mysteriously sick rabbit

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I keep 9 rabbits, all in very good health except one who has been losing weight rapidly over the last month, he is a 2 year old Lionhead Lop, I took a poop sample to the vets to be tested for worms it came back negative. My vet suggested a blood sample of which I am still awaiting the results (1 week ago), he suspected E. Cuniculi and gave the bunny an antibiotic injection and I am orally syringing him 0.5ml Baytril twice daily and 2ml panacur daily. There are no symptoms except weight loss he is now skin and bone, but is very lively and is constantly ravenous, eating huge amounts of parsley, kale, broccoli, also carrot, apple, raisins (the latter in moderation). He drinks more water than normal.  I did notice the whites of his eyes were very white, but they are now returning to a more normal pink colour.  Does this sound like E.Cuniculi to you?  He had a normal temperature, his teeth are fine at the back etc.,  Also is there anything else I can give him to help his natural flora while taking the antibiotics?  He is just wasting away before my eyes.  He is living with another rabbit who is extremely overweight due to the ad-lib feeding of Supa rabbit Excel pellets I am also dosing her with panacur.  Yours desperately.

ANSWER: Dear Paula,

I'm surprised it's taken this long for the results of the bloodwork, but that's what I would have suggested.  Chronic wasting like this, despite a bunny eating ravenously, can be a sign of renal failure, especially if the bunny is drinking excessively and urinating more than usual.  Renal disease can be related to E. cuniculi, but it can also happen for other reasons...or for no apparent reason at all.

Be sure that the vet checks the bunny's molars for spurs (though you indicate that's been done).  It's possible that while he *seems* to be ravenous that he isn't able to really eat well because of molar spurs or other dental problems.  This is more common than you'd imagine. Please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

The antibiotics and other meds he's getting should not unduly upset his GI flora, but if you want to give him a little boost with probiotics *and* add some good calories, then I'd suggest getting some Critical Care from Oxbow Hay Company:  www.oxbowhay.com  It's an excellent emergency food for herbivores, and can really help.  

You might also try giving him a few cc's of Ensure or other high-calorie "milk shake" type product every day, just for extra calories.  Just keep an eye on his poop output to be sure the extra sugar doesn't cause mushy poop, which is something he doesn't need on top of this. But many bunnies tolerate these dietary supplements quite well, without any GI upset.

I hope this helps, and that you get those blood results soon.  I'd call the vet and find out what's taking so long!

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Dana, Thank you for your rapid response, yes, I phoned the vet and chased up the results, they tell me that the E.Cuniculi result will take longer but it showed that there is no kidney problem or liver problem, white and red blood cell count both very low, bunny is now on 2nd bottle of Baytril and the vet recommends for a month also to keep on dosing 2ml Panacur for a whole month.  Yes, the vet examined all back teeth for spurs and found none.  I have started Bio Lapis in his water, but he doesn't seem to be drinking it, he is so weak now, I gave him plain water tonight.  I can't see him lasting another week at this rate, let alone a month. Your suggestion of the Ensure high-calorie milk shake, I can't seem to locate in the UK, is there anything in the milk-shake I should look for to avoid?  I will try anything now.  Thank you so much for your help, it is really appreciated.  Paula

Answer
Dear Paula,

This is so strange!  I have never heard of a bunny wasting like this if he didn't have kidney or liver problems, unless he had a very serious respiratory ailment.  A bunny with pneumonia will fight so hard to breathe that he uses about every calorie for that, and can really become skeletal. But I think you'd notice that.

If you go to a local pharmacy and ask the pharmacist about any high-calorie milkshake-type dietary supplements for elderly people or those trying to keep on the weight, I'm sure there are versions in the UK.  I just don't know their brand names.  If all else fails, you can try to order Novasource online:

http://www.allegromedical.com/dietary-supplements-c522/novasource-2-0-p548076.ht

with rush shipment.

If you're able to get him some Critical Care, that will help, too.  I believe many rabbit vets in the UK carry it, but if you're not sure where to get it, you can contact Oxbow Hay Company at www.oxbowhay.com to find out if there is a distributor close to you.

Is he getting fluids?  Dehydration can cause weakness and apparent "skinniness", too.  If he's not gotten any subQ fluid therapy, then please ask the vet about that right away, especially now that you know his kidneys are okay.

The severe anemia could be of various origins, from a bleeding tumor inside the body to certain types of parasitic infection.  If the vet is able to get a lab that can do an accurate *rabbit* cell count and analysis (this is quite different than for dogs and cats, and you really need someone who can identify rabbit blood cells of different types), then a likely cause could be determined.

I hope your little guy will be okay.  If he is severely anemic, then a blood transfusion can help buy some time until you and your vets figure this out.  If you know someone with a BIG bunny who can serve as a donor, you might want to consider that.  A first-time blood transfusion is very unlikely to elicit a negative reaction, and we've had good success with this procedure.  

I hope some of this works, and that your bunny will be fine.

Dana