My poor little bun!!

I had a litter of dwarf lop bunnies that were 8 weeks today, gone to new homes today. Except 1.

I noticed a couple of days ago that she was not hopping properly and looked like she was holding her left back leg up. Took her into work with me on Thursday and the vet said she had probably damaged her metatarsal - tarsal joint and being a young rabbit it would probably settle down in a few days, but to keep her restricted and give pain killers.

I decided yesterday to get one of the other vets to look at her as she was not using her leg at all. He thought it would be best to x-ray her as he couldn't move her leg. Turns out she has a broken hip!!! Poor little girl must have been in agony. She is now on high dose of pain killers and the vet is going to do surgery on her leg on Monday or Tuesday. She is having an excision arthroplasty which is going to be major surgery for her , but I think I have to give it a go as she is still eating and looks remarkably bright considering. He said he has never done surgery like this on a rabbit before and doesn't know how she will cope, but he thinks she should be able to manage.

Has anybody had anything like this done on a rabbit?

This is her last week.

Awwww, so sorry to hear this she is absolutely gorgeous truely stunning hope everything goes well with the op and please keep us posted on her progress does she have a name :?: fingers crossed for the little buns

Thanks.

Her name is Thumper.

It suits her :wink: I am sure many will come on and answer your question, Jay would be a good person to talk to as she has had buns with misplaced bones etc and there are plenty of VN's who might be able to help too. If you are worried that your vet has never done something like this before, you could always ask her to recomend a rabbit specialist there is the RWA clinic at Bristol that treat nothing but rabbits you could give them a ring and ask for advice over the phone

Hi

Sorry to read about your wee bun but I think you are right to give her every chance.

It is a big op but you really have no other choice - if your vet was not confident that it could be done I am sure he would have told you. Your bunny may never gain 100% mobility but will be able to adapt and will be able to live a full life.

There are always risks in operations but the anaesthetics used now are very safe and the risks have been greatly reduced over the years. Your bunny will be monitored throughout the whole procedure.

I know that this is a worrying time for you but please remember you are doing what is best for your wee bunny and giving her the chance of a relatively normal life - she may not be as active as other bunnies but she will adapt and will be able to live a happy life

Remember that on the day of the op take her into the surgery with food, water etc - bunnies are not like other animals who have to be starved before ops - it is better if they eat right up to being taken through.

Best of luck - I will be thinking off you and will keep everything crossed.

lol Pam

Thumper looks so sweeet I see you have been given excellent advice already ...best of luck

oh i am so sorry to hear this but what a gorgeous rabbit!

do you know who the hip broke?

all the best for her op, sending good luck healing vibes you way

Eve x

AWWWWWWWWWWW she has got one of the cutest little seal-pup faces I have ever seen!! Really hope she is feeling better soon, poor little lamb. Keep us posted. xx

Oh She is truely lovely - I hope everything goes ok for wee Thumper - sounds like a big op but she sounds like a brave girl and we'll all have our paws crossed she does well.

Keep us posted when you can we'd love to hear how shes doing.

She's truly adorable!!!

I'm so happy you're having the surgery done. We get a lot of clients in that decide to PTS instead as they don't want the post-op care, etc. And we do the surgery for free!!

Your vet sounds like they know what they're doing, but I'm sure that the Rabbit Clinic at Bristol Uni (mentioned above by the kind Denny) wouldn't mind telling you more info over the phone if you think your vet's not explained enough!!!

Thanks for all your advice. I think I am dreading it more, because I work at the surgery so know all the things that might go wrong. The other nurses were trying to convince me it would be best for me to do the anaesthetic as they don't want the responsibilty since it is going to be such a long op. Have managed to pursuade one of them now though. I will let you know how she gets on.

ah poor little bunny, hope it gets better soon

Betty

Ooooh she has the loveliest face ever! Poor little love. You're doing the right thing. Thank god you got a second opinion!! Keep us updated. I'm sending lots of healing bunny vibes to you both xxxxxx

Lind80 said:

Thanks for all your advice. I think I am dreading it more, because I work at the surgery so know all the things that might go wrong. The other nurses were trying to convince me it would be best for me to do the anaesthetic as they don't want the responsibilty since it is going to be such a long op. Have managed to pursuade one of them now though. I will let you know how she gets on.

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Arrrrhhhh so you are a vet nurse too It is understandable that you are nervous as she is your baby and so you will feel very emotional and worried about the op :wink: I am glad that you have persuaded another collegue to do this as I think the stress of your baby being operated on as well as you helping with this proceedure would be too much stress for you take care and good luck to both you and little thumper bun let us know how things go :wink:

Lind80 said:

Thanks for all your advice. I think I am dreading it more, because I work at the surgery so know all the things that might go wrong. The other nurses were trying to convince me it would be best for me to do the anaesthetic as they don't want the responsibilty since it is going to be such a long op. Have managed to pursuade one of them now though. I will let you know how she gets on.

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I'm so glad you're not monitoring the anaesthetic. I was going to do it when my two girls only got speyed, and I couldn't handle it!!!

Maaike_Butter said:

Lind80 said:

Thanks for all your advice. I think I am dreading it more, because I work at the surgery so know all the things that might go wrong. The other nurses were trying to convince me it would be best for me to do the anaesthetic as they don't want the responsibilty since it is going to be such a long op. Have managed to pursuade one of them now though. I will let you know how she gets on.

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I'm so glad you're not monitoring the anaesthetic. I was going to do it when my two girls only got speyed, and I couldn't handle it!!!

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When Meg (our dog) got her op I had told the vet who was operating that I would not be involved - but found that I could not keep keep away and ended up being right in there - mind you I am a control freak when it comes to my animals

lol Pam

kimbun's mum said:

When Meg (our dog) got her op I had told the vet who was operating that I would not be involved - but found that I could not keep keep away and ended up being right in there - mind you I am a control freak when it comes to my animals

lol Pam

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If I'd have been there, I would have totally flaked. Mind you, I flaked in Pharmacy instead...and kennels...and everywhere BUT theatre...

any news Lind80 :?: did little thumper have her op today or is it scheduled for tomorrow :?:

Hi, no she hasn't had it yet. The vet is now not sure whether to do it or not, because she is hopping about quite happily. I think she must still be in alot of pain though, but trouble is rabbits never seem to show it, do they. So he is going to speak to an orthopaedic specialist today and get his advice! She is still eating and drinking ok, infact everyone at the surgery said they couldn't believe how much she ate for a little bunny! :lol: Am going to have to make sure she doesn't eat too much though as the extra weight will probably make it harder for her to get about.

ahhhhhhhh poor little mite animals are so brave aren't they I mean how much would a human moan if they had broken their hip.........hope she gets well soon - what a cute sweet little face