Megacolon and frequent constipation/blockage

[hophops]

Hello everyone! I hope it's okay for me to write in English, unfortunately I don't speak Dutch, I'm from Germany.

 

The reason I'm writing in your forum is because in Germany, we barely have any treatment for rabbits with Megacolon Syndrome and the vets have very little knowledge about it. The medication of choice, Cisaral Drops, is only available through the Netherlands. It has been banned in Germany in human medicine so it's not available for veterinary use either. It is allowed to import it from the Netherlands so I have been ordering it from a Dutch veterinary pharmacy per my vets recommendation.

 

I was hoping that you guys may have some more information on Megacolon and possible treatments you are familiar with? I will explain our current treatment in the following,  maybe the veterinarians in the Netherlands have different approaches? Any help is much appreciated!!

 

To explain our situation: I have two dwarf rabbits and one of them has been diagnosed with Megacolon Syndrome a few months ago. He is almost three years old and his droppings (Kottel/feces? sorry if it's the wrong word...) have always been huge. I never thought much of it, any stool examination was always without any negative findings and he was healthy overall. Blood results have always been good as well, no E cuniculi (negative). But in the last year, his stomach problems started to become more apparent. He kept going into stasis and it kept getting worse. Finally, we got the diagnosis Megacolon from a rabbit-savvy vet. Ever since then we have been trying to find a good treatment but it has been difficult.

 

Currently, we are using Cisaral Drops 4 times a day 1 ml, which is the highest dose. We are also giving Lactulose alongside of it, 2-4x daily 1,5 ml. This is the treatment that has been most efficient but as you can imagine, it's a lot of medication for a 2 kg rabbit... Does any of you guys have any alternative tips so we can reduce the dose? Sometimes he has good days but mostly, if he doesn't get the full medication, he is in a lot of pain and can't struggles to pass stool properly. 

 

We also give him Rodicare akut, Metamizol (2x daily), Simethicone (Gas drops) and daily probiotics. Also lots of fluids as it seems to help him. He has unlimited access to hay and romaine salad and herbs (parsley, dill, coriander, mint). Those are the only greens he can currently eat and the more he eats of them, the more it helps him we have found out. He doesn't get any pellets at the moment because it supports his constipation but he used to get a bit of Cuni Complete before.

 

I have been going through forum posts but as you can imagine, it's quite difficult understanding something with Google translate haha. One thing I have seen is that some people use Selective cavia voer. But honestly, that's all the information I was able to gather so I would really appreciate any further information! 🙂

 

 

[hophops]

Also, it's becoming quite difficult to give him medication 4 times a day... It has to be every 6 hours and currently, it has been working because I work from home and have been skipping on university but I don't know how to do it in the future. I would do anything for my baby and I don't mind structuring my day around him but I'm worried that something happens and I miss a dose. Do you guys have any chronically ill rabbits that you have to give medicine to often? Do you have any tips? Thank you guys so much!!

[Kolino]

Read your posts, sorry to hear about the megacolon

 

I understand German, and the good news is, there is an article about megacolon with a lot of tips, in German. In Dutch there is little information. On this site there is also an article,  because, there were many questions about megacolon.

 

I am one of the people still active on the forum with experience, can you tell me if it is inherritted or likely because of an worminfection or something like that? The inherritted version, you can't really say, this is the right treatment. You need to look at the symptoms your bunny shows. Does your vet use metoclopramide? I always used that, alongside cisaral. It's good to know, there is no cure, your bunny will die from this. With quick intervention, you can safe your rabbits life, for quite some time. How old is he?

 

Yes it is intense, the older they get, the worse they get too. I don't know how i managed it. The acute problems and the sleepless nights... I really loved him, easy with medication, except cisaral, he hated that (all my bunnies hate it). He was so, i don't know, exceptional, most of the time, i felt, like he knew, and understood me. He would let me know, medication time, if he felt sick, hè would let me know. We were really connected, it is really important to understand their body language.

 

Medication variated, in non acute situations 2 times a day was sufficient. In the first years the medication gap could be 36 hours max. Something i don't recommend. 2 times a day, and more in acute situations, dependent on the medication 2-4 times. Laxatract is always 2 times, but you can variatie in dose. My vet recommends 0,5ml per kilo.

