Rabbit has problem walking? (RESOLVED)

[NorthernAutumn]

Just bruising? Absolutely nothing else?

If you can ask her to make a digital copy of the x-rays (burn to CD), that would be really great for your future reference.

Looking forward to the vet report I wonder what she thinks the cause is?

If you don't mind me asking, who is the vet and practice location? I'm wondering if someone else here has worked with them....

So far, good news though :hug:

 

[asianangel]

I'm not sure yet...she was really busy so I couldn't get a word in over the phone...when I go there I'll get the full details...I'm hoping it's fixable...but she says it will take about 4 weeks to see any recovery..

Oh the vet I went to is the RSPCA in Sydney (Australia)...I'm lucky because I only live like a few minutes away. Still praying...Mochi is making me so worried

 

[Pipp]

I thought that might be it considering it was a slower progression and she still had motion.

The big thing was getting her in and getting the swelling down. She should be fine.

It has happened on the board before, and to me, although not quite as serious. Pipp slipped off my chair, which wasn't much of a drop, she always jumps it on her own, but this time she landed funny and couldn't hop. :shock:

Very scary! But a couple days rest and anti-inflammatories did the trick.

It could have been just an odd twist. You really have to be careful how you hold them. One hand on the butt with the other on their chests pulled tight against your body will help keep them secure and stable. (They feel more secure that way, too, and will be happier about being picked up).

Hope she hops out of it soon will no lasting effects!


sas :bunnydance:

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Might want to bring a pad of paper and a pen when you go. Whenever I'm at the vets, I'm usually so worried and stressed out about the treatment that I wind up not remembering half of it by the time I get home ... I never remember paper either


That's great that they are so close to you!

4 weeks to recover is a pretty positive outlook :hug: :bunnydance:

 

[asianangel]

Hi pip! That's what happened. Exactly..I was holding her on the couch and she scrambled away and slipped off the leather couch...landed on her back on the timber floor...*sigh*..

Thanks for the advice on how to hold her =) But she is the size of a rat now so she's pretty small. Its pretty easy to scoop her up gently.

NorthernAutumn, thanks for the advice =) Nice to see ppl on the internet who genuinely care about animals!!

Gotta get going in a few minutes...hoping for the best.

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

asianangel wrote:

I'm not sure yet...she was really busy so I couldn't get a word in over the phone...when I go there I'll get the full details...I'm hoping it's fixable...but she says it will take about 4 weeks to see any recovery..

Oh the vet I went to is the RSPCA in Sydney (Australia)...I'm lucky because I only live like a few minutes away. Still praying...Mochi is making me so worried

excellent news...now if the adrenaline will equalize soon,,please take note of all info the dvm has about your baby,,and ask questions,medication,,dosages,etc..ie.myxi??..i love it when a plan comes together..sincerely james waller:wave:ink iris::bunnydance:

 

[Pipp]

asianangel wrote:

Thanks for the advice on how to hold her =) But she is the size of a rat now so she's pretty small. Its pretty easy to scoop her up gently.

Easy to scoop them up, but this may be a way of keeping them from even slightly twisting in the process and even more necessary with her injury and four-week recovery time. Although I'd check with the vet, I'm sure they'll have specific holding instructions -- or 'not holding' instructions.

Four weeks sounds serious, but if its not life-threatening, all is good.

(And James, unfortunately the Myxi vaccine isn't available in Australia).



sas :bunnydance:

 

[asianangel]

Ok I'm back from the vet...she told me its a bad bruise and she is giving it 1 week to recover...if she gets worse and not better they're going to euthanize her I saw the x-rays and they look good...nothing broken...she is going to be on some anti inflammatory drugs for a week (vet showed me how to feed her the drugs) and we'll see what happens...

*sigh*...very uncertain...I guess I've done everything I can as an owner...

 

[Mochi]

Hello again. I'm glad my sister's been keeping you updated while I was at school. I'm just hoping she gets better. Thank you for all your help and for being so nice to us *bows*

 

[Pipp]

No disrespect, but I don't think euthanization is the vet's call. That's up to the bunny's guardians. As long as she's not in unmanageable pain, she can survive with paralysis.

Many other cases, but check out Cheryl's Jack, also in Australia:

Update on Jack


sas :clover:

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Honestly, I'm not sure about your one-week timeline... that sounds awfully short, if there is nothing broken. Does the vet think that there is internal injury?

It sounds like your vet is following this protocol: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/171338.htm
As you can see, if she is more mobile, and not incontinent in the next week and a bit, the prognosis is better.

If you see poops in the next few days, things are looking up

I agree with Pipp; paralysis is not a death sentence. Euthanization is always up to the owner.

