The life of CoCo Puff the Puff Ball

[JBun]

Yay! I'm so glad to hear how Puffy's doing. I was wondering if the vet visit had happened, and how it went. I'm sorry that it wasn't the news that we had all hoped. You really did try your best to see if anything more could be done to help her, so now you at least know that.

Her reaction to the tramadol, sounds a bit scary. It almost sounds like she was having difficulty breathing because of it. I would be very concerned about ever putting her on pain meds, with her showing a negative reaction to both of the ones you've tried so far. And I agree, there really is no need for them in the first place if she's not in pain. She seems comfortable and happy. But you've at least tried them and know that they don't seem to do any good for her, and may actually be harmful.

Your usual vet sounds a lot better and more in tune with Coco's behavior. I'm sure the other vet may be just fine and knowledgeable, but after having my own negative vet experience yesterday, I know that feeling comfortable with your vet and having a good relationship with them, can be important. I agree with the vet, Coco seems to be in wonderful condition despite her disability. You do an excellent job of grooming her and taking good care of her. It sounds like Coco enjoyed her vet visit, and her licking the vet certainly seems like her seal of approval. And I'm sure it was nice to hear from the vet what you already felt about Coco, that she is a happy bun

 

[Tauntz]

I'm sorry there isn't a surgery option to give Coco her natural freedom but she seems to be quite happy & healthy otherwise! It doesn't sound like she is in constant pain so why keep her continuously medicated with a pain med. A friend's human mother is on continuous pain medication, she is rarely alert or knows what she is saying. I understand the need to manage pain. It is hard to go about your daily life if you are in constant &/or severe pain. When I am on pain meds I can hardly do more than sleep. Yes, you know Coco best so you know more of how she is feeling & her needs with your bunny knowledgeable vet to listen & work together Coco can continue to have a wonderful life! I wish that should I need care that I would have someone as caring for me as you are with Coco! Bunny hugs to the both of you! Glad to have you back posting Coco updates!

 

[lovelops]

Sorry I've been out of commission for a bit, I had to get a CT done this Tuesday and found out I have ribs 4-6 broken/fractured.

I guess the PA at the Urgent care I went to could not read Xrays worth a damn but I had so much experience reading mom's that I looked at the left side of my chest and pointed out breaks and said, "isn't that fratures/ breaks in those ribs?"

And the guy said, "NO.."

I'm like "ok? Isn't black lines things in those white bone like things in the Xrays breaks???"

He was telling me no it was probably something on the film. I'm like on all the ribs I have that hurt there are lines or things on the film? OK... whatever... so they gave me crap medicine to take for the pain and I couldn't hardly get out of bed to even use the bathroom. The 3 ribs being messed up explains a lot. The pain in the back explains the 4th rib broken... oh well... we live and learn.

Onto Coco... that line about breaking the bone since it healed being out in some ways doesn't bode well with me. I don't want to start anything or upset you or stir the pot so to say, but...

That reminds me of what they told me about mom about her disk herniation.

You know, I'm very curious and tempted to put my investigation hat back on again about spines and if you can tell me what disc /discs is messed up with Coco I'm about ready to call some of the specialist I took Buttons to and ask questions.

Remember, Buttons was paralyzed for two months due to a hemotomia on the spinal column. I'm sure some of the specialist I took him to had to be exotics/small animal/ rabbit experience and I can also call Univeristy of Maryland Vet School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Vet Medicine School since they are to be two of the best in my area. I just went to the Johns Hopkins Vet School web site and found this out:

Preparing for Veterinary Medical School
There are only 28 veterinary schools in the United States; this makes for fierce competition, so get ready for lots of hard work to stay ahead of the pack. To apply, you must first complete 3-5 years of study at an accredited institution. The majority of students have a bachelor’s degree and some have completed graduate study.

Hell I never knew that.. One of my relatives is a vet.. I should see if he is still alive and kicking in South Carolina!
I think he went to North Carolina State and took Vet Medicine there. I just found the page that lists all of the
28 vet schools in the US and can start sending out emails to them if you would like.

I don't want you to think I'm beating a dead horse, or trying to start something but something just doesn't sound right to me. I understand the smallness of the area where the disc and bone injury is says the woman with the fractured and broke ribs, yeah I get that...but for example let's say that when the bed frame and box springs fell on me when I was trying to get
Lady out totally f**ed up one of my disc (which could have been a possibility) and I had a disc herniation that healed
but in 6 months was causing me problems walking, I believe that they would break and reset it and do surgery on it? Wouldn't they? I mean, I hope that they would, right? Or I am I delusional?

I mean anyone else out there, chime in (and I'm sure they would/will) correct me if I'm wrong...

I can call my local vet also that takes care of my rabbits and ask him if he knows any surgeons around here and
explain the situation and try to get some feedback.

