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Forum DIET & CARE Dragging hind legs

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    • Cupcakesmom
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        My Cupcake was recently diagnosed with arthritis and has been steadily going downhill in terms of her back leg use. She no longer uses her back legs to bear any weight on. She gets around fine and can definately move, but has a hard time of it sometimes. She tries to put weight on it, but completely topples over. She is eating fine and is pooping and peeing (all over, actually) but I just worry that I am not being humane to her. She is on metacam, which I give her everyday, however, I dont think its even helping her. I noticed this morning that she has some poopey on her leg and bottom. Its not the littlenuggets, its almost like its smeared on there. How do you all suggest that I clean her up?? Also, how do you know when you are keeping your pet alive for you and in the long run its hurting them? I just dont know what to do at this point….


      • Sarita
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          I have been in the exact same situation with 2 severely arthritic rabbits as well and it’s a tough call. Everyone will have different ideas on what they feel a good quality of life is. In both situations, I relied on a very heart to heart talk with my vet and that is what helped me make a decision.

          I know many people will say, well, if they are eating they must feel okay, but I don’t believe that is true – there’s more to life than just eating. Alot of what I felt had to do with was my ability to make sure that they had a good quality of life and even at the best of times with both my severely arthritic rabbits I could not keep them clean no matter how hard I tried – it was not a possibility and I know they felt uncomfortable. My rabbit Maxine, eventually could not use either of her legs either, sounds much like Cupcake and after accupuncture and laser therapy she eventually did not get better. My vet who had been caring for her for the duration felt that Maxine was getting upset because of her lack of mobility and I felt the same way. We both felt that she did not have the quality of life she deserved and we had done all we could to try to help her but she wasn’t getting better with any of the treatments and we decided to let her go to the bridge. I can tell you it was a difficult decision and I felt sad, but I never regretted my decision.


        • Cupcakesmom
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            Thank you, Sarita. Your response really helped and hit home for me. It’s hard to decide when and no one can really tell you. I know in my heart that it’s time. My husband says he is not ready to let her go, and neither am I, but I know in my heart that what’s best for her is to “rest.” She had her laser therapy, but I didnt really see much of an improvement there. She has also been getting acupuncture and I dont see an improvement with that also. I know she feels extremely uncomfortable. My once cuddly and snuggly bunn doesnt like to be picked up anymore and often pees on me when I do. I spend a lot of time with her and groom her as much as I can, but I just noticed the poopy bottom today. I may try a warm wet rag later if she lets me. She seems very alert and shuffles over to my really quickly when I crinkle the treat bag or set her breakfast/dinner. My heart just breaks for her. I want to hold on to her forever…but I know what has to be done.


          • sleepy538
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              it’s such a horrible place to be in. cosie somehow ended up with a back issue, which led to the loss of use in her back legs. she couldn’t get in/out of the litterbox and was sitting in messes, so we eventually moved to diapers. she was given metacam, but she was a zombie so we took her off that. i had a phone conversation with the vet and we decided it was time, and set a date for the following week. i began to doubt myself, so i brought her in, and he said she looked worse than he even imagined. two days later, we put her to rest. i was (and still am) heartbroken, but i don’t regret it or feel guilty. she gave me 9.5 years of joy, and i had to let her go. it’s a hard decision. once you actually *feel* it’s time, as opposed to thinking it should be time, then you know it’s what’s best for your bunny. spend extra special quality time with cupcake, spoil her rotten with all kinds of yummy treats, and make sure you get lots of good snuggles in. thinking of you.


            • Cupcakesmom
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                After “chatting” with you all, I made a vet appointment for Cupcake on Monday. I am going to talk to my vet and see what he thinks before making my decision. Cupcake is only 4, but has definately gone downhill fast. She is still alert and oh so cute though! She gets so excited to see me in the morning and when I get home from work. I plan on spending some extra time with her…and I’m hoping she will give me a sign that says, “its ok mama, i love you, but know its time…”. I stocked up on some of her favorite treats, so I’ll be sure to spoil her rotten! (as if she’s not already!!)


