rabbit sick- mini rex

Question
QUESTION: I have a mini-rex I bought from a breeder who is good to his animals. She is a little feisty since we moved her outside- but a good pet and has been very healthy the two years we've had her. She was about 10 weeks when we got her.  The past few months she hasn't been as fat as she used to be and since she has lost her this fur- last two weeks or so- she looks skinny.  This last week we tried to breed her and she seemed dine afterwords.  But the last two days has had diahrea.  She is still eating and drinking but is very thin.She is less active than usual and in pain.  I brought her in the house to watcher more closely and treat her- I use probiotics and homeopathics very successfully with my rabbits- but, evan though the diahrea has stopped, she has this red dried stuff around her genitals which worries me.  Could it be a uterine infection?  It smells like it could be.  Or an early miscarriage? I am very short on money right now and could not afford a vet bill but certaintly don't want her to die or suffer needlessly.  I can treat infections with herbal and homeopathic remedies but want to be more sure.  Thanks for the help.  

ps- temp today was 99.6 deg.
ANSWER: Dear M,

I can't really advise you about homeopathic or herbal remedies for a problem like this, because in my own experience they have proven ineffective.  If she has been losing weight steadily for a while, there could be several causes including:

1.  parasites
2.  renal disease
3.  dental problems interfering with her normal eating
4.  other (less common that the previous three)

I know you say you're short on money, but now is the time to get her to a good vet for a complete checkup and treatment, *especially* if she might be pregnant.  If she was not healthy to begin with, she should not have been bred at all, since the added energy drain of pregnancy could push her over the edge.  Please read:

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

and find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

I know you love your bunny and will do the right thing. She needs professional medical attention that you cannot provide yourself, and I would waste no time in getting her to a good rabbit vet NOW.

I hope this helps.

Dana

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

QUESTION: Dana- just fyi- I did check the vet list and there were very few vets listed in PA and none listed less than 45 miles of me.  I then got out the phone book and cllled the nearest vet and two others reccomended for rabbits.  None would make payment arrangements so I am stuck.  I am not able to take food out of my children's mouth to spend atleast $100.00 on consults and tests- this would not include the medicines- whatever they mey be.  I have found homeopathy to be very effective- not to be confused with other natural therapies ie herbs- which by the way were the only medicines available for centuries.  Yet- I am stuck on this one- the diahrea has dissapeared- but she still smells like infection.  She is eating and drinking but not playing and is in pain in the lower abdominal area. Unless I can find a vet that will work with me- I am stuck muddling through and hoping for the best.  BTW- the vet I spoke with would not allow me to buy Baytril w/o seeing her.  Isn't there a general de-worming med I can get?  In a bind- M.  

Answer
Dear M,

Oy.  I am aware that there are very few vets in your area.  However, one option might be to call up the University of Pennsylvania school of veterinary medicine.  They have a clinic there that usually has very reasonable rates, and I have heard that they are pretty good with rabbits.

Unless you are sure the problem is being caused by worms, a de-worming medication will not do any good for this problem.  What symptoms does she have that make you suspect worms?  I ask because worms are actually pretty uncommon in rabbits.  Most vets will not prescribe medications without seeing a patient, which is understandable.  The problem your bunny has may not even be treatable with Baytril, and the vet would want to see for herself what is actually wrong with the rabbit before she prescribes appropriate medications.

I hope you will have some success with the UP veterinary school.  I think that might be your best option.

Good luck,

Dana