Bunny Limping turned more serious. Advice wanted!

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Maybellana

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Hello, so i am new to this forum but i really need some advice or thoughts on my situation.

a week ago i found my bunny Xayah limping, he is a year and 4 months old netherland dwarf bunny. he hadn;t done anything that i was aware off so i thought maybe it would be a sprain like his brother had in december (and unlike his brother he was still eating) so i left it for 2 days. by the third day my motherly insticts for my bunny kicked in and i just phoned the vet to make sure it wasn;t more serious, and she said she was pretty sure it was soft tissue issue HOWEVER she was concerned it could be a minor fracture based on how he was holding it and range of motion he could manage. you could touch it without him reacting.

its been 5 days of him on pain meds and he just returned to the vets today, and the news was worse then ever expect. he had been getting worse over those 5 days, not drasticly, just less weight on it, less bouncy and happy but still eating, drinking, and pooping and happy to see treats. However the vet now thinks its unlikely to be a minor fracture because it got worse instead of better, she now believes a possible nerve issue near the spine or neurological issues could be the cause...

diagnostics would be £400 for X-ray to rule out fracture possible spine/hip issue and/or £1,500 for Ct scan referal. i thankfully have the money to spend on both of these, the issue is, it seems like there isnt a solution to either of the problems she believes he has. she says doing nothing will potentially leave him paralysed and needing to be put down, but the two other options did seem much better. when i asked about what solutions to either spine or neurological issues would be, she didnt say just said they would have to see the results to see what future steps would be and apologizes multiple times and nothing online gives me hope.

has anyone had a bunny with these issues? or similar situation? i just wanna know that im not paying to stress my bunny out, make him refuse to be near me more then he already is cuz of pain meds, just to find out theres nothing i can do to improve his quality of life.
 
How do give the pain meds? I mix it with a little kitchen oatmeal and make it slightly damp, my Herr Hase comes in the evening and demands it. He's got athrosis in the hips, limps somewhat but it's much better now, before I got the pain meds it was so bad I thought I would lose him, had real problems to get up and didn't use one leg at all.
Wow, that x-ray is expensive, I paid about 85€ for the whole visit including two x-rays and meds for a week.
 
How do give the pain meds? I mix it with a little kitchen oatmeal and make it slightly damp, my Herr Hase comes in the evening and demands it. He's got athrosis in the hips, limps somewhat but it's much better now, before I got the pain meds it was so bad I thought I would lose him, had real problems to get up and didn't use one leg at all.
Wow, that x-ray is expensive, I paid about 85€ for the whole visit including two x-rays and meds for a week.

He has 1.5ml through syringe in the morning while I hold him to my chest. Its to big of an amount to put on a treat like i normally do and he doesn't really like any foods like that i can hide it in and confirm he will eat.

I just got notes from vet. Its suspected spinal injury, possible still fracture tho unlikely or a tumor. Hes gone from putting weight on it at the start of the week to outright refusing to put it down. If he doesn't improve they think putting him down will be only option.

And yeah, I assume the cost is sedation and risk from him being a dwarf rabbit. As I had a hamster need a xray a couple years ago that would have cost £300 due to size and risk. Xayah is only 1.4kg
 
400 is really steep for xrays. Even half that would be more than what I would expect. And a ct is really unnecessary, especially at this point, when the less expensive option of xrays is likely to show sufficiently what's going on in the leg.

What you're relaying doesn't sound right to me. I don't understand why your vet is saying the spine has anything to do with a leg injury. And jumping the gun and saying your rabbit may need to be euthanized is absolutely unnecessary right now. A fractured leg doesn't mean a rabbit needs to be put down. If the leg is severely fractured, amputation might be needed, but rabbits can adapt quite well to that. The leg may be worsening for a varity of reasons nothing to do with nerves. It could be because it was a compound fracture and the bones have shifted.

I would strongly suggest finding a more experienced rabbit vet, a specialist if possible. You have some really good ones in your country. If you want to include what part of England you are in, someone might be able to give a recommendation for a knowledgeable rabbit vet near you. Otherwise, you can try this list.
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-...abbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/
I would find a more experienced rabbit vet for a second opinion, have xrays done and see what needs to be done after that.
 
