Potential back problem - any idea of mri costs?

One of my rescue bunnies had a mishap while at the vet to be castrated almost two weeks ago. He appears to have an injury to his spine but nothing is visable on the two conventional xrays taken.

I've read a bit about slipped disks in rabbits but it seems the only real way to find out what the problem is would be for an mri scan. I think the cost will be prohibitive - any idea how much?

Alternatively does anyone have experience of a rabbit with a slipped disk or other spinal injury so I can compare the list of symptoms please?

They have an MRI scanner here

North Downs Specialist Referrals
Guards Avenue, Coulsdon Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6ZD
Tel: 01883 343770

But I have no idea of the cost, upwards from £200 I would think, plus the cost of the referal and then any treatment needed.

I had a Bun with degenerative disc disease and he presented initially with hind leg weakness and pain in his lumbar spine. He also had reduced sensation in his back feet. This progressed to hind leg paralysis, urinary incontinence and eventually front leg paresis

Thanks for the info, the nearest scanner that I knew of is at the Royal Vet Hospital near Potters Bar, which I know from experience with the dogs is good but very expensive. The distance to travel with an animal in pain is also an issue - Couldsdon still looks like a 60 mile round trip but I'll give them a call on Monday and ask about cost.

Sorry to hear about your bun with the degenerative disk disease , I can't decide if Radish is incontinent or deliberately not moving to urinate because he's in pain.

Oldie Bunny said:

One of my rescue bunnies had a mishap while at the vet to be castrated almost two weeks ago. He appears to have an injury to his spine but nothing is visable on the two conventional xrays taken.

I've read a bit about slipped disks in rabbits but it seems the only real way to find out what the problem is would be for an mri scan. I think the cost will be prohibitive - any idea how much?

Alternatively does anyone have experience of a rabbit with a slipped disk or other spinal injury so I can compare the list of symptoms please?

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Is this something that your vet should be doing/paying for if it was a mishap there? Are they liable?

I hope it is nothing too serious and he is better soon.

MRI usually costs around £800 for spinal exam. I think you need to discuss with your vets whether they would be willing to intervene surgically if they did find an abnormality before committing to MRI.

marie_kubiak said:

MRI usually costs around £800 for spinal exam. I think you need to discuss with your vets whether they would be willing to intervene surgically if they did find an abnormality before committing to MRI.

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Thank you. Surgery is something that we've already discussed and I don't think it's a possibility. My real concern is to try and establish if the condition is something that might partially or fully resolve itself given time - I can't face having a rabbit in pain with no prospect of improvement. Hope that makes sense!

For others in the Surrey/Hampshire area, I've just found that there is a referal clinic near Godalming on the A3 with scanning facilities http://www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk/facilities.html

bunny babe said:

Is this something that your vet should be doing/paying for if it was a mishap there? Are they liable?

I hope it is nothing too serious and he is better soon.

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I don't know about liable but the accident happened while Radish was in their care. They are very good vets though and do I want to jeopardise my ongoing relationship with them by arguing about them paying for further tests? I don't honestly know.

Unless we can come up with a plan of action or there is a major improvement in the next couple of days, I think I will have to accept that the best option would be to put him to sleep

Can I just ask if Radish is in pain? Also, has he any movement in his legs? Can he pee and poop on his own?

I ask these questions as Sir Speedy Socks died whilst under GA for an abscess removal and a castration - he was brought back but has never been able to walk since - he has no feeling in his back legs, cannot wee on his own and was unable to poop for the first few weeks.

He is a really happy little man, who is now 9 years old. He has been this way for over a year and is quite content with his lot He is adorable and even though we have to empty his bladder for him (and sometimes his bowel) he enjoys life and is in no pain whatsoever

You can PM me for more details if you wish, we have had a lot of buns who have been paragplegic and also two buns who were quadraplegic but loved life and wanted to carry on living

I truly hope that Radish is not in any pain - he sounds adorable and if you need any help please ask, we are always here to help buns, but especially disabled buns

My friends dog had an MRI for a brain tumor and that cost £700 but luckily she was insured

Maizey said:

My friends dog had an MRI for a brain tumor and that cost £700 but luckily she was insured

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Thanks, it's looking like it will be too much money! My dogs are insured but my rabbits aren't sadly. The rescue bunnies wouldn't be insured while they are here anyway.

Jay - Radish seems to be in a lot of pain most of the time sadly. He's such a nice cuddly chap that it's very upsetting. He does have feeling and movement in both back legs. I'll pm you anyway as I've been meaning to ask you about one of the ex-Bobtails bunnies.

Edited to add that Radish didn't get as far as being anaesthatised for the op.

Could he have pulled/twisted muscles that just need time to heal? Would it be worth treating him as if that's the case and seeing what happens? If the vet could give him some painkillers too; I do feel they should contribute. Sending healing vibes for the little bun..

I do think that your vets should take some responsibility in finding the exact problem so you can make an informed decision. The thing is it could happen to one of your other animals if you don't tackle them (nicely) about it. I know what you mean though about upsetting them, but they do have a responsibility for your rabbit while he is in their care.

Tinsel said:

Could he have pulled/twisted muscles that just need time to heal? Would it be worth treating him as if that's the case and seeing what happens? If the vet could give him some painkillers too; I do feel they should contribute. Sending healing vibes for the little bun..

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Thank you for your good thoughts. We've been doing exactly as you suggest - pain relief and anti-inflamatories but I can't see any improvement sadly after almost 2 weeks.