 

Like my bunnies, i don't like cisaral, i always worry with that stuff. The body get's lazy, depending on medication. So you can't quit, quitting means, dead bunny. Finding a balance, the right food (this will change along the progression of the disease), with the right amount of medication. Reading your story, the bunny needs your full attention. He can't help it.

 

It's hard for me to find words, in English, the funny thing is, the food situation brought me on a German website. They don't have a forum like this. There should be a German forum as well, i forgot the name, sorry. The helpful information is on kaninchenwiese, maybe you know them. For food Inspiration, i like Grünhopper. They really look in to special needs.

 

With megacolon you will have to think outside the box. Listen to your bunny, he and his body, will tell you if you are on the right track. It's nothing like having a normal bunny. Reading pallets and most greens are a problem, i know this stage of the disease.

 

I can make you a list of dried herbs and stuff i fed at this stage. It's a long list, i really need some time to do it. Will do it in Dutch, in a way you can translate it. Some of it, i do know in German. Will put that down as well.

 

I know the feeling, like, there is no answer. Really, there isn't. There is no right answer. You will have to try.

 

I searched for metamizol, we use meloxicam instead. But it's fine. I know it's used in Germany. I really can't say this properly, without spreading panic, along other members. It's a good choice in this situation.

 

Only thing a think you should at in acute situations is metoclopramide. And cisaral, laxatract, pain medication, off course, that's it. Water, 3ml, if i felt like something was blocking the intestens, every few hours. Belly rubbing (massage), something your vet can teach you, lifesaver!

 

The list of herbs i will post later. If you have any questions, just aks. Sorry for my poor English, i barely past my examen 🤐 😅

[Lappie2]

2 uren geleden, Kolino zei:

Read your posts, sorry to hear about the megacolon

 

I understand German, and the good news is, there is an article about megacolon with a lot of tips, in German. In Dutch there is little information. On this site there is also an article,  because, there were many questions about megacolon.

 

I am one of the people still active on the forum with experience, can you tell me if it is inherritted or likely because of an worminfection or something like that? The inherritted version, you can't really say, this is the right treatment. You need to look at the symptoms your bunny shows. Does your vet use metoclopramide? I always used that, alongside cisaral. It's good to know, there is no cure, your bunny will die from this. With quick intervention, you can safe your rabbits life, for quite some time. How old is he?

 

Yes it is intense, the older they get, the worse they get too. I don't know how i managed it. The acute problems and the sleepless nights... I really loved him, easy with medication, except cisaral, he hated that (all my bunnies hate it). He was so, i don't know, exceptional, most of the time, i felt, like he knew, and understood me. He would let me know, medication time, if he felt sick, hè would let me know. We were really connected, it is really important to understand their body language.

 

Medication variated, in non acute situations 2 times a day was sufficient. In the first years the medication gap could be 36 hours max. Something i don't recommend. 2 times a day, and more in acute situations, dependent on the medication 2-4 times. Laxatract is always 2 times, but you can variatie in dose. My vet recommends 0,5ml per kilo.

 

Like my bunnies, i don't like cisaral, i always worry with that stuff. The body get's lazy, depending on medication. So you can't quit, quitting means, dead bunny. Finding a balance, the right food (this will change along the progression of the disease), with the right amount of medication. Reading your story, the bunny needs your full attention. He can't help it.

 

It's hard for me to find words, in English, the funny thing is, the food situation brought me on a German website. They don't have a forum like this. There should be a German forum as well, i forgot the name, sorry. The helpful information is on kaninchenwiese, maybe you know them. For food Inspiration, i like Grünhopper. They really look in to special needs.

 

With megacolon you will have to think outside the box. Listen to your bunny, he and his body, will tell you if you are on the right track. It's nothing like having a normal bunny. Reading pallets and most greens are a problem, i know this stage of the disease.

 

I can make you a list of dried herbs and stuff i fed at this stage. It's a long list, i really need some time to do it. Will do it in Dutch, in a way you can translate it. Some of it, i do know in German. Will put that down as well.

 

I know the feeling, like, there is no answer. Really, there isn't. There is no right answer. You will have to try.

