HENRY HOSPITALISED FINAL UD

He is at the vets for a few days for observation.

It got to be 4 o'clock this afternoon and all he had done toiletwise since about 2-30 am was one pee. He had hardly moved from his spot behind my chair and he looked so miserable. I was scared of having him with a major gut problem so I rang the vet and explained. They said go straight in.

I saw Richard and he admitted he doesn't know what to make of things. He said it's hard to find the cause when he only ever sees him looking and behaving normal. Henry was a normal bun again when he arrived there today... I asked if that could be due to adrenalin and stress, he agreed it might. But he told me that the way things are, with Henry not presenting any problems when examined that it was getting to the point where they couldn't help us. He said perhaps a referral to Francis Harcourt Brown in Harogate was best!

How the devil do I get him to Harogate? I don't drive and I couldn't afford the taxi there and back ... it's £28 for a taxi trip to my vet just 7 miles away! And I bet FHB's charges are high.

Anyway, I said we could refer to Richard Saunders as I'm an RWAF member. So I expect we may go down that route if this last course doesn't show anything.

As I said he's in for observation and bloods have been taken to test liver and kidney functions. And come Friday he is going to take skull X-rays and a full body X-ray to look at tooth roots and whatever else in the body X-ray. I mentioned arthritis and how he was behaving in some respects like Loll did at the start of his arthritis.

I've just packed a load of his things to take in tomorrow .... hays, pellets, toys .

I feel so damned helpless. I know I can't get him to FHB and I think I'm losing him.

Awww hunny I am so sorry
Hugs
Xxx

Sorry things are so bad, it's a horrible place feeling so helpless.

Even if you could get to Frances HB she is now retired so hasn't been taking referrals for at least six months, she didn't charge the earth though, her practice's fees are very reasonable... not that that's relevant now to you. She's not giving advice to vets now either, which used to be an option. I don't know what part of the country you are in, maybe someone could recommend a specialist nearer to you?

Me too love, I wish I could help out with the taxi cost and that of FHB.  I just don't know what else to say, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs
Jo xx

Thinking of you and Henry, I hope your vet is able to find the answer

Sorry, I'm seeing your posts all in the wrong order.

Definitely think the x-rays are the next best step. If there's something there you need to know what it is to start fighting it.

Don't give up on him

I'm just scared.

Ohh gosh not knowing what you are dealing with is worst case scenario.
Let's just try to come back to roots
You love this rabbit. You know when he isn't right.
He is at the vet now you can get him to Fhb.he is Referred to Richard or he will take part as advisory.
Anyone that could offer transport of you both if needed in the area?
We are all supporting you both.
A terrible place to be for you. I send all love and calm I can master.
Just hang on a little longer alittle more.......

I know my vets are doing/have done everything right and possible. It's just that they have never seen Henners in this "down" mode. Down? Wow, it seems like he is doing everything we are warned of in a poorly rabbit.... bar the closing down bit ... GI stasis.
But there is something that reminds me of Loll when he started with arthritis..... the not seeking his food, picking at food, refusing food, not wanting to move, looking vacant and there's this funny thing I saw Loll do a few times (and only Loll, none of my non arthritic buns did it) and Henry occasionally does it.
It's very hard to describe but if you've seen a bun do it you will know instantly what I mean. He is sitting (dog style) and suddenly does a weird sort of stretching thing, his hind legs vanish under him and he sort of flexes/stretches his back downwards and covers them. It's really strange.

hi hun

Im so sorry I missed this.

So I know that John Chitty does referrals, and I know he can do these remotely. So your vet can call him for advice, send through xrays and get info over the phone/email.

The number for the Anton Vets surgery - for you to pass onto your vet is 01264 729165. As I understand it he only does these consultations with vets and not the owners. he also isnt in every day but it might be worth a shot hun and you wont have to take Henry anywhere.

Please let us know how he is doing hun?

If it is arthritis, it can be managed with long term metacam/tramadol - both Annie and Daisy have theirs managed through this. But an Xray is deffo the best course of action next Id say. This is one of the first things that John does in diagnosis.

I've posted this on the Henry: losing hope thread already but here's the latest ... oh, and THANK YOU all for your support!
Good news!

The vet got the blood test results back this evening and liver/kidney function fine the main thing was something in his blood (forget what) pointed to muscle damage. He is getting the lab to run some more specific tests to rule out causes like chemicals from contaminated wild food, parasites from wild rabbits that could be picked up on wild food stuffs and, if the lab does them, a test for ecuniculi. But he feels pretty confident it is something like a torn/pulled muscle. You know how that fits in with his behaviour.

