Charlie's relaps and nearly didn't make it

When I got up this morning, Charlie had completely collapsed! She didn't move anymore at all, the limbs didn't work and after eating a few pellets first thing, she then refused all food. I was so disappointed, she did so well last night and I was positive that we had some more time left with her. But this morning was so bad that I really thought it was the end of the road for her. She just didn't respond to anything anymore. I called the emergency vet, luckily it was Ash again, the same vet as yesterday. So he knew the story. I was sure we weren't going to bring Charlie back home! However, Cornel said we should try another round of steroids seeing that she responded so well last time. I think the vet wasn't too sure about it, but we decided to go ahead with it. I have no idea what he injected (well, obviously the steroids), but it's flipping miracle stuff. By the time we got home, Charlie was "up and running" again, drinking from the syringe and eating pellets and greens and some hay for England! I can't believe the change in her. She was quite literally at death's door this morning, and although still slightly wobbly (more a little weak than wobbly actually), she is active, well co-ordinated, seems happy and content and is eating and drinking well. So it looks like little Charlie will remain on steroids probably for the rest of her life, however long this is... may be days, perhaps and hopefully weeks even! She is such a darling and such a fighter. Here's some pictures
I just took.




And with Magic

Charlie, my brave little girl

Charlie made a full recovery from her lung infection! It was great to see her happy and healthy again.

However, last night I noticed that she was a little unsteady when hopping and although she was eating, she didn't seem as keen as usual. This morning she was a lot worse, she kept running into corners squeezing her head into the corner... her legs seemed uncoordinated at times, when she groomed herself her front legs crossed over and she'd loose balance. Twice she had something like a seizure where she shook and moved and trying to run completed uncontrolled.

I took her to my vet's this afternoon (it was Ash that saw her), who checked her over from top to bottom, let her hop on the floor (and sure enough she ran into a corner again) and when he checked her ears (as she seemed sensitive around them), she had another one of those seizure like episodes. She also tried to groom herself and the vet saw how her legs crossed over very strangely.

Ash agreed with me that it looked like she has a neurological problem of sorts, the most likely causes would be EC or a head trauma. The latter unfortunately possible as she is blind and could potentially have run into something when out of the cage without me knowing about it.

Ash gave Charlie a steroid injection and gut motility drugs (as in the morning, she wouldn't eat anymore either) as well as Baytril and Panacur to take home. He wasn't hopeful though, and I must admit, it was my gut feeling too! Although I would never continue treatment for my pets if there is no hope and they are in pain/uncomfortable, we wanted to give Charlie at least a chance and see how she was going to do over the week-end!

After I got back from the vet, I soaked some Allen & Page pellets (and wow, don't they soak well... perfect for syringe feeding). Charlie took the pellet sauce quite keenly from the syringe without me even having to constrain her!
A couple of hours later, I offered her some rocket salad, spinach and cos salad... and she ate, and ate, and ate... It was such a joy to see!

Now, just about 20 minutes ago, I gave the bunnies their dinner (pellets) and Charlie ate very keenly. She is like a different bunny, moving around the cage, eating all the time, well coordinated, not going into corners, happy in herself...

I can't believe the change in her! I know that the steroids are masking things, but right now, she doesn't look like she is going anywhere soon! She is such a brave little girl!

Charlie continues to improve

Charlie has improved lots over the last few days. She is now eating normally again including hay, her breathing is much improved too (though still slightly heavier than normal I think). I have now run out of Septrin and need to find out from Obi whether she needs it for any longer. I still have some Baitryl which I am still giving her as well as the metacam.

Update on Charlie

On Wednesday before our holidays (22nd April) I stopped the antibiotics as I was running out on them and it was also 10 days. However, from then, Charlie got worse again.

On Friday, I took her back to see Obi. He agreed that she was a bit better, but not good enough. He gave me antibiotics for another three weeks.

Emily looked after Charlie whilst we were on holiday. At one point, Charlie had diarrhea, but recovered without problems. We then also gave her Fibreplex to help her digestion, which works.

Since then, Charlie has improved lots. She is eating fine, though haven't seen her eat hay, just pellets and greens. But I think she is putting on weight steadily. Her breathing is still not great, but not as bad as it was.

She is happy in herself, hopping about without problems and generally seems to cope very well!

She is due back at the vets next week (I'll probably take her Friday as I have the day off then) and we will assess progress and discuss further treatment.

Charlie is a brave little girl!