Pet Forum / Mammals / Rabbits / May 2008

a 1ml syringe full of aloe vera juice will soothe.
i also use peppermint tea and chamomile tea. they both help make gas go
away. i used this for jenny when she had enteritus for a month. it
helped alot.  
can you take cocoa with you to work? i think this is a really good
exception.   i hope you can.

Arlette
During this time, they tend to go HYPO-thermic - so take his temp if
you want and keep him warm.  Warm water Bottles, micro-waved rice bags

My advise for feeding is continue with the greens as much as possible
- after all they are hydrated "hay" product.  When i feed my green to
a very sick bun, i tend to cut the lettuce into stripes, and give lots
of parsley - they tend to like parsley when very ill.    I also tend
to hold off on the carbs during this time - like carrot, apples ect,
unless that's the only thing they want.  The input of anything will
keep things moving inside.  even tho the gut is slow - it's still
moving.  and because it's slow - that's why the gas/funky poops/
unbalanced good and bad GI bacteria.  The carbs can make the bacteria
go more out of balance.  but if there is no green intake, then i feed
anything just to try to keep the gut moving.

I've been there many many times Arlette.  I know what you are going
thru.  And i know it's hard for people to want to call and give their
support, but you prefer not.  In my experience APR is all the support
I needed.  Just to know people care, understand and give advise.  Even
i need advise during these times because i'm a mom at that time, and
no longer a nurse.  I know in my thoughts what i have to do medically,
but i'm thinking with my heart and feeling emotion at this time.

I'm concerned about his temp.   this too can cause GI slow down.  The
body is used to working at normal body temp.  When the temp is not
normal - things slow down.  think about people that fall thru ice and
get pulled out and hour later and survive!  it's because things slow
down.  on the other end, Think about people with heat stroke.  Body is
too hot to fuction normally then too.

Oh and warm his fluids if you give some, i'm sure you knew that. :)

I'll be around for a few more hours - i'll check in with you - then
i'm runing away to MD to meet Rich for 3 days of R&R camping.  Rufus
is doing very very well since i increased his Metacam.  He is staying
home and my mom will come over.  Ling and Milton will be going with.

If these are your final days with him, this is the most special time.
He has brought you so much joy over all these years.  They know when
you are there to comfort them when they are not well.  To know you are
there and letting them know it's ok no matter what happens.  And if
his body just lingers, and he's doing really poorly and is in pain,
you can give him his final gift if he needs it.

Love you both!  God will help you!

Ronie

My prayers are with you at this difficult time Arlette.  I'm always on
msn, please feel free to chat.  Wish I could offer advice but I don't
know much about dealing with this.
Marissa