Hind Limb amputation, Giant Rabbit?

[DoodleBunny]

Hi, our rabbit is having issues with her hind leg, she had a nasty abscess just above her hock which was treated but now isn't healing or responding to antibiotics (she started on baytril and is now having one oral antibiotic and one injectable antibiotic and pain relief)

The wound is now deep (possibly to the bone) and I have just been told by our vets and by an exotics vet we were referred to that she's unlikely to recover and have suggested that she's PTS.
When I asked about amputation they both said it wasn't an option for a giant rabbit at all. Is this true?
They said that it would be too much pressure on the remaining foot.

Our rabbit is currently her normal self, eating, drinking, grooming etc. Which makes this decision so difficult for us.

She's just over a year old and weighs 6.5kg.

 

[Shimmer]

Have you tried packing the abscess with medical grade manuka honey (readily available online for about £5)? It can make a big difference to the healing process. Wash out with dilute hibiscrub (use a 1ml syringe), then use another 1ml syringe to fill the cavity with the honey. Needs doing daily, maybe twice a day. It could get a bit messy, and you need to stop her licking it clean again - so it may need a very light dressing, but it should be open to the air as much as possible.

Was the abscess treated surgically (and the capsule removed)?
The usual antibiotic treatment is a penicillin based one (eg Depocillin), by injection, often daily. It can take months, but can be done at home if you are shown how to do it.

I don't know about giant rabbits, but I have had a tripod bunny before and he did really well - although he was only about 1.5kg. Someone with more experience of giants may be able to give a more definitive answer.

 

[Zoobec]

I’m sorry that you are in this situation I don’t have any experience of this so I can’t advise. Is the exotics vet experienced in dealing with rabbits? Sending lots of vibes.

 

[DoodleBunny]

Thank you.

She's had the wound cleaned and packed with manuka honey at the vets, they have been bandaging it which is changed every three days. At the start this was working and was healing beautifully but then it got badly infected. Yes Depocillin is the one we're using (every other day)

The exotics vet is experienced and is highly rated on here, so obviously they must know what they're talking about with suggesting PTS. I'm just finding the thought of giving up on her at such a young age and while she's otherwise happy very hard.

Hopefully we'll see some improvement at her appointment tomorrow.

 

[InspectorMorse]

I have cared for a Flemish Giant who came to me with a severely infected and abscessated hock. Despite surgery and months of aggressive abx treatment, wound flushing and packing and wound dressings the abscess failed to heal. Osteomyelitis also occurred. During further diagnostics it was found that her hock problems were secondary to a problem with her hip joints. Amputation was definitely not an option so sadly we had to let her go

Whilst smaller Rabbits can cope well on three legs Giants will struggle, especially if it is a hind leg. I am not sure I would have gone ahead with limb amputation for the Rabbit I was caring for even if she did not have the hip dysplasia. I do not think that I would. Quality of life must come first .

I am very sorry to hear that your Rabbit has such a nasty condition

 

[DoodleBunny]

Thank you for your post InspectorMorse that was so helpful. You're right her quality of life must come first no matter how hard it is for us. I suppose I just needed to know that I have tried everything I possibly can for her.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Thank you for your post InspectorMorse that was so helpful. You're right her quality of life must come first no matter how hard it is for us. I suppose I just needed to know that I have tried everything I possibly can for her.

it sounds as though you have fought for her all the way. You will do whatever is in her best interests

 

[Zoobec]

Thank you for your post InspectorMorse that was so helpful. You're right her quality of life must come first no matter how hard it is for us. I suppose I just needed to know that I have tried everything I possibly can for her.

Sometimes it is so hard, but I’m sure you will do what is best for her. In these kinds of situations knowing you have done your best is a comfort, I find.

I hope that the appointment goes well today. Sending lots more vibes.

 

[DoodleBunny]

Thank you Zoobec and InspectorMorse.

Her appointment earlier was as I thought it would be, still signs of infection, although they did say that that the wound has reduced in size overall. They have decided not to bandage the wound for the next few days as she is starting to get secondary sores on the top of her foot and they want to see if it will heal any better left open.

She's still in very high spirits, even the vets commented on how happy she seems. Going to spend the next few days spoiling her rotten.

 

[Zoobec]

Fingers crossed for you both. You are doing your best, no one could do any more.

