Liz47
Wise Old Thumper
Hello all,
Beano is 8 years old and has been having difficulty with her hind legs for a while now. Originally just from physical examination/observation she was diagnosed with arthritis so has been on metacam for several months now. Over the past month she has been getting notably worse and this week has deteriorated rather quite rapidly. She had an X ray done today and no signs of arthritis were observed, alongside nothing affecting the spine. The only thing that was noted was a huge loss of muscle mass which you can see and she is loosing weight. Based on this and examinations the vet thinks it is a neurological issue, she doesn't seem to be aware of her hind legs anymore and when her foot is knuckled over there is no reflex to bring it back nor does she react to anything involving her feet. So at the moment her right leg is almost completely being dragged and is often stretched out infront of her and she is very wobbly when trying to move (she only seems able to creep/walk) and sits with them at awkward angles. This also means she is toileting on herself so requires daily baths and is shaved regularly (despite this she also required stitches after her skin tore a few months ago ) and she can't sit up to reach her ceacotrophs (sp?).
She is not normally a rabbit that will tolerate or enjoy being handled/human contact unless she comes up to you but obviously all this means she is having regular contact which she doesn't have the ability to struggle and get away from and it's so upsetting seeing her like this as it's nothing like what she used to be. She can't keep up with Jake meaning she gets knocked and they very rarely sit together/groom as he is too active. However, despite this she is still keen to eat everything offered and some days her movement is ok and seems to enjoy being out in the garden but then often will sit in the same spot looking miserable and some days won't move for hours (she has hay, water, vet bed all in easy reach throughout the room). She is on metacam, has a cream for her legs and is nearly finishing a 28 day panacur course in case of EC. Vet said further testing can be done (such as CT) but a neurological issue is very unlikely to improve, but a possibility of slowing/managing the symptoms. I'm not sure if I'm doing enough or if there's anymore I could ask the vet to do? I don't think Beano is the sort of rabbit to have good quality of life being disabled as she is now but when the vets mention euthanasia I just don't feel like I have done enough for her at the moment. She is my first rabbit who I got as a child and also my first pet who means a lot to me, I can't bear seeing her suffer but surely there is more that can be done.
Beano is 8 years old and has been having difficulty with her hind legs for a while now. Originally just from physical examination/observation she was diagnosed with arthritis so has been on metacam for several months now. Over the past month she has been getting notably worse and this week has deteriorated rather quite rapidly. She had an X ray done today and no signs of arthritis were observed, alongside nothing affecting the spine. The only thing that was noted was a huge loss of muscle mass which you can see and she is loosing weight. Based on this and examinations the vet thinks it is a neurological issue, she doesn't seem to be aware of her hind legs anymore and when her foot is knuckled over there is no reflex to bring it back nor does she react to anything involving her feet. So at the moment her right leg is almost completely being dragged and is often stretched out infront of her and she is very wobbly when trying to move (she only seems able to creep/walk) and sits with them at awkward angles. This also means she is toileting on herself so requires daily baths and is shaved regularly (despite this she also required stitches after her skin tore a few months ago ) and she can't sit up to reach her ceacotrophs (sp?).
She is not normally a rabbit that will tolerate or enjoy being handled/human contact unless she comes up to you but obviously all this means she is having regular contact which she doesn't have the ability to struggle and get away from and it's so upsetting seeing her like this as it's nothing like what she used to be. She can't keep up with Jake meaning she gets knocked and they very rarely sit together/groom as he is too active. However, despite this she is still keen to eat everything offered and some days her movement is ok and seems to enjoy being out in the garden but then often will sit in the same spot looking miserable and some days won't move for hours (she has hay, water, vet bed all in easy reach throughout the room). She is on metacam, has a cream for her legs and is nearly finishing a 28 day panacur course in case of EC. Vet said further testing can be done (such as CT) but a neurological issue is very unlikely to improve, but a possibility of slowing/managing the symptoms. I'm not sure if I'm doing enough or if there's anymore I could ask the vet to do? I don't think Beano is the sort of rabbit to have good quality of life being disabled as she is now but when the vets mention euthanasia I just don't feel like I have done enough for her at the moment. She is my first rabbit who I got as a child and also my first pet who means a lot to me, I can't bear seeing her suffer but surely there is more that can be done.
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