christine

Last Thursday night I took Thumper with me to the vet. (I was already going
with Mickey for his biweekly teeth cleaning).
The vet and I discussed the fact that for the last couple of weeks Thumps
has had alot of difficulty with his hind legs. She determined that it was
most likely nerve damage from degenerative disk disease. His legs both work
fine when manipulated, nothing is damaged or sore. The leg just isn't
getting the message when the brain says "move". So, she gave me Azium
steroid tablets to try as a last resort for the legs. She cleaned his ears
and pulled out some real potatoes. ;P. She also noticed his eyes shaking and
I forget what she called it but she said its neurological. Thumper has
learned the new layout in his pen and can now find the food and water by
himself. Still no luck with the litter box and wee wee pads though, he just
pees wherever he's laying down.
I just went to check on him and he is sleeping. His breathing sounded a
little heavy which is something new, so I woke him up for a snack, we'll see
how he's feeling later tonight...

-- Christine
http://client.webshots.com/user/bunnyhouse

kim obrien

You are taking such good care of Thumper, he is so lucky to have such a
wonderful home with you.

Nystagmus is probably what the vet called the eye movement.

Kim

professor

God bless.

--

8-) Professor :-P Merlin & ;-) The Jump

arlette & cocoa

Thumper's spine condition sounds exactly like Cocoa's, though his left leg
still works.
I think expressing Thumper's bladder would help both of you a lot. It's not
nice to have pee pee on yourself.
What I do when my bladder express timing is off, is to wash Cocoa then towel
and blow dry him. I think he likes the warm water and blow drying. He is
very cooperative to whatever I do to him.

Because Cocoa still has some leg/bladder functions, I can't just express him
whenever I want. It has to sort of be timed to when he would have to
naturally go. When he isn't on fluids, every three hours is good to try.
With fluids, I put him on the pot every two hours, and sometimes more often
depending on the time of day. At night, he goes from every two to every
three hours. I set my alarm, jump up when it goes off (don't turn on lights
unless there is a pee accident that needs cleaning), check for cecals to be
eaten or unstuck from fur, then do the potty, then I hit the bed. It doesn't
take long. I usually can get back to sleep in a couple of minutes.

Poor wee Thump. I hope the expressing helps. It sounds like he is adjusting.
--
God Bless,
Arlette, Cocoa & Brownie in heaven (See us here
http://photos.yahoo.com/cocoa3c
Need a vet? Click here
<http://www.rabbitvet.net>

christine

Yes I think that's what she called it

-- Christine
http://client.webshots.com/user/bunnyhouse

christine

Thumps managed to jump into his cage to pee today Today was a good day,
no bunny laundry. I think Thumper has some more living to do...he humped his
puppy doll and his breathing sounds better today. We seem to flip flop
between good days and bad days...I'll gently feel around for the bladder
when I know he hasn't peed in a while but I'm going to go slow, he is pretty
frail.

-- Christine
http://client.webshots.com/user/bunnyhouse