Vibes for my little guy - U/D back from vets 28 may

He's just fine, thank-you just given hin hay, bit of veg and some BB pellets, he's wolfed them down. I'm considering giving him 1/2 a ml of paraffin later, to prevent a relapse happening tomorrow. I'll hydrate him first though

Only just caught this thread, glad to hear Berts is ok!

You are a dab hand at this now Jay xxx

Jay wrote:He's just fine, thank-you just given hin hay, bit of veg and some BB pellets, he's wolfed them down. I'm considering giving him 1/2 a ml of paraffin later, to prevent a relapse happening tomorrow. I'll hydrate him first though

The words of an expert , well done Jay

^^ Thanks Theo I'm not sure about that, but he's full of the joys of spring this morning, so It may have worked

Perhaps we could all take one thing to be an expert on.
I can just hear it on university challenge...
Jay, F.A. - expert of fecal compaction and breakdown in the ceacum Nice!

How about Mastermind too - specialist topic - The Rabbit Gastro-Intestinal Tract

Am glad to hear Bertie is bouncing around this morning and that he enjoys the BB

How easily do you get the LP down Bertie Jay, it looks revolting!

Jay wrote:
Jay, F.A. - expert of fecal compaction and breakdown in the ceacum Nice!

actually, it does sound professional, maybe you could flog that name off to someone?!

So glad to hear little Bertie feeling more like himself again! He is so lucky to have an owner like you

Thanks guys

Sooz wrote:How easily do you get the LP down Bertie Jay, it looks revolting!

yeah it's not nice
I put 1/2 ml of it in the same syringe as 1/2 ml of pineapple juice. For liquids. I always use the syringe that comes with Metacam, cos there's no nipped end. I do have to burito Berts in a towel, and stead him while I'm syringing it, but the PJ takes the mankiness of it away and breaks the paraffin down a bit.

glad naughty Bertie is better. sorry to hear he has been ill. give him a kiss on the lips from me - that is what rexes are for!

Just to let you know that he's been back on the Paraffin & Pineapple twice a day for the last 5 days, and the last 3 have been completely fine. He's staying on the treatment for a few more days, then we will have him reassesed by the vet, to see if he should be Xrayed.

Thanks for your vibes, they really work see

for Bertie! You must be so relieved Jay. They do know how to test our tickers don't they.

Brilliant news Well done Jay, you are obviously doing a fantastic job.

I have read somewhere that lactulose can be used in faecal compaction in bunnies - again the bunny has to be well hydrated.

If an X-ray could be done with Bertie awake, I think I would be tempted to have one done.

Keep up the good work and a big nose rub to Bertie xx

THat sounds really promising, well done Jay and well done Bertie!

If it was possible to get an x ray without knocking the gorgeous Bertie out and causing extra stress if would be worth it to get an idea of exactly what is happening......is it worth keeping a food diary for Bertie to see if anything triggers it? I know Bertie has a fab diet but perhaps there is soemthing in there that just upsets his bits?

Huggles and nose rubs to you both x

Thank-you I'l ask about Lactulose Vanessa, I've read about it before but only in relation to stomach/upper intestinal compaction, but it's worth a look.

Our vets haven't yet moved into digital X-ray, so it would be a Barium under GA. This is a big hurdle to overcome, as I absolutely will need convincing that he needs to have this done before agreeing, but will cross that bridge when it happens.

Kelly, it's not something in his diet, it's a response to his slowed gut motility, post poisoning last November. In a way (but not a good way ) it's a good thing, as this has confirmed that his motility has been affected and we can use preventative measures now that we know, but I worry about longer implications, which makes me think an Xray would be a good option. Right now though, I'm not stressing over it, we will discuss with his vet, then discuss with you guys, then discuss again with his vet then decide

Thanks for your encouragement and wishes

Well after a bad day on Monday, we've been back for a check-up and the compaction is much reduced, but still there. We've been advised to increase his fluid intake to 25-40 mls a day, mixed with Biolapis, he will spend one more week having 1/2 a ml of paraffin twice daily and then we were have a reassesment. Vet is confident that we won't need an X-ray, but we will discuss when the thing has gone. We do now know that this compaction problem is going to reccur with him for his life, unless we can find an effective precautionary remedy. Vet says that it could be as simple as him not drinking enough water, and that we should try giving him fluids every day for 3 months and see if that stops it coming back, so we'll try that.

He was very complimentry to us about the knowledge we've gained about it and the care we're giving, which is reassuring to hear. He also said that in his expereince, in the hands of 'most rabbit owners', Bertie wouldn't be here now. That has really unsettled and upset me. I've heard it from so many people, and it still makes me feel enraged and upset

I'll keep you posted

I am glad that Bertie is ok and he probably means that your care is expert

Catswhiskas wrote:I am glad that Bertie is ok and he probably means that your care is expert

Thanks hon, but sadly no, he didn't mean that