4067. Reyna: A rabbit grinds her teeth and has body odour. - likely pyometra. Pt 1/2. .

Jan 30, 2020

The 82-year-old grandpa brought this rabbit for consultation. "The rabbit has lost appetite and grinds her teeth," the teenaged grand-daughter said. "She has a strong body odour."

"I hope the fees will not be a few hundreds," the grandpa told me. His generation has lived through the horrors and deprivations of World War 2 and he wanted the least cost to get his rabbit diagnosed and treated. I noted sticky yellow-white pus on the inflamed private parts. "The rabbit could be suffering from a urinary tract infection or pyometra which is an infection of the womb,"

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:
1. Dental malocclusion. Molar spurs. X-rays of molars.  Drooling - body odour. salvia stains.  No X-ray consent given.
2. Female - pyometra - yellowish-white vaginal discharge seen
3. Female - uterine tumours.
4. Urinary tract infection or urolithiasis. No x-ray consent given. Uine test.
5. Gastrointestinal stasis (Ileus). Rabbit is eating. No X-ray consent given

A urine test was need. 

Older rabbits do develop uterine tumours. This could result in pus leaking out from the uterus to the outside. The rabbit groomed herself and the smell of pus and blood soiled her coat. Hence, the bad body odour.

As the owner wanted the least cost treatment, no ultrasound or X-ray was done to confirm the uterine tumour or bladder and kidney stones.


UPDATE:

How do you help a sick guinea pig stay hydrated?

Kay Dudman, Caring for guinea pigs for over twenty years

Answered May 5, 2018

A sick guinea pig needs to be seen by a veterinary surgeon with knowledge and experience of treating guinea pigs; it is important that a sick guinea pig receives veterinary attention urgently as they tend to hide illness (a defence as they are prey animals).

A veterinary surgeon can administer subcutaneous fluids, which will certainly help maintain hydration. You can syringe-feed your guinea pig with a mash made from oxbow critical care and warm water, so that will provide nourishment and fluid. If your guinea pig will eat their usual food, cucumber will aid hydration as it has a high water content, but do not feed too much as it can trigger diarrhoea. Fresh grass (picked away from traffic fumes and fouling by other animals) rinsed in clean water can also help. If your guinea pig is unable to feed independently it is very important to maintain syringe-feeding every few hours. Alternatively, your veterinary surgeon may admit your guinea pig as an in-patient so that round the clock care and support can be provided.