              • LittlePuffyTail
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                  I’m so very sorry you have to make this decision. Reading your post brings tears to my eyes as I had to make this decision in September. You will never be “ready” no matter how long you’ve been preparing. But when you know in your heart that it is time, it’s the kindest thing you can do.

                  ***Hugs*** We are all here for you during this difficult time.


                • tobyluv
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                    I’m very sorry to hear about Cupcake. I am in the same position as you. Last month, my Isabel started loosing the use of her back legs, one in particular, and she is definitely going downhill. We took her to the vet and got Metacam to be used as needed. I started her on Oxbow Joint Support, but she only took them for 3 days, then no longer would eat them. At the same time, her appetite took a nosedive regarding certain foods. I wondered if it was just a coincidence or if something in the supplements didn’t agree with her. She stopped wanting pellets and only ate small amounts of hay, but she would eat all the veggies and fruit I put in front of her. She would also eat any treats, such as Oxbow Barley Biscuits. She has lost weight, can no longer use a litter box and is messy at times. She has started back eating a few pellets and more hay, so at least that’s one positive thing. I’ve been giving her extra greens since she likes them so much. She still gets around and still seems happy. She doesn’t seem to be at the stage where she is frustrated yet. I know she can’t scratch her ears any more, she pivots sometimes when she is sitting and eating, and she sometimes loses her balance. I know that she won’t be with us much longer, but I’m also pretty certain that it’s not her time yet. She has a companion who she loves, and she gets a lot of love from my husband and I.

                    It’s so terrible to have to make the decision about it being time for them to go. Like you, I also hope that there will be a sign to let us know she is ready. Hugs to you.


                  • Cupcakesmom
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                      You all are so amazing! I couldn’t imagine going through this without your support.
                      Tobyluv, your story sounds so similar to mine. Hugs to you and Isabel also. How do you keep Isabel clean? Do you have to wipe her down from time to time? I thought about trying it tonight with a warm wash cloth and the help of my husband. Cupcake pivots around too, to see what she wants to see. She is pretty much reasting herself on her “bum” leg and using the other to push herself around, with the help of her front paws, of course.
                      Cupcake isn’t really eating her joint support either, which she used to inhale. She east most of her pellets and all of her greens, but it’s weird because I used to give her carrots as a treat sometimes and now she won’t eat those. She still is eating hay really well, so I’m hoping that the carrot thing isnt because of some tooth issue now. I bought some Oxbow Botanical Timothy Hay and she really seems to love that.
                      I was spending time with her this morning and I decided it wasn’t quite time yet. I am going to talk to my vet on Monday and really listen to his opinion as well as my husband’s. My Hubby says he is really not ready to let her go yet and he doesn’t think it’s time. I’m still holding onto the hope that she will tell me when it’s time. I know it sounds weird, but I look into her eyes and I think she’s telling me to leet her hold on. She still has the sparkle she always had and she seems to happy to see us.


                    • sleepy538
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                        cosie let me know. i could see the pain in her eyes. call me crazy, but it’s true. i was so worried i was putting her down prematurely, but by the time the day came, i knew it was right. good luck at the vet. let us know how it goes.


                      • Cupcakesmom
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                          Thanks for the reassurance, sleepy! I was worried that I sounded like a crazy person. I will definately let you all know how the vet appointment goes.


                        • tobyluv
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                            I’m glad that your Cupcake still has her sparkle and happy feelings.

                            Twice we have had to give Isabel a little butt bath. I have a small plastic tub that I fill with about an inch of warm water. I throw a little piece of an unscented natural soap (Clearly Natural) in the tub. We let her bottom and feet soak for a couple of minutes, and I pull off anything that might be stuck to her, change the water to rinse her, then dry her. I clipped a little of the excess fur around her private area, although she is a Rex and doesn’t have a lot of excess fur, but there were some tiny bits of dried droppings that I wanted to get off. Since she is more on track with her diet again, she is staying cleaner. You could certainly use a warm washcloth on Cupcake if she needs a little cleaning.


