Help for Ant

[Tamsin]

I'm starting this for a new members that's having trouble getting the hang of the forum: Helf_for_ant

Hello

I'm so sorry to bother you but I'm looking for any help or advice I can get, My bunny has had a hard life bless him I got him in Feb from a shop and was badly advised to ignore the white stuff from his nose the pet shop said it was nothing to worry about I discovered that it was down to teeth problems and the vet had no option but to remover his incisors however he got over that however they grew back not once but twice he had them removed one more time but decided to see what else they could do this time the vet decided to go for a blood test to find out why he was drinking so much and to perhaps see if anything else was wrong with him.

I went in with high hope he could finally have a life without problems, the vet took him out back to do the test I sat waiting for them to return when I heard a scream that sounded exactly another bunny I had that suffered fits I sat there praying it wasn't Ant. The vet returned and asked me to come out the back, Ant was on the table looking lifeless at that point I was told he had stressed himself out and they recommended he stay in over night I agreed as he didn't look to good.

I phoned on new years eve the following day at 8am to see how he was, I was told he was fine apart from not eating so with me knowing my bunny I knew if I got him home he would start eating however I then got another call at 10am to say that they had discovered that when they were holding him during the blood test he had twisted in the towel so they've done an x-ray and hes got a fracture on level 7 vertebra my heart sank they said hes lost totally movement In his back legs and thought the best thing for him was to be put to sleep I was devastated and so unsure I asked to go and get him to have some time with him and they agreed I got him home and straight away he brighten up I sat with him and thought I can't give up on him not yet unless he was in pain.

They agreed and I'm taking him back on wed for a check up, hes eating and drinking well and although I'm having to help him with bowl movements in the terms on peeing only he seems quite comfortable. Is it possible for him to get through this or am I doing the wrong thing for him by keeping him going, I'm really lost and confused and angry with the vets as I took him there for help for to make his life harder.

Many Thanks
Laura

 

[prettylupin]

Oh my god what an awful frightening time you and poor ant have been having i'm so sorry. It's very late please forgive me the short reply but my instincts are that you need to get ant referred immediately to an exotic vet specialist in bones - orthopaedics for a second opinion or have his xray faxed over. Your regular vet can do this at your request. I would recommend GWR or the Bristol Rabbit Clinic. I think you know your bunny best so this must be your decision. Is ant mobile and able to hop? He should be on ongoing pain relief whilst you make your decision. I'm so sorry and good luck x

 

[KB]

Am so sorry to hear of this awful time you & your bun are having to endure.

I gut feeling is that as part of their duty of care to you & Ant, the vets where the injury occurred should be able to refer him to a specialist centre such as Pretty Lupin has mentioned. That way you will have the opportunity to make a truly informed decision.

I'd also like to see them waive any charges incurred during their care of Ant, obviously this is a horrible accident & they have been honest with you as to how they think it occurred but this would be an appropriate gesture of good will.

Personally I have no experience with the care involved for a bun with a vertebral fracture & either spinal shock or a complete spinal cord severing, so can't really comment on how hard this would be. Though my gut feeling as a RN for humans I imagine it is very difficult & I would have to reflect on the quality of life Ant would have.

I'm so sorry that your need for/ finding the forum has been in such a traumatic time. Please let us know how this goes for you both.

Huge vibes & kia kaha from NZ.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

I agree that the Vet should immediately refer Ant to a specialist Centre *straight away*. I would contact them this morning and request this as a matter of urgency. I would also request they put IN WRITTING that they will cover the cost of the Specialist Referral and any subsequent treatment. (I know money is not your priority atm, but..............)

I would then make your decision in conjunction with the Specialists.

I am so very sorry to hear what has happened to poor Ant

 

[Lobo]

All the absolute best advice has already been offered. I am sure that if you can get a specialist referral your mind will be more at ease that Ant is getting the best treatment and assessment.

I really hope there is a positive outcome; it is so obvious that he is a much loved and cared for bunny.

 

[prettylupin]

After posting late last night I could not get to sleep for thinking of your poor bun and what you have both been through. So awfully traumatic and although clearly an accident, and we all know how fragile rabbit skeletons are, he was obviously not correctly restrained for his bloods, although accidents happen full responsibility does lie with the vet practice and I completely agree that all fees should be waived. I know this is the last thing on your mind but I agree that everything must now be done to rectify the situation and I fully understand your anger. I do hope that there is a light at the end of this bleak tunnel and if not then he is a very lucky bunny to be loved so much. Take care and please let us know how you get on x

 

[Helf_for_ant]

Hi everyone,

A massive thank you for your messages of support, sorry to have not replied sooner but I've been busy searching the web for any advice I can get. Ant day by day is showing good signs the only negative is his bladder that only works when I massage it I'm doing it 4 to 5 times daily and have been told this could help him get it working as normal but it could be a waiting game.

Food wise hes eating really well and is moving around his cage well although dragging his back legs hes in a indoor cage not to large that he moves around to much but allows him to move the amount he needs to.

