Is it fair to have her leg amputated?

Tomorrow i have to make the decision if i have ava's leg amputated.

She is doing fine on it and since she has been cleaned up and I've been using sudocream, i haven't really had to bath her. She has kept herself clean.

Part of me feels it would be unfair to take her leg off when she is doing okay with it. I'm worried if this leg comes off that she may not be able to cope with her other deformed leg.

What does anyone think about this? As it is she is walking abit on her hip and dragging her over sized leg along. The other leg though is quite weak. She has done fine for two years without any problems ever before.

Now she has been on this course of antibiotics, her skin looks better where it was shaved and she has been tidyed up. She seems happy.

What would you do in the same position? I think my other half and i want to keep her leg for her - as she likes it, even though it tremors every now and then. Also I'm worried about the anesthetic risk for her and just generally what the wound would be like where it is taken off.

Is it fair to remove it?

I've no idea what is best but it seems that you and your OH do not agree with your vet, re amputation, hence I would suggest you get a second opinion from another vet,unless the decision has to be made immediately (ie if its life-threatening/or the rabbit is in great pain).

If she has been doing fine for 2 years what criteria has made the vet think its better to remove the leg?

If I had doubts (and it was not urgent) I would tell the vet I want to reconsider and then get a second opinion.

I think, looking at your sig , that Ava is a bunny?
sue:wave:

Its horrible when we have to make decisions like this for our pets. Do you have a rabbit savvy vet and do you trust them if so then I would discuss this with them ask for the pros and cons and if you really do trust your vet ask them what they would do if Ava was their pet.

I don't envy your decision. I'm afraid I don't feel able to offer advice as I don't know Ava's story. I hope you and the vet can come to the right decision for Ava.
Good luck whatever you decide xx

i think if she copes fine aqnd it causes her no pain and there is no medical need to do it i wouldnt get it done however i dont know the full story, why has the vet suggested amputation?! good luck x

Not one scrap of advice here (sorry) just wanted to say that whatever you decide will be in Ava's best interests and wishing you every bit of luck and love for this huge decision. xxx

amputation?

Umm... a difficult one. I would also suggest a second opinion, however, I also think your bunny will let you know and you will make the right choice, untill that time comes, perhaps just wait and see as long as your bunny is in no pain or danger.

I do not know little Ava's story so is hard to comment but I would say the same as others that if she is doing well on the leg, it is not causing her pain or discomfort then I personaly would see how she goes.
But your vet must have had a reason to suggest amputation so without knowing the reasoning it is hard to say.
Wish you the best of luck and I know you will do what is right for Ava!

I'm sorry that you are in such a difficult position.
Reading your OP it sounds a complicated problem, but not immediately life threatening.

In your situation, with your misgivings, I'd ask the vet who advised amputation if they would kindly discuss the possibilities, pros & cons, with an exotics referral center.

I can thoroughly recommend GWR knowing that they are there to advise vets in difficult situations, & have BOTH bunny specialists and a veterinary orthopaedic specialist, who would discuss the case together.
http://www.vetclick.com/referral-practices/view_detail.php?PracticeId=4173&ReferralId=17

Please let us know how it goes.

ETA Although I've seen buns with both front & back limb amputations, they get around so well you don't notice the amputation. They just can't do a binky. They've all had 3 sound limbs & none have been overweight. The only thing to watch is care of the hocks.

I a sorry to hear that, I wont give any advice of course, just do as what the vet recommands as he knows all the aspects and the risks to keep the leg, if your rabbit is in pain.

If it can comfort you should it be decided for the amputation : your rabbit can perfectly live without it. I know of a rabbit whose leg was bitten by a dog and he has to be amputed, so he lived on 3 legs and kept walking and running as if nothing was changed for many years because animals are not aware of their handicap, as we are.

So I am sure you and the vet will decide what's best for your rabbit.

How is Ava, have you been back to the vets?

So sorry you have to make this difficult decision..
In your heart of hearts, if you feel she copes well with the leg then go with your instincts.
I had this awful decision to make about 6 years ago and in the end I felt like I was bullied into it by my vet at the time (needless to say... changed)
Unfortuntley my poor little boy never coped without his back leg and just circled all the time.. so in the end I had to make an even worse decision!!
Thats not to say they are all the same.... Gwen at Bunny Burrows has many with only three legs and they cope fine...
Sorry.... thats not much help
Hope all turns out well

littleboots said:

So sorry you have to make this difficult decision..
In your heart of hearts, if you feel she copes well with the leg then go with your instincts.
I had this awful decision to make about 6 years ago and in the end I felt like I was bullied into it by my vet at the time (needless to say... changed)
Unfortuntley my poor little boy never coped without his back leg and just circled all the time.. so in the end I had to make an even worse decision!!
Thats not to say they are all the same.... Gwen at Bunny Burrows has many with only three legs and they cope fine...
Sorry.... thats not much help
Hope all turns out well

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Aww sorry to hear about your bunny That must have been incredibly hard for you.

We have decided to keep her leg and clean her up as and when she needs it- applying sudocream routinely and when her fur grows back- shaving it if needs be- giving her antibiotics if she gets any infections. This is the way my partner and i feel happy with. Quite glad i took the decision to say no to having her put down as she is happy and bright at the moment with her other two bonded partners.

Ambience said:

Aww sorry to hear about your bunny That must have been incredibly hard for you.

We have decided to keep her leg and clean her up as and when she needs it- applying sudocream routinely and when her fur grows back- shaving it if needs be- giving her antibiotics if she gets any infections. This is the way my partner and i feel happy with. Quite glad i took the decision to say no to having her put down as she is happy and bright at the moment with her other two bonded partners.

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im sorry if i missed an earlier thread what is wrong with ava? and what were the reasons for suggesting the amputation (by the vet)glad you have come to a decision you are happy with, re: cleaning her up? assume you mean she gets urine scold? my bun who has incontinance and urine scold lost the fur on her legs adn it was very sore we found calendula cream (from pharmacy or health shops) really really helps and now her fur is growing back, it also smells nice after you have bathed them so takes away any urine style smell, xx