Please help!!!Myxomatosis

[brydee]

My 7 and a half year old rabbit has been diagnosed with Myxomatosis, he's lived outside all of his life, hes survived braincancer and has lived with one eye for the past 4 years, hes very hardy and when other peoples rabbits in the same area have caught myxomatosis he has always managed to survive it,
because of his history at making brilliant recoverys the vets call him 'superbunny' and always cant believe hes still alive, anyway more to the point.
Iv brought him inside, he is on the medicine the vets gave him because it seemed the only option, does anyone know of anything i can give him that could help to help him pull through, im desperate for him to survive this. he is doing well at the moment, he was running about last night even though his eye has already closed up and his genitals are swollen.
Someone said about putting tea tree oil in his cage on some cloth to help him breath.
Can i give him anything to boost his immune system that wont counter act with the medication?

Oh and warning to anyone else with a rabbit in the UK, if yours are outside i would bring them in until winter is finally here, the vet says there is an outbreak at the moment and you cant prevent this horrible disease, also make sure you get your hay or straw from a farm that is myxomatosis free, the fleas and mites in hay can spread the virus!

Thanks for listening :(

[KittyMommy]

Oh, the poor little guy. I'm glad he has you to take good care of him.

[brydee]

Thanks, im doing my best at researching, there is evidence that rabbits have got over this. im jus finding out all that i can.
Im lucky actually because im on sick at the moment so if he needs 24 hour care soon i can give it to him.

Any ideas appreciated on how i could make this more comfortable for him, anything that is safe to use on rabbits or anything to kick start his immune system,

Thanks again.
Brydee

[KittyMommy]

Don't know much about rabbit care, unfortunately. Try www.about.com as a jumping-off point, it may lead you to some answers.

[brydee]

hey its ok, i just thought someone might do,thanks for that.

[greenday]

Some good info: http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rwf/articles/understanding_myxo.htm

Treatment is usually successful in the vaccinated rabbit with a good vet, nursing care and a bit of luck. But it if the rabbit is unlucky enough to be badly affected, intensive and prolonged veterinary and nursing care (weeks rather than days) is occasionally required.

Rabbits being treated for myxomatosis need:

• Careful nursing care in a warm environment (21-22 degrees centigrade)
• Regular bathing of sticky eyes and genitalia
• Fluid therapy - subcutaneous, intra-peritoneal or intravenous fluids may be used
• Tempting food and syringe or tube feeding if necessary
• Antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection

This doesn't make vaccination a waste of time - far from it. Rabbits that have not been vaccinated will almost certainly die if they catch myxomatosis.... rabbits that have been vaccinated usually live to tell the tale if they catch it.
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The article said it "causes immense suffering" for the rabbitt -- can your vet prescribe pain meds for comfort?? Best of luck.

[brydee]

Hi, thanks for that, im already doing all of that, hes only just started with the breathing problems, hes sat on a hot water bottle at the moment and iv got tea tree oil burning which appears to be helping him breath abit better.
He has not been vaccinated, hes not my rabbit, im looking after him for my sister as i have the time, but the vets still think he has a good chance with his history and how hes coping upto now.
I was just wondering if there was anything extra i could do for him, giving him any superfoods to boost his immune system. I know he might need vitamin injections at some point but the vets dont seem to think it is that bad yet.

[verseaurainbows]

Sorry to hear that brydee:(

Myxys doing the rounds here in the UK. Its because of the floods and stagnant water, the flies breed there and can help to spread it more rapidly

We have 5 bunnies whove always lived indoors and 2 have got snuffles this year:(

Never had to deal with myxy myself but my heart goes out to your poor strong bunbun

[Tiggerwoos]

There are alot of really helpful people on this forum and if you do a search for myxi there is tons of stuff from people who have got their buns through it:

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/

Good luck with your little bun and let us know how he gets on.

[brydee]

Thanks for all the replies,
sadly he didnt make it though, he was a pure breed and was heading for 8 years old, so i guess his age was agaisnt him,
:( Rip little fella,

Hope your buns are all ok:)