be a tumor or maybe an abscess ?

 

[Popsicles]

I have no idea about different cuts of hay, but it is very important he has unlimited hay - if he is choosig to eat pellets instead you need to give less pellets. Hay is much more important, it should make up 80% of the diet.
If his molars are overgrown he will est less because his mouth hurts, and might also start to get watery eyes too as the roots push on the tear ducts. Does he have any symptoms that suggest this? The only way to know now for sure is to do dental X-rays.
It’s difficult to say without taking a sample, which is what you need a vet to do really. Or even an ultrasound could be useful. It’s impossible to diagnose this from an X-ray alone.

 

[KutuKuti]

I have no idea about different cuts of hay, but it is very important he has unlimited hay - if he is choosig to eat pellets instead you need to give less pellets. Hay is much more important, it should make up 80% of the diet.
If his molars are overgrown he will est less because his mouth hurts, and might also start to get watery eyes too as the roots push on the tear ducts. Does he have any symptoms that suggest this? The only way to know now for sure is to do dental X-rays.
It’s difficult to say without taking a sample, which is what you need a vet to do really. Or even an ultrasound could be useful. It’s impossible to diagnose this from an X-ray alone.

Sometimes his eyes appear a bit shiny. Is that abnormal ? I will get his USG done then. Also his tummy is swelling a lot. Can his stomach get ruptured ? Can the mass inside burst ? I am really scared. Another vet today after palpating him said he has UTI. I did his urine culture test a few months ago and it came out clear. He did have UTI earlier though. I will do another urine test but no one is agreeing to do the needle aspiration.

 

[Popsicles]

Shiny isn’t abnormal, but if there is a lot of wet under the eyes like he has been producing excess tears that is something to worry about. USG? Do you suspect a urinary problem then?
It depends what the structure is that is swelling.. some masses certainly can rupture. It also is probably causing a lot of pain and I would feel better if he was on some pain medication?
I don’t know what your vet would be palpating to diagnose a UTI.. that isn’t something you can diagnose on palpation. It is impossible for me to tell you much more without proper tests and feeling and seeing him for myself, I’m so sorry that your Vets are so useless.
I would be very worried at this point that if it cannot be diagnosed, and keeps swelling, your bunny will be suffering greatly and it might soon be time that having him put to sleep is the kinder option.. I know that’s very sad but it would be horrible to see him suffering for much longer.

 

[KutuKuti]

I

Shiny isn’t abnormal, but if there is a lot of wet under the eyes like he has been producing excess tears that is something to worry about. USG? Do you suspect a urinary problem then?
It depends what the structure is that is swelling.. some masses certainly can rupture. It also is probably causing a lot of pain and I would feel better if he was on some pain medication?
I don’t know what your vet would be palpating to diagnose a UTI.. that isn’t something you can diagnose on palpation. It is impossible for me to tell you much more without proper tests and feeling and seeing him for myself, I’m so sorry that your Vets are so useless.
I would be very worried at this point that if it cannot be diagnosed, and keeps swelling, your bunny will be suffering greatly and it might soon be time that having him put to sleep is the kinder option.. I know that’s very sad but it would be horrible to see him suffering for much longer.

I also thought that UTI cannot be palpated. He said that he could palpate the kidney. Do you think that the mass in the Xray could be his cecum ? Can they get an obstruction in their cecum ? I really cannot thank you enough for helping me so much.

 

[Popsicles]

It is normal to be able to palpate the kidney in a rabbit. If it is enlarged, That’s a problem, but it wouldn’t mean it is a UTI.
Yes my original thought was caecal obstruction (see my first message) but I’m sure he wouldn’t still have been pooping and eating for so long. Obstruction/impaction are usually an acute onset of symptoms.
You’re welcome and I just wish I could help more.

 

[KutuKuti]

It is normal to be able to palpate the kidney in a rabbit. If it is enlarged. That’s a problem, but it wouldn’t mean it is a UTI.
Yes my original thought was caecal obstruction (see my first message) but I’m sure he wouldn’t still have been pooping and eating for so long. Obstruction/impaction are usually an acute onset of symptoms.
You’re welcome and I just wish I could help more.

So maybe his kidney is enlarged. Also is caecal obstruction treatable ?

 

[Popsicles]

An enlarged kidney does not mean there is a UTI and the kidneys look a similar size and shape on radiograph so I wouldn’t be expecting it to be enlarged. What did the vet say he/she felt that suggested a UTI?
It depends what the obstruction is, it is usually compacted food, which would need to be treated surgically I would imagine. If your Vets aren’t capable of treating rabbits they won’t be able to do this surgery.
Your vets seem so unsure I really don’t know what to suggest, because at the moment your poor bunny is suffering.