 

[joey&boo]

I'm sorry to hear your bunny is going through this but glad she has such caring owners by her side. Its great to hear she is in good sprits though totally agree that makes it harder I hope you all enjoy some time spoiling her to bits

 

[bunny momma]

Sending vibes giving her more time to heal will show some improvement and give you more quality time.. Her being in good spirits is a plus.

 

[Cuthbert&Dillon]

Topping up the vibes for your bunny,

 

[DoodleBunny]

Hi, I posted this a while ago but could do with some more advice.
Our rabbits wound really improved after I posted this, it was almost completely healed and she was doing really well. However in the last week a fairly large abscess has formed just above the original wound site she's on pain medication and antibiotics but so far it's shown no signs of improvement.
I took her to the vets for a check up (locum vet) they said that they didn't recommend further treatment and suggested PTS.
Our rabbit is still very happy, she uses the leg and foot and she's still eating well.
I was originally told by the exotics vet that she could take months to recover, would PTS now be giving up on her too soon? Or am I just putting off the inevitable?

I'm not sure if the infection from the abscess has affected the bone/joint in her leg. I was quoted over £400 for an x-ray to check. Does this seem like a reasonable price? I have nothing to compare it to but it seems expensive for one x-ray and sedation.

Thanks

DoodleBunny

 

[InspectorMorse]

I am sorry that the infection has recurred. Vets set their own fees for various procedures but £400 for sedation and one X-ray does seem extreme. Would this be at the Exotics Practice ?

What antibiotic has the avet prescribed this time ?

 

[Shimmer]

Sorry to hear that there is another abscess.
What antibiotics is she on?
It can take months to clear an abscess.
£400 sounds a lot 'just' for an x-ray. I would be looking at half that. If she is being sedated anyway, I would want the abscess surgically excising at the same time (and would be happy to pay £400 all-in for that).

If you have managed to clear one infection, you know what you are doing with this - although the fact that there is a recurrence is of concern. Abscesses are notoriously difficult to clear up, can seed, and may take a very long time to completely clear. On the other hand, if the treatment is working (slowly) and the rabbit is managing everything as normal, I would continue with treatment (which may ultimately be for life). I've had older rabbits on depocillin for about 18 months for complex jaw abscesses. PTS always remains an option if you feel it is needed at some point. It's about what you can cope with (physically, emotionally, financially), and the quality of life of the rabbit.

Have you asked for a referral to a rabbit specialist? They can offer another perspective and a more tailored treatment plan. They edon't have to be more expensive than your regular vet, either, although there will be a longer initial consultation & fee.

 

[DoodleBunny]

She's on Metronidazole and Sulfatrim twice daily. When I took her for the appointment the vet nurse said it looked like an abscess but she would call the vet to have a look. The vet said that it didn't look like an abscess and it was likely to be a bone infection, hence why she said she wouldn't recommend any further treatment. But to me it looks and feels the same as before, it's a soft bubble and doesn't feel hot. If it was a bone infection would she still use the leg?
They seemed very keen for me to PTS but didn't ask me anything about her quality of life.

This is at our normal vets, the exotics vet is quite far away so we were referred back to our normal one for her ongoing treatment. I think I'll have to get back in touch with them and see what they think.

 

[InspectorMorse]

She's on Metronidazole and Sulfatrim twice daily. When I took her for the appointment the vet nurse said it looked like an abscess but she would call the vet to have a look. The vet said that it didn't look like an abscess and it was likely to be a bone infection, hence why she said she wouldn't recommend any further treatment. But to me it looks and feels the same as before, it's a soft bubble and doesn't feel hot. If it was a bone infection would she still use the leg?
They seemed very keen for me to PTS but didn't ask me anything about her quality of life.



This is at our normal vets, the exotics vet is quite far away so we were referred back to our normal one for her ongoing treatment. I think I'll have to get back in touch with them and see what they think.

I would get back in touch with the Exotics Practice if I were you.

 

[Full house]

I don't have anything useful to add, aside from the fact that abcesses are nasty things and it's often a long and hard battle to deal with them. I would like to say that I understand the frustration and sadness of managing to get one issue to a more positive position, only to be then dealt another blow. I agree that £400 sounds a lot for sedation and an x-ray. Could they possibly have explained things badly and the cost includes additional treatment too? Vets aren't always the best at explaining treatment plans. None of us can predict the outcome here, but I understand your reluctance to go straight to her being pts, especially as she is currently doing so well. Sending positive thoughts and love. x

 

[bunny momma]

Adding positive vibes.