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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum DIET & CARE Tripod Bunnies

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    • Brown Hare
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         Hi everyone, 

        I started writing in here about two months ago trying to diagnose Chocolate’s health problem.  He did not want to put his right hind foot on the ground and he began holding it up, and refused to put any kind of pressure on it at all.  We noticed an area on his on his heel that looked like a large scab.  I did some research, and sore hocks came up, and that sounded like what he had.  We took him into the vet, and she thought it was the same thing.  She did an xray just in case to make sure there wasn’t a  problem with the bone–and it looked fine.

        Chocky had his foot wrapped up in a bandage for one month before it was finally taken off.  The vet said that sore hocks is one of those things where it takes a very long time to heal, but we were concerned when after about a week and a half that Chocolate was still not improving, and now he was more jumpy and protective of his foot than ever. 

        We took him into the vet again.  She could not understand what was wrong either, but did notice that his ankle on that foot was more swollen than normal.  She strongly advised us to do another xray to check the bone again.  

        We did another  xray and this one was drastically different than the first that was made only about a month earlier.  Chocolate’s heel bone now appeared feathery and there were small bone fragments throughout his heel–the vet said that was a sign that his body was trying to heal itself.  The bone literally looked like it was being eaten away.  She told us it looked like either a severe infection with especially strong bacteria  (possibly originating from the “wound” on his foot) that had gotten into the bone or it was cancer.

        A few days later we took him to another vet in NC who specializes in exotics.  She put him under anesthetic and took a sample from the mass developing in his heel.  She told us because there was no pus draining from the incision (like an infection normally would) it looked to be a tumor.  About a (very nervous) week later, they called us back and confirmed that it was cancer and that his right back leg would have to be removed.  The vet said that they have done 12 such rabbit leg amputations in the past…that surprised me because I didn’t realize it was such a common problem.

        Chocolate goes in for his surgery tomorrow morning and he’ll stay at the vet’s for a day or two for recovery.  We are all very upset about him losing his leg, although I’ve read up some about pet limb amputation and everyone says it is harder on the humans than it is on the animal.  

        Does anybody else have a tripod bunny? Any insight concerning what we should expect and how to care for him would be very helpful. 

         

        Brown Hare & Chocolate

         


      • peppypoo
        Participant
        1945 posts Send Private Message

          I haven’t had experience with this before, but I just wanted to say that I’m so sorry that you and Chocolate have had to deal with these issues. All the same, it’s very obvious how much you love Chocolate, and I’m sure he’s in good hands. I will keep both of you in my thoughts, and best wishes for a speedy recovery!


        • Sarita
          Participant
          18851 posts Send Private Message

            I rescued a young rabbit once that had a broken hind leg that had to be amputated and she gets along great – she is in a new home but I cared for her after her surgery. 

            There are definitely concerns down the road as far as arthritis and such that could develop with a tripod rabbit, but once they learn to balance on the 3 legs, the get along just great. 

            Here is a link to some information on disabled rabbits that I think you will find helpful as well:

            http://www.catsandrabbitsandmore.com/disabled_rabbits

            Your rabbit is so lucky to have such caring owners such as you.


          • brittbritt
            Participant
            542 posts Send Private Message

              I hope the surgery goes well for your bun. I’ll keep him in my prayers.

              I usually make a habit not to buy animals from pet stores but come upon a baby zebra finch dragging his leg behind him and took him home as I knew his outcome would be grim if they noticed it first. My vet amputated the leg, it was broken horribly, and Happy is now learning to get around on his one leg and flying around. He has a girlfriend now and seems very happy and at home now.

              I also have a lovebird Angeli who is so splay legged she cannot walk at all. She flies beautifully and is quite a handful. I know they are not bunnies but just wanted to give you hope as different animals really learn to get around with what they have.


            • Beka27
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              16016 posts Send Private Message

                Welcome Brown Hare. Please keep us updated on how Chocolate does. I agree that he is incredibly lucky to have a caring owner.


              • Brown Hare
                Participant
                12 posts Send Private Message

                  We took Chocolate to the vet this morning.  

                  The amputation went smoothly and when we went back to the vets and they said he was already up and grooming himself!  They also did a few additional xrays to make sure the cancer hadn’t spread to any other part of his body and… the little guy is pristine!!!

                  His stitches will be removed by the end of the week, his fur will grow back in the shaved area within a month, and they said that he should be feeling better almost immediately!!!

                  We’ll be able to take him home tomorrow morning.

                   

                  I guess I’ll need to revamp his pen area some… mostly put down more fluffy padding so that he won’t be putting quite as much pressure on his remaining back leg.

                  Thanks for the tips & links.  I will think about joining that yahoo group…  

                  Another thing…Chocky was having trouble maintaining balance when he had his hurt foot.  He would sometimes fall down, but a lot of the time he would spin around trying to keep balance without putting his sore foot on the ground.  He would need something to lean up against or we would have to help hold him up when he was eating. Would you think that, with the bad leg gone and after adjusting to being three-legged, that his sense of balance will return? 

                   

                  Brown Hare


                • Sarita
                  Participant
                  18851 posts Send Private Message

                    Healing vibes to Chocolate. Thank you for the update.

                    I recommend joining that group too – lots of very good people who will love to help you on there.

                    I think his sense of balance will return.


                  • Brown Hare
                    Participant
                    12 posts Send Private Message

                       I just wanted to say that Chocolate is doing great!  He has got all of his old spunk back and his balance is back to normal.  The amputation was drastic, but I am glad we did it and I’m glad to have our old bunny back!

                      I never imagined that I would be “reporting” the health status of my rabbit on this forum, but now I think it was a good thing.  His case is well documented on here, going back for several months.  Maybe other people and their rabbits who are going through similar situations will find his story useful.

                       

                      Brown Hare & a very healthy and happy Chocolate


                    • Sarita
                      Participant
                      18851 posts Send Private Message

                        Thank you so much for the update. Glad Chocolate is doing well.

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                    Forum DIET & CARE Tripod Bunnies