The life of CoCo Puff the Puff Ball

[lovelops]

So I have come to terms that Surgery can't be done for Coco- it's a to delicate area and such a high risk of further serious damage ( I consulted another local orthopaedic surgeon)
So I'm now focusing in giving her a long happy healthy comfortable life.

I wanted to let you know I did follow up here and since I've nothing but excitement.. like my husband was in a car accident this week with the neighbour 2 houses down! Both our cars are totalled I think.. I hope not..and he was in the hospital over night. sigh...I had not been able to post anything yet, but here goes..

I contacted my local vet for my bunnies, Dr. Basheer Ahamed at All Paws Veterinary Center in Upper Marlboro Maryland USA, and after I explained the situation to them they referred me to their orthopedic surgeon, Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Services, or seavs.com is the web site. They are located in Fairfax, Virginia, US.

I saw that they had ultrasound, digital radiography, endoscopy, radio surgery, laser therapy, and advanced procedures there, so I felt better about asking them the questions. They were asking me about the Xrays, but I explained to them I did not have them but gave them the details and they said the same thing that your orthopedic down there said, and their reason was if they tried to rebreak it and something went wrong it could cause further paralysis in the body past where she is paralyzed now. Ok, I can't argue with that.

NOW, what I did ask was if they knew of any procedures to *improve mobility*.

This was something I would ask doctors with my mother and would get blank looks.

Doctors are always used to hearing I want full functionality back. One of them was crash enough to laugh at us when we asked about that for my mother and made some stupid remark, "Well she aint' going to be running any marathons".

I told him she didn't run any damned marathons before. We want improved mobility. If she is in a wheelchair now, can we get her *AMBULATORY* with crutches, a walker, etc... After we left that doctor my mother broke down crying and I wanted to walk back in and punch the doctor in the freaking face. Bedside manner non existent...

OK so now these doctors have said this, is there anything to improve functionality? a bit more ambulatory?? for Coco? Any water therapy to keep her hind limbs flexible? I know we were pushing for that with my mother after seeing Christopher Reeve walking in a swimming pool and I've always wondered about that for pets as well. Have you done any hydro therapy with her?

I have gotten no responses yet from the emails I had sent out so I will send them out again and then give it a week or so and follow up with a phone call.
I'm still working from home due to the ribs, so that should be ok..

Just an FYI I'm not all talk and no action! Give that baby some nose rubs from me!!

Vanessa

 

[Tauntz]

Thanks for the Coco update! Wow! My bunnies with no disabilities are ready to move in if they can get that kind of "spa" treatment & fabulous food! And me too! I could go for that bunny salad you prepare for Coco & the boys! You are an awesome bunny "mom!"

Great work, Vanessa! Glad you check & got a clear answer from the orthopedic vet.

 

[**SRonchi1]

Your awesome Vanessa, I always look forward to your replies! Poor husband!!!! You guys have had trouble after trouble, let's hope that's the end of it!!

It's funny you say hydrotherapy, my Pomeranian Simba does treadmill hydrotherapy every 2weeks as he had the femal ball of his hip chopped off and it's apart of his rehab. I've had several discussions with the lady (whom I've became great friends with) about popping Puffy in there but I just need to get her back legs bending again (apart of the nerve damage has made it harder to bend them now) I've popped her on nerve tonic to do another dose to aid in nerve repair & hopefully that should ease the signals making it easier to manipulate them as I don't want to break them off.

Vicki recommended I pop her in my bath & get in with her & once she is use to the water and getting normal movement we can try in the hydro treadmill.

I just feel bad for the poor girl potentially putting her in a situation she hates but then I guess you never know if you never try! So that will be top if my list over the weekend & will post pics and keep you updated

Acupuncture has been awesome and only done 2sessions! She is so much more mobile & has chosen another favourite spot on a bunny bed next to another hidy hole where the boys like to hang out. I quite often go in there and she isn't in her normal spot but pops her head up behind the pillows or decks which is Sooo lovely to see! I just want her to have lots of fun & enjoy life to the max! Xx

 

[Chrisdoc]

It sound like it could benefit her si it maybe worth it.

