Front Leg Amputation

[natno]

My friend is looking at adopting a rabbit or a pair of guinea pigs. Since she’s on the fence she hasn’t made an account, and I figured I’d ask a few questions for her. 

One of the rabbits that she met has been having some paw trouble. The poor bun (I think her name is Whiskers) came from a shelter that was absolutely swamped. Because of this the rabbits didn’t get a lot of floor time, and were mostly confined to their cages. Thus, the people at the shelter couldn’t see when Whiskers developed a problem with her paw. 

It’s swollen and warm (I touched it myself when visiting the shelter with my friend). It also sort of smells, I think, but it might not have been the paw itself. When my bunny is flipped on his back for brushing or at the vet he holds his legs out and crosses them ( I assume this is a prey instinct) but Whiskers didn’t do this. One paw was held straight up and the other (the swollen one) was kept tucked to her chest. 

So my opinion is that it’s broken, and if it is the volunteer guessed it would have happened maybe a week ago. Which is a long time for that poor bunny to go without getting it set. My friend really does want a bunny, but she recently had to go to the ER herself and while she could afford a few vet visits in a couple of months right now she can only afford one. Things like broke limbs, take multiple visits. 

I’m definitely not an expert, but I know that bunnies do fine when they’re on three limbs (especially because this is a front paw). However, I wasn’t sure if the vet would try to splint/pin the leg first before resorting to amputation or if the vet would go straight to amputation because it’s been broken so long. Does anyone have experience with broken front legs? If so, how much money would my friend be looking at? And what else should she know? 

I don’t know why, but if I can I like to adopt disabled pets. They really need loving homes, and can be just as happy as able-bodied ones. Maybe that’s why I’m secretly rooting for my friend to adopt Whiskers? They really connected in the shelter, but of course rushing into adopting a potentially disabled pet isn’t the smartest, so I thought I’d see what you guys have to say. 

[LBJ10]

If the injury happened at the shelter, I would think their vet would take care of it. I’m not sure why your friend should have to pay the vet bill. Maybe things work differently where you are? I find it very sad that something like that could happen and then go overlooked for so long.

As far as what the treatment would be, it would be up to the vet. I would think the least expensive option would be to amputate the limb. A bunny can do just fine with 3 legs, but special accommodations would be needed to ensure she didn’t injure herself. Thinks like a litter box that is easy to get in and out of, etc.

[vanessa]

I think your questions are hard. And the answers would just be guesses. You would have to take your bunny to a vet. I had a disabled bunny once. It was difficult. I think a broken leg would be easier to recover from than what my bunny went through. Long story short – my bunny was euthanized. I miss him so much. I think you need to ask your questions to a vet. As for how much would it cost – that depends on how well the bunny responds. I spent about $800 on my bunnies last few vet visits, the final being his euthanizing. I have his ashes in an urn with his name on it.
I am a sucker for adopting animals in need. I recently adopted a male bunny in need. He was dropped off at a shelter dehydrated, malnourished, eye ulcer, scratched up torn ears, not eating, matted poopy hair (old poop), sore hocks, dental work required, his previous diet was candy. M&Ms was apparently his “favorite food”. He is doing great now. I plan on taking him to the vet 4 times for his first year with me to check up on his teeth. Candy doesn’t do wonders for a bunny’s teeth… I hope your friend is able to adopt and care for this bunny. I’m sorry I can’t answer your questions. I do feel for Whiskers.

[natno]

Just to be clear, the bunny doesn’t belong to me or my friend. Unfortunately, there aren’t many bunny specific rescues here, so rabbits end up shoved in the back of a cat/dog rescue. The people at the rescue have no experience with rabbits. Thus, their vet also doesn’t have much experience with rabbits and they don’t have the funds to take Whiskers anywhere else.

[Bam]

If the paw is smelly, there is an infection and that’s likely to be in a wound. Can you clean the paw and have a good look at it? A touch of soap and some lukewarm water should be fine. If it’s an infected wound and not a broken bone, abs are needed. She may still have to have the paw/foot amputated depending on how the wound, if there’s a wound, looks. Infected untreated wounds may progres into sepsis.

[natno]

Thanks for the info bam! Whiskers was transferred to a rabbit specific rescue and their vet is going to take care of her. My friend still intends to adopt once the she’s started seeing the vet, though. It’s good to know that this bunny is going to get a home after so much hardship.

Thank you all for your help!

[Bam]

I’m so glad Whiskers will get proper care now, and it really would be so great if your friend gave her a home! Thank you for the update!

[Author]

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