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Dragging hind leg not EC update

Hi guys

I have had the results back from the vet and Digby doesn't have EC. The vet says we can put him through tests and X-rays to find out what's wrong but at this stage it would be purely diagnostic as other possible causes for his paresis aren't curable.

I am absolutely devastated but it's looking like euthanising him is going to be the kindest way to go and what the vet has suggested. Digby spends a lot of the day now laying flat on his side staring upwards at which point I look at him thinking it's the kindest thing to but he brightens up when he sees someone there and with a little help he stands to eat and drink. At this point he almost looks back to his old self and I think he deserves a chance to live.

The vet says if he has more good days than bad we should call it a day and the last thing I want is for him to suffer but at the same time I don't want to play god if he is getting any quality if life.

Does anyone have any experience or advice?
 
I had a Dutch bunny named Digger who developed hind leg paralysis in one leg. He would use his front legs to pull himself along the floor. He continued to eat and drink well, so I made modifications to his housing, gave him regular baths, physical therapy to keep his joints mobile, and kept him comfortable for many months. I did not regret keeping a disabled bunny. That being said, when you see a pet every day it is often hard to notice the small changes in their condition from day to day, week to week. After Digger passed, I realized I missed the signs he gave me a week earlier that it was time. Had I taken some videos of him I would have noticed that the small changes eventually add up to a meaningful change.

This was many years ago, before I heard of tripod bunnies. With Digger it was just the one leg so I often wonder if amputating the bad leg would have allowed him to use the other hind leg better since the bad leg would not have gotten in his way. Just a thought.
 
Hi guys

I have had the results back from the vet and Digby doesn't have EC. The vet says we can put him through tests and X-rays to find out what's wrong but at this stage it would be purely diagnostic as other possible causes for his paresis aren't curable.

I am absolutely devastated but it's looking like euthanising him is going to be the kindest way to go and what the vet has suggested. Digby spends a lot of the day now laying flat on his side staring upwards at which point I look at him thinking it's the kindest thing to but he brightens up when he sees someone there and with a little help he stands to eat and drink. At this point he almost looks back to his old self and I think he deserves a chance to live.

The vet says if he has more good days than bad we should call it a day and the last thing I want is for him to suffer but at the same time I don't want to play god if he is getting any quality if life.

Does anyone have any experience or advice?

Personally I would want a Rabbit Savvy Vet to take some Xrays. Yes, it may be the case that they would only establish a diagnosis for which there may be no viable treatment options. But for me I would struggle with agreeing to PTS without knowing what Xrays may or may not reveal. Spinal surgery is sometimes possible. But of course it may not be appropriate for Digby.

Is your Vet a Rabbit/Exotics Specialist ? If not would a referral to a Specialist for a Second Opinion be an option for you ?

I am sure that you will do what is in Digby's best interests, it is a totally personal decision for you.

I am not sure if you have already see this information :

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Differentials/paresis.htm

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/paralysis.html

And for Referrals :

http://www.rvc.ac.uk/beaumont-sains...es/exotics-and-small-mammals/referral-service

http://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/services/small-animals/services/rabbit-exotic-practice
 
Sending hugs. I agree with Jane's comments and I would need to know more about what the problem actually was before deciding that it was time. However, you are Digby's carer and you will be much more able than us to assess the situation more fully. Unfortunately it is a decision that really only you, together with your vet's advice if you have confidence in them, can make.
 
Hi guys

I have had the results back from the vet and Digby doesn't have EC. The vet says we can put him through tests and X-rays to find out what's wrong but at this stage it would be purely diagnostic as other possible causes for his paresis aren't curable.

I am absolutely devastated but it's looking like euthanising him is going to be the kindest way to go and what the vet has suggested. Digby spends a lot of the day now laying flat on his side staring upwards at which point I look at him thinking it's the kindest thing to but he brightens up when he sees someone there and with a little help he stands to eat and drink. At this point he almost looks back to his old self and I think he deserves a chance to live.

The vet says if he has more good days than bad we should call it a day and the last thing I want is for him to suffer but at the same time I don't want to play god if he is getting any quality if life.

Does anyone have any experience or advice?


Hi there and sorry to hear about the state of things with Digby.

I was in this situation, and my vet made the diagnosis that it was spinal injury and it was not possible to 'fix' so I had to let the bunny go. I was glad though that I had exhausted all possibilities and an X-ray indicated that things weren't ever going to get any better.

That's what I would do in your situation - I would have an X-ray to check the state of the spine, and then review the results.

I know you've been to see a very good vet, haven't you? They may be able to do the X-ray without sedation.

I found the bits and pieces in these articles helpful:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-8/quality-of-life.html


http://rabbit.org/end-of-life/


http://www.disabledrabbits.com/quality-of-life.html


http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?270142-Quality-of-Life

Hugs. This isn't easy xx
 
Thank you for all of your replies. Yes the vet was very good and I will double check with her about the X-rays but she was conclusive that now the options of what it could be are not going to be treatable and it's her feeling he will be in some pain which is obviously the last thing I want.

I've explored the options of keeping him as a disabled bunny but want to make sure I'm doing it for him and not me.

Thanks for the links, I'll have a look through now x
 
Thank you for all of your replies. Yes the vet was very good and I will double check with her about the X-rays but she was conclusive that now the options of what it could be are not going to be treatable and it's her feeling he will be in some pain which is obviously the last thing I want.

I've explored the options of keeping him as a disabled bunny but want to make sure I'm doing it for him and not me.

Thanks for the links, I'll have a look through now x


You're welcome.

Sending vibes and strength for you both :)
 
Thank you for all of your replies. Yes the vet was very good and I will double check with her about the X-rays but she was conclusive that now the options of what it could be are not going to be treatable and it's her feeling he will be in some pain which is obviously the last thing I want.

I've explored the options of keeping him as a disabled bunny but want to make sure I'm doing it for him and not me.

Thanks for the links, I'll have a look through now x

I agree you would not want to keep a bunny that had pain that could not be controlled with medications at home. If his pain can be controlled with medications, then he may still be able to be happy even with limited mobility, during which time you can make regular evaluations about his future while you and he continue to enjoy each other's company. Only you and he know the right decision for your/his circumstances, so you have my support whatever decision you make.
 
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