So if you can let me know the disc areas and if you have Xrays
let me know. I was sending Xrays, MRI's, and anything via email attachments to the doctors in the vet schools
I contacted before. I have them all on file and can contact them again..

Near me in my immediate area I counted 7 of the 28 schools and then on the East Coast of the United States I could add
Cornell in New York and one more, another in Georgia, Florida, etc so about 4 to 5 more schools to the mix. These are local.
Like I could drive to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore in 45 minutes with moderate traffic. University of Maryland 25 minutes..

On a different note, the bunny play area looks WONDERFUL. I hate the flipping snow here or else I would be trying to do something similar. We tried to start building something when it was 55F here on the 19th/20th of January but on the 21st we got hit by snow and the temp dropped so all work stopped. I'll be so glad when the snow is gone and the tempertatures are NORMAL here instead of ice age!

Also, I wouldn't keep Coco on meds just for GP. If she needs something, give it to her. If not, keep her healthy and if you see she needs some meds then give it to her. I don't see the point in overmedicating for the heck of it unless we just want to keep the medicine companies in business! I was scared in hearing how she reacted to the tramadol. That didn't sound normal to me at all.

Here is another thought. They have lazer surgery for spines now for humans. You think that they would have it for small animals, right? I mean, why not? It sounds safer and easier.. I have a cousin who did have lazer surgery that would not have conventional surgery on their spines. How come that would not be an option for Coco?

No matter WHAT happens, she can and will live a full long life! She is enjoying herself. She is surrounded by love and she has you!

Vanessa

 

[Tauntz]

Oh, Vanessa aka Lovelops, so sorry that you have had such an ordeal with those broken/fractured ribs & that doctor! Hope you are now getting the proper medical diagnosis & treatment to finally get you healed & feeling better! Doctors & our new medical care is starting to scare me! Keeping you in my thoughts & prayers!

Just want to say "thank you" for all of your thoughts, knowledge & willingness to step up & help Coco & her human mom any way that you can! Makes me feel good when others with knowledge as to where to go to find answers & get help that others may not know about offers their help! Sure adds to the family feeling here at RO! Thanks!

 

[**SRonchi1]

Coco puff being the meat in the sandwich this morning- She had her head tucked under Alfie's & was having a wonderful sleep until I got the camera out!



I'm off to watch my hubby play cricket so will be back on to chat about replies, and Vanessa you are awesome xx

 

[**SRonchi1]

She looks squashed but is loving it

 

[Tauntz]

Such bunny love! It is so wonderful to see it with Coco & her bunny family! Either of those pix would make a great Valentine's day pic! :inlove:

 

[lovelops]

I love the pics of her with her family! How wonderful they are! I've been meaing to send you a photo of my favourate key chain which is Air New Zealand that I use every day... also I doubt my husband would use the same terminology to describe me.. especially after messing up my ribs.. but thanks for your kind words. Let's see what we can do. Even if something works out local you and Coco are welcome to come here and stay. I have a back bedroom free that you would only have to share with Chico and Chica but they don't talk much! After excercising they stay in their cages on the dresser, so there's room and I've got spare play pens...

I hope your husband does great in the game! Keep us posted...

Talk soon
Vanessa

 

[**SRonchi1]

Hello everyone, we are back! it's been a busy few weeks so I finally have some free time with the kids in bed & hubby overseas.

Coco Puff has been great, she had a full on couple of weeks- 1) on antibiotics(baytrill) for her itchy ear that made her loose a bit of fur and make her skin go dry & 2) I, by chance, saw a pin worm come out on one of her poops while I was grooming her, so that week she was on Panacur & baytrill- poor darling!

The worms was abit of a shock as I haven't seen them in my buns before but that week I had noticed Coco was very hungry so as soon as I saw it I took it straight to my vet to check under the microscope.

Besides all that Coco has been great. Her eyes, ears & bum are lovely &

 

[pani]

I'm glad to hear that she's doing well! I was wondering what she was up to.

 

[**SRonchi1]

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 met a lady 5houses down from me who also has free ranging bunnies (very rare in Nz!) & I found out she does acupuncture so I asked if she would be happy to treat Coco and she said yes!

Coco had acupuncture with Sarah (who does my dog) a couple if times but the car ride really stressed Puffy out so Juliette just walks to my house & does Coco on her sheepskin in her bedroom & Puffball is in bliss!!! She has had 2 weekly sessions so far & the first time she fell asleep grooming her fluffy up a storm which was so cute!

Juliette is lovely, treats Coco lovingly with massage & petting & her energy is really relaxing to the point that when Juliette walks into the room and i pop coco on her fluff she just grooms straight away without anyone touching her- she knows what's to come.