400 is really steep for xrays. Even half that would be more than what I would expect. And a ct is really unnecessary, especially at this point, when the less expensive option of xrays is likely to show sufficiently what's going on in the leg.

What you're relaying doesn't sound right to me. I don't understand why your vet is saying the spine has anything to do with a leg injury. And jumping the gun and saying your rabbit may need to be euthanized is absolutely unnecessary right now. A fractured leg doesn't mean a rabbit needs to be put down. If the leg is severely fractured, amputation might be needed, but rabbits can adapt quite well to that. The leg may be worsening for a varity of reasons nothing to do with nerves. It could be because it was a compound fracture and the bones have shifted.

I would strongly suggest finding a more experienced rabbit vet, a specialist if possible. You have some really good ones in your country. If you want to include what part of England you are in, someone might be able to give a recommendation for a knowledgeable rabbit vet near you. Otherwise, you can try this list.
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-...abbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/
I would find a more experienced rabbit vet for a second opinion, have xrays done and see what needs to be done after that.


i had a feeling it was to much, im pretty sure his brother was offered an xray if he didnt get better at the emergency vet last year and it was estimated at only £180-200, so i was considering phoning them even tho hes not registered there, strange cuz that company is known to be the best yet most expensive vet in our area. my vets had good reveiws on bunnies, went with them cuz they was part of the healthy pet club (which my membership typically ended in may). maybe time to consider a switcharoo now my savings are secured.

Ive been looking up her suggestions pretty much since she told me. ive only really found that yes, its bad its been a week and hes only gotten worse on pain meds instead of better, and his lack of propioception when it comes to moving the leg, which is apparently a sign of Minor spinal injury... but at the same time he has muscle control to hold the leg up and still has bladder control, so 1 out of 3 popular symptoms? however it is a slim possibilty but can be found in xray along with the original minor fracture.
i've not really taken ct into consideration since ive calmed down.

The reason she mentioned him being euthanized is because she believes if it is spinal or tumor, he will become paralysed if left untreated. im unsure if she wanted to put him down before he showed signs of getting that bad or not.. however hes still a happy bun for now so that was never even in my mind as an option just yet.

"option:
XRay-->CT scan
PTS"
 
Following. I haven't a lot of time at the moment but will respond more later. Our nearly 12 y.o. dutch girl incurred a femur fx over a year ago. She healed A-OK with certain pain meds and protocol to restrict movement enough for a callous to form.

Another bun guardian adopted a boy from the shelter when she saw he had a blood spot on his back. She was versed in care for a special needs' bun. Her boy lived numerous years after his spine fx was confirmed on xray.
 
Hello, so i am new to this forum but i really need some advice or thoughts on my situation.

a week ago i found my bunny Xayah limping, he is a year and 4 months old netherland dwarf bunny. he hadn;t done anything that i was aware off so i thought maybe it would be a sprain like his brother had in december (and unlike his brother he was still eating) so i left it for 2 days. by the third day my motherly insticts for my bunny kicked in and i just phoned the vet to make sure it wasn;t more serious, and she said she was pretty sure it was soft tissue issue HOWEVER she was concerned it could be a minor fracture based on how he was holding it and range of motion he could manage. you could touch it without him reacting.

its been 5 days of him on pain meds and he just returned to the vets today, and the news was worse then ever expect. he had been getting worse over those 5 days, not drasticly, just less weight on it, less bouncy and happy but still eating, drinking, and pooping and happy to see treats. However the vet now thinks its unlikely to be a minor fracture because it got worse instead of better, she now believes a possible nerve issue near the spine or neurological issues could be the cause...

diagnostics would be £400 for X-ray to rule out fracture possible spine/hip issue and/or £1,500 for Ct scan referal. i thankfully have the money to spend on both of these, the issue is, it seems like there isnt a solution to either of the problems she believes he has. she says doing nothing will potentially leave him paralysed and needing to be put down, but the two other options did seem much better. when i asked about what solutions to either spine or neurological issues would be, she didnt say just said they would have to see the results to see what future steps would be and apologizes multiple times and nothing online gives me hope.

