RIP Mocha Latte :( **graphic necropsy photos**

[OneAcreFarm]

Mocha has been "off" for a couple of months...not bad, just acting differently. Really clingy, always wanting to be petted, etc. Then about a week ago, she went off feed and started losing weight and being really lethargic. This morning I found her laying on her side, breathing with difficulty....after some tears, some hugs and some petting, I dispatched her, followed by more tears....

I first thought it was fur block, her stomach was very full and distended....but when I opened her up, I found this....

very distended stomach


Full of undigested food, so not fur block...


Both kidneys enlarged and misshapen....


Cross section of kidney with stones and pus...


So, it was kidney failure....but why? very sad to lose Miss Mocha Latte, she was my sweetheart....

 

[LilFish_JWQueen(:]

Sorry about your loss!
Thats interesting..not sure what happened..but thank you for posting pictures cause its interesting to me lol

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

awww, I am sorry. How old was she?

 

[trinityoaks]

Oh, Shannon, I'm so sorry!!

 

[OneAcreFarm]

awww, I am sorry. How old was she?

A year and two months...

 

[MaggieJ]

Aw, poor girl!

I'm glad you had the strength to do what needed to be done, Shannon. It always hurts to lose a rabbit, especially a favourite, but those kidneys really look diseased. (((HUGS)))

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Thanks, Maggie. It was very hard, but best for her...I wonder now if this was just an issue with her or if something precipitated it?

 

[MaggieJ]

I don't know. If it happened here I would be wondering if the limestone bedrock resulted in too much mineral in the water, causing kidney stones. I have no idea if that is possible... but the thought did go through my head. Do you use ACV in your rabbits' water?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Poor girl, and poor Sistah! ((Hugs!))

Why would the kidney dysfunction affect the stomach's digestion though, I wonder?

 

[OneAcreFarm]

When the kidneys shut down, EVERYTHING starts shutting down....<br /><br />__________ Thu May 24, 2012 9:15 am __________<br /><br />

I don't know. If it happened here I would be wondering if the limestone bedrock resulted in too much mineral in the water, causing kidney stones. I have no idea if that is possible... but the thought did go through my head. Do you use ACV in your rabbits' water?

The kind with the MOTHER in it gummed up my bottles too much....would regular ACV help at all?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Yes, regular vinegar works. I use ACV for the horses- it is supposed to prevent them getting enteroliths (stones that form in the intestines or colon- usually around a foreign object). Link: http://evrp.lsu.edu/healthtips/Enteroliths-Colic.htm

The article discusses the higher incidence of enteroliths when fed alfalfa... it may apply to our bunny friends as well.

 

[Miss M]

I'm so sorry! Poor bun!

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Higher levels of proteins are a source of trouble for many rabbits-- I had to feed one of my dogs lowest protein food I could find, while still maintaining nutrition levels--
Also, foods that contain oxalic acid (spinach) will cause kidney stone formation, then also look at higher calcium levels in food (alfalfa, dandelions)

 

[MaggieJ]

It is the calcium/phosphorus ratio that is important, isn't it? Or have I got that twisted somehow? :?

 

[OneAcreFarm]

It is the calcium/phosphorus ratio that is important, isn't it? Or have I got that twisted somehow? :?

Something like that...I feed a 16% protein feed with the following:

Crude Protein, minimum ............ 16.00%
Crude Fat, minimum .................... 3.00%
Crude Fiber, minimum ................ 17.00%
Crude Fiber, maximum .............. 20.00%
Calcium (Ca), minimum ................ 0.90%
Calcium (Ca), maximum .............. 1.25%
Phosphorus (P), minimum ............ 0.50%
Salt (NaCl), minimum .................... 0.25%
Salt (NaCl), maximum .................. 0.75%
Vitamin A, minimum ............ 2,000 IU/LB

anything there look troubling?

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Calcium to phosphorous ratio is important for bone building, whole body pH, nerve conduction. Not enough calcium- well,we know hat happens when a female kindles and the calcium levels are too low. calcium also affects heart. I do not have my physiology book handy, butI seem to remember phosphorous levels are even more sensitive when they change..

 

[MaggieJ]

Since only one rabbit has been affected, I think it is likely that it was just something to do with that rabbit's metabolism. If more go the same way, then I would be worried.

 

[trinityoaks]

Good point, Maggie!

Also, I don't know how it is for rabbits, but in humans, magnesium is very important for calcium absorption.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Also, foods that contain oxalic acid (spinach) will cause kidney stone formation, then also look at higher calcium levels in food (alfalfa, dandelions)

According to one of my books, spinach is one of the "feed with caution" items for rabbits. I seem to recall mention of it being fed by RT members- I assume small amounts as part of their fresh greens rations is fine?

 

[MaggieJ]

Yes, small amounts are fine when fed with other greens. The more variety in the greens you feed, the less you need to worry. A lot of rabbits, as long as they are getting plenty of greens, will reject ones that do not meet their needs. My rabbits love dock in spring and will eat young pigweed, but later in the season those are left behind unless they are really hungry. I usually don't bother with them once they are mature. There are plenty of other things to give them. As for spinach... and other garden greens, my rabbits seldom get them. We want them for ourselves.