Fractured Pelvis- Advice requested (R.I.P)

[jewelwillow]

HI Everyone, Thank you for your feedback about Grace. Here's an update. I had planned to take her to a new vet this week, as I've had someone refer a vet to me who deals more with small animals, and who isn't too far away, but today she was using one of her front arms more than she has over the past few weeks, so I'll see how she goes with that. I've been letting her rest in her comfy position, and only propping her up when she tries to get up herself, rather than periodically throughout the day, so I'll see how she goes with the extra rest. I figure I'll give her another week, now that there is a slight change in her movements. I really don't think it's E Cuniculi as her symptoms aren't fully the same, although there are similarities. When I next visit the vet, I'll run it by them just as a precaution anyway. If there are no further improvements this week, I'll head to the new vet. If she improves, we'll go back to the old vet for an update and reappraisal, maybe a new xray to see if she's healing properly, and maybe suggest a phone consultaion with Dr. Kelleher, as suggested by dquesnel.
She has also been more interested in her regular food, not just treats over the last day or two, so I'm hoping that is also a sign of improvement.

I really appreciate your thoughts ans prayers, and the time you've taken to write and help my little Grace. I'll keep updating as anything else happens.
Beth.

 

[jewelwillow]

Update on Grace: Grace hasn't shown any improvement over the past week. We went to a new vet today, (who has more rabbit experience) who says she has bone spurs along her spine, which is restricting her proprioceptive reactions, and affecting where she thinks her legs are, and thats why she's twisted. It's his opinion that this inability to know where she was putting her feet accurately is likely to have caused the fracture initially. This is also the reason her front legs have twisted. It's just that the fracture was the most obvious feature of the x ray, that the previous vet just treated that without realising there was another underlying problem. Unfortunately, there's no cure for her condition. For now, she's having higher doses of pain medication. If all goes well, it will reduce inflammation in her spine, and show an improvement in her front legs. If this is the case, it's medication for the rest of her life. If she doesn't improve, we will have to reassess whether her quality of life will be worthwhile if she remains twisted. Any improvement should happen over the next few days, so keep your fingers crossed for her. We have another appointment next wednesday to have another xray of the full length of her spine to see how bad the spurs are, and follow up on the results of the medication dosage increase. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, I'm hoping against hope that she shows an improvement.

 

[anneq]

Keeping you both in our prayers, Beth.

 

[Maureen Las]

Poor Grace

I hope the medication helps her get more mobility

 

[tonyshuman]

Poor girlie and poor you. I'm glad this vet was able to give you a good diagnosis. It makes sense to me and sounds like this vet knows what he's talking about. It's too bad that the prognosis isn't so good. I hope the pain meds can give her some movement. If they don't, and you still think her quality of life is good, there are a lot of things you can do to make it easier on a bunny with mobility issues, like special bedding to wick urine away, even infant diapers! It may in the end be more humane to put her to sleep, but I know you'll make the best decision for your girl. ray:

 

[jewelwillow]

Update on Grace: She has gotten a lot worse since the last vet visit. The vet put her metacam dosage from that of the 2kg (shes 2.1kg) to a 5kg dosage. She sits there as if she's stoned out of her brain, and hasn't really wanted to move, eat or drink since. She's also been breathing heavier since the visit. I called the vet who says being spaced out isn't due to the medication. The metacam pack information says lethargy and lack of appetite can be side effects of metacam though. She ate a tiny bit of her pellets yesterday and some celery leaves,and I managed to syringe in a couple of ml of water but today she won't touch anything, I've tried all her favourites, and she won't eat a thing. I blended up some celery and carrots to syringe feed her, and she just lets it dribble out of her mouth. I think I might have to put her down, as there's not any "Grace" personality showing anymore. She just looks through me- doesn't even seem to realise I'm there, and she's always known who her mum is. I've never had to do this before with any of my pets, and I don't know what to expect. I'm utterly devastated. My next vet appointment isn't til wednesday, and I can't watch her like this for another 4 days, but I also don't know how I can get out of work to take her in ( I run my own business and have jobs booked in that can't be rescheduled). I don't like any of the vets I've been to, and I hate to get someone I don't like to do it. Can anyone help with some info or insights as to what they would do? Thanks, Beth.

 

[Maureen Las]

Are you and your vet available today?

If so I would call , talk with him and bring her in

it sounds like shedoes have not any quality of life anymore. Does not want to eat, is not active, is not fighting to live
if she was my bun I would have her PTS

she is your bun and you need to go with your feelings and her feeling but it doesn't sound as if she hasfight anymore
Listen to what she wants you to do ................

Poor little Grace

ray:"Hugs"

Maureen

 

[jewelwillow]

Gracie died about an hour or so after my last post. Although I know it was best for her, I'm heartbroken. Thank you guys for all your support!
Beth.

 

[SweetSassy]

ray:

 

[Maureen Las]

Oh I am so sorry for your loss of her. it is truly sad but you did everything that you could......:cry1:
:bigtears::angelandbunny:

You were a great mom to her.....

 

[dquesnel]

Beth I'm so sorry, you did your best. Thank you for keeping us updated, I wish it didn't end like this.
:bunnyangel2:

 

[Leaf]

((hugs)) I'm so sorry.

 

[DeniseJP]

:hug::angelandbunny:

Sorry to hear about Grace -

Denise

 

[JimD]

i'm so sorry

binky free little one

ray::rainbow:

 

[anneq]

Beth, so sorry to hear about your sweet bun...you were a great friend and mom to her when she needed that the most.

/hugs
Anne

 

[tonyshuman]

I'm so sorry you lost her. You did the very best you could for her, and I know she was very grateful for your devoted care. Big hugs to you in this difficult time. I'm sorry the vet couldn't do anything to help her, but you really did everything you could.