He is on pain killers although I do worry as when it comes to evening around 9/10pm when I do his bladder for the last time before bed he does seem to be in discomfort and feel the pain killers have worn off by that time.

Im back at the vets at 630pm in which I'm going to chat about a specialist according to the head vet at my vets they have already spoken to one but they didn't hold much hope, however I feel I would like to speak to them, I have been told about a special vets in yorkshire recommended by someone from the US. I'm also going to demand I go out the back area with him should he need to hes not leaving my sight this time.

I just hope its good news I'm willing to do all I can so hes able to have a happy life I just don't want him to be in any pain and thats my main concern.

Again Thank you so much x

 

[thenamesJT]

Hi everyone,

A massive thank you for your messages of support, sorry to have not replied sooner but I've been busy searching the web for any advice I can get. Ant day by day is showing good signs the only negative is his bladder that only works when I massage it I'm doing it 4 to 5 times daily and have been told this could help him get it working as normal but it could be a waiting game.

Food wise hes eating really well and is moving around his cage well although dragging his back legs hes in a indoor cage not to large that he moves around to much but allows him to move the amount he needs to.

He is on pain killers although I do worry as when it comes to evening around 9/10pm when I do his bladder for the last time before bed he does seem to be in discomfort and feel the pain killers have worn off by that time.

Im back at the vets at 630pm in which I'm going to chat about a specialist according to the head vet at my vets they have already spoken to one but they didn't hold much hope, however I feel I would like to speak to them, I have been told about a special vets in yorkshire recommended by someone from the US. I'm also going to demand I go out the back area with him should he need to hes not leaving my sight this time.

I just hope its good news I'm willing to do all I can so hes able to have a happy life I just don't want him to be in any pain and thats my main concern.

Again Thank you so much x

Keeping my fingers crossed for you & your bun.

He has been a very lucky bun to have found such a loving owner like you.

 

[parsnipbun]

I'm starting this for a new members that's having trouble getting the hang of the forum: Helf_for_ant

Whereabouts are you Laura/ are you in the UK? As well as getting a referral to a specialist exotics referral vet I would also try and change your normal vet to one more bunny savvy so that you are not dealing on a day to day basis with people who will by now be feeling both guilty and also angry with themselves - also you want to be somewhere you can totally trust.

 

[Helf_for_ant]

I Live in Oxford the one I've been given is in Yorkshire a long ride for Ant but I'd be perpared to drive him there if it would help him.

 

[sarahsarah]

What about GWR, I think it's in Swindon? Can you get him referred to there?

 

[parsnipbun]

Post a new thread in Rabbit Chat with the title 'Please recommend Good Rabbit Vet Oxford' and someone should answer with one!

 

[helgalush]

So very sorry to hear about yours and Ant's experiences It is dreadful. I want to send Ant lots and lots of vibes for his referral to the specialist and so hope that something can be done to help him.

He is lucky to have a loving caring bunny mummy like you by his side. x

 

[VikkiVet]

Post a new thread in Rabbit Chat with the title 'Please recommend Good Rabbit Vet Oxford' and someone should answer with one!

Trouble is, it really needs to be a spinal/orthopaedic specialist over a rabbit specialist. They are much less common.

I can't add any further advice beyond what has already been said, other than to keep an eye on his feet etc as they may get damaged from him dragging them around. Gentle massage of his hindlimbs will also aid blood flow and maintain muscle tone, but dont do it if he finds it uncomfortable.

Hoping very much that he can be helped xx

 

[parsnipbun]

Trouble is, it really needs to be a spinal/orthopaedic specialist over a rabbit specialist. They are much less common.

I can't add any further advice beyond what has already been said, other than to keep an eye on his feet etc as they may get damaged from him dragging them around. Gentle massage of his hindlimbs will also aid blood flow and maintain muscle tone, but dont do it if he finds it uncomfortable.

Hoping very much that he can be helped xx

I was suggesting (pvs post) that she needed a good rabbit vet local to her for the day to day stuff, as well as the specialist vet that Ant will need:wave: -

 

[prettylupin]

Great Western Referrals in Swindon has an orthopaedic specialist on site which is why I recommended them. There is also a couple of rabbit specialists so as a team they would be able to handle your case. My bun's spinal xrays were faxed over. I think GWR may be closer to you than Frances Harcourt Brown in Yorkshire.:?

 

[Helf_for_ant]

Hi all

Sorry for the delay in responding, However its been a pretty awful wk end sadly Ant lost his battle on friday, I'd like to Thank you all for you messages of support.

Thanks again
Laura

 

[shay]

Only just seen this thread and I'm so sorry for your loss. Binky free Ant xx

 

[KB]

Laura, I am so very sorry to hear this.
Ant was so very obviously a much loved & cared for bun.
I really hope that you will be able to take comfort from that.
I'm sure the days will come when your memories of him will be of the good times.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

I am so sorry

RIP Ant xx