EMERGENCY

Question
Dear Dr Dana,

my bunny hasn't been able to urinate for 12 hours or so. I took him to the vet but he only gave me some antibiotics.

he still isnt urinating. I found a website on emergency cases for bunnies on the net and I called this lady in Colorado and she said I should massgae/squeeze the area and the urine will come out. Is this really ok? Please tell em if I should do this.

Also, can I go to the drugstore and get him something for humans that would treat this?

I know he can die if he doesnt urinate in 24 hours' time

1. can I give him anything with cranberries?
2. what about tea for these purposes for humans
3. pineapple juice?


thanx so much

Ana


Answer
Dear Ana,

(Sorry for the delay.  My DSL has been down--they're having problems with Earthlink all over Florida--and only now am I able to access the AllExperts site.  I'm going to have to put myself on "vacation" on this site until they get the problem fixed, so I'm sorry I might not be available for followup questions right away.)

Not urinating for a long time can also mean he's dehydrated, which is not as life threatening but still not good.  Please go here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to find a good rabbit vet who can do an exam and tell whether there is a urinary tract blockage (which must be treated as a life-threatening emergency) or just dehydration (which can be treated with subcutaneous fluids).  

If the bunny has a bladder stone or sludge, it can help to turn him over and hold him in "baby position" with his rear end slightly elevated.  With a free hand, jiggle the bladder area (which is very low down on the belly, between the rear legs at the base of the abdomen) to suspend sludge/move any stone that might be blocking the urethra.  

If the urethra is truly blocked, then catheterization/surgical intervention is the only option and this must be done very quickly lest the bladder rupture.  You should be able to tell by feeling the base of the abdomen whether the bladder is very full (the area will feel hard and swollen--like an overfilled water balloon).  If it is not, then the prognosis is better.

I hope this helps!  But get bunny to a good rabbit vet ASAP for treatment if you suspect a blockage.  These are very rare, but not unknown.

Dana