has anyone had a bunny with these issues? or similar situation? i just wanna know that im not paying to stress my bunny out, make him refuse to be near me more then he already is cuz of pain meds, just to find out theres nothing i can do to improve his quality of life.
If they can't say for sure what steps could be taken, i would just try phoning other bunny vets to see what they say. I don't know what your average prices are but the price they said seems a bit overkill for me. 400£ for an xray picture? Nothing here is cheap either but our xrays at the vets even in the capital cost no more than 50€\£

It's been a couple of days. How is your bun doing?
 
If they can't say for sure what steps could be taken, i would just try phoning other bunny vets to see what they say. I don't know what your average prices are but the price they said seems a bit overkill for me. 400£ for an xray picture? Nothing here is cheap either but our xrays at the vets even in the capital cost no more than 50€\£

It's been a couple of days. How is your bun doing?

Hey, Thanks im still looking for opinions and advice so any input is appriciated.

i phoned back my vets to double check costs, apparently £400 was if it went well (1 picture, 1 dose of sedation) , highest possibly price was quoted at £570 (2 photos and highest dose sedation). i asked for time to phone around. i tried 5 different vets and i got one of two responses 1) price is more expensive or 2) no point quoting you as our exotic vet is full or on holiday.

sedation is £150
Xray is £420 for 2 photos (second photo is £70)

the general opinion is without diagnostics, its a waiting game with pain meds. either he improves or he comes paraylsed and likely needs to be put down. keep in mind these are without physical appointments but they agree with my vet who says other then the limp and not reacting to pain, theres no symptoms to go by.
 

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Noooo, if he becomes immobile from down below, thwn you don't need to put him down. Just ask around the forum or bunny rescues and i'm pretty sure that if you're up for the task, Xaiah can keep on living just as a special-needs bunny!
 
There was another thread within a month or two back regarding spine and bone injuries. I'll try to find later.
i would really appriciate it if you could, thank you for the help.
sounds like you got those bunnies the help they needed. im really hoping i can do the same for xayah but £570 for 2 xrays is seeming unreasonable, at the same time in history notes my vet seems doubtful it is just a fracture due to lack of improvement over a week and would need the ct-scan.
 
Noooo, if he becomes immobile from down below, thwn you don't need to put him down. Just ask around the forum or bunny rescues and i'm pretty sure that if you're up for the task, Xaiah can keep on living just as a special-needs bunny!

i would 100% be willing to look after my bun for as long as hes willing to try keep living. however my vets hasnt given a proper reason to the "put to sleep" in his history as she didnt mention it on the phone when we first discussed options, its just left as an option. the only thing i can consider is she mentioned if it is nerve damage or tumour he will likely lose bladder control and life quality would be to low and it would need to be considered.
 
i would 100% be willing to look after my bun for as long as hes willing to try keep living. however my vets hasnt given a proper reason to the "put to sleep" in his history as she didnt mention it on the phone when we first discussed options, its just left as an option. the only thing i can consider is she mentioned if it is nerve damage or tumour he will likely lose bladder control and life quality would be to low and it would need to be considered.
If it comes to that, then true. I hope that it doesn't though. Seeing how your bun loses essential functionalities and knowing there's nothing you can do but wait and wish well is THE worst.
It's what happened to my lost lop Musti who had developed a knee abcess. He kept losing control of his leg too, became unable to keep himself clean and ended up with an always-messy hindquarter. The vet said to us that if he weren't a 5.5kg french lop but for example a 2kg small lop he could've lived with three legs just fine. But being the big boy that he was, that became impossible. So we let him go.
All in all, it depends on the individual case. May the best luck accompany your bunno.
 
