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Rabbits swollen private

22 10:32:11

Question
QUESTION: Hi again Dana, we took him to the vet today to have his teeth cut and clean his bum.  They didnt clean him and told us its kinder to put him down this weekend but its up to us cuz his willy is blocked and hes not weeing properly until he cant poo as well.  He got matted behind his tail cause of his wee.  Its still getting bigger and swollen and he said they have to anaesthesize him to clean and shave his tail but dont recommend after what they've already done last time.  I dont really know what to think now i just dont want him suffering thats all.  I will try and keep cleaning him and will see another vet when hubby gets home.   My hubby cant afford to take time off because of the nature of his job and i cant drive but will certainly see another vet.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Dear Verna,

I think you're doing the right thing by seeing another vet.  The new vet may at least be able to do a cystocentesis to remove urine from the bladder if he is truly blocked, but this is extremely rare in rabbits, and I wonder if the vets you're seeing are assuming he has a condition that is common in male cats--but not male rabbits.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get him to another vet right away, even if you have to drive a distance.  He needs care.  I cannot stress this enough.

Dana

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

QUESTION: Hi Dana, we took our rabbit to another vet on the 4th April and the vet wasnt hopeful of his condition cuz of the nature of his tumor in the vent.  He also thinks his private is blocked thats why he is dribbling and his bladder was full.  He agreed to put him to sleep but I decided to be done on our local vet the following day.  So he drained his bladder, then went in the car & Tigger is trying to stand his back leg but he cant do it.  He was still bright when we took him in the vet before they do anything.  Im just wondering why hes not able to stand in his back leg after the procedure.  He was kicking & keep turning around seems feeling uncomfortable for a while.  I stroked him to calm down but his eyes is not very responsive and was still trying to make himself comfortable inside the cage, then he took a few gasp of air so Im starting to get very concern.  He then lie on his side with his last kick eyes open but not blinking then he's gone :(.  He died in the car just minutes before we get home.  I dont understand why he just died, was he in pain on that point before he's dead?  Were very sad cuz we didnt expect that would be his last day tho we have to decide the following day.  Somehow he seems to know that were struggling to decide for him so he did it for us,  Im not sure but it was a slight relief in a way that we dont have to euthanize him but still wants to know the cause of his sudden death.  Thanks for all your advice will know where to go next time.

Answer
Dear Verna,

I am sorry about the passing of your friend.  At least he is no longer in pain.

There is no way to know for certain the exact cause of death without a necropsy.  But given his condition, I would suspect that the infection, the pain, the stress of the vet visit and procedure all combined to make it just a little too much for him, and his little mortal body gave out.

I am very sorry.

Dana