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Bunny With Twisted Foot - please help

B

Blossomgirl

New Kit
Hello all. I'm new to the forum, but was hoping someone could please give me some reassurance, or advice. My beloved Blossom is eleven years old. She's been my constant companion, and basically the love of my life. Seen me through two divorces, and always been there. I know it sounds silly to some, but she's my baby... Anyway, three years ago she suffered hind leg paralysis. After a course of panacur she made a full recovery, and regained full use of her back legs. However, just before Christmas, she went into stasis. Now, she has always been a bunny prone to stasis, despite being on an excellent diet. So I thought it was just another bout. I struggled terribly to get the meds down her on my own, as she plays up merry hell at the mere sight of a syringe. I remember having her in a bunny burrito, and her struggling violently. I put her down immediately, but it worried me. She seemed okay after, but I noticed within a couple of days, she went very stiff in her front legs. After a long bout of stasis, she seemed to be recovering, and the stiffness seemed to go. But then overnight her back legs suddenly went. It was believed to be EC once again, so she was put on a 6 week course of Panacur, daily metacam, and ranitidine for her tummy. I also did the bleaching process on the 21st and 28th days, to be honest I did it on the 22nd and 29th day too, just to be sure. Now the course of panacur is over. One of her back legs is almost recovered. But on the other leg, her foot is completely twisting inwards, to the point that she now basically sits on it. She has feeling in her toes, and stretches the twisted leg out on occasions when she's lying down. But I'm at a loss as to why it's twisting inwards. I'm thinking now it may not have been EC returning, and she went through 6 weeks of panacur for nothing...
I'm still giving her daily metacam incase she's in any pain, and ranitidine to protect her tummy. She gets a daily bottom wash, and her foot needs to be cleaned also, with sudacreme applied afterwards. And I've adapted her room with welping blankets and pads (she's a house bunny, who shares a large room with her friend). I'm thinking now that perhaps it was a fracture, and it has knitted together twisted. I feel terrible! I'm racked with guilt that the injury may have happened as a result of me trying to get meds down her, and her struggling...
After many sleepless nights, and much deliberation, I have made the decision that due to her age, to put her through the stress of xrays and potential surgery would be absolutely the wrong thing to do. And that making sure she's comfortable and content is the right way forward. But I need reassurance this is the right choice. Just to add, she's eating well, pooing and weeing, and she can get about when she wants too (this is evident when it's time for a bottom wash, and she legs it and hides in her wicker basket).
 
Blossomgirl said:
Hello all. I'm new to the forum, but was hoping someone could please give me some reassurance, or advice. My beloved Blossom is eleven years old. She's been my constant companion, and basically the love of my life. Seen me through two divorces, and always been there. I know it sounds silly to some, but she's my baby... Anyway, three years ago she suffered hind leg paralysis. After a course of panacur she made a full recovery, and regained full use of her back legs. However, just before Christmas, she went into stasis. Now, she has always been a bunny prone to stasis, despite being on an excellent diet. So I thought it was just another bout. I struggled terribly to get the meds down her on my own, as she plays up merry hell at the mere sight of a syringe. I remember having her in a bunny burrito, and her struggling violently. I put her down immediately, but it worried me. She seemed okay after, but I noticed within a couple of days, she went very stiff in her front legs. After a long bout of stasis, she seemed to be recovering, and the stiffness seemed to go. But then overnight her back legs suddenly went. It was believed to be EC once again, so she was put on a 6 week course of Panacur, daily metacam, and ranitidine for her tummy. I also did the bleaching process on the 21st and 28th days, to be honest I did it on the 22nd and 29th day too, just to be sure. Now the course of panacur is over. One of her back legs is almost recovered. But on the other leg, her foot is completely twisting inwards, to the point that she now basically sits on it. She has feeling in her toes, and stretches the twisted leg out on occasions when she's lying down. But I'm at a loss as to why it's twisting inwards. I'm thinking now it may not have been EC returning, and she went through 6 weeks of panacur for nothing...
I'm still giving her daily metacam incase she's in any pain, and ranitidine to protect her tummy. She gets a daily bottom wash, and her foot needs to be cleaned also, with sudacreme applied afterwards. And I've adapted her room with welping blankets and pads (she's a house bunny, who shares a large room with her friend). I'm thinking now that perhaps it was a fracture, and it has knitted together twisted. I feel terrible! I'm racked with guilt that the injury may have happened as a result of me trying to get meds down her, and her struggling...
After many sleepless nights, and much deliberation, I have made the decision that due to her age, to put her through the stress of xrays and potential surgery would be absolutely the wrong thing to do. And that making sure she's comfortable and content is the right way forward. But I need reassurance this is the right choice. Just to add, she's eating well, pooing and weeing, and she can get about when she wants too (this is evident when it's time for a bottom wash, and she legs it and hides in her wicker basket).
Click to expand...

I am sorry to hear this, I am sure you are very worried.

I assume that a Vet has actually examined her ? A fracture may be possible to feel. A fracture that has set incorrectly is even more obvious to feel.

In all honesty no-one can tell you if you are doing the 'right' thing, only you know your Rabbit and how much she can cope with. No case is ever the same, what is right for one Rabbit will not be right for another.

There are various possible reasons as to why one foot has remained twisted inwards, apart from a fracture,-eg nerve damage, damage to tendons or ligaments.

If you have consulted a Vet maybe he/she mentioned all this ?
 