Great to see the acupuncture is doing her so much good. Sorry to photo bomb your blog but I got so excited seeing another special bunny with a little cart that just have to post so you can see, I hope you don't mind. I am in awe of everyone who loves and cares for these special bunnies, they are all my heroes

 

[lovelops]

It sound like it could benefit her si it maybe worth it.

Great to see the acupuncture is doing her so much good. Sorry to photo bomb your blog but I got so excited seeing another special bunny with a little cart that just have to post so you can see, I hope you don't mind. I am in awe of everyone who loves and cares for these special bunnies, they are all my heroes

What a cutie and I totally agree with you.. it takes a lot to take care of disabled animals. There is a lot of time and effort and tons of extra work and I agree with you 100%, they are my heroes also!

Someone else here had a bunny Toby that was having problems and I put some of your information in there for them to check out. Let's see if they do..

Vanessa

 

[lovelops]

Yes, if it weren't for no luck I'd have no luck at all.. but that is ok...

Hydrotherapy and legs.. it's funny you bought up her back legs being stiff. That is exactly what happened to my mom.. We were doing therapy with her to keep her flexible which is really necessary and she started getting cranky about the therapy because in the middle she would start having painful muscle spasm and start cussing up a blue streak at us.
In no time at all, her legs became stiff and we could barely bend them. Muscle atrophy is not good for bunny or human!! I swear I thought we were going to have to break her legs when we burried her. Fortunately, I was wrong, thank God!

And I tell you what ever weakness my mom had in her lower extremities, she sure as hell made up for with her upper. She could break my fingers off if she wanted. She had a hell of a grip and when we were trying to flush her pic line or her gastronasal feeding tube and she felt it (we screwed up and used cold water one time.. a no no for her) her grabbed my arm and I thought she was going to break it off. She was sleeping after all and I didn't think she knew.. wrong on both counts, she knew I was flushing the tube and it was COLD water!

So we were going to do that with mom (water therapy)before she died and I think you should with Coco. It can't hurt and hell if you need, to use floats on her!

I mean, she would be able to swim anyway and with her upper body being stronger than her back at this point, she should be ok to tread water with her front two paws.

If you don't feel comfortable then I would get some really small kiddy floats and put on her if you can find some that will fit and plop her in the tub with you, safely and calmly of course, and see how it goes!!

If you can get her to take to it like a duck in water, then that would be great! You could then gently work her back legs and get them more flexible and as time goes by maybe have them move in the full range of motion that they need to move in while in the water to get her unstiff. If you have a jacuzzi tub that would be wonderful. I know we didn't and I bought these Conair pads you could place on the bottom of the tub with a small motor to put (outside of course) and it was a poor man's version of the jacuzzi and we bought this to try with mom also.

I think that is so great she is improving with the Accupunture and you found someone that will come to the house! That is great! It's too bad you can't find another Chinese Herbalist that is familiar with pets.. I'm sure there is one somewhere!

Please let us know how the bath time with Coco goes when you finally do it! I'm sure it's going to be interesting!

Vanessa

 

[Anaira]

Can't believe I've only just found this - another Welly member, yay! May I ask what clinic your vet Kiki is from? I gave up going to my local vet after my last rabbit died, and I now use Alistair at Croften Downs - but that's kinda far for me to travel, I'd been keen if your vet happened to be closer!

And I DO like your cart, with the foam cushioning.

 

[**SRonchi1]

Wow I thought it was a long shot as most other Nz bunny ppl are in Auckland!

She is now at Rapaw in Tawa- she spent her younger years working in Switzerland where she is from and every 4th patient is a rabbit. I was the same, I lost a rabbit to Stassis (my beloved Buzz U Da Man) he was given subq fluids but no pain relief and died a day after, I was devastated!!