If it comes to that, then true. I hope that it doesn't though. Seeing how your bun loses essential functionalities and knowing there's nothing you can do but wait and wish well is THE worst.
It's what happened to my lost lop Musti who had developed a knee abcess. He kept losing control of his leg too, became unable to keep himself clean and ended up with an always-messy hindquarter. The vet said to us that if he weren't a 5.5kg french lop but for example a 2kg small lop he could've lived with three legs just fine. But being the big boy that he was, that became impossible. So we let him go.
All in all, it depends on the individual case. May the best luck accompany your bunno.

indeed, atm he seems oki jumping around on 3 legs, still superman posing it as he pleases. tho i have seem him lose balance once or twice and he definately has issues cleaning certain parts that require the use of that hind leg, but hes still fairly curious and willing to groom his brother through the bars, even still tries to go on his hind leg to get treats or nose rubs from me despite me trying to get him not to.

im thinking at this point best i can do is wait and hope its just a fracture and he will be better with rest. hope the vets two other possible options arnt the case, as im still not sure we could help him if its a tumour or nerve / spinal damage. still debating the xray just for peace of mind.. but £570 >.<
 
Sorry for the big letters, I was trying to locate Jelovceva's thread around May 16, 2020. Some extra input and photos on the thread title above.

We currently have an elder diagnosed with compressed disc spaces. She's eating, and moving with pain meds to alleviate discomfort, and still shows ambition to see another day. she also has a support partner and the two buns can talk to each other and nibble hay thru the ex-pen rails. I also cared for my elder mini rex for several months after her diagnosis of compressed disc spaces.

I'd be cautious or not recommend he actively move around. Appetite, attitude, and affection. Things to consider.
 
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An xray won't show a fracture area? We had a bun with a neurological concern, brain tumor, that had a sad ending. I guesstimate Xayah with a suspected fx or injury has a better chance to enjoy life for much longer! Not all bun guardians are specialized or willing to take on a special needs' bun. Many are, though.

Ditto what JBun said on Tuesday. One DVM with the clinic who saw the xray of our girl's fx femur was skeptical her leg could heal without medical intervention. And her leg did heal with confinement! Pain med protocol - same as when I had two fractures that needed a cast, fixation device (won't elaborate) plus me being on recuperative time pain meds.

Our elder didn't need to undergo surgery. At her age, we won't even consider. Plus the expense and recuperation time.

Second opinions are extremely helpful.

Ditto what JBun typed.
 
I have a Lionshead that I have had for 3 years that was found as a baby with a broken back leg that had already started to heal back crooked. When we originally took her to the vet we didn't have the money to get it reset. This would have also been extremely stressful on her with her being so little, too. So the vet told us our only other option was to just see how she adapted to it.... Which she did!!! She is a happy go lucky bunny now with her little kick stand leg, as we call it. The only thing she has a little trouble with is getting all of her cecotropes sometimes. We have now discovered that if we keep her private area clipped really short with scissors that she can even do that just fine, too. We recently got her spayed about 6 weeks ago & the vet suggested the haircut might aid her in being able to reach around there & keep it maintained better. Plus, she needed to be able to get to it & get the nourishment she needs from it. He was right... it worked. Before I was having to bathe her every day (at least the back end of her) & sometimes even the front, too. She has such long hair around her face & bottom it would be all over her every time. She hated it, too. Now she has only had to be washed 1 time in the last 6 weeks. I do have to keep her butt trimmed pretty often, like every other week. Her right back leg sticks out to the side but, she is still so Beautiful & she is happy as can be!! She can even run & do binkies, too!!! Don't give up untilyou KNOW 100% SURE that there is no other option. It took Months for Our FuFu to figure out how to be okay with 3 good legs & 1 bent one... but she did!! She doesn't even know there's anything wrong with her now. We got her a playmate... a female Mini Lion/Lop about a year & a half ago. She gets around just as good as the other one even when they are outside exercising in their pen. They play chase & jump up on boxes, she can also jump up on the couches inside... she can do anything the other 1 can do. She loses her balance every once in a while but it doesn't even phaze her... She just gets right back up & does it again. I'm going to try & get a picture of her where it shows her leg if I can & post it later. Good Luck & I'll Keep you both in my prayers!!!
 
Here are some Pics of Our LiL Bunny FuFu... As you can see this is 1 spoiled & Very Happy Bunny!!!! Don't Give Up!!!
 

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