Helen Heard
New Kit
Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has advice about helping a Belgian Hare with spinal degeneration?
I thought Ginger Joe had had an accident back in January, about 3 months after I rescued him as a youngster, as he's rather accident-prone. His back legs didn't look right when he lolloped around after his friends. The Vet seemed a bit perplexed after examining him, and said give cage rest.
He didn't improve. He's had 2 cranio-sacral osteopathy sessions (very gentle, no manipulation) He's still getting worse - muscles & weight falling away, especially from his haunches. He was neutered last Friday (so he won't overtire himself chasing neutered friends) & X-rayed. Nothing shows on X-ray, other than spine curving from side to side, which vet says is due to muscle loss.
I contacted a former BH breeder. She said some strains of BH have a degenerative spinal condition, and the first symptom is them losing use of their back legs, as has happened with Joe.
The vet said to see what happens, anti-inflammatories may help, & I'll have to have Joe put to sleep if he ends up incontinent. I feel devastated. He is the most affectionate & gentle bunny I've ever had, all my other rescue bunnies seem to be besotted by him, as are all the children who visit my land and rescue animals. He has been going regularly on visits to a local mental health support unit and a homelessness project, and genuinely enjoys being cuddled and stroked.
A Google search showed a Belgian Hare getting rehab in USA, using an underwater treadmill and a little exercise cart. I've v little funds (unable to work due to a back injury...) but want to help him all I can. Does anyone have any experience of this/ know anyone who has/ have any advice? Thanks,Helen
I thought Ginger Joe had had an accident back in January, about 3 months after I rescued him as a youngster, as he's rather accident-prone. His back legs didn't look right when he lolloped around after his friends. The Vet seemed a bit perplexed after examining him, and said give cage rest.
He didn't improve. He's had 2 cranio-sacral osteopathy sessions (very gentle, no manipulation) He's still getting worse - muscles & weight falling away, especially from his haunches. He was neutered last Friday (so he won't overtire himself chasing neutered friends) & X-rayed. Nothing shows on X-ray, other than spine curving from side to side, which vet says is due to muscle loss.
I contacted a former BH breeder. She said some strains of BH have a degenerative spinal condition, and the first symptom is them losing use of their back legs, as has happened with Joe.
The vet said to see what happens, anti-inflammatories may help, & I'll have to have Joe put to sleep if he ends up incontinent. I feel devastated. He is the most affectionate & gentle bunny I've ever had, all my other rescue bunnies seem to be besotted by him, as are all the children who visit my land and rescue animals. He has been going regularly on visits to a local mental health support unit and a homelessness project, and genuinely enjoys being cuddled and stroked.
A Google search showed a Belgian Hare getting rehab in USA, using an underwater treadmill and a little exercise cart. I've v little funds (unable to work due to a back injury...) but want to help him all I can. Does anyone have any experience of this/ know anyone who has/ have any advice? Thanks,Helen