We have Tara Rana who works at Kelburn Pet Doctors & Pet Vet Lower Hutt & she is an exotics specialist. I took my special darling Coco Puff to her to get scans done & a referral to Massey due to her disability. Tara was great but didn't know me or my bunny very well & expected the worst- Kiki on the other hand knows us & coco is a happy healthy special bun that I treat holistically with homeopathy & acupuncture & all is looking promising for the future

There is a bunny rescue in Upperhutt which are good although I didn't have the greatest experience there. I adopted a doe who had really bad eyes & I wanted to bond her with another rescue bunny Marli, all didn't work out so I wanted to foster her because she wasn't friendly & her eyes & UTI needed treatment 3x a day. I also spent $150 on her on a vet & Meds visit but for some reason they were offended & wanted to give my money back! I didn't take it back & a month later Fudge was still there with weeping eyes and a week later gone! For a no kill shelter she would have died & it pisses me off they had the need to feel offended & in turn stopping her from getting proper health care I was willing to pay for! Any way rant over!! but you may have luck finding a mate for your boy there & you can take him in so he can meet them and select a potential mate- you will see them on trade me under rescue bunnies Upper Hutt.

 

[**SRonchi1]

Oops I thought you where the one trying to bond Merlin- ignore the bonding stuff I talked about! Sorry

 

[Anaira]

Yeah, tawa's also pretty far - my mum took her guinea pig to PetVet in the Hutt, and was quite impressed, even though Bella didn't make it, she was happy with the way they treated her. So I took my sick rats there yesterday, and was also fairly impressed - dropped one of them off this morning for an x-tray, to make sure his heart is ok, and other organs. Alistair sees just about every rat in the Wellington region, since the NZ Rat Rescue in Welly uses him, and a few of them have rabbits too, so he sees a few of them, too. He's come across quite a few weird problems with rats, and done HEAPS of surgery's - a friend of mine took in a baby rat who had somehow been attacked by a wild rat - I don't know how, but the poor thing got broken bones, and a messed-up jaw - he's had surgery a few times, had teeth removed, bones fixed, and he's done really well. He's also fixed up a couple of VERY nasty abuse cases - I don't think he's a specialist, but he does not give up, and does all he can, including going to specialists if it becomes necessary and talking to them. So if I'd seen this before Dr. Kiki came home, I'd have recommended him - but it sounds like Kiki's got as much hope for her as you do, which is always important!

I'm very interested to hear about the acupuncture - I didn't even know they did it on pets!

haha no, my two are Reuben, and Nermal.

 

[**SRonchi1]

Happy 1st birthday to this gorgeous bun CoCo Puff the CoCo Nutty!

It has been a bumpy journey over the last 10months when your accident happened but your happy & healthy and nothing will hold you back!

I love watching you zoom around in your cart chin rubbing, nose bumping with the occasional scent spray (urine) to let every other bun know that Coco Puff is in town!!!

Your amazing strength & strong personality with the amazing ability to not let anything hold you down is inspiring to all that know you.

Your a one very special bun & I'm so blessed to call you my girl.

I hope you enjoyed your birthday with your brother Alfie Tine & munching your weetbix and oats sprinkled with Rose petals, rose leaves and rose hips with a tiny piece of Apple for desert.

I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you my special wee girl xxxxxxxxx

 

[whiskylollipop]

:birthday

Happy birthday to Coco! She's adorable!!

 

[pani]

Happy birthday CoCo!!

 

[BunnySilver]

Aww Happy Birthday CoCo Puff!

 

[Chrisdoc]

You gorgeous girl, wishing you a wonderful day !!!

 

[**SRonchi1]

Coco has morphed into a gorgeous wee bun bun lady with her ever growing dewlap that she looooves having scratched! It sends her into teeth purring heaven Here is Coco Nutty getting ready for bed after her usual nightly routine



Coco in bliss





Time to clean her paws

 

[**SRonchi1]

Coco lounging around with her full brother Alfie







And her dad Darcy



Snug as a bug with Alfie doing his bum modeling pose

 

[**SRonchi1]

Like brother like sister



Goodnight everyone

 

[pani]

CoCo is seriously TOO CUTE! I almost cry with happiness when I see her looking so happy and content with Alfie and Darcy. Her dewlap is looooovely. Clementine has recently begun grooming things like a stuffed dragon that we have, and when she does it it reminds me of lovely CoCo grooming her sheepskin. :love:

 

[**SRonchi1]

Aaawww how sweet! Clemmie obviously has feelings for the dragon to be tending to it so delicately Coco, Alfie & Darcy groom the little car pillow behind Coco- I wish I new what they are thinking!