Random snippets

 * Have been so sleep-deprived caring for Chewy lately. Now I know how nursing mothers feel...

* Chewy's nystagmus and vertigo has improved but her head tilt has worsened. She now tumbles with every few steps she takes but she has also learnt to pick herself up (usually with a few more tumbles). She is obviously tired out by the constant falling but continues to be real trooper and hasn't given up on trying. Helps that she is eating/ drinking well and lapping up her medicine like a real sensible child would. Oh, I love her to bits and really hope she gets well soon!

* Alfonso is currently doing his first happy run in his play pen as I type which is a relief. We were worried that he might feel neglected and depressed with his companion sick and separated from him. It is really nice to see him happy. *phew!* =)

* I bought not one but two Kate Spade bags! (with hubby's approval of course!) They should be arriving sometime this week. Yay!

* With all the multi-tasking I've been doing lately, I needed to find a more efficient and quicker way to prepare my meals in the kitchen. An electric pressure cooker immediately came to mind - to have my food cooked in less than half the time as compared to conventional cooking methods and not needing to guard by the stove at the same time. Just what I needed! I did kinda regret not buying this Oneida OPC090M 5-Quart Stainless Steel Electric Multi-Pressure Cooker when it was on sale for a really good price. Then I came across this Salton CEPC600S 6-qt. Programmable Pressure Cooker for $39.99 which is really cheap. I like that it has a brown/steam function and a non-stick removable pan for easy cleaning.  I've already ordered it online and it should be arriving in a few days. Let's hope it is a good buy!

Day 6 and counting...

4.30 am this morning saw me sitting in the bunnies' playpen and in tears. Chewy was having multiple episodes of vertigo since 1 am and it hadn't stopped. I was so exhausted but couldn't leave her alone in fear that she might end up hurting herself. I finally managed to get some sleep at around 5.30 am, feeling really defeated and wondering how long I'll be able sustain this level of care. I am practically spending all my time just watching over her and I'm even afraid to go to the bathroom sometimes. But I'm glad we've had really good advice and support from the people at Etherbun. It is comforting to know that bunnies who suffered similar illness as Chewy have come out of it well (even though it could take weeks sometimes months to see improvements). Hubs have also come up with a solution to allow us to catch some sleep tonight. We have padded all corners of the previous cage with a thick layer of fleece to allow Chewy to roll over it fairly safely. We are leaving the cage totally empty to prevent her from tripping & hitting against her food/ water bowls. It also means we'll have to get up periodically to feed her food and water. But hey, I'm not complaining considering what I had to go through the past few days! Oh, how I miss my bed! *Zzzz...*

Chewy in her "paralysed" state after an episode of vertigo and thrashing about in her newly padded cage.

When things spin out of control...

Today I had the horror of witnessing Chewy flipping uncontrollably on her sides with her eyes darting crazily to and fro. Had to quickly hold her still on one side and reassure her for a long while before she was okay to get up again. This has happened three times already and the second episode lasted a good 1/2 hr. Her vertigo is worsening and it sure scares the living daylights out of me! I am truly at my wits' end- Chewy is not improving and it's no more comforting that the vet uses terms like "guarded prognosis", "supportive management" and "best of luck".  It sucks.

As if I am not stressed enough already, Alfonso (my other bunny) has to insist on pushing the food and water bowl over and making a complete mess of the playpen. And my toilet bowl decided to clog and spew gross stuff all over my toilet floor. *sigh* Seriously, when is my bad luck ever going to end?! As Murphy's law goes, anything that can go wrong, has gone wrong.

I need a break. *sobs*

New bunny home

My heart skipped a beat every time Chewy toppled over in her cage so last evening we decided to modify the environment to make it safer for her. We got rid of the existing cage and replaced it with a huge pet fence.  Now there is plenty of space for both bunnies to maneuver around and Chewy can have easy access to her food and water as well.

 Both of them looking relatively comfortable in their new home...

 Chewy in her poo pan (notice the head tilt to the left)...

Chewy falling asleep by her food this morning. Check out the mess they have created already!

Update on Chewy

Chewy's head is still tilted to the left [slightly worse today] and her right eye continues to dart to and fro. She hops like she is about to topple over and has tripped quite a few times while getting in and out of her poo pan and cage. She has also stopped eating her pellets and she seems to be having difficulties drinking from the water dripper.  It is pretty heartbreaking to watch but at least I am glad she is still pretty alert and chomping down her hay and green vegetables. I will be monitoring her closely today and syringe feeding her water periodically so she does not get dehydrated.
Was expecting medication feeding time to be traumatic today but Chewy surprised me. She took all her meds without a struggle! I am really proud of her.  Hope she keeps this up and gets well soon! :)

Heartache

We had to bring Chewy to the vet this morning. She has been acting strangely for the last two days. She was perpetually in a daze and her head was tilted slightly to the left with a notable nystagmus in her right eye. We thought it could be an inner ear infection which might also be causing her dizziness and unsteadiness when she moves.
The vet diagnosed Chewy with possible E. Cunniculi, a parasitic infection which could have been transmitted by her infected mother in the womb.  It is a chronic disease and there is a chance that Chewy's condition may improve or go downhill from here. She has been given medications for her vertigo and inflammation which we will have to syringe feed her for the next five days.  I really hope she responds to the treatment. It is really painful to see her like this. :(