So.
I haven't been on in forever, but I thought I'd share this about Erik....
for some background, Erik has severe problems with GI stasis every time he sheds. This rabbit is on a really restricted diet, that helps out a lot, but it doesn't stop the fact that every time he sheds, 2-3x a year, he will enter GI slowdown, it will probably be in the middle of midterm or final exams, and I will have to scurry 1.5 hours to NOLA (I live in BTR, LA) to get him to his veterinarian, despite the fact that I have a horrible biochemistry exam that counts for 25% of my grade in three hours.
(Let no one assert that I do not love my bunny.....)
My dad is a regular vet who does base-level work on rabbits (fixing, C-sections and other reproductive related things such as the occasional pyometra, eat mites and fleas, broken bones, mild dental work, fluids, etc.) He's a country vet, and reads a lot of rabbit/exotic literature (he finds the fact that these animals are becoming to prevalent in vet. medicine pretty fascinating) Once it gets out of hand he refers said bunnies out to Dr Greg Rich or Leslie Pence in NOLA. Both are great vets for exotics and buns.
Well so anyway, Erik has had trouble 2x this year so far, but it hasn't been so terribly severe that he's needed to be hospitalized. Last time I went in, they gave him a round of subQ fluids and he was fine. The truth of the matter is, both Dad and Dr. Rich's clinic are at least 60 miles away from where I am, and I don't trust Erik's health with anyone else, really. But what's the point of putting him through the stress of an hour+ long car ride to get SubQ fluids? If it's worse than that, of course I would drop everything and get him in, but why stress him that much?
So on Monday, when he started getting that "Oh crap" look on his face and not eating or pooping, I called NOLA. I told them the situation- and they asked if I could get him fluids before bringing him in for the stress. I said that I could. And then I asked, "Can I just shave him?"
And they responded, "If he's kept inside and warm......in his case, honestly, yes, clip him short."
And here we are. He had bald spots from the molt already. After his Sub-Q fluids, I got out my handy-dandy Oster razor and clipped his hair short. The bald spots are from his molt. The rest of his hair is short, about the length of Sofie's Mini-Rex fur, and he ain't shaving no more. Obviously, I didn't shave his head as I figured he couldn't lick his face.
I would like to say that this is only because he is a) an indoor rabbit with lots of cushy hidey holes and blankets. b) In his five-year lifespan, I have had to treat him for a hairball buildup 8 times, nearly twice a year. and c) Yes he gets at least 4 hours of exercise a day, and has a huge pen that he stays in otherwise.
So now that I'm finished rambling, here he is.
Whoda thunk my little black bunny is actually gray? LOL! And yes, that huge bald spot was there before I was.
In better news, he has eaten, pooped, and THUMPED AT ME CONTINUOUSLY whenever I walk into the room. He is, however, back to doing Bunny 500s so he must be feeling a whole lot better than he was on Monday.
I haven't been on in forever, but I thought I'd share this about Erik....
for some background, Erik has severe problems with GI stasis every time he sheds. This rabbit is on a really restricted diet, that helps out a lot, but it doesn't stop the fact that every time he sheds, 2-3x a year, he will enter GI slowdown, it will probably be in the middle of midterm or final exams, and I will have to scurry 1.5 hours to NOLA (I live in BTR, LA) to get him to his veterinarian, despite the fact that I have a horrible biochemistry exam that counts for 25% of my grade in three hours.
(Let no one assert that I do not love my bunny.....)
My dad is a regular vet who does base-level work on rabbits (fixing, C-sections and other reproductive related things such as the occasional pyometra, eat mites and fleas, broken bones, mild dental work, fluids, etc.) He's a country vet, and reads a lot of rabbit/exotic literature (he finds the fact that these animals are becoming to prevalent in vet. medicine pretty fascinating) Once it gets out of hand he refers said bunnies out to Dr Greg Rich or Leslie Pence in NOLA. Both are great vets for exotics and buns.
Well so anyway, Erik has had trouble 2x this year so far, but it hasn't been so terribly severe that he's needed to be hospitalized. Last time I went in, they gave him a round of subQ fluids and he was fine. The truth of the matter is, both Dad and Dr. Rich's clinic are at least 60 miles away from where I am, and I don't trust Erik's health with anyone else, really. But what's the point of putting him through the stress of an hour+ long car ride to get SubQ fluids? If it's worse than that, of course I would drop everything and get him in, but why stress him that much?
So on Monday, when he started getting that "Oh crap" look on his face and not eating or pooping, I called NOLA. I told them the situation- and they asked if I could get him fluids before bringing him in for the stress. I said that I could. And then I asked, "Can I just shave him?"
And they responded, "If he's kept inside and warm......in his case, honestly, yes, clip him short."
And here we are. He had bald spots from the molt already. After his Sub-Q fluids, I got out my handy-dandy Oster razor and clipped his hair short. The bald spots are from his molt. The rest of his hair is short, about the length of Sofie's Mini-Rex fur, and he ain't shaving no more. Obviously, I didn't shave his head as I figured he couldn't lick his face.
I would like to say that this is only because he is a) an indoor rabbit with lots of cushy hidey holes and blankets. b) In his five-year lifespan, I have had to treat him for a hairball buildup 8 times, nearly twice a year. and c) Yes he gets at least 4 hours of exercise a day, and has a huge pen that he stays in otherwise.
So now that I'm finished rambling, here he is.
Whoda thunk my little black bunny is actually gray? LOL! And yes, that huge bald spot was there before I was.
In better news, he has eaten, pooped, and THUMPED AT ME CONTINUOUSLY whenever I walk into the room. He is, however, back to doing Bunny 500s so he must be feeling a whole lot better than he was on Monday.
