One thing after another: Rest in Peace, Pernod

[LuvaBun]

Well, just as I was getting used to having 2 happy, almost healthy bunnies, Pernod has thrown us a curve ball.

Over the weekend, her eye was a little goopy and a little swollen. I thought it was an insect bite, so I bathed it and put on some cream. Yesterday, it was quite swollen and more goo was coming from it, so I got a vet appointment for today.

However, when I went in to give them their breakfast this morning, her eye was horrendous. There was a lot of puss and blood down her cheek, and the eye was very swollen and painful.

The vet said they would have to anaesthetise her to see what was going on and to clean it up, and they would call me later on to pick her up (it was a very long afternoon ). It turns out she has an infection in the tube that runs from the eye to the nose, and that is causing all sorts of problems.

So, she has had a penicillin injection and has to have another next week and one the week after, and we have eye drops to put in her eye (they can also be used in her ear). They also sent a culture away, and that should be back next week. We have to go back for a check up on Saturday.

At the moment, Pernod looks like she has been in a fight with Mike Tyson. She isn't allowed in the garden in case she gets dirt in the eye, so she is even less happy. I just feel drained, and the costs are mounting up - $500 for today on top of the $700 already. With me not working yet, it's going to be a real struggle.

Sorry to ask again, but please keep Pernod in your thoughts

Thanks

Jan

 

[ra7751]

Hi Jan,

Please keep up updated on how things are going. The culture is a proper diagnosis so you will know exactly what you are dealing with.

I do have a problem with one thing....and I have absolutely no idea where this thing started but a lot of people, vets included, dose penicillin incorrectly. I have no problem with the penicillin injections as long as they are the correct concentration....and there are quite a few different "brews" of this drug. But the thing that concerns me is the time between dosing. In order for the penicillin to be most effective, it has to be dosed at least every other day. I have actually started treating the more aggressive infections by doing penicillin injections every day for 3 days and then every other day after that. I am using penicillin in cottontails for cat bites....and have dosed penicillin as I mentioned above to cottontails that weighbelow 40g. I have three here now, being released tomorrow, that suffered "degloving" (the skin is pulled off the muscle) from a cat attack. The penicillin did the trick. Good stuff.

I also have a suggestion about a different drug that might be as effective....and only requires one injection that will cover a full conventional abx protocol (similar to the one dose Z Max in humans). The drug is called Convenia. It is a third generation semi-synthetic cephalosporin. Like penicillin, it is safe only as an injectable. It is not something that many vets know about using with rabbits. If my memory serves me, this drug has been used in Canada and Europe for some time for certain infections in dogs and cats. It was recently approved for use in the US. It is something I am going to work when the opportunity presents itself....alot of upside potential with this drug.

Keep us updated.

Randy

 

[Pet_Bunny]

Oh Jan, I feel terrible when Pernod is having so many problems. :cry1:
I feel even worst, when you have to go through this.
I will be thinking of Pernod and praying her infection has stopped swelling. ray:

Try and get some sleep tonight. I will call you tomorrow. :hug:

Stan

 

[JimD]

ray:

We'll be keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[cheryl]

Oh no Jan...i'm sorry to hear about Pernod....poor girl..she just doesn't need this happening to her!

I will be keeping her in my thoughts

~Cheryl

 

[Bo B Bunny]

ray:

I am praying for her to get better.Keep us posted ok?

:hug:

 

[slavetoabunny]

Oh no, poor Pernod. That must have been so scarey seeing all the pus and blood. I'll keep your poor girl in my thoughts. Get better for your mommy Pernod!!:hug:

 

[mouse_chalk]

Aww poor Pernod... after she was doing so well recently too... It sounds horrible.

I'll be thinking of you guys and I hope she gets better, and that the vet bills slow down for you- $500 for one trip is a lot! :shock:

:hug:
Jen xx

 

[Elf Mommy]

Pernod and you are definitely in my thoughts. How terrible to have to worry about her again so soon! Your heart must be on overload. I hope they discover that it's something very simple and that it clears up right away. Don't forget to talk to everyone here when you're down!!!

 

[Bunnys_rule63]

Oh no Jan. You and Pernod so don't deserve this.

Keeping both of you very much in my thoughts and prayers. Come on little Pernod - get better for your mum!ray:

 

[FallingStar]

ray:

I'll be keeping you andPernod in my thoughts.

 

[pumpkinandwhiskersmom]

ray:for Pernod and you! I'm so sorry that you both have had so much to deal with.

 

[jcl_24]

Aw Jan, I'm sorry tohear Pernod is unwell again. I hope she recovers soonand youget your peace of mind back.


Jo xx

 

[Marietta]

I'm so sorry your little girl is, again, having health troubles. I hope her eye gets well soon..You and Pernod are, certainly, in our thoughts.

Marietta

 

[LuvaBun]

Thanks everyone.

Randy, I am going to ask the vet about the penicillin injections and also mention the Convenia - thank you for that.

Unfortunately, things have gone downhill pretty rapidly. I doubt whether Pernod would make it to Saturday's appointment, so I have just rang the vet and got one in just over an hour.

She stopped eating last night, and there is still pus and blood. I can't tell if the blood is coming from her eye, or her mouth, which has become very swollen (they trimmed her molar spurs on Wednesday). Her breathing has also become more laboured, and she has hidden herself behind a chair, so I can only get to her by moving the chair.

I am terrified that this might be 'it' :bigtears: She looks so ill, and is in so much pain, my heart is breaking for her. Please, pray for us.

Jan

 

[slavetoabunny]

ray:ray:ray:ray:ray: Please get better for your mommy Pernod!!

 

[Luv-bunniz]

Oh no Come on Pernod, hang on in there ray: keeping you in my thought's.

 

[tonyshuman]

:dutchleaseplease:get better, Pernod!

 

[Fuzzy]

I was just at the vet with Bunny when they came in and told the vet to see this other bunny asap because it was bleeding from the eyes and mouth. That was probablyPernod? I really hope that she feels better soon

 

[pumpkinandwhiskersmom]

C'mon Pernod....we're pulling for you, sweetie!

ray:ray:ray:ray: