Help...Broken leg!

[hok9]

My bunny has a broken leg. Well its more like dislocated, but still its bad. He doesnt seem to be in any pain but will not eat or move much.

What should i do?

 

[NorthernAutumn]

I am not an infirmary mod by any means, but I would strongly promote you to take him to the vet. Maybe dislocated, muscle torn, who knows? He sounds like he may be in shock right now.

How did it happen? What happens when you touch it gently? Does it feel like the leg has moved out of the hip socket?

Really, I would get to the vet quickly; there's a short window of time in which bunnies can go downhill rapidly.

 

[hok9]

I cant take him to the vet until the morning when they open. It feel loose at the bend in their leg.
I accidently stepped on him. He was hiding in a plastic bag i had out when i was cleaning and i just happend to step on the front of his foot as he was cleaning it i guess and he took off, well his foot didnt go with him.

 

[Maureen Las]

It sounds like a bad break. place him in a smaller cage so that he cannot move around ; you want him to move that leg as little as possible. Take him to the vet ASAP. I am not sure what they can do; if it was a smaller bone they would atempt to align the bones and keep him in a small area a for a few months until it heals.
he also will need pain meds

please let us know how he is

 

[tonyshuman]

I hope you're at the vet right now, and that's why we haven't had an answer. He could be in shock from the pain and that's why he seems fine. If not, keep him warm and as immobile as possible until you get there. If he goes into shock, his body temp could be unstable.

edit: wanted to add that I can totally understand how this would happen. My guys run around me all the time, especially when I'm carrying food, and I'm always so worried I'll step on them!

 

[Happi Bun]

Oh no, I'm so sorry! A few times I've tripped over Dunkin when walking since he likes to run around my feet. Let us know what the vet says, I hope something can be done.

 

[pla725]

I stepped on Max's hind footthe other night. He was okay but I watched him for a bit.

Hopefully the vet can take x-rays and splint the leg at least.I would also ask for pain meds and antibiotics to prevent infection.

 

[DazyDaizee]

If your vet is not open you should go to an emergency vet.. this is absolutely an emergency and as others noted, he may be in shock and could go downhill quickly, making it a life threatening situation. Please take him to emergency regardless of the drive.

Like others, I can relate and obviously it wasn't your fault. I've almost stepped on my ferrets.. Mid step, feel one under my foot and I've fallen by trying to not put any pressure down on top of the ferret. I've nearly fallen on my rabbit, nearly fallen down stairs avoiding stepping on the cat. They're small.. they get underfoot.. it happens. In this case, the rabbit is injured and needs urgent medical attention. Imagine how painful it must be.. it is very difficult to tell if a rabbit is in pain.. think..how do you expect them to act if they are in pain? Quiet.. lack of movement... they don't cry.. so it's hard to judge, but I'm sure the bunny is in pain.

 

[Maureen Las]

I'm concerned that we haven't heard anything ray:

 

[hok9]

Sorry, It looks like he wont be able to see a vet till monday. I tried to get to an emergency one but none of the ones here speak english so they had no idea what i was saying and hung up. He seems to be doing alright though, He is acting like himself, just not moving as much, but still eating and drinking.

 

[Maureen Las]

You should try to keep him as still as possible without allowinghim to move the leg freely..

Feel his ears and bodyto determine whether he is getting shocky which would be a cold feeling.; a warm rice sock (warmed in microwave to try to warm him up if this happens.)

He would have to be in painand is hiding it as rabbits do well

look at his gums to see if they are white or pale instead of red

if you went to an emergency vet with your rabbit the vets could SEE what the problems is

does his leg dangle ?

Fractures have different classiification . is this a closed fracture? ; a closed fracture is one in which the skin is not broken.
it could be a dislocation , however did you actuallystep on him a and feel a crushing sensation?

A vet would take x-rays
The goal in treating a fractured limb is to remove any foreign mateial and dead tissue

restore alignment (reduce)debride
immobilize the bone until healing can take place (stabilize )

treat or prevent bacterial infections
provide pain relief
The vet will manipulate the bones to restore alignment and then hold them in place by a splint, pins through the bone or plate. Most often pinning is the method of choice. rarely and usually for larger rabbits the bones are held in place with plates

Most of the above info is from Kathy Smith/ Lucille Moore book"When your Rabbit Needs special Care"

 

[hok9]

Its dislocated, i know how a brake feels. I used to work with the medical department onboard my old ship. Its as if someone took your leg and poped your leg loose at the knee.

 

[Maureen Las]

Once again I am referring to kathy Smith/Lucille Moore. "When Your Rabbit needs Special care"

dislocations technically are injuries to connective tissue that holds a joint in place

Symptoms of a dislocation are limping, swollen joint and pain .An x ray is usually needed for diagnosis > The goal in treating a dislocation is to reduce (restore to normal position) the joint and keep it stabilized while scar tissue forms and helps hold the joint in place. A reduced dislocation can often be held in place by a bandage, lightweight leg splint or a rod. Ocassionally they must be held in place by a pin inserted through the joint before the limb is splinted; pins are normally removed after about 3 weeks ; the splint after an aditional 2-3 weeks. At times a dislocation can heal without pinning or splinting; in one case a rabbit with a dislocated leg was placed in a small pen and allowed only very restricted movement

Slowly the rabbit healed and regained mobility

Unforunately dislocations have a tendency to roccur Arthroplasty can be one solution to a hip dislocation that reocurrs. This is where the head of the femur is removed so there is no longer a ball and socketjoint and the muscle is stitched to hold the hip in place. The leg may need to be manipulated to prevent muscles remaining in a contracted position. Pain meds and antbiotics will also be prescribed.

Care of rabbits with joint luxation include

Administration of antibiotics and analgesics

monitoring food and fluid intake

Watching for GI disturbances
Limiting activity

massage

keeping the perianeal area clean and dry if incontinence is present

let us know know how he is doing until you can get him care

 

[Maureen Las]

How is he doing? :expressionless

 

[DazyDaizee]

Has he been to the vet yet? How is he?

 

[hok9]

Hes there now. Ill pick him up later today

 

[Maureen Las]

any news ray:

 

[hok9]

Hes has a break right at what was the joint. Basically his knee cap broke off. He goes in for surgery on thursday but no gaurantee they can save his leg.

 

[dquesnel]

I am sorry to hear that it sounds bad. However, some people try and fix the leg to the point where it is absolutely useless anyway (and causes significant pain to the rabbit) when in fact most animals, rabbits included, can get around extremely well on three legs. If it is a bad break I always suggest amputation rather than multiple surgeries- it really depends on the situation. Let us know how he does, and make sure he is on some strong painkillers.

 

[Maureen Las]

AWW that's too bad that is turned out so bad...

but Denise is right that rabbits can do fine on 3 legs...
ray: