Oh no – I’m so sorry. Did the vet indicate when this happened – did someone accidentally drop him after the surgery? I would want a little more information as to when and how this could have happened.

Hugs to you and healing vibes to Pietro.

That is terrible! I couldn’t even imagine that…*tears* I would want some more info too, their backs are fragile anyways so I would be curious as to how it happened?! I am so sorry this happened, I hope you and Pietro feel better! 

omg, I’m so sorry, that is just terrible. Poor baby. They certainly owe you a further explanation. If you left him whole and sound and then he suffers a broken back? How in the world do they think that it didn’t happen there????? I wish they could have given him some pain meds to at least let him rest a bit.

I know it will be a long night for you and the bun, we’ll be praying for you.
((soft bunny hugs))

Oh my gosh, this makes me mad and sad at the same time.  Poor Pietro.  Something is real fishy there.  *Somebody* there has to know what happened.  I am sure the vet doesn’t want to get in any sort of trouble so they are playing dumb. 

What a shame…

Sending good thoughts your way.  I hope he feels better real soon.  Take good care of yourselves. 
 

oh I wish I had something to say that could help! Lots and lots of healing vibes. Do bunny’s w/ a broken back heal?

oh my goodness. That poor bunny. I’ve never heard of that happening.

Let us know what the vet says tomorrow.

I’m so sorry (and rather shocked!). My thoughts are with you and little Pietro.

I am so sorry!

This is always an Idea, I heard that they work for bunnies too.

http://www.doggon.com/dog_wheelchairs_rear_support.html

I am really surprised that this vet clinic is not bending over backwards to do anything to make this right- if it is even possible!  It is clear the rabbit must have broken it’s back while in their care- otherwise the necessary pre-surgical exam before giving anesthesia and determining the rabbit fit for anesthesia would have revealed that abnormality.

That is an awful thing to have happen- and I do have some advice for you to consider.  You can take the rabbit back to the vet tomorrow to see what they say.   Did they give any steroid or anti-inflammatory injections to help with spinal cord/injury swelling?  I would ask them to refer you AND PAY FOR A VETERINARY NEUROLOGIST- this would be at a specialty clinic or at veterinary college- and might involve some travel on your part. 

I know it is hard, but instead of making them defensive just show how heartbroken and concerned that you are.  Make sure to keep you receipt as it may have procedures done listed on it- meds given, etc.  Ask for a copy of your rabbits medical records- the neurologist or specialist will need to see the records and x-rays.  If they refuse to pay for a neurologist then say you are taking your rabbit to another vet for a second opinion- and you need the records and x-rays.  Legally- the vet clinic owns the x-rays as they are a permanent part of your bunnies medical records- but x-rays can be photographed by hi-resolution camera’s and downloaded onto a computer- if the x-rays are already not digital.  Even if they do not have a camera or digital x-ray- they should be able to “sign” the x-rays out to you with the promise you will return them.  If they claim medical records are not entered yet offer politely to wait or have the vet hand write something as you need them to take him to another vet.

I know this is horrible to think about- but if your rabbit dies or has to be euthanized- if you want to follow up any action against the vet clinic you will need to pay for a complete necropsy- and that is why a second opinion vet is important if the surgery vet proves to be unhelpful and claiming no responsibility.

Here is a link for Florida vets….you can look up their vet license and see if they have any outstanding complaints or actions against them by the State of Florida who issues their license.  And on the left hand side of this page there is a link to file a complaint.  Filing a complaint will not help in time to get other assistance for your rabbit most likely (money wise and care ise) and a lot of times the investigations take awhile, but if you have proof from another vet- either second opinion or specialist (or worst case scenario- necropsy) then you will have something for the investigators to follow up on.  A lot of people tend to give up on filling out the paperwork and following up on filing complaints- but those determined enough to do so can get judgements against the vets license that is available for the public to see (by looking at the following link).

http://www.jugglingcats.com/license_lookup/florida_veterinary_license_lookup.htm

Now with that being said- maybe, although I know no reason why there was a another reason your rabbit broke its back- like a genetic bone disorder or something.  I have no experience with stuff like that but I do have a friend that is a vet and her own cat broke it’s hip- and on x-ray it showed the other hip was weak also.  The cat (a Siamese mix) had a genetic condition for poor hip formation. I had never heard or seen that before or after- so it is possible that the vet was not at fault.  But I think they were negligent and your bunny was hurt while in their care.

Katnip - Thank Goodness for you!  Great info.   megrat7 – goodluck with the followups ((Pieitro))

*HUGS* I can only imagine *hugs*

Yes thank goodness for Katnip-she knows her stuff. She’s right-it happened in there care-so really they should be bending over backwards…I’ve got nothing to offer other then recommending printing her response and making sure you got all that good info.

Also, feel free to get a second opinion-If you find a vet you like-I’d show up tomorrow morning on their doorstep-I’m sure they won’t turn you away.

Keep us posted {{VIBES}}

I’ve heard of rabbits being paralyzed in the surgery but not afterwards…I will pose this to my disabled rabbits group and see if anyone had that specifically happen.

