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Fractured leg

B

Bumble01

New Kit
Hi, I’m relatively new here and am after some advice.
My 8/9 yr old female (Sprout) has fractured her right back leg, just above the “knee” joint. The vet has advised me to put her down.
I obviously don’t want to do this, other than the fact that she can’t put weight on her leg she seems fine. She is eating and drinking plenty, still grooming herself and her sister. Her toilet habits are normal….She’s even still having a potter around the run.
I’ve asked the vet about fixing the fracture, they have out right said that pinning it or binding won’t work, the location of the fracture means that the pins will probably shatter the bone. I’ve also asked about amputation, but again the vet is reluctant due to her age. Essentially I’m left with leaving her to get on with it or put her down.
Has anyone got any experience with anything similar? I really don’t want to just leave her, she is on pain medication, but is amputation worth the risk?

On a side note, she is a rescue bun who I’ve had for nearly 7 years so her actual age is unknown.

Thanks
Sarah
 
Bumble01 said:
Hi, I’m relatively new here and am after some advice.
My 8/9 yr old female (Sprout) has fractured her right back leg, just above the “knee” joint. The vet has advised me to put her down.
I obviously don’t want to do this, other than the fact that she can’t put weight on her leg she seems fine. She is eating and drinking plenty, still grooming herself and her sister. Her toilet habits are normal….She’s even still having a potter around the run.
I’ve asked the vet about fixing the fracture, they have out right said that pinning it or binding won’t work, the location of the fracture means that the pins will probably shatter the bone. I’ve also asked about amputation, but again the vet is reluctant due to her age. Essentially I’m left with leaving her to get on with it or put her down.
Has anyone got any experience with anything similar? I really don’t want to just leave her, she is on pain medication, but is amputation worth the risk?

On a side note, she is a rescue bun who I’ve had for nearly 7 years so her actual age is unknown.

Thanks
Sarah
Click to expand...

Hello Sarah

I am sorry to hear of Sprout's injury. As your current Vet sounds to be unable to consider any other options but PTS I suggest that you seek a second opinion from a Specialist Vet. If you let us know your approximate geographical location we may be able to suggest a Vet whom you could consult.

You dont say how the fracture occurred ? Is it a fracture due to an accident or is it a pathological fracture- ie one due to an underlying disease process ?
 
Bumble01 said:
Hi, I’m relatively new here and am after some advice.
My 8/9 yr old female (Sprout) has fractured her right back leg, just above the “knee” joint. The vet has advised me to put her down.
I obviously don’t want to do this, other than the fact that she can’t put weight on her leg she seems fine. She is eating and drinking plenty, still grooming herself and her sister. Her toilet habits are normal….She’s even still having a potter around the run.
I’ve asked the vet about fixing the fracture, they have out right said that pinning it or binding won’t work, the location of the fracture means that the pins will probably shatter the bone. I’ve also asked about amputation, but again the vet is reluctant due to her age. Essentially I’m left with leaving her to get on with it or put her down.
Has anyone got any experience with anything similar? I really don’t want to just leave her, she is on pain medication, but is amputation worth the risk?

On a side note, she is a rescue bun who I’ve had for nearly 7 years so her actual age is unknown.

Thanks
Sarah
Click to expand...


Hi Sarah and welcome to RU :wave:

I'm sorry to hear about Sprout's fractured leg. There are two possibilities as far as I can see - one is mending the fractured leg and the other is having it amputated. Bunnies have done really well with both of those options :)

However, as your own vet is reluctant to consider anything other than PTS I would (if it were my bunny) consider getting a second opinion. You don't have to tell your vet you are consulting someone else.

If you want to start another thread here, on the Forum, in Rabbit Chat, you could put this in the title:

Rabbit Savvy Vet needed in (your location) ... and members will give you their recommendations :)

Alternatively you can search here for a recommended vet:

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/vetfinder/vets-owners-recommendations

And the RWAF have their own suggestions for finding a good vet:

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk

The other - and major - consideration is cost. She is also getting on in years and you'd want to make sure that she could undergo a serious operation. This may involve the vet running a full blood profile first. Then of course the cost of the operation.

Good luck xx
 
Hi,

Thank you for the reply. It appears to be due to injury, I personally thing shes been spooked by something and jumped through the cat flap too hard but I can't be certain. The vet did mention that she has very brittle bones.

I'm located in the North East of England, Durham. I will look for a second opinion, but if anyone can recommend a vet that would be lovely.

Thanks again.
 
Bumble01 said:
Hi,

Thank you for the reply. It appears to be due to injury, I personally thing shes been spooked by something and jumped through the cat flap too hard but I can't be certain. The vet did mention that she has very brittle bones.

