Really worried about bumper....CLOSED

[Krickette]

OK, so this morning I check on bumper and he's on his fleece near his food bowl. I notice that there is no poop anywhere but the fleece and that his water bowl hasn't changed. So I picked him up and carried him to the water and he drank for a while. He also had some poop stuck to his butt.
I came home from work and there is a ton of poop on his butt, not much more poo anywhere else, though he did get hay in his water, so i know he moved a little, but he was layed out on his side near where i left him.
I patted the ground, which he usually comes to, and he didn't move. He tried to groom his back legs but fell over. He's just pulling himself along with his front paws when he does move, though he's not very active. He moves his back legs still b ut one at a time and very slowly.

He's also breathing quickly/heavily....
still eating and drinking fine

So I'm really worried. I just don't know what to do!

Should I take him to the vet? How much does a bunny checkup usually cost so I know not to get jipped?

 

[naturestee]

What is the temperature? Is it over 80? Over 90? Some rabbits may feel poorly at 80+, 90+ is definitely hard on them. If it is warm out, make sure he's in shade (and inside the house), put a little cool water on his ears, give him something cold to lay next to like a frozen water bottle, and make sure there is plenty of air movement. Don't point a fan directly at him though, just have one running near him.

It might not be this if he is having trouble moving his hind legs but I do know my rabbits were very reluctant to move when they were overheated and would move very slowly.

If he doesn't perk up soon, take him to a vet. Call around and make sure you go to someone who frequently treats rabbits. Prices will vary a lot by area. Maybe there's someone near you on this list?

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=11605&forum_id=9

 

[Krickette]

oh, it's 100+ with 100% humidity outside
but he's inside my room, where the ac is on and a fan is overhead. I don't know what the temp is in there, but it shouldn't be hot.

 

[Maureen Las]

Hi

I remember your post from the weekend. this is the small baby on video. if he is not able to use his legs he needs to go to the vet ASAP.

Do you have a vet that knows a lot about rabbit care?

 

[Krickette]

I don't know. There weren't any on that list, I'm going to call around and see if any of the ones around me are experianced with bunnies or not and try to do some price checking. I really just am low on funds atm, so....yuck.

 

[Maureen Las]

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12684&forum_id=10

maybe a vet could work out a payment plan with you?

 

[Krickette]

OK, so, I called this vet from the Louisiana list:
Haley F. Burke , DVM
Bossier Animal Hospital
3308 Industrial Dr.
Bossier City, LA 71112
Phone: 318-746-7821
They said they only know a little about rabbits and do nail trims and such.

So I called two other vets, Brookings Animal Hospital, they said the visit would be $35. Then I called Airline Animal Hospital, they said it would be $40. So, I think I’m going to figure out which knows more about rabbits and go from there, both are a lot further than I’d like to go, but cest la vive, huh.
But I feel bad about calling them both right back, so I think I'm going to figure out if I can like email them or something, lol.

 

[mouse_chalk]

I wouldn't feel bad about calling them straight back- the sooner you can speak to them and get Bumper seen the better I reckon. If they're busy etc they might not be able to answer emails as quick as phonecalls... :?

I'm thinking of you and really hoping he'll be ok.....

Jen xx

 

[Maureen Las]

it's Ok to ask questions..you've got to work yourself up to be bold to get the best help for Bumper. it is a little embarrassing sometimesbut there is no point in pay ing money to a vet that cannot help you and a lot of vets know next to nothing about rabbits.

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/vet.html
let us know what's going on....

 

[Krickette]

I'm back from work. He's obviously been moving around because i cleaned all the poo out of his area before I left and now there is tons everywhere. He was layed out again but in a different spot. He has a big belly on him but I think it's just a baby belly, he's eating a lot a lot. Mom said it doesn't feel like a gas belly but we dont know rabbits for anything. I weighed him today and he is right at 10 oz. I dont know if that is going to help us guess his age or not. His ears look less straight than when we got him but not by much, just noticed that today.

 

[Krickette]

Do you think this could be a gas issue? I don’t know what noises to listen for in a healthy rabbit, so I’m not sure. It’s mostly quiet aside from breathing, with a few noises that I’m not sure if they are teeth grinding which I haven’t noticed or normal or what.
I’m going to the vet tomorrow, I asked off work and that’s the soonest they could arrange. Still not sure which vet to use, does one of you want to choose for me? I really don’t know what to look for…If someone wants to make the phonecalls for me, just pm me and I’ll let you know the phone numbers. I would appreciate it.
atm bumper is asleep on my lap getting a tummy rub. He's nto eating as much as normal but is still pooping. Some is still getting stuck to his butt, and I did find a big cluster laying there in his box. He's shaped a bit like a lightbulb. At his ribs is normal and then big belly.

