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Wheelchair For my rabbit help needed

jord77

New Kit
Hi there

i need some help.i have a rabbit called misty and he is 8 years of age.. over the last 6 months his back left leg gave in with athritus and vet said nothing they could do due to his age. There gave him metacam to help the pain but i do feel sorry for him as he is unable to get about. Can someone point me in the right direction to order a wheel chair for him ?

cheeers :D
 
Hiya and Welcome...

There was a remarkable wee rabbit on here called Trevor, who had a wee trolley device fitted.. Hugos There, i think was the members name. It can be done for your bunny.

see here:
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?367908-Trevor-is-finally-mobile!-Pics-video-p24/page3&highlight=Trevor

Al the very best
Fee x

Hugos There's Trevor also pooped into my mind. There are great pictures and a video on that thread.
I also wanted to mention that my rabbit Julie is 8 1/2 and has Arthritis in her hips. She was to the point that she was has trouble hopping and resorted to belly crawling/siding for a while and she wasn't using her litter box. . Her vet put her on Metacam and then we added a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid glucosamine/chondrotin, 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon of ground flax seed. I mix it all in a little canned 100% pumpkin. She has been on all this since September. The change in her is amazing. She is much much more active,hops better and her litter box skills have returned.
I am not sure if this will work for Misty but it might be worth a try.
 
A cart may not always be appropriate if the arthritis is effecting the entire spine. There would still be considerable pain for the Rabbit, especially if the cervical spine (neck) was effected. Having this condition for myself I know just how painful it can be. A cart would mean the Rabbit takes full weight on their front legs, exacerbating the neck problem.

Personally I would want the Rabbit to have a full and comprehensive Veterinary work-up to take into account all aspects of the disability. Only with the support of a trusted Vet would I use a cart for a disabled Rabbit.

I hope you do find something that is suitable for your Rabbit, I dont want to seem to be being defeatist. But carts are in no way appropriate in all cases and if the Rabbit has any other health/age related issues too -eg lung or heart problems, they too need to be considered when assessing an individual Rabbit's suitability for a cart.

Best wishes to your Bunny xx
 
Hi, yes we had a cart for Trevor but she was a younger bunny with a spinal injury. We have never used them on elderly rabbits or those with arthritis.

Before Trevor had her cart she had five months of acupuncture and physio sessions with specialist vets as well as daily physio sessions at home with us to build up her strength, especially in her front legs. Also Trevor was never in pain in her spine which makes a big difference

I would suggest before thinking about a cart getting full x rays done to assess the damage from arthritis and starting acupuncture sessions as we have had great success with this alone for arthritis bunnies.

If you do eventually go down the route of a cart they need to gradually build up the time in it, starting with 15 minutes a day. They should never be in it for more than an hour at a time.

Not all rabbits who are suitable for a cart will use one. It takes time strapping them in and some bunnies will put up a massive fight at this point. Others panic once in it and can tip them over potentially doing themselves further injury.

So its not as easy as just getting them a cart and putting them in it.

If you do get one there is a place I think in Berkshire that makes them. I can't do a link as I am on my phone, but they cost around £200 plus postage
 
Hi bunnytoes,
I'm curious what the mg concentration was for the liquid Glucosamine.
I have an angora bunny who is also suffering from arthritis and falling a lot.
Thanks!
Dan
 
Hi bunnytoes,
I'm curious what the mg concentration was for the liquid Glucosamine.
I have an angora bunny who is also suffering from arthritis and falling a lot.
Thanks!
Dan

This is a very old thread and a lot of people on it don’t necessarily come on here any more, it would be best if you start a new thread with your questions I think. Sending lots of vibes for your bunny.
 
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