                          • Cupcakesmom
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                              I noticed this morning that she peed on her bed my mom made for her (boo hoo!!) but then proceeded to lay in it, so there is a small patch around her hip that has dried pee on it. I used a wet wipe to get some of it off, but I’m going to have to try the small bath tonight. I’ll do like you said and let her “soak” or stand in it a bit. I think she will do ok with her “bath” if i am right there reassuring her.

                              p.s. Cupcake is a mini rex..is Isabel mini or full size??


                            • sleepy538
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                                cosie refused to stand/soak in water. i used to cradle her on her back (not tranced-she didn’t mind being cradled) and “sponge bathe” her using a warm washcloth and baby shampoo (recommended by the vet).


                              • tobyluv
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                                  I’m not sure what the weight/size difference between a mini rex and a regular rex is. Isabel was close to 5 pounds before she started losing weight.

                                  If you do put Cupcake in a little tub, hold onto her with one hand as you try to bath her dirty areas with the other hand. Those tubs are slippery and you don’t want her to start flailing around, splashing water and or hurting her crippled legs. It can also be good if you have someone else helping you, with one person holding the rabbit and the other concentrating on bathing any spots that need it. Some rabbits don’t seem to mind a warm bath – with just a small amount of water of course, but others will not enjoy the experience and will let you know. In that case, you would have to stick with wet washcloths. Besides towel drying Cupcake, you may want to use a hair dryer on a warm gentle setting to further dry her.


                                • Cupcakesmom
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                                    Cupcake’s bath went great!!! I had my hubby help me, so he was the “petter”, “treat giver” and just plain old good reinforcement guy! I think he enjoyed it too. Cupcake didnt seem to mind her bath at all and just kind of sat there…I’m sure it wasnt her most pleasant experience, but not terrible! I used my kitchen sink and put a towel down in the bottom so it wasnt slippery. I filled it up with about an inch of warm water and stuck her in. She didnt flail around at all…just stood there and rested her head on the counter beside the sink. it was really cute, actually! I bought a bottle of baby shampoo and some baby wash cloths and just used a little of the shampoo to get the yuckies off. she didnt see to mind when i scrubbed around her butt either . We snuggled for awhile afterwards until she was dry and then i groomed her. She was in a really “hippity hoppity” modd today, so it must not have traumatized her too bad! she seems to be doing ok though…she kind of rolls with the punches. shes one tough cookie!!


                                  • tobyluv
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                                      I’m glad that the bath went well for Cupcake. I bet she feels better, now that she is clean. Plus she got a nice snuggle from you. It’s good that you had your husband’s help – that definitely makes it easier.

                                      According to Dana Krempels of the HRS, baby shampoo should not be used because the ingredients are harsh on rabbit skin. I just used a tiny piece of my natural unscented soap, and hope that it was not irritating. I didn’t actually rub any on Isabel, but had it in the water for extra cleaning power besides the plain water.

                                      Here is how she says to give a dry bath and a wet bath:

                                      http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/buttbath.html


                                    • Cupcakesmom
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                                        The vet appointment went great! Dr. Nick said Cupcake is doing really well and she seems to be adjusting to her disabilities like a champ. She has been doing better with making sure her potties are at least in her pen….but she did pee on her bed yesterday. Dr. Nick said she is at a good weight and she seemed really happy. My baby was lounging on her blankey this morning as I left for work….looks like the sun came out for us! (even though it’s -15 here right now!!)


                                      • Sarita
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                                          That’s great – I think it’s always a good idea to get an objective evaluation by the vet – it’s too hard for us to be objective about our rabbits.


                                        • Cupcakesmom
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                                            So true, Sarita! I truly do trust my vet and I know he would be honest with me about my babies. He was really please with how Cupcake was doing


                                          • tobyluv
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                                              I’m glad that Cupcake is doing so well.


                                            • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                I`m glad for the positive update.


                                              • sleepy538
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                                                  so glad to hear the visit went well!

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                                              Forum DIET & CARE Dragging hind legs