Oh noooo how horrible.  OH that poor little bunny.  I wish the best for both of you              Also   May you be able to get to the bottom of this situation and find out what really happened.   I can only  imagine how this must feel        I would be so heartbroken.  I could cry right now.

Hang in there both of you.   You know having back problems myself   I put cold packs on my back when it is really acting  up.  I wonder if you could put some cold on his back for about 10 minutes every hour or so and help him with the swelling and pain.   

I would like to say he will get well once the swelling goes down from putting cold on his back  but I know I can’t.   I can    hope and pray he gets well.

Oh I would be so furious in fact I am.

Oh, this is just heartbreaking!!! I am so so so sorry that this has happened. I am speechless with how the vet is going about it, and I am shocked at how they are handling it.

Thank you Katnip for the all the advice! I am just dumbfounded by it. I have seen just a few times females sometimes losing their hind leg ability at first, but usually it would return within 24 hours, unless something happened. But a fractured back…that is just terrible…something went wrong, unless there is something geneticallThis has happen but a fractured back – something went wrong (unless like Katnip said there is some bone/spine abnormality) But even then for this to happen in their care – they should be bending over backwards to figure it out and to help in any way that is needed.

I just can’t believe this.

I bet it has – please let us know what the vet today says. They need to give you more information and I know you will be better prepared to ask today even if it’s a different vet there go ahead and ask.

Hopefully the other vet will be more honest with you. I am near tears as well. Just shocked. At a minimum you should be given a lot of pain killers to be administering to him. He should not be grinding his teeth without injections of meds by mouth or by syringe. Ask for them to give you what he needs and show you how to administer it.

It does sound actionable and that’s a scared vet who’s covering his… I am so sorry you are going through this.
{{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}

{{{{{Prayers for Pietro}}}}}}}}}

OH noooo    Bun bun could for sure use some pain meds about now.    I would expect the vets office to be really concerned about your bunny and at least call to see how it is going.  Even if the   vet from yesterday isnt’ in today.

I just can’t believe this. 

I have nothing to add except my prayers.

You and Benny are in my thoughts all the time now. HUGS!!!!

I can also only add my prayers for you and your bunny. I am so sorry! I find Katnip’s advice VERY sound as well and hope that things will be going better for you soon.

Hi Megret! As promised I posed the question to my disabled rabbit group (just like here, they aren’t vets but can share their thoughts or similar experiences.) I’m going to cut and paste right here. As always, you and your bun are in my thoughts and please keep us posted! *hugs* {{Vibes}}

“

“

That is so sad <img title="” alt=”” src=”https://webmail.ualberta.ca/themes/graphics/emoticons/frown.png&#8221; align=”middle” /> It breaks my heart when I hear of these things. Yes, I’ve heard of this happening too many times, though I don’t have first hand experience with it.

“Yes, unfortunately, I have heard of this happening….on more than one occasion. When rabbits awaken from isoflurane, they often do so in fits and starts and can be somewhat disoriented. My vet has someone monitor rabbits the entire time they’re awakening from isoflurane. If this rabbit wasn’t monitored the entire time, it’s possible he injured himself. Another possibility is that he kicked while he was being handled; if he wasn’t being securely held, that could cause him to break his back.

Amy Spintman
Educator, San Diego HRS”

————————-

“

Your DR group are pretty savvy by the looks! Guess they have to be. Little concerned now about the steroid/pain med combo…what steroid did they give him megrat7? (((((((Pietro)))))))

I think it was Sarita who suggested I join. I think they are a fantastic resource for people who have bunnies who don’t have the normal gambit of problems-but weird ones, like splay legs, broken legs all kinds of things.

kk, thank you so much for doing that. wow, what a great resource to learn from.. It’s so good to know that in some cases back fractures can heal. Sending continued healing vibes!

 I’m so happy at the responses-in the past, even in humans a broken back was paralysis, butnow!!! Anyways I said I’d not share their info, unless they wanted and so many left their names!

Ok another

———————–
Hello I am so sorry to hear what happened. As a vet tech Im so upset to hear this happened and no one knows why, were i work we watch bunnies till they are fully awake up moving and eating before we stop watching them and then we check on them every few minutes so we know how they are acting so they don`t hurt them selfs. Working other places I`ve seen techs give IM pain inj in the lumbar musle {around the spine} and they where untrained and left the poor bunny paralized.Not saying its right but maybe you should ask where the post-op pain meds where given? Make sure if not already on pain meds to be put on pain meds Medicam is the best in my expereince, its a pain med and a anti-inflamatory to.{ has work great for my paralizied bunnies I`ve taken into rescue.} I hope all works out for the best hope and this was of some help.

Kimberly

___________________________________

omg that is so sad…..and also very disturbing its sounds very sketchy i would hate to think they are hiding something. well i hope the little one recovers…….i know how bad it feels to have a bunny surgery go completely wrong ( i lost my china bunny about a month and a half ago). since that happened i am scared to get my others fixed ( even though i know it has to happen). i mean even with a new vet that says they are bunny savy i still am really worried i will lose another of my buns. my thoughts are with you and little pietro!!!! heal fast little bun!!!

