Final Necropsy Report

[pfaubush]

Thank you, everyone! Shara and Brandi, your offers are so kind. I think with what I've aquired and will be aquiring later this week that I'll be back up to normal. I do still have Winston's dad, thank goodness! In fact, I'm getting the other rabbits from that breeder...also the original breeder of the stock that Cedar came from.

Ann, my friend was giving hay and acv. Those really were the only true differences and as soon as I began giving it regularly rather than sporatically, the rabbits perked up some. Definitely would recommend it to anyone!

 

[MaggieJ]

I think Paula needed that rebuttal... I know I would have, under similar circumstances. Now lets ALL simmer down.

Paula, I appreciate so much how forthcoming you were with details of your ordeal. We have all had an opportunity to learn a lot from what you went through and I think the message on feeding hay comes through loud and clear. And ACV may also be a help. I think I'll start adding it to my rabbits' water again.

 

[Pickles]

I am sooo sorry that you lost your herd. What a complete heart-break. I am glad that you finally got the results back from the necropsy though... now you can start to move forward from this tragedy. Please keep your head high and try to view this only as a set-back, not a defeat. Best Wishes to you on your New Beginning. Ill keep my fingers crossed that it will be a grand success!

 

[Jack]

OK so kick me
Gees, if I'm judgmental, it's at a company that is selling crap at a premium price, and NO, I do not, and would not blame you, I blame the feed company, you are not the one who made them sick, and from your 3 threads, you fought like hell, and you are building back.
that takes courage,

Maggie, you said simmer down, I'd like a chance to set it straight, because so many of you took my attempt to commiserate her wrong, I don't like needless pain, human and otherwise, and if you work in medicine and you know the path a perforated gut takes, it's not pleasant, some considered it one of the worse ways to die. She didn't put a hole in the rabbits intestine, junk feed did, and I wouldn't settle for less than $100 an hours, convention price on all rabbits and lost litters, and ALL bills covered, including gas. But that's me. :evil:

 

[pfaubush]

So, I went back and read what you wrote. I see now that I could have handled this much differently. I'm still very touchy about it all and completely took it wrong. I've learned a valuable lesson and humbly apologize for my attitude and lack of tact.

~Paula

 

[Jack]

Thats ok, I understand, and I too am often reminded I could use more tact

BTW, if they want to blow you off or bicker, remind them how much a Lawyer costs, and that if you win, (it may vary) they get to pay for yours too.

 

[PulpFaction]

Oh dear, Paula. Such a blow, I am so sorry for your losses. I wish there were something I could do to help. However, I am so so glad to hear that you have decided not to give up. I admire your resolve and your strength through this. I share Jack's outrage over this matter.

We've recently had a junk batch of MannaPro chicken feed devastate many a flock up here, only to find out the Wal-Mart is STILL SELLING IT! The same batch! The lack of accountability with these people is appalling and downright offensive. I forget which feed you were using, but I hope they have more conscience than MannaPro and have not only issued a recall on any outstanding junk feed, but are more than willing to offer you a fair price for your losses.

(And this just furthers my resolve to switch to grain and hay. :::grumble::: If you want something done right....)

 

[MaggieJ]

Well, I'm glad we got everything clarified. Sorry, Jack... I was another who read your post the wrong way. It's sometimes difficult on forums to gauge tone of voice in a post and all too easy to jump to the wrong conclusion.

 

[Shara]

I would go for everything you can get, like Jack said. Figure out ALL costs, because you wouldn't have spent/lost it without the bad feed. Threaten to go to court, most likely they will pay up pretty simply.

 

[trinityoaks]

Jack, I add my apologies as well. I misunderstood your post, also.

 

[pfaubush]

Ugg. Received this from ODA this morning:

Hi Paula,

Here is the labs update on the testing of the rabbit feed:

I have performed the mycotoxins screen in the rabbit feed. The results were 2.0 ppb aflatoxin, 0 ppm fumonisin, and 0.1 ppm vomitoxin. I have scheduled the fiber test and will have the results on Thursday. The protein will be finished tomorrow and the heavy metal screen will be done on Friday. I will also have vitamin A for the rabbit feed as well as the last mineral premix by the end of the week. It will take additional time, of course, if something fails and has to be repeated. The only remaining test will be the minerals. I won’t get to them until the middle of next week.

The mycotoxins are not at a level to cause concern. Action levels in rabbit feed are: 20ppb alflatoxin, 5ppm vomitoxin.

Also I let CHS know your necropsy was complete, they were interested in the results. I told them that was for you to provide if you wanted.

More Thursday when the fiber is done.

rt

Richard Ten Eyck
Oregon Department of Agriculture, Feed Specialist
635 Capital St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-4691
Fax 503-986-4734
http://oregon.gov/ODA/AHID/commercial_feed_main.shtml

 

[Shara]

hmmm....That doesn't make any sence. Maybe the other results will bring something you didn't expect?

Or maybe it was something else entirely? How confusing. I hope you get solid answers soon.

 

[MaggieJ]

Hard to know what to think until the other test results come in. Hang in there, Paula.

 

[Pickles]

What confusion. If it turns out not to be the feed, could it be recent contaminant in the water supply? Until the rest of the results are back, all is just speculation at this point, I suppose.
Hang in there... all will be well soon.

 

[Anntann]

Alas, it could also be just one batch of the grain that had a high concentration of corn or toxins. I've opened our sacks of chicken feed to find mostly oats on the top, with all the corn near the bottom..and the minerals filtered to the bottom. (has only happened once. I mentioned it to the mill owner and he said it must have been a "starting sack"...and then gave me a free sack of feed)

Since the rabbits are eating well again, and seem to be fine now, .... boy..I sure hope they can give you a definitive answer about what caused the problems. And soon.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

 

[Jack]

Something slowed the digestion
I doubt it would be water, if the corn was fermenting, that means it was in there a while and not moving or being broken down

 

[pfaubush]

I thought about the water in the beginning, since we are on a well. Before I got that tested, I suspected the feed, since there were visible problems with it. The water seems very unlikely to me at this point, simply because after the feed change, the deaths stopped. Everyone is excited to eat again, and I have had no scrabbling or palatability issues.

I'll tell you what though...I am becoming extremely versed in mycotoxins. I have read so darn much about them, that it is actually starting to make sense. Crazy that I can't understand genetics as easily. I just wish that I could convert the ppm that they tested for and that is acceptable vs. the amount per body weight that can be handled before becoming toxic (as mentioned in all of the scholarly articles).