Coco has a spot right between her shoulder blades that sets her right off on a grooming spree! It's great because she communicates with us with her tongue- when she doesn't like something she will stop grooming & look straight at you or if she is blissed out she will stop grooming but her eyes will be half closed so it's lovely to know your doing the right thing to her.

So puffy had been falling over abit more when scooting around & would wee but often rather than just one big wee. First sessions she was able to scoot around alot longer without falling over and she would do one big pee! This happens constantly over the week & she feels a lot more adventurous. The acupuncture is working amazing for her & I will continue getting it done for her for the rest of her life.

Acupuncture has reAlly given me hope for Coco, I always worry about her, checking on her & hoping one day she will be able to sit up right or maybe even hop! I'm realistic about it all but my number one concerns her health & well being & not letting some infection or reaction kill her before she is ready!! She has no urine scald, no pressure sores & a beautiful shiny coat & produces healthy cecals every morning for me to feed her if she doesn't find them herself So the story of Coco Puff the Puff Ball will be around for a long time yet

P.s Happy 9month birthday for last week Puff n stuff + Alfie Tiny xx

 

[**SRonchi1]

I thought I would share Cocos day feed with you all. It's a mixture of organic dried herbs- alfalfa, nettle, dandelion, echinacea, elderflower, rose petals mixed with rose hips & hibiscus flowers (dried) + a sprinkle of lucerne chaff, organic rolled oats, black sunflower seed & fresh picked clover, parsley & basil sprinkled on top. It sounds like a lot but I have premixed it all and she only gets a small amount of herbs. The herbs are immune boosting, Vit C & vitamin & small amount if minerals, liver & kidney maintanece & muscle health, antioxidant & muscle protection. I also sun dry rose trimmings & fern trimming so they are sprinkled on top- her absolute fav!

 

[**SRonchi1]

And here she is doing what she does best- groom her fluffy









Oops she spied the camera again!!

 

[pani]

Oh, bless! I love seeing more Coco. Glad to hear about her being able to get acupuncture from home instead of having to take a stressful car ride to get it! So happy that it's already showing positive results.

I should get Clementine a fluffy like Coco has. Clementine likes to groom a cow pillow that I have, but not as much as Coco grooms her lovely sheepskin!

 

[Chrisdoc]

Have missed our special little girl. Hope she's coping with the extra meds. Good to have her back

 

[lovelops]

Great I'm glad to hear it! I was wondering when you would be back online again! Glad to hear she is ok and doing well!

Sorry to hear about the worms, but at least you saw it and got it taken care of! Thank goodness!

Vanessa

 

[lovelops]

I thought I would share Cocos day feed with you all. It's a mixture of organic dried herbs- alfalfa, nettle, dandelion, echinacea, elderflower, rose petals mixed with rose hips & hibiscus flowers (dried) + a sprinkle of lucerne chaff, organic rolled oats, black sunflower seed & fresh picked clover, parsley & basil sprinkled on top. It sounds like a lot but I have premixed it all and she only gets a small amount of herbs. The herbs are immune boosting, Vit C & vitamin & small amount if minerals, liver & kidney maintanece & muscle health, antioxidant & muscle protection. I also sun dry rose trimmings & fern trimming so they are sprinkled on top- her absolute fav!

That food looks so good, i want to eat it!! Yum yum! It makes me feel like I'm feeding my bunnies Mc Donalds!

Vanessa

 

[Chrisdoc]

As usual on the app I missed a page with all those fabphotos. She looks so well, I love her posing for the camera. Great that she can get the acupuncture at home and it seems to be doing so much good for her. It's amazing how they communicate and how well you understand her. That food looks great, mine would go mad for it. They love the hay I buy with herbs and flowers. A big smile on my face for the rest of the day seeing Coco Puff so well

 

[Chrisdoc]

I was on facebook and have seen a page on there called disabledrabbits.com. I so thought of Coco when I was looking at some of the other buns on there. I saw a little one called Dolly who has a cart, she also has paralysis in her back legs and she is another awesome little girl. I am so glad I found the page, there are loving and generous people everywhere looking after bunnies who are different but still awesome. I have put the link here to the page on facebook but not sure if you´ll see.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=598137090264620&set=o.158502057671071&type=2&theater

Hope little Puffy is doing OK with her meds and that her boys are taking good care of her.

 

[lovelops]

As usual on the app I missed a page with all those fabphotos. She looks so well, I love her posing for the camera. Great that she can get the acupuncture at home and it seems to be doing so much good for her. It's amazing how they communicate and how well you understand her. That food looks great, mine would go mad for it. They love the hay I buy with herbs and flowers. A big smile on my face for the rest of the day seeing Coco Puff so well

Ditto! I didn't see it for a while!!!

Vanessa