You don't know how chuffed I am! He will be home in a day or two. I am going to have to restrain him a bit, keep him confined to a cage for a while and he will need pain relief, but he will be okay. We are going to work out a recovery plan. I am going to see if I can find a smaller dog crate so I can have it in the sitting room. The one I got for him when I got him is a big four foot crate and way too big for the sitting room.

Oh, Henry will love "doing porridge" .... it will be just like jail to him.

I cannot tell you how delighted I am to hear this sweetheart and I will say thank you in my prayers tonight, as I have been praying for you both.  He will be home with you very soon, the next two days will go very quickly, you'll see.  Thank you for keeping us all updated hun.

Hugs
Jo xx

I'm so, so, so pleased you have got to the root of the problem! And that it's nothing sinister. Hopefully with a bit of bed rest, he'll be back to his cheeky wee self in no time

He arrived home about 2-15 pm and the vet has lent us a dog crate to use as his hospital (sorry, jail!); my four foot crate was just too big for the sitting room so Richard found a three foot job. I put double carpet on the floor and all the usual things, litter tray, food, water and toys then offered the travel box up for his Lordship to hop over. He stuck his head in, eyeballed the lot then tried to do an escape number, but I foiled him and he was soon shut inside.

It was like watching a new arrival at Colditz, he was immediately plotting escape! It took him seconds to see there were gaps between the very bottom bars big enough to put his head through. So I soon found a new use for draught excluders and tied one along the bottom of all sides of the crate..... it now looks like it has floatation tanks strapped on it ready to go to sea! But they have stopped him getting his head stuck!

He's eating... hay, nuggets and some greens. And he is napping in his litter tray! Oh, and giving me looks that would slay a Trex!

We are waiting for further blood test results for Toxoplasmosis and ecuniculi. He's not on meds as Richard though if he was on painkillers it would encourage him to be over active and then do more damage and delay his recovery. He is eating well, and moving about his Jail so he's not in great pain.

It's a case of time healing! Spare a thought for the poor jailer!

Awwww poor Henry - and poor you, the guilt trips you are about to be subject to are going to be tough!

It is so hard love not being able to explain to them why they are in this situation.  Lots of love to you both.

Hugs
Jo xx

The bars have already been well and truly rattled! He's found the bolts now and is trying to figure out how to work them. And the silence is laden with swearing!

Welcome back home Henners!
A little different and not to you taste? Possibly but with good intention. Trust mum. Be good.
Worth me saying?
Please keep us updated.

He's still a bit wheezy-sneezy at times but he's eating well and seems quite relaxed and not in pain. Just hope he leaves off this trying to escape lark. Too much bar shaking and carpet digging isn't good for hurt muscles.
I just need to hear the results of the blood tests for toxoplasmosis and ecuniculi to feel completely relaxed.

He's calmer today. I put his food in first thing this morning and as he ate I swapped litter trays and all went smoothly. He's not tried any break out moves and it would appear he's a bit tired after the excitement and disappointment of coming home yesterday. At least he's relaxed and not stressing his poorly muscles.... or my nerves!

Everything crossed that you will get the results back soon love.  It isn't nice having things like this hanging over your head.  I am glad he is calmer today which obviously means you are going to be too.

Hugs
JO xx

Yes, Jo, calmer... I think it was another "down day". I noticed he was favouring his left hind a bit and didn't always look very comfortable.... not in bad pain but just "aware" of something. I just hope this confinement without pain relief will work. The idea is that being aware of discomfort will stop him straining himself further and the confinement will do the same on the good days when he wants to roam around.
And, yes, getting the results will "hopefully" help.
What I also need to know is just how long will he need to be caged and how will I know when to free him?

Fingers crossed you get the results soon

Xxx

Yes, I don't know which test worries me most, toxoplasmosis or ec. I know there is a good chance they will find ec but I don't think that's what's causing muscle problems. I am scared it's toxo as that would mean it's my fault because I will have fed him something with the larvae on it. I'm so fussy when gathering forage, I check both sides of ever leave, every blade of grass looking for slug slime or poo, mould or bugs. But I could have missed something ......

Whatever the result you can absolutely not not not blame yourself.

We all only can do the best we can, and we do a bloody good job of taking care of creatures that are sooooo very hard to keep alive and well.