Henry... I'm losing hope.

I've just spoken with vet, Alex, and asked about ec. He doesn't seem to think it's that. And we also ruled out arthritis. I even asked if the GA could have had a nasty effect on him. He admits he can't think what's wrong and we have put him back on 0.7 Loxicom to see if there's any improvement on that without the antibiotic. If it's pain the Loxicom should have a noticeable effect within a couple of hours. Remembering this "thing" seems to come and go on a two or three day timer we are going to see what he's like by Friday morning. If he responds to the Loxicom and is okay with it through till Friday morning then we can be fairly sure it's a pain thing and we just have to find out where from. That means skull X-ray for tooth roots and a full body X-ray for starters.

That's the way it stands at the mo. I've given him the Loxicom... thank goodness for bite sized shredded wheat!

Alex admitted it's hard to diagnose him, especially since the couple of times I've taken him back since the endoscopy were on days when he was reasonably okay. Both he and Richard saw nothing but a healthy looking rabbit who, when checked over confirmed that. I told him it's like Henry suddenly loses all go and just starts to slow down sinking into a lethargic lump of misery. And I told him what I didn't want to say.... that it's unacceptable to let him carry on like this.

I'm once again feeling very miserable ....

Poor Henry, I hope he starts to feel better soon

Oh darling, do you have anyone with you to comfort you? I really hope so.  You are in my prayers again tonight and my thoughts throughout the day.

Hugs
JO xx

It's just me and Henry.
He had the Loxicom about six o'clock. There's been little or no change. He hopped over to his hay box a couple of minutes ago and pulled some onto the floor, nibbled a couple of stalks but left half of one... almost like he forgets to eat it. It's like he loses all interest, all energy and just grinds to a halt. A couple of days like this where he is just the picture of abject misery and then he starts to rally. But the bad days are starting to outnumber the good.
What the hell is it?
Two vets have said a pretty definite no to ec, tooth problems, nasal abscess, stomach/gut problems and my idea of hormone problem. It doesn't seem connected to the antibiotics or the Loxicom or the pseudomonas .
He was snuffly before the endoscopy and he was making his meals last all day.... half his morning pellets would be there at tea time, but all were eaten eventually. Now he eats half the days total pellet ration spread over 24 hours. And when these downs are on him he won't actively seek food and offering him food isn't always received graciously, he may push the dish away, growl or, most often look completely surprised by it, lunge to get at it then turn away.
I Just NEED to know what we are up against.

Is there a rabbit specialist near by that u can call or see?

We were told that there a rabbit specialist vets linked to Edinburgh uni, wondering if you had something similar that you can turn too to get to the bottom of it
Xxx

I'm a member of the RWAF which means I can ask my vets to ask advice of Richard Saunders, the RWAF vet. I've done this before when I was at a different vet with my last rabbit, Loll.
I know one of the vets at this practice knows Richard Saunders so getting advice shouldn't be difficult. But I do want to give these vets every chance before asking for Richard's help.
Having said that I shall definitely ask if X-rays come out negative.

Hope you finally get answers for Henry and for you

Nose bumps and hugs
Xxx

Poor Henners
Youre both having a real time of it. I wonder if it would be worth asking them to contact Richard Saunders from the RWAF? I dont know that he will be able to think of anything else, but when it comes to this point, i start to call on just about anyone that may be able to shed some light on what could be going on, or suggest other treatment.

Give him some more head rubs from me. xxxx

Yes, Richard is on the list... after we have discovered how he is on just Loxicom for a couple of days... that is to see if there is a pain issue. Then, whatever the outcome of the Loxicom we shall do skull X-ray and should that prove inconclusive, full body X-rays. With the results of those we shall have more to present to Richard.

I'm just feeling so down, it's hard fighting when you don't know what you're up against.

Top up loving vibes on their way hun, I really wish I could do more.

Hugs
Jo xx

woodwench wrote:Yes, Richard is on the list... after we have discovered how he is on just Loxicom for a couple of days... that is to see if there is a pain issue. Then, whatever the outcome of the Loxicom we shall do skull X-ray and should that prove inconclusive, full body X-rays. With the results of those we shall have more to present to Richard.

I'm just feeling so down, it's hard fighting when you don't know what you're up against.

Completely understandable! I'd be exactly the same.

Do you think it's fair to say he wants to eat but seems unable/unwilling for some reason?

I get lost on which post I'm replying to.
Posted in a diffrent one a minute ago.
All vibes to a smashing boy now.
All hugs to his humum

We are all here for you woodwench
Hugs
Xxxx

Dont lose hope hun, Ive been there so many times and so often been surprised by the way they can bounce back.

Thinking of you hun, I know that bunny worry can be all consuming, and I know that there is nothing I can say to make that any easier, other than to say I understand and Im thinking of you x x x x x

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.

Yay!
So glad you have something positive at last. Thank goodness for that.

He may not be too impressed at 'bed rest' but at least it should be the start of recovery.
So pleased for you both

He's gonna hate it... now I'm starting to worry about him breaking his teeth whilst shaking the bars!

That's great news 😁😁😁😁
Will we send him pics of our girls to hang on his walls while he does his stint lol
Xxx

That is great news darling, I am so very pleased.  Try not to worry, take each thing a step at a time.  We are all here for you.

Hugs
JO xxx

gemma997 wrote:That's great news 😁😁😁😁
Will we send him pics of our girls to hang on his walls while he does his stint lol
Xxx

Bunny pin up's

Oh thats just such good news!

Phew!

Oh goodness - completely missed this. Sending lads of vibes for Henry and hope that now you have a diagnosis that he starts to get better very soon xx

Ohhhhh.... Gotta keep the boys blood pressure down, he is having enough trouble with the draught excluders strapped round the crate (see thread Henry Hospitalised). He finds humping the draught excluders great fun because they are sooooo long and he works his way a long them!

Oh dear, you just cannot win sometimes can you love LOL?!!

Hugs
JO xx

Nope, you sure can't Jo. I'm thinking that those draught excluder won't know what's hit 'em when he's free and they are back in their old jobs.... all that pent up frustration ....
Rat bag of a rabbit!