Ruby's going to Bristol - U/D pancreatitis?

Due to her continued health problems, Ruby's been referred to Bristol to see Richard Saunders, so we're off tomorrow (Theo's coming too to keep us company, so Bristol be warned!!!).

Ruby's not been herself for a while and the last three blood results have been abnormal with a low white count, which is not responding to abx. We know they're going to do an ultrasound, but anything else will depend on what they find. They are hoping we will be able to bring her home tomorrow, but it will depend on what they find.

In my head I know everything is going to be fine, but my heart keeps throwing "what if" into the equation. I really hope we will finally get to the bottom of what's going on with her.

Good luck for tomorrow hun.

Hope its all good news for Ruby x x x x x x

Thanks, we're due there at 11.00, so I'll let you know later how we get on. Fingers crossed all will be well.

Good luck!

Well what a day, we've just got back from a very long day with mixed news. I am very impressed with the rabbit clinic there, and I've learned so much today. Over the day I think we had about 2 hours talking with Richard Saunders and it was very enlightening.

Basically he thinks Ruby has or has had Pancreatitis (sp) which has caused a hard fatty lump in her abdomen, and fat around the lump is causing her internal organs to be squashed. We are on unknown territory as he has only seen this postmortem, and they were much worse that Ruby. She is NOT overweight as it is all in this one area so we are going to cut out ANY food that contains any for of fat, and concentrate on hay, grass and veg. There is no point in antibiotics, so just pain relief.

We're waiting for blood results which we should have on Friday, and Richard is going to do some research and ask some other rabbit specialists for further information, so he'll update me Friday.

We've got to take her back in four weeks for another set of x-rays and scans to see if there has been any improvement.

I'm relieved to know what is wrong, but obviously concerned that we're not out of the woods. Hopefully the change of diet will do the trick.

thumpersmum wrote:
We're waiting for blood results which we should have on Friday, and Richard is going to do some research and ask some other rabbit specialists for further information, so he'll update me Friday.

Hi, I don't know if the diagnosis is good news (that you've got a diagnosis) or bad as it's so rare etc but thought I'd let you know I know someone else whose rabbit has a 'likely' diagnosis of pancreatitis, diagnosed by Frances Harcourt-Brown, she's not had a lot of luck finding information about dealing with it. FHB is on holiday at the moment though, if she's one of the experts Richard was likely to contact. I'm going to PM the e-mail address of the other bunny owner who asked me to pass it on.

Good luck, I hope the diagnosis will improve Ruby's life.

Thanks Alison, I've got the pm so I'll email her later.

I think it is good that we know what we are dealing with, and we have a plan of action, not so good because we are in unknown territory and it is potentially life-limiting. (Fingers crossed that we can turn it around)

Richard he said he was going to put it on a forum to get the opinion of rabbit experts around the world to see if they had any experience of it, he didn't mention anyone in particular. Hopefully I'll know more on Friday when the bloods are back. He did sugeest that we may try anabolic steroid and something called l-naratidine which may help breakdown fat, but he wanted to investigate it a bit more first before doing it.

Hey thre,

Im glad that you now have a diagnosis and can take steps.

Good luck in finding some more info - it sounds like you have the best tpeople working on it.

Sending hugs for you and nose rubs for ruby.x x x x

It was really, really interesting, had a great day

I'm so sorry to read about Ruby's troubles, I hope that having a diagnosis will help towards a better quality of life for her, at least. I know you'll do everything you can to help her, she couldn't be in better hands Lynne. to you and the boys, and keep us posted on her progress xx

I'm sorry to hear about Ruby and also that I missed this when you posted it.

I'm glad at least you have a diagnosis and are in the hands of the top rabbit vets.

Keep us updated - hope the diet will help her.

Thank you

We are going back to Bristol on the 29th for a repeat of the scans and bloods to see if there is any improvement/change. By that time she will have had six weeks on the new feeding regime and also a month since the steroid injection.

Ruby is really up and down, some days she is normal, running around and eating fine, other days (like yesterday) is is lethargic, hunched, not eating well and appears to be in pain. She is on daily metacam but she still appears uncomfirtable at times.

We have heard of another rabbit with the same diagnosis, so I've been in touch with her bun mum to compare notes, and it is quite spooky how familar there stories are. At the same time it is really frustrating as there is no information on it and we are all working in the dark. She has been referred to Francis Harcourt-brown so it would be good if we could get the vets talking, we've passed the information on so we'll have to wait and see.

I hope Ruby is doing OK on her new feeding regime. It's horrible to see them in discomfort - I hope she is having more good days than bad.

It's really good that you are in touch with someone else who has the same problem - at least you won't feel so completely out on a limb with this. It's such a shame that so little is known about it. But at least it will now be on the agenda with the top vets.

Sending vibes for Ruby x

Poor Ruby. Sending her vibes for her tummy problems. xxx

How is Ruby doing now?

Is she still having days where she's in discomfort? Hope the diet is helping her. x

Hi helen,

Thanks for asking, she's still up and down, but it's periods of time rather than days if you know what I mean. She'll be uncomfortable for a while, but then a bit later she'll be fine again. She doesn't like not getting the treats, somehow an AP pellet isn't quite the same thing!

We'll just have to wait until the 29th.

Hope ruby is okay bless her. Its tough for you too.

Hopefully now that there are two fab minds on it, some progress can be made.

Thinking of you all,

Katie

How is thumper now??

Katieb wrote:Hope ruby is okay bless her. Its tough for you too.

Hopefully now that there are two fab minds on it, some progress can be made.

Thinking of you all,

Katie

How is thumper now??

Thank you

Thumper is absolutely fine now. the little monster. It really was just a mega strop!!! Who said bunnies were boring and had no personality???

Needless to say, when Ruby goes to Bristol, again, Thumper will be staying home.

thumpersmum wrote:Hi helen,

Thanks for asking, she's still up and down, but it's periods of time rather than days if you know what I mean. She'll be uncomfortable for a while, but then a bit later she'll be fine again. She doesn't like not getting the treats, somehow an AP pellet isn't quite the same thing!

We'll just have to wait until the 29th.

Well, less than 3 weeks now till you go back - just!

I hope Ruby's periods of discomfort get less and less as time goes on.

I hate having to cut out treats or food that they like - you feel so mean! Benji is not getting any pellets at all at the moment, just his Oxbox Critical Care mush and hay!

Boy you two must be sooooooo unpopular

NickieM wrote:Boy you two must be sooooooo unpopular

Yep......... you wicked wicked women!

We are BAAAADDD bunny mummies!

Rosie Rabbit wrote:We are BAAAADDD bunny mummies!

And don't they make sure we know it!!!! Thumper is not impressed, after all he's not ill but he has to suffer too

thumpersmum wrote:

Rosie Rabbit wrote:We are BAAAADDD bunny mummies!

And don't they make sure we know it!!!! Thumper is not impressed, after all he's not ill but he has to suffer too

Thumper sounds exactly like Paddy! Not impressed to be hospitalised for 3 nights last week and 2 this week when there was nothing wrong with him.

I'm sure he was looking at us as if to say, "Erm, what exactly am I doing here?? There's nothing wrong with me!"

Hows things Lynne?