 

I searched for metamizol, we use meloxicam instead. But it's fine. I know it's used in Germany. I really can't say this properly, without spreading panic, along other members. It's a good choice in this situation.

 

Only thing a think you should at in acute situations is metoclopramide. And cisaral, laxatract, pain medication, off course, that's it. Water, 3ml, if i felt like something was blocking the intestens, every few hours. Belly rubbing (massage), something your vet can teach you, lifesaver!

 

The list of herbs i will post later. If you have any questions, just aks. Sorry for my poor English, i barely past my examen 🤐 😅

I dont understand how you barely  passed your exam 💪. Its really good😊 I have no knowledge of this sickness but i just wanted to let Kolino know that her English is flawless plus that the Rabbit is almost 3 years old 😉

 

🤗

[happy211]

I have no experience with the disease myself, but if anyone feels more comfortable replying in Dutch, then I can translate for them, just sent me a message or post in Dutch here.

 

 

Ik heb geen ervaring met de ziekte, maar als iemand wil reageren in het Nederlands, dan kan ik wel helpen met her vertalen. Stuur maar een berichtje of plaats hieronder je bericht in het Nederlands.

[Kolino]

Almost 3, sad to hear, it's that progressed, at that age. The progress is individual. My rabbit was born with the disease, looking back at old pictures, his droppings were always different. Don't remember the age of starting medication. 1-2 years old, i guess. Frequency of problems progressed by age. Rabbits showing early problems, will die young 😔

 

List of herbs:

 

Weegbree

Paardenbloemblad

Aardbeienblad

Luzerne

Groene haver

Goudsbloem

Korenbloem

Rozenblaadjes

Echinacea

Meidoorn (flower+leafs)

Kamille

Zonnebloemblaadjes (the flower)

Wilg (check with medication)

Mariadistel

 

List of dried vegetables/proteïne sources (make sure you add boiled water, let it soak and cool down):

Erwtenvlokken

Wortelstukjes

Havervlokken

Pastinaak

 

List of fresh food:

Gember (ingwer)

Wortelloof

Salie (salbei)

Venkel

Oregano

Tijm

 

It's the basic, i remember. Off course hay, timothy hay, you can try to give 2 or 3 kinds of hay. There where more herbs for sure, i don't remember or he disliked it.

 

I added probiotics every other day. Sometimes you need to add salt, i know, pretty weird. Never ever add salt to a rabbit 's diet, accept, megacolon. Salt will help them absorbing nutrients. Sometimes it's already added to the probiotics, so check before adding salt to the diet!

 

A megacolon rabbit, isn't like any other rabbit. Their digestive tract is broken. It's progressive, so it get's worse. The last year of my rabbit's life was hard, hard work, the frequency of getting in trouble... I felt so helpless! His joy, being a happy bunny, no trouble with medication, kept me going. I always said, i'm sorry, but you have to take it, when he disliked the taste, then he sort of relaxed and took the medicine. Never ever had to push him. This helped a lot, knowing you have to do this his whole life. It's important, being able to care for them with no or little stress for them. You will be stressed a lot, sorry for that. It isn't reassuring.

 

As said, the progress isn't predictable. In the acute phase, with a blockage or whatever, they can die, every time, over and over again. Even if you do everything right, someday, you can't fix it.

 

My advice, enjoy when/while you can, they can't help it. Care for them, the best you can, knowing some day it will not be enough. But knowing you cared and loved them, that's important! They will feel your intentions. Most of the time, i could forcefeed my rabbit's, no problem. Ok, yes there will be spillage 😅 Cleaning them and yourself up (and the floor), less of a problem. Medication, same. Be inventive, hide it in food with a good taste or smell. Basil or little banana. Be careful with sugars, megacolon rabbit's are more sensitive. A little is possible. I always use syringes, if they get used to it, the syringe isn't the problem, but what's inside. They aren't easy to trick, that's why i use little force if needed and a gentle voice letting them know, it's ok. By little force, i mean backing them in a corner or between my feet. Be quick, so prepare all syringes beforehand. Less time, less stress. Variate good or bad taste, if possible... Nice, bad, nice. They have to trust you. Reward afterwards! They remember that, it makes it easier to forget the bad taste and they won't hate you as much.