Sludgy bladder/failing kidneys.

I know theres probably a lot written on this but even though I knew what this was I did not put the subtle symptoms together before I lost Dulan to this. Hindsight is a wonderfull thing and although it cannot help Dylan it may help you. There were a few day to day things I noticed a change in for a couple of months before dylan went down hill. None of which made me think of a medical problem.

The first thing I noticed and was rather stressed about is the group began to forget their toilet training. I moved trays and beds atc round and tried to train them back as I would with a baby but the mess was constant. All rabbits were eating and acting normally so health didnt come into it. I noticed they would also wee in their bed which they have never done and is a very unheigenic thing for a rabbit to do. I thought it may have been from to much roaming space and reduced their area which helped slightly.

I now know Dylan was struggling to urinate later on and this meant he would go where and when he could. The reason for so much wee is that the other 3 buns were covering his urine.

I stopped using bottles and started using bowls instead at this time the water consumtion went up but I felt this was because a bowl was much more accessable and easy for them so they were using more plus it was getting warmer.

Since dylan has gone I have noticed much less water going down and far more than one rabbits portion. Because I can now compare I know he was drinking to excess to but because of timing I couldnt see this.

When dylan went to the toilet he would concentrate quite a bit. I did notice this and checked his urine. His bum was always clean so I didnt suspect thich urine as I would expect stains. His wee also looked normal when he did pass.

Unfortunately as he was very good with his cleaning habbits he managed to get rid of any urine stains of marks on his bits before I could check

His temperement to me stayed the same but in the last week or so he was more into throwing his toys around. I took this as play as he didnt look in pain and was still eating and toileting.

Looking back his behavior would indicate a) pain or b) agitation/frustration

In the last few days before he was poorly the urine smell was extremely strong. Again a long hot spell, a full litter tray and a lot of rabbits would naturally add up to this.

The signs that made me take him in to the vets were: (these all occured in the sace of a few hours.)

Sitting alone away from the others for long periods. He was sitting in his tray which I now know was trying to cool his stomach. He was very tired/lethargic and didnt want to move around. He was rushed in at this point. Symptoms while being cared for overnight in his last hours included vocalisations, grunting, digging aggressively to the plastic. Laying his belly on the floor as low as he could. Heavy breathing and shaking were the last severe thing.

I hate writing it because you think omg I should have seen these things but they were so subtle in a group of rabbits and ran along side other changes. It all ok to say I know now but I thought it may be some use to everyone on here if this happens again.

Thank You for sharing this as it can't have been easy for you to write under the circumstances
I'm so sorry you lost Dylan

I absolutely agree, thank you for sharing this with us love. I too am so very sorry about Dylan.

Hugs

Jo xx

thanks everyone. I would rather share as if I had read this and thought about all the tiny differences then it may have helped. These things could be nothing but on the otherhand a check up could save their lives.

Thank you so much for doing this. It must have been painful to do, but it is such valuable information that it might just head something serious off while it is still treatable.

Hugs to you as I know it wasn't that long ago. xx

Thanks guys. I am ok though. I lost a lot but also have a lot of babies coming into the world this month. 7 snake eggs to hatch at the end and 3 dwarf monitor eggs hatching now, I strongly believe in "where there is a birth there is sure a death".

This is so usefull to know, and as the others have said it must have been really hard for you to write. You have certainly educated me, and in doing that, have helped out my 3 fluffs

I can see how easy it would be to explain away these small signs and put them down to other things. I hope you dont blame yourself - as others have said time and time again, that rabbits are very good at hiding health problems

Thank-you so much for sharing this, it's very generous of you and I'm sure will help others as we can refer to it in the future.

Oh honey, this must have been hard for you, but by writing this there will be buns out there who will benefit from it. It has certainly made me think x x I'm sending you hugs x x x

thanks guys dont worry about me though. I have been wanting another tattoo for a couple of years and wanted one round my wrist. I want the "where theres a birth...." thing because after all those that I lost in a short space its adding up to the same number coming into the world in this house this month. Reinforcing this is the fact that the dog we unexpectedly bought 3 years ago to be the best dog I ever had was born 1 hour after putting my horse down. Theres much more that makes me believe it too but I think it would be appropriate for me.