Okay, this is tragic beyond belief. Have you had xrays done? Is it a clean break, a small break or just a crack? There are instances where a rabbit can injure their backs but depending on the severity, they CAN completely recover. And yes, get him on some pain meds, that poor little thing. And I would quickly find myself another vet. Sorry, but something *smells* if you know what I mean. They are not being honest with you IMO.

Healing vibes are being sent your way. Please keep us updated….

My heart goes out to your and your bun. How awful to entrust your bunny to a vet and have something like this happen. Sending healing vibes your way.

I echo the suggestions from Katnip.  I would highly recommend that your practice pay for a visit to a neurologist.  The request is not odd or wrong.  I agree most practices will bend over backwards when something goes wrong.  I believe that a neurologist would be able to provide more specific expertise. You may want to look into FL’s vet school practices.  I live in PA and have contacted the small animal specialist w/ various odd questions via email.  She was responsive w/ my general questions.  Specifically I contacted her to see if she could use my pet therapy rabbits for a speuter demo.  Somehow in that e-conversation we had discussed concerns about breaking rabbit backs and/or necks (It was a while ago, cant remember).

I also concur that it is very likely that Pietro had a bad post-anesthesia arousal.  This happens w/ all breeds of animals.  UPenn’s vet hospital has their horses recover from anesthesia in a swimming pool to avoid injuries.  Some animals just thrash around when they come up.  Or as stated it could be malpractice.

Continue to work w/ your practice, but see about having them pay for a 2nd opinion or specialist.  Not sure if you are anywhere near a vet school….but that might make a good roadtrip. 

When my Jess was on major cage rest post wound repair and stitches to her belly, I kept her in a small dog kennel.  I used a large cat litterpan in the kennel and that was all she could move in.  It kept her very limited, but she recovered very well.  Broke my heart to see her trapped in such a small space, but I needed to keep her super limited.  Please keep us updated.  My thoughts are w/ you during this difficult time.

I’m so sorry to hear this, but he is whole and binkying away across the rainbow bridge. You did everything you could and Pietro knew you loved him!

I am so very, very sorry to hear Pietro has passed, I know it was a hard decision for you and a brave one.

Binky free little one

I am so very sorry to hear about all you’ve had to endure since you took Pietro in to have his surgery. I wish you peace, comfort, and strength. As difficult as it was, you did the right thing. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please take good care of yourselves.

Oh, i am just so sorry. I know this was just so hard. At least he is at peace now. Binky Free Pietro!! Many of us have bunnies who have passed to the other side who will be there to greet him. Hugs to you during this time.

I am so sorry about your loss.  It sounds as though you did everything you possibly could be help Pietro and that you are a great bunny Mom. 

I am so sorry but it was what was best fro Pietro…I can’t even begin to imagine what I would be like right now if that happened to my buns…stay strong and I will be thinking of you and Pietro…

*BINKY FREE PIETRO* My deepest condolences – you & family continue to be in my thoughts at this difficult time.

I’m so very sorry about Pietro. I’m glad he isn’t suffering any more. You made a hard choice and I want to offer my support in your effort to do the very best for Pietro. I have you in mind this week as I get ready for Sammy to have her surgery on Thursday. I will ask your little angel Pietro to watch over us.
{{{{{{{{{{{Hugs to you and your family.}}}}}}}}}

I’m so sorry, dear. I’m sure God prepared a nice little bunny patch and tending to his every need and spoiling him to the max. I volunteer at a shelter and it’s always so hard. so I just imagine the dogs much happier with christ. Now your bun probably has a bunny tunnel that stretches for miles and has all his fun treats and toys with him. You’ll see him again. (hugs) My heart goes out to you and we’ll pray for your comfort and healing. God bless you, sweetie.

My deepest sympathies about your loss. I can’t even imagine how hard it must have been for you. {{{{Binky Free Little Pietro}}}}}

                                                                “There must be some sweet grassy place
                                                                 Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
                                                                 Some paradise where rabbits go,
                                                                 For by the love that guides my pen
                                                                 I know great rabbits live again.”

I am sooo sorry you all had to go through that.  Poor Pietro.  You made the right decision.  I know it hurts but yes he is in peace now. How sad this whole situation has been.

You and dear Pietro will be in my prayers. I grieve with you. I cannot imagine how difficult this must have all been. But yes, your loving bun is in a beautiful place now, and is watching over you. Bless you, dear.

I am so sorry to hear about your losing Pietro. I know it must have been very hard on you, but you definitely made the right decision. I also lost a bunny during a spay procedure, and I know how much it hurts because it is so unexpected. I will be praying for comfort and healing for you – I know that Pietro is now in a safe and happy place.

I’m so sorry that this happened.  What a nightmare.  You tried to do your very best for Pietro, and I’m pretty sure he knows that you loved him.

Oh, I’m so sorry – my heart goes out to you.

I’m so sorry! My thoughts are with you. *hugs*

{{Binky Free Pietro}}

I am so sad and sorry for your loss.  I lit a candle for Pietro….

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/message.cfm?l=eng&cid=7911647

I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost Pietro.
Binky fee Pietro!