Denver, my bun bun is sick!

[sasvermont]

Last evening I played with him and petted him and he was fine. Tonight, when I went to feed him (and his buddy Cinnamon) he was making a strange sound and moving his nose back and forth. I picked him up and brought him inside on my bed, to get a good listen and look. He looks ok, although breathing seems to be a little bit of an effort. He is weezing a bit. I called the emergency vet and they suggested it could wait until the morning, and to call my regular vet. I hope he makes it!

Denver is my "meat rabbit" rescued a couple of years ago. He has been healthy and happy until now. He looks good......but sounds as though he has a cold. Do bunnies get colds?

Fingers crossed that he hangs in there tonight and waits for a visit to the vet. I am sure a worry wart.

[jenluckenbach]

Prayers for Denver.

[Karen]

Poor baby. Miss Hoppy has, at times, seemed to have a cold and recovered. It's pathetic when she and Paul are both stretched out in the living room, sneezing periodically. But when she has a bit of a runny nose, she does NOT want anyone touching with a tissue, thank you very much.

[Blue Dragonfly]

I hope your bunny will be ok. Boof once got so sick we honestly didn't think he was gonna make it. I can't really give you much advice unless you tell me the specific conditions your rabbit lives in. Does it live inside or out. Is it hot or cold where you are. Is it too drafty? What type of rabbit do you have.

all i can tell you is what we did when it was night time and we had to care for boof. We brought him inside in a little cage and had lots of warm towels in there for him to snuggle into.

also, i know this sounds weird, but it worked! I thought of what i would do if i got sick like him and i put a humidifier in the room with him. It is a simple machine in which you put water and eucalyptus oil, and it heats up and evaporates into the air. It really heaped him breathe.

Boof could barely breathe and he had a really runny nose.

Also i went on the internet and looked up anything that could help. I think there was a suggestion the honey was supposed to help. I wasn't sure, but i was willing to try anything that wouldn't hurt him.

Also keep your rabbits fluids up. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! If they won't eat or drink use a syringe. Obviously not with an actually needle. If you are not experienced doing this, it is best not to do this as you can get the fluid into their lungs and kill them. If this is the case just put the fluid, (I mixed water with honey, but you can mix it with anything they like) on the end of your finger so they either lick it off or it runs into their mouth. It can get very messy, but at least they are getting something into them.

If your rabbit is jumpy i suggest you put it into a room where people are not going to be coming in, as this will just distress it.

Boof was a house rabbit so he was completely use to humans.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions just let me know.

Make sure to get your bun bun to the vet though.

[Vermontcat]

I'm sorry to hear that Denver isn't feeling well.
Has he been eating and drinking ok?
I hope that it's nothing too serious and that he feels better soon.

[sasvermont]

I checked first thing this morning. He is still alive and sitting with little Ms. Cinnamon. I will take them both to the vet's this morning, on my way to work. I have to call first just to make sure its ok to drop them off. They are so bonded that I hate to take one without the other.

Denver is eating and drinking. And using the litter box.

They are both outside bunnies but live on a porch, behind a fence. They have lots of space and places to keep warm etc. They have a heated water bowl and lots of hay! I have plastic sheeting up over the screens, so that the cold air will not chill them. The vet thought that this arrangement would be fine. They live out there in the summer as well.

I hesitate to treat big guy Denver myself, without consulting with the vet first. I hope there is nothing seriously wrong with him and I also hope that Ms. Cinnamon does not catch it.

Cinnamon looks so worried and is so attentive toward Denver, its so cute to see it. I think she knows he is not well. Maybe she is jealous! Who knows. They are bonded and yet still very competitive.

I will let you know how it goes at the vets this morning.

Thanks for all your advice. I may end up using your advice after hearing what the vet says.

My fear is that he has eaten one weird object TOO many! He gnaws his way through anything in his path!


Sas

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Hope the cute little guy is feeling better soon

[Blue Dragonfly]

Denver has been in my thoughts and prayers the last couple of days. I really hope he gets better. Do you have a picture of him.

[sasvermont]

Hi, I thought a quick update would be good.

Denver is home, in the guest room, behind a fence, with a humidifier running.......and taking Bactril? ..... in applesauce and bananas..... and feeling just about the same. He will be confined for 10-14 days...leaving poor little Cinnamon by herself, on the porch.

The vet seems to think he has a slight bacterial infection in his sinuses. Bunnys have flora like we do and sometimes it gets out of wack.

The only concern at this point is that he lost 2 lbs. in several months. The upside is that he was over weight by 2 lbs. So if he continues to drop weight, we have another problem.

Right now he is being rather still, and that is what the vet wants.

Thanks for you thoughts and concerns.

I will keep you posted.

He is such a big love bug too!

Here is a photo of his buddy, Cinnamon girl and three Abys!!!!! This was taken before Denver arrived....and before Lucy, the black kitty arrived. Cinnamon had full run of the house and then once Denver arrived and started eating my sofa, they moved to the porch!







This is his adoption photo......he looks the same these days....

[Karen]

We hope he starts feeling better very soon! Being sick is just no fun for anyone.

[Blue Dragonfly]

He is really cute. so did the vet tell you to use the humidifier or did you get the idea from me? Are you using the oil as well?

[sasvermont]

I just got off the phone with the Vet. We are going to syringe the meds into Denver, using apple juice or water with honey. She said fine with adding the oil to the humififier! Thanks so much for your advice.

I am worried about Denver and will spend the weekend hovering over his furry self, to see if some TLC will help out!

Thanks again.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I am sure some TLC will do the little man the world of good - feel better soon sweetie

[Pom mommy]

Good thoughts to Denver. Baytril is a good bunny medicine. My Buster had it one time and it did what it was suppose to do.

[Marigold2]

Benny and Snowy send good wishes to Denver. Sounds like he is in the best of hands and oh so loved. Kisses Denver on that sweet stuffy nose.