 

[Maureen Las]

http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets_louisiana.html
These are a few good vets in your state. Check it to see if any are anywhere near you, Krickette.
he could be having some problems with his gut.

 

[Krickette]

OK, so, he peed on the carpet and i noticed it's a lot of pee and it's really concentrated/cloudy. Not sure how much baby bunnies normally pee or what it normally looks like, but... yeah.

 

[Krickette]

angieluv wrote:

http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets_louisiana.html
These are a few good vets in your state. Check it to see if any are anywhere near you, Krickette.
he could be having some problems with his gut.

I checked that list, there was only one and they are NOT rabbit savvy, they just clip tonails and such.
I have two that I'm looking at, just have to choose.

 

[Krickette]

Cali is kind enough to help me decide on a vet, so tomorrow I will take him and will be sure to tell you right away.

Here's a video to show how he is acting. Unfortunatly in the last video, he wouldn't move....so it's him attempting to groom himself and falling over, and shaking his head for some reason, which he doesn't do often.

this is from 7-30-08:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbBjXKFq-V0[/ame]

this is from 8-1or2-08:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZOGhD5Rzr0[/ame]

These are from 8-2or3-08:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_lFUAICTgM[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9aU4mrfAY0[/ame]

this is from 8-5-08:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSvPp05ZrhY[/ame]
may still be processing, sorry.

 

[GoinBackToCali]

I will call in the am..my guy is gonna get some recommendations from colleagues. He's not really rabbit savvy, he's a farm vet, and dogs and cats, not *exotics* as the locals call pet bunnies. He treats mine, but their needs are basic stuff, and I use him mostly to get the meds I need.. few thoughts come to mind when looking at the vids, that when I call I have this list of stuff he wants me to ask them about, see what the answers are...

You have my number if you want me earlier than the time you stated.. otherwise, I will talk to you in the PM.

 

[dquesnel]

Krickette wrote:

Cali is kind enough to help me decide on a vet, so tomorrow I will take him and will be sure to tell you right away.

Here's a video to show how he is acting. Unfortunatly in the last video, he wouldn't move....so it's him attempting to groom himself and falling over, and shaking his head for some reason, which he doesn't do often.

this is from 7-30-08:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbBjXKFq-V0

this is from 8-1or2-08:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZOGhD5Rzr0

These are from 8-2or3-08:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_lFUAICTgM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9aU4mrfAY0

this is from 8-5-08:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSvPp05ZrhY
may still be processing, sorry.

Hi, I really don't want to seem alarming, but I think this is more than a 'baby' thing. Especially since it seems like he is getting worse, rather than improving. I know you said the last video isn't the best example of what he is normally like, but I am glad you posted it because it shows some strange and not normal behavior.

Can you read these articles? (and possibly print for vet?):
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=490&S=1&SourceID=43
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=189&A=564&S=1
www.bio.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html

I am especially concerned based on where you got the bunny from- sometimes these people that sell them don't provide the best husbandtry and the rabbits could be infected with many bacteria/parasite etc. Based on your bunny blog, you said :

"Bumper was very ribby, and a bit lethargic. But he was eating and drinking well, and pooping a lot"

Sounds either like a very young rabbit (but why would they lie about the age) or else a rabbit with something else going on. Why else would he have been eating, drinking, pooping well, but still underweight and lethargic? Maybe I am thinking about it too much but I would err on caution, and bring videos/articles for vet so they can get the best idea of what is happening.

 

[juliew19673]

Any update? Do you have Simethicone on hand to give him for tunny/GI Stasis prob? Not really in the know, but having bad poo's is a "bad" sign" -- this I know..

Hope you update soon as to the lil guys problem..

Keep you in and bun inmy thoughts and prayers..

 

[RexyRex]

I'm praying for you and Bumper. Feel better soon little one!ray:

 

[GoinBackToCali]

Uh.. I just called the vet's.. both of them one's double booked..the other one, the one you called yesterday, I spoke with at length.

We need to talk.