worried sick - Opus won't eat or drink

[roo]

hi all..
i know i haven't posted in a while. i moved from california to nevada a few months ago and have been so busy!

for the first time, Opus (7 months old) did not touch his food or water. i'm freaking out. it's sunday morning and i called all the animal hospitals in town and there are no rabbit vets available till tomorrow morning.

when i take him out of the cage, all he wants to do is lay out or stay still. i gave him a few drops of mineral oil to hopefully get things moving but i was hoping for some suggestions to help me help him.

if anyone knows any rabbit savvy vets and/or people (he's my first pet, and i treat him like he's my son) in the reno/sparks area, send me a PM. thank you so much.

roo

[Luckybunny]

How is Opus doing now? Has he eaten anything yet or had something to drink? I don't know what to suggest except trying everything that might entice him to eat. Mine love banana. I regularily check the following website for information. Rabbits-Veterinary Medicine-Animals/Pets-AllExperts.com Why is it always a weekend or holiday when our little guys get sick? I hope Opus feels better soon. Bunny hugs!!

[Dragonrain]

Aww poor Opus.

Well it's monday now, so if he's still not eating you should get him to a vet ASAP.

Keep us updated!

[mulder]

best wishes!!

[roo]

thank you both for the concern.

i was a total wreck yesterday because i can tell there was something seriously wrong.

i called around to all the vets in the area but there were NO exotic doctors working until monday morning.

my husband told me to call further out.. and i ended up talking to a few doctors at the UC Davis Small Animal clinic - they advised me that it would be very dangerous to wait till the next morning and said he should be seen. UC Davis is about 3 hours away, and they made sure to tell me to expect to spend between $600-800. still, they heard the desperation in my voice and since they knew i was willing to make the trip, i was probably going to be willing to spend the money.

since every minute that went by was more and more dangerous to opus, they told me about a few vets that were closer and would probably be a little cheaper, so i called around. two of the three suggested didn't have rabbit doctors working. i was heartbroken.

then.. the third place i called had doctors working and told me to bring him as soon as i can, but to try to get Opus to drink something or eat mashed up pellets. Opus refused it all and even started shivering.

we made the 2.5 hr trip to elk grove, california. when we pulled up to the vet hospital, it was such a beautiful facility. a big ranch in the back, and most importantly, TWO rabbit doctors that were working late. we brought Opus in and checked him in.

the doctor wanted to speak to us, and we sat in the office and worried some more. when the doctor came in, she gave us the verdict-

-Opus was pretty dehydrated because when she felt around inside, everything felt really sticky, which was understandable because by the time she saw him, he hadn't eaten or drank anything in over 12 hours

-He was a little underweight, a Holland that weighed in at about 3lbs 11oz.

-Everything else sounded okay - heart, lungs

-They were going to need to keep him for at least 24 hours to rehydrate him via under-the-skin fluids, force feed him every 6 hours until he pooped AND ate on his own.

-They were also going to start antibiotics - basically acidophilus to get his GI system moving again and to make sure all the bacteria in his system is the right balance

-The bill was going to be between $365-679, depending on how long he stayed. after 24 hours, if he still wasn't eating or pooping, they would have to take an x-ray.

So off we went, and made the trip home. I almost broke down again when I saw his empty cage and all his toys scattered on the floor. I don't know what I'll do if I lose him. He is my first and only pet and he means so much to me.

I called last night when we got home, around 11:30PM - and he was resting comfortably, but he still had not made a poop or eaten on his own.

So thank you for your thoughts and please keep them coming -
It's going to be a tough day at work today.

Love,
Roo

[Mommy of 9]

Roo I am thinking postive thoughts for you and you Opus! I am sooo sorry that he is better soon and the doctors figure out what is wrong with him!

Smile

[binki]

all my thoughts are with you and your baby.

just over a week ago the same thing happened to my shauny, turns out he had a kiddney infection, he had to be put on a drip and stay overnight, have they taken bloods and a urine sample?. i almost had a breakdown.

youv done well to find rabbit savvy vets, and hes in the best place, at least hes getting his fluids, bless him.

all my thoughts and hugs. x

[kathydip]

I will say some prayers for Opus and you. I hope he starts eating soon. It is frightening when our babies get sick.

[Luckybunny]

I am sorry that you had to travel so far to find a vet to take in Opus. Leaving him behind must have been difficult for you. I am glad that he is in good care and we hope for a speedy recovery. Thinking of you.........hugs.

[Dragonrain]

Is Opus feeling any better yet?? I hope so!

[Mommy of 9]

Keep us updated on how Opus is feeling!!

[mulder]

yes updates! how are things??

[roo]

hi everybody!

before i make this post too long - in a nutshell, opus is fine and home with me!

yesterday i called the hospital first thing in the morning and he was doing okay. but around 1:30 yesterday the doctor said he was eating and pooping and he was probably going to be ready for release by night time! so of course i did my best to get out of work early and we were on the road.

we got there and the technician gave us a couple different meds for us to give him twice a day, and also some oxbow critical care precisely for times like sunday where there were no available vets and he hadn't eaten.

i gotta tell you though - we gave him his meds this morning and a couple hours ago and that is so heartbreaking! he hates it!! i just have to remind myself that i spent a lot of money on him for him to get better, and the only way that is going to happen is if i follow the doctor's directions precisely.. so i'm glad my husband helps me by holding him and i just get to inject the meds in his mouth.

he seems skinny but he's back to his perky binky self and even after the tough medication time he forgives me pretty quickly. it's almost like he knows it's a necessary evil (as usual, putting WAY too much thought into it)

i really believe all your thoughts and warm wishes contributed towards him getting well and i want to thank you all. i don't post as much as i should but i'm really glad you all were here as fellow bun mothers (and fathers, maybe) to support me.. THANK YOUUUUUUU!!

[oreyo]

yay im sooo happy for u and opus!!!!!!!! i know how it feels to get a sick rabbit back to normal CONGRATS!!!!

[Dragonrain]

I'm glad he's starting to feel better!