Diabetic?? - Page 2 - Paw Talk

**Dragonrain** · #16 01-16-2009, 11:10 PM

Well before I had both my rabbits on a completly pellet free diet. Now I do feed Barnaby a very small amount of them. He only weighs arould 2 lbs and gets fresh foods everyday to replace the pellets. Really I've just never been a huge fan of pellets and would rather my rabbits eat more hay and fresh foods.

Purple-Hops · #17 01-18-2009, 10:44 AM

True that,Michelle. Since they wouldnt go to their food dish full of pellets in the wild. But they enjoy the taste sooo much. I also think its better in the winter since the produce section at Sobeys in the winter SUCKS!! I seriouls y can't even buy a head of lettuce because its slimy from whatever shipment they use to get it here. I have to buy those ridiculously expensive already made organic salads in the plastic tubs....Lots of different veggies in them but still, How do you guys get fresh lttuce in the winter??

Jess · #18 01-18-2009, 04:25 PM

Try kale and parsley- thats what Smudge always gets. ^^ I havent found it to be slimy at all, and its alot cheaper than lettuce!

Purple-Hops · #19 01-18-2009, 04:35 PM

i will, Jess thanks!

Luckybunny · #20 01-23-2009, 11:09 AM

I had my babies to the vet yesterday for their yearly visit and my only concern was that Lucky looked smaller lately (however Molly also looks larger) and also that Lucky's drinking habits had changed at the end of summer. It used to be he only sipped out of his bowl and we could hardly tell he drank anything then it got really hot in August and he was finishing 1 full cup of water. We put a second bowl in and he would drink another 1/2 cup. He did saturate his litter box quickly too. Right now he is drinking about one cup a day but the vet said he was slightly dehydrated. She took blood from him and and urine sample to check for diabetes, kidney and liver problems. He may also have the start of cataracts. There is a slight blue haze over his eyes which is not usually found in a rabbit as young (5 yrs) as Lucky. I will let you know what else she finds out.

Jennicat · #21 01-23-2009, 11:29 AM

Good thoughts Luckybunny. Cataracts in young animals can also be a sign of diabetes, so I've got my fingers crossed for your sweet boy!

Purple-Hops · #22 01-27-2009, 10:13 AM

me too! hopeully he's alright-my best wishes

Luckybunny · #23 01-27-2009, 04:07 PM

I still don't have an answer for why Lucky is drinking so much. The blood sample they took had hemolysis (sp.) (either clots in the blood or the sample of red blood cells were broken down possibly from extracting from his tiny veins causing them to separate.) He goes in again tomorrow for another sample to be taken. As for his urine it showed some crystallization and the urine was not as concentrated as should be??? I will have to get clarification tomorrow...this stuff goes over my head. Maybe we can have some answers soon.

marmalade · #24 01-29-2009, 11:27 AM

I hope everything works out!

Luckybunny · #25 01-30-2009, 10:57 AM

Okay...so here is what we found out. Lucky has an elevated liver enzyme and his potassium level is up. The vet has put him on an antibiotic in case he is trying to fight off an infection and also on milk thistle with glycerin extract. This is supposed to protect and detoxify his liver. Although he is drinking large amounts he is still dehydrated. She is concerned about his weight loss too. He has gone from 4.4 lbs to 3.8 lbs. His kidney seem okay and ruled out diabetes. Lucky has such small veins that they had to take blood from his neck...poor little guy...they said that he was the perfect patient. So calm. Although we have a hard time catching him twice a day to give him medication he takes it very well. I hope he continues to be so cooperative. This could go on for six weeks.

kakayee · #26 01-30-2009, 01:41 PM

it iss great that the Vet can trace the problem, hope lucky can get well soon. Good luck and wish for the best for Lucky!