The 3 A's can help you determine whether or not to euthanize in the coming weeks:

Alert - is the rabbit alert and aware of their surroundings and paying attention to what is going on around them

Affection - is the rabbit affectionate with either another rabbit or their caregiver. They may not be giving affection but are they happy when receiving affection.

Appetite - Do they still eat well? Do they enjoy eating?


What pain meds were you given for her? If you hear her grinding her teeth, that would be identifying pain (just in case you haven't heard it before).

ray::hug:

 

[asianangel]

She said if it's not getting better in a week...it most likely won't get better. She prescribed a NSAID, Metacam, (at a low dosage since there is no anti inflammatory for rabbits they are using one for cats). She has spoken to a rabbit specialist and that's what he recommended to her.

Mochi hasn't grinded her teeth...she looks well...except her hind legs are so pathetic right now :tears2:

 

[Mochi]

That thread on Jack is such a tear jerker *sniff* I'm just a little scared that Mochi won't get better and she might have to get put down. I'm kinda dreading next week. We'll try to keep you updated.

Also, probably bad timing, but I believe someone asked for pictures.

I look at her now and see how useless her back legs are and my heart breaks that bit more...

 

[Pipp]

Does she have bladder and bowel control?

Here's some info Autumn so kindly dug up. (These are just excerpts).

Merck's Vet Manual:

... Initial signs of paralysis may resolve within 3-5 days as swelling around the cord diminishes. Supportive therapy includes anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids (eg, dexamethasone) to reduce damage from swelling. Paralysis after 1-2 wk or incontinence indicates a grave prognosis and warrants euthanasia.

And Veterinary Partner...

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=490

Cause: Damage to a rabbit's back by any kind of trauma can lead to partial or complete paralysis of the hind limbs.

Diagnosis: The damaged vertebrae can usually be seen on a x-ray. Occasionally the vertebrae will "snap" out of place during the injury, cause damage to the spinal cord and then go back into place by the time the x-ray is taken. These cases can be difficult to diagnose unless high detail x-ray film is used or a myelogram is performed.

Treatment - If the spinal cord is completely severed or seriously bruised, there is no treatment that will return normal neurological function. Euthanasia should be considered for these patients because their quality of life will be very poor. Cases that have only mild to moderate damage to the spinal cord or that still have sensations in the toes and maintain bladder or bowel control have a chance of healing. These rabbits should confined to a cage for a period of 6 to 8 weeks to facilitate healing of the fractured bones. Corticosteroids may be used for the first few days after the injury. Many of these rabbits will regain at least partial if not total neurological function and live a fairly normal life.

Copyright 2001 - 2010 by Susan Brown, DVM


sas

 

[asianangel]

What do you mean by bladder and bowel control? That confuses me because she still poos and wees...but she won't get up and move to another area to do it if u know what I mean....sorry could u elaborate please? Thanks for the information.

 

[Pipp]

You may not be able to tell right away, but if she seems to be able to hold her urine to pee all at one once, that is better than just having her dribbling all the time.

A big factor with rabbits is ailments like urine scald (and bladder infections) which are a byproduct of the paralysis.

If she is paralyzed -- and that's a big if right now -- a lot will depend on how much you can and are willing to do to keep her comfortable. If you want to bath her several times a day, apply medications, etc, you might be able to fight it (like Cheryl), but its a hard job and requires tremendous time commitments and dedication.

I think she's going to bounce back myself, crossing my fingers and toes. Just give the anti-inflammatories a chance to work. (Did they give her steroids? They don't always, some think they're not worth the elevated risk of infection. I think).


sas ray:

 

[asianangel]

OK I went to check on her and she just did a wee...no dribbling...she just did a big wee (like a strong squirt). Is this a good sign? Oh God oh God oh God..please let her be ok :cry2 And no, she was only given the anti-inflammatory.

 

[Pipp]

Yay!! That really does sound promising!

And she was moving around after the injury, I think the damage is minimal. She's had some swelling, which is why she got worse, and once the swelling goes down, she'll be fine.

I think this thread should stay focused on what to do re: her recovery and not bother addressing paralysed bunny issues. We can readdress that in a week if need be, but I really don't think we'll have to.

For now, she just has to stay quiet.

How's her appetite?


sas :goodluck

 

[asianangel]

She's eating a lot...and pooing a lot..she looks good...clear eyes..alert..good appetite...my heart just breaks when looking at her legs though. You guys give me hope =)

 

[NorthernAutumn]

It's sounding really good at this point. Poop and pee are the vital indicators for recovery, and she's alert with good appetite
As long as the anti-inflammatory is working to diminish pain and swelling, she will improve
(By the way, she is one ADORABLE little girl!)

I'll be thinkin of you guys:hug: