I walked in the door at about 12:45 a.m., after working two jobs and a total of 14 hours today.
I gobble down a slice of pizza and get the bunnies' nightly treat of one papaya tablet each as fast as I can, because I'm eager to get to bed and get a little sleep before work in the morning. Usually the buns hear the container from anywhere and come running before I even leave the kitchen.
Biff was waiting for it underfoot. When I sat down to give it to them, I realized Sogna wasn't climbing into my lap. So I gave a most anxious Biffy his, and went to bring the Sogna's treat to her, thinking she was probably hard at work in the litter box.
Still, it's not like Sogna to fail to come running to food immediately.
...and she wasn't in the litter box.
I found the Sogna camped out in her tent, and she wasn't leaving. I tried to give her her treat.
She refused.
What?!?!
I've always speculated that it's because of her year of starvation: Sogna does not refuse food. Ever. Until recently she wouldn't even take breaks eating dinner.
Couldn't coax her out.
Finally, I was scared enough to move the tent.
Chased her around the apartment to take her temperature.
Exactly 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Even after the "chase" should have warmed her. Sogna tends to run high. 103-104 is normal for her.
I should have known something was wrong by the way Biffy is acting. Completely out of sorts. Following me around like my shadow, attached to my ankle: "Mom! Help her!"
I gave her 1 cc of simethicone and approx 5 cc of lukewarm water. Also brushed her somewhat but she was becoming very stressed. Will start with critical care tomorrow if necessary, and I'm emailing the vet right now to find out how long Reglan will keep. If the stuff from October is still good I will give her some of that too.
I'm so exhausted I'm borderline incoherent. Is there anything I should be doing to contain this situation that I'm forgetting??? Should I turn off the air conditioner in the bunnies' room? Our AC is not on a thermostat, there is a unit with a low, medium, high dial. currently set on low which pretty much feels just like medium. It is somewhat chilly.
I have had one of the most difficult weeks at my day job that I have ever had. Too exhausted to think.
Oh dear, poor you and poor Sogna! They always seem to get sick when a vet isn't available, don't they?
ReplyDeleteHydration is important, so get as much water in her as you can. Sometimes a couple of syringes of water are all it takes to get things moving. Unless it's been 8 to 12 hours since she's eaten, don't give her food (if she has a blockage going on, food can make it worse). Massaging her tummy (if she'll let you) can tell you if she's bloated and can also help stimulate appetite. If her temp is running low, try wrapping her in a small blanket or towel or giving her a blanket to rest on rather than turning off the AC.
That's the most I can think of at the moment to get you both through until you can get her to the vet. I'll be keeping you all in thoughts and prayers.
Stasis is insanely scarey. People always say to me 'so what they aren't eating, they'll eat when they are hungry' but a rabbit thats not nibbling almost constantly is cause for alarm, we realize this...thank goodness you were quick to act and she's okay. We keep gas-x on hand and usually try that first...and of course hydration is important and the critcal care as well. We always force feed them fresh squeezed pineapple juice as well, usually 5-8 syringes every couple hours, because the bromide can help stimulate the gut. Sorry you guys had to go through this.
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