I have seen this in EC bunnies where the nerves have been permanently affected. There are various things you could try (with your vets consultation etc) including a trained animal physio with experience of rabbits, Vivitonin (a drug that enhances blood flow to nerves etc - we tried this with great success ) or just trying to make her more comfortable with vet beds and metacam,

Its wonderful when people care so much!
 
Blossomgirl you could be describing my bunny!

I'm in much the same position as you although Ruby is only 9. The vet originally thought the problem with her back legs was arthritis although we both had our doubts so we treated for EC, we did blood tests and x-rays etc but never had EC confirmed. A few years on and one leg has progressed to exactly what you describe. Ruby is on daily Metacam and I clean her as and when needed, she goes to the vet and they shave some of her back end every few months which helps with keeping her clean.

Parsnipbun I will ask my vet about Vivitonin – (I've used it for my old dog) that is very interesting.
 
Blossom sounds a delight ! Its lovely to hear of such a well loved elderly bunny. I'd be tempted to manage her symptoms & not do anything intrusive either.

Welcome to the forum by the way
 
Hello everyone! I very much appreciate your kind responses and support. I will update this thread very soon, but I am currently waiting for a call back from an exotic vet specialist. Also, hoping to get Blossom in to see him at some point today. So, will have a better idea what's going on after.
 
I have just spoken with the exotic specialist who has reviewed Blossom's record and case in great detail. I'm trying to take in everything he said, so forgive me if I get anything mixed up. He seems to think based on her history, it is either arthritic, or nerve damage caused by EC, as the twisting of the foot inwardly came on so gradually, he does not believe it was a fracture, or break. He has advised keeping her comfortable, and managing her symptoms with metacam, and basically not doing anything invasive at all. He also said, she's a great age, and how lucky I am to have had her this long! And that it wouldn't be fair to her to put her through the stress of various tests/xrays ect, as in the end it wouldn't change anything, and doing anything invasive would finish her off. And that at her age, it boils down to just managing the symptoms and enjoying her, until she deteriorates, and it's time to let her go. The thought breaks my heart, but I'll make the most of her, and continue to love and care for her for as long as possible. The floor is covered in vet beds, with incontinence pads beneath, they are changed daily so she's comfortable.
 
You are doing exactly what the specialist sanctuaries and all good owners of elderly rabbits tend to end up doing - helping their elderly bun stay out of pain, maintain their quality of life, and cover your house in odd bits of fluffy blanket and soft surfaces!!

I would also think perhaps about the physio or accupuncture - that can be very helpful (never worked for me but brilliant for my buns!!). An increasing number of vets are trained in accupuncture and it can help enormously with this sort of problem in my experience. Ask your vet to ask the exotic vet about it. There may be one he knows of close to you. Two of my vets do it and it is SO good for nerve damage or arthritis..
 
Blossomgirl said:
I have just spoken with the exotic specialist who has reviewed Blossom's record and case in great detail. I'm trying to take in everything he said, so forgive me if I get anything mixed up. He seems to think based on her history, it is either arthritic, or nerve damage caused by EC, as the twisting of the foot inwardly came on so gradually, he does not believe it was a fracture, or break. He has advised keeping her comfortable, and managing her symptoms with metacam, and basically not doing anything invasive at all. He also said, she's a great age, and how lucky I am to have had her this long! And that it wouldn't be fair to her to put her through the stress of various tests/xrays ect, as in the end it wouldn't change anything, and doing anything invasive would finish her off. And that at her age, it boils down to just managing the symptoms and enjoying her, until she deteriorates, and it's time to let her go. The thought breaks my heart, but I'll make the most of her, and continue to love and care for her for as long as possible. The floor is covered in vet beds, with incontinence pads beneath, they are changed daily so she's comfortable.
Click to expand...

It's exactly what I do for my elderly rabbits. At that age, an anaesthetic is so very risky that minimising the symptoms is all, and the very best, you can do. There are pain relief options as well, so scope for containing the symptoms.

I find lots of vet beds, a heater and a 24/7 heat bad in bed is the best thing for old bones. And plenty of food and fluid to keep strength and weight up, if as an elderly she seems to be struggling to keep weight on.

Sounds like you've had really great advice :thumb:
 
Thank you so much for your support, and lovely comments. Today I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Speaking to the exotic specialist was incredibly reassuring, together with your comments of support, well my spirits have lifted so much. I also visited the disabled bunny website, which was so inspiring! The video made me weep like a baby, but they have such a wealth of knowledge about caring for a disabled bunny.
I remember when I took Blossom and her sisters in as babies. They'd been so neglected, and were unwanted. Her sisters sadly passed several years ago, and other rescue bunnies have sadly come and gone, but my Blossom is still with me, for over a decade now. Along with her best friend Petal. Two old cuddly ladies who keep this old lady company :)
 
Blossomgirl said:
Thank you so much for your support, and lovely comments. Today I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Speaking to the exotic specialist was incredibly reassuring, together with your comments of support, well my spirits have lifted so much. I also visited the disabled bunny website, which was so inspiring! The video made me weep like a baby, but they have such a wealth of knowledge about caring for a disabled bunny.
I remember when I took Blossom and her sisters in as babies. They'd been so neglected, and were unwanted. Her sisters sadly passed several years ago, and other rescue bunnies have sadly come and gone, but my Blossom is still with me, for over a decade now. Along with her best friend Petal. Two old cuddly ladies who keep this old lady company :)
Click to expand...

I love old lady buns :D They seem to be very like myself too!

I love the story of Blossom and her sisters. What a lot of love she's had in her long lifetime :love:
 
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