Our bunny Harry stopped eating right last Monday- off to vet, discovered that his bladder had herniated and was full of calcium. Went to Surgery center in Columbus OH up from our house. They said they could flush the bladder and replace bladder. Well while getting him ready for Surgery, he kicked and broke his leg! They did the bladder surgery, which turned out better than expected, put in pins in leg and set. Next day foot on broken leg went lip. Vets, said that his tendon had likely ruptured?
We are of course very upset, but he is home now. We are hoping the joint will 'scar' down and the break heal. He is actually doing much better than we feared. He is eating, drinking, pooping, moving around and even sitting as well as we can expect. His foot sets out to the side a bit and the Vet is having us work to keep it in as normal a position as possible during recover - 6 to 8 weeks. Vet thinks that an underlying Collagen Deficiency affecting his connective tissues. Here is why - first the ligament rupture, eye legions which he as had for a long time, also his bladder had herniated through the inguinal ring which our surgeon said was very abnormal and the fracture. I've done some research and there is some indications that these could be related and caused by some sort of connective tissue disorders but frankly I wonder if this just might be to cover something happening that should not have happened? My problem is that when he went in for the surgery for the bladder he had shown no signs of leg problems, had just been seen by our regular Vet where he kicked some, but otherwise had not leg issues.
My specific questions:
Anyone every heard of anything like this? Collagen Deficiency in Rabbits? Connective tissue disorders in Rabbits? Legs getting broken during prep for surgical procedures?
Any advise on post operative care for the leg - break or tendon? The Bladder actually seems to be working great and is not the least of our problems.
I've notice that his foot on the broken leg is already showing a spot where the fur is thinning - putting more weight in that area where it's not normal. I'm concerned long term he may have sore hock issues? Any advise.
Any idea on a soft floor material, to help w/ the possible sore hock, that will let urine pass through? We have him on plastic "Magic Mats" and they work well, but I would like something softer. Don't want to use something that will trip him up or hold urine against feet or near surgical incisions right now.
Sorry for the long post, it's been a few hard days for us and Harry, but he is a trooper. Please keep him in your prays and thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions.
We are of course very upset, but he is home now. We are hoping the joint will 'scar' down and the break heal. He is actually doing much better than we feared. He is eating, drinking, pooping, moving around and even sitting as well as we can expect. His foot sets out to the side a bit and the Vet is having us work to keep it in as normal a position as possible during recover - 6 to 8 weeks. Vet thinks that an underlying Collagen Deficiency affecting his connective tissues. Here is why - first the ligament rupture, eye legions which he as had for a long time, also his bladder had herniated through the inguinal ring which our surgeon said was very abnormal and the fracture. I've done some research and there is some indications that these could be related and caused by some sort of connective tissue disorders but frankly I wonder if this just might be to cover something happening that should not have happened? My problem is that when he went in for the surgery for the bladder he had shown no signs of leg problems, had just been seen by our regular Vet where he kicked some, but otherwise had not leg issues.
My specific questions:
Anyone every heard of anything like this? Collagen Deficiency in Rabbits? Connective tissue disorders in Rabbits? Legs getting broken during prep for surgical procedures?
Any advise on post operative care for the leg - break or tendon? The Bladder actually seems to be working great and is not the least of our problems.
I've notice that his foot on the broken leg is already showing a spot where the fur is thinning - putting more weight in that area where it's not normal. I'm concerned long term he may have sore hock issues? Any advise.
Any idea on a soft floor material, to help w/ the possible sore hock, that will let urine pass through? We have him on plastic "Magic Mats" and they work well, but I would like something softer. Don't want to use something that will trip him up or hold urine against feet or near surgical incisions right now.
Sorry for the long post, it's been a few hard days for us and Harry, but he is a trooper. Please keep him in your prays and thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions.