Hello fellow bunny-tors.
I had something pretty serious happen recently. I am still shaking from how close my bun was to the grim reaper.
She is 6.5 years old, born in late 2019. She is a superstar, she is energetic when it comes to food, will devour a whole bowl in 10-15 minutes.
But mostly spends her day moulting, sleeping, and giving me more work.
This morning, as I was getting ready for work, I left a bowl of greens in her pen.
Specifically:
Cos (Romaine) Lettuce
Coriander (Cilantro)
Pak Choy (only 3 small leafs a day)
Salad leaf mix.
Around 2-3 cups. With a small handful of pellets on top.
She also loves to eat lots of hay.
Usually she comes RUNNING when I bring out the greens, but she wasn't phased at all. Like it wasn't there.
Tried offering, but she nudged it out of the way.
I also noticed she was hunched a bit weirdly.
I decided to take the day off, and call the vet. Rabbit-savvy vet said to immediately come in as it sounded like GI Stasis.
Took a look, listen, and feel. Said it was 'Bloating bunny'. And was Gas Stasis. Full of gas.
Immediately admitted, and starting fluids, painkillers, possibly needs sedation to manually pass the gas.
She was really happy I brought her in.
I am both relieved and scared.
Relieved because I caught it.
Scared to think what would have happened if I left for work. I wouldn't have been back for 10 hours, and by that point, I think she would've died.
Please, if you think something's not right, even if they just aren't eating, trust your gut (pun not intended) and get your bun checked.
Now, what could have caused it?
Would it just have been age, or because she's close by a doggy door, and it's a bit cold out, maybe it was the cold?
I might change her diet a bit, remove the pak choy. What else should I change with her diet to make sure this doesn't happen again?
The sad thing is: I am in the process of moving out, I am now worried whether my family would've caught it if I wasn't here. Both parents work full-time.
I am the sole carer for her, but my family do take care of her when I go for holidays.
I might consider bringing her with me
UPDATE:
They did a glucose, it is high. Saying she's in a lot of pain.
Transferring to a super-rabbit savvy vet in the city for additonal testing, but euthanasia might be required.
Considering we don't have pet insurance, this will be expensive, but she is still middle-aged, so I think it's something to do. Get a 2nd opinion at least.
by Bitter-Package