Rocka may have renal failure

We rescued Rocka at 13months old from a breeder who we now know to be using the 'need to get rid of quick because I'm giving up breeding' as a general sales pitch. We spied Rocka online and noting he was living in a 2ft hutch on a cheap muesli mix and apple whilst used just for breeding we thought we'd take him off her hands before some unscrupulous breeder did or worse.

This was all 3/4 months ago. In that time Rocka has bonded with Morgs, our current queen of the house and calmed her down considerably. They bonded in literally 12hrs flat. It was a marvel in itself and we still can't believe it. He was neutered before hand and litter trained himself over the 2nd weekend after we collected him.

Up till a fortnight ago they were the perfect couple and such a joy to share the house with, however 14 days ago Rocka started frequently urinating in random places and drinking in excess of 780ml a day, we did initially treat him for a UTI and started a 28 day precautionary measure in the event it was E.C but neither have made a blind bit of difference and it has been a quick down-hill vexing complication since... 3 days ago he started loosing weight seeing him lose 44 ounces in 72hrs despite him eating like a lil trooper and his fur has started to fall out in large clumps.

We took him back to the vets today and asked for blood works. On inspection the vet confirmed the muscle wasting to his hind quarters- explaining his reluctance not to jump up onto anything to investigate.

We will find the results of the bloods on Tuesday as they will not be sent till tomorrow. I'm hoping we have caught whatever it is early enough to manage or heal. I do however have that sinking gut feeling that it will end negatively.

Jumping the gun a tad - at the very least he has had 3/4 fantastic months that hopefully masked over the past 13 months of cramped conditions, no exercise or quality of diet and added a fun, loving home plus the attentive companionship he shared with Morgs... that, fingers crossed, will continue for many more years.

Keeping everything crossed for this special little man, and as u say he has had 3\4 mnths of a happy life with u guys and queen morgs, i hope he has many years to come. If he could develop this, whatever it is, in ur care, he would have developed it sooner and more severely if u hadnt rescued him and no doubt recieved no medical treatment. He is in the very best of hands and u have increased his chances 100 fold by taking him into ur care. Of course u know all this, but when things are tough we all need reminding

I really hope this little guy can be fixed up. Thank goodness it is you that has him, and you can give him the care he needs.

Thinking of you hun, and sending get well vibes for your little boy.
Keep us updated how he is will be thinking of you.

Katie x

I'm so sorry to hear that Rocka's suffering, poor little guy I hope you get some positive news and that he can be healed x

Lets hope the vets find a result with the blood so that he can start treatment. *Big hugs*

Thanks guys. We are posting the more frequent updates on the fb wall to save repeating ourselves or annoying folks.

He has actually stopped drinking and urinating now so we've got a platter of 100% fruit baby foods out and some cranberry juice that he seems to be idling sipping. He seems okish still in himself but you can tell he is in pain and weakening. Roll on tomorrow!

Good luck for tomorrow hun.

Please let us know how he is.

Roll on tommorow

Hoping the news isn't bad tomorrow. Fingers crossed. xx

All Fingers and paws crossed here for Rocka xxxx

'Good Luck' for today

any news? Been thinking of him all morning

absolutely squat diddly! We phoned the vets then mooched into the vets, nothing either time.

If results aren't back on a certain day then why tell people otherwise. I've been tense all day and I probably wont hear anything till tomorrow now!

Oh how frustrating for you I hate it when I am waiting for results let's hope you soon hear something.

Wooh results are back and although his kidneys are struggling they are a little way off failure!! I'm so relieved- however one value was a little high so something is stressing his kidneys out.

He will be tested for diabetes! and E.C on Thursday. I'm wary of this diabetes test however as sheer stress can elevated sugar blood levels and sugar urine levels so I'm not sure how accurate the readings will be as he hates the car and that will effect the tests.

He has been on Panacur for over 10 days so less that kicked in and is helping the possible flaring up of E.C symptoms I don't know!

He did perk up loads after a dose of 100% fruit baby puree this morning so maybe the sugars helped?! No idea.

Having only had him 3/4 months makes it difficult to say as he has only had a 90% hay based diet since living with us, up till then it was apple and muesli mix.

I'm just pleased he is 'ok' and not about to give up!

Great news! What a releif.

Please keep us updated.

Sending nose rubs for him and hugs for you x x x

Rocka has had his blood sugar levels checked and they are a little high but that is sort of inconclusive regarding the working knowledge the veterinary world has with rabbit diabetes. We handed in a urine sample earlier today so hopefully, the blood tests, sugar tests and urine will paint a more workable picture.

He has put weight on weighing in at 1lb now (our bunny porridge recipe seems to have paid off) and the lil-man was spotted using his litter tray today (:3

He is a lot better. Whatever is going on it seems to be settling now. Hoping we find out what it was/ is so we can manage it better next time, if it is to reoccur xx

Im so glad to hear the little guy is feeling a bit better.

I really hope you get some answers hun, so you know what to look out for etc.

Sending lots of nose rubs x x x

NO idea what went on the last 35 days. None at all. We are all stumped. He is 90% back to his normal self and the random urination outside of the cage is slowly tapering off too.

Utterly ridiculous- he isn't telling us anything either. I tried to bribe it out of him with a strawberry top and he ate it then ran off.

bless him, Im glad he is almost there though, fingers crossed he will be 100% really soon.

He sounds like a right little monkey x x

I saw on FB he has been drinking a lot again. Is he okay??

He's started drinking 5+ of his drinking bottle. I can't remember the volume, I'll check in a second.

I'm not sure if it's the heat, the weather. I'll get his teeth checked out soon.

He is an oddball!