Katrina: reduction of size of kidney stones
Kim Chilson
Note of caution:
Any use of medication or natural product
in a rabbit affected by a health disorder must be discussed with the
veterinarian treating this rabbit. The information presented here is indicative
and for educational purpose only – not a substitute for a veterinary
consultation.
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Nephroliths and uroliths, also called calculi or stones, can develop
in the kidney or bladder of rabbits, independently from age and breed. Male
rabbits are more prone to the development of stones, due to their long
urethra. These stones are rock-hard crystal aggregations that exist in a
range of shapes and sizes. When they are small, but present in large
quantity, the condition is referred to as “sludge” or “sand”.
Katrina, a female albino rabbit, years old, suffered from
kidney stones, among other health problems. No treatment exists, except
removal of a kidney. After researching on this topic with Susan L. (USA), we
wanted to give it a try. Dr B. Langhofer (The Scottsdale Veterinary
Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ, USA) was involved in every step of the
treatment given to Katrina too. Katrina has been free
fed alfalfa pellets, dry oatmeal with the powered pumpkin seeds mixed in, a lot
of greens, including those high in calcium, and also, most recently, a few
citrus leaves. She eats about 1/2 bunch parsley a day, too, and oat heads,
and triscuit crackers. And carrots, and bananas
every day. She has not been at all restricted in calcium, because I simply
thought I was feeding her things she loved before she died, so why stop
giving her what she likes, if that makes sense. I just added the citrus
leaves (pink and white grapefruit trees, Navel orange, Tangelo, Lemon, dwarf
Lemon maybe 3-5 leaves most days), as she seemed to really enjoy them on the
few times I brought a couple home. Along with the subcutaneous fluids, which we were not
giving any more, she had Buprenex for pain, very
seldom used. She seemed to do better without either of these most days. She
got an adequan shot every month. As for regular
diet/ supplements/ meds Katrina got: 10 mg/kg Baytril liquid
bid since the first blood test. This appears to help her. 10mg Coenzyme Q-10 once a day Nettle 150mg/day (Urtica dioica Leaf) - from freeze dried capsules, mixed
300mg/mL she gets .50mL of that mix a
day.(equals-150mg day) Quercetin .50mg day (from Nature's Life, labeled Quercetin
extract (Dimorphandra Pod) 400 mg cap mixed with 4 mLs liquid to make 100mg/mL,
she takes .50mL day=50mg/day Milk Thistle-50mg bid Brand- Spring Valley; labeled: standardized extract (Silybum marianum)
(seed) (standardized to contain 80% Silymarin 140
mg) mixed 175mg/10 mL liquid, so she is getting
about 17mg/daymilkthistle Dandelion .50 day of following liquid product made by "Sprouts",
labeled: Certified Organic Fresh Dandelion root (Taraxacum
officinale) Herb Strength Ratio 1:1.5 serving size labeled as 1mL=667mg/mLHerb
weight Equivalence Chamomile .50mL a day of following liquid product from "Sprouts" brand extract labeled: from German Chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita)
Fresh Flowers Fresh Herb/menstruum ratio: 1: 1.25 Ground raw pumpkin seeds, ground in coffee grinder, mixed half and half with dry
oatmeal, free fed all day... she eats approx 1/4 cup a day. She has not been restricted in diet in any way, she is allowed to eat alfalfa pellets, timothy an oat
hay, free fed all day. She also gets spring mix greens and parsley, banana pieces(about 1 tsp), carrots, fed every morning and
night...eats more some days, but always eats pretty good. She gets about 1
1/2 triscuit crackers every day for treats, too.
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