Pet Forum / Mammals / Rabbits / July 2008

Hello everyone,

I've been around for a long time but don't post too often.  I've been
keeping up with everyone's buns and want to say my heart goes out to all
whose buns have gone to the bridge and many healing vibes to those who are
not well.  You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Pete is a 7-year old large uppy-eared Himalayan mixed bunny.  His mother was
a lop and his father was a very large black rabbit.  Recently we discovered
hard lumps on his underside by the ribcage down to his leg area.  We had
taken him to a recommended House Rabbit Society vet who said that he may
possibly be in renal failure, but feeling his underside she said it may just
be a blockage from all the carpet he's been eating.  She gave him an
injection of Ringer's solution and sent us home with meds to get his gut
moving and cleared out.  After being home for a few hours we noticed that
one of his ears had flopped, as if it was weak.   I called the vet and told
her what happened.  I thought maybe a nerve was hit when Pete had his
injection but was told that it wasn't anywhere near the area.  Pete seemed
uncomfortable and kept shaking his head.  I was wondering if the area had
gone numb.  The vet didn't have an answer for what happened and Pete's ear
is still lopped.  This all happened on Friday.  His ear seems a little
stronger but he hasn't been able to lift it up very high.  I'm hoping it's
temporary.  We are going back for a recheck in two weeks and the vet should
have a clearer picture of what's going on inside him.  I was wondering if
anyone has ever heard of this problem.

Thanks for any input or ideas.
Lena and Pete