I'm located in the North East of England, Durham. I will look for a second opinion, but if anyone can recommend a vet that would be lovely.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

I have cross posted to Rabbit Chat asking for recommendations of a Rabbit Savvy Vet in your location. I have requested that replies are posted on your thread here xx
 
Bumble01 said:
Hi,

Thank you for the reply. It appears to be due to injury, I personally thing shes been spooked by something and jumped through the cat flap too hard but I can't be certain. The vet did mention that she has very brittle bones.

I'm located in the North East of England, Durham. I will look for a second opinion, but if anyone can recommend a vet that would be lovely.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry you and your poor bunny are going through this.
I can't recommend a vet as I have no idea where Durham is :lol:

But you could ask your vets to refer you to an orthopaedic or exotic specialist. You're within your right to ask for this to be done & they can't refuse to do so. (If they do, you can report them to RCVS)
 
Bumble01 said:
Hi,

Thank you for the reply. It appears to be due to injury, I personally thing shes been spooked by something and jumped through the cat flap too hard but I can't be certain. The vet did mention that she has very brittle bones.

I'm located in the North East of England, Durham. I will look for a second opinion, but if anyone can recommend a vet that would be lovely.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...


Have a look here for recommended vets :)

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/vetfinder/copy_of_county-or-city/england/Durham

As I mentioned, you could start another thread in Rabbit Chat and people will respond directly to you.
 
daphnephoebe said:
I'm sorry you and your poor bunny are going through this.
I can't recommend a vet as I have no idea where Durham is :lol:

But you could ask your vets to refer you to an orthopaedic or exotic specialist. You're within your right to ask for this to be done & they can't refuse to do so. (If they do, you can report them to RCVS)
Click to expand...

:thumb:
 
daphnephoebe said:
I'm sorry you and your poor bunny are going through this.
I can't recommend a vet as I have no idea where Durham is :lol:

But you could ask your vets to refer you to an orthopaedic or exotic specialist. You're within your right to ask for this to be done & they can't refuse to do so. (If they do, you can report them to RCVS)
Click to expand...


I agree with you dp, this too is an option.
 
Gilmoor Vets Durham would be a no-brainer. They're one of the few RWAF silver rated rabbit friendly practices and one of the RWAF committee uses them as her regular vet and says they're amazing. I hope your little one can be helped x
 
I'm sorry you and your bunny are going through this. I live in Houghton -Le-Spring and I use, King’s Road vet in Southwick. If you are in Durham the closest to you will be Gilmoor Veterinary Group at 39 Sunderland Rd, Durham DH1 2LG. I have not used them myself but they are recommended by a lot of rabbit owners in Durham. Hope this is of help to you.
 
Santa said:
Gilmoor Vets Durham would be a no-brainer. They're one of the few RWAF silver rated rabbit friendly practices and one of the RWAF committee uses them as her regular vet and says they're amazing. I hope your little one can be helped x
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you for all the recommendations. This evening I have been to Gilmoor vets in Durham. Spoke to a lovely vet there and she has booked Sprout in for potential surgery tomorrow afternoon, it's dependant on her bloods and a second X-ray. The vet was very positive about being able to pin the fracture and said that her age isn't really a factor if she's healthy. Whilst I'm feeling much better that something's being done, now I'm worried about the surgery.... but such is life.
Thank you all so much for your help and positive vibes.

Sarah. X
 
Sending lots of vibes for Sprout. I'm pleased you were able to be seen at Gilmour Vets so speedily and hope all goes well tomorrow.
 
Bumble01 said:
Hi, thank you for all the recommendations. This evening I have been to Gilmoor vets in Durham. Spoke to a lovely vet there and she has booked Sprout in for potential surgery tomorrow afternoon, it's dependant on her bloods and a second X-ray. The vet was very positive about being able to pin the fracture and said that her age isn't really a factor if she's healthy. Whilst I'm feeling much better that something's being done, now I'm worried about the surgery.... but such is life.
Thank you all so much for your help and positive vibes.

Sarah. X
Click to expand...


Sarah thanks so much for posting back! I am so thrilled that you've found a vet you feel you can trust, and that will give Sprout a chance :D

I will be thinking of you both tomorrow and sending all the luck and vibes in the world :D
 
Glad you got to see a vet you can trust.
Best vibes for the bloods, xrays and whatever surgery they choose to do

Sent from my GT-S7275R using Tapatalk
 
Hi, I've just come across this and wanted to send get well soon wishes to Sprout!
One of mine fractured a foreleg a while ago and she is now well and celebrating her 7th birthday this summer. I'm glad you've found a good vet to help Sprout 😊

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
 
Many vibes for Sprout & a successful outcome - she sounds a tough cookie & she'll be in excellent hands
 
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