Hind leg problems

[Melonija]

So my bunny managed to escape her playpen after a stressful vet visit and now she won’t hop and is splayed out. She gets around by what we have deemed “turtling” (kind of a swimming motion). We have done X-rays and she has no fractures to her spine or anything like that, but she still won’t hop. I am financially strapped because of a job loss and I am undergoing chemo therapy so I am very stressed about this. I don’t like her splaying like this and her vet said we should do an MRI to check for muscle issues. This is very expensive and I need time to save money. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to help her with her legs with out causing any more damage/issues? She is in good spirits so as long as she is happy and fighting I will keep trying to help her.
Thanks guys!

[Sarita]

I’m sorry about your bunny. Did you ask the vet this question to see if he/she had any advice?

[Melonija]

I have tried calling the specialist but he is on vacation until Saturday and her current vet has tons of rabbit experience but she isn’t a strict rabbit vet. She has been consulting with the specialist before she does anything though. I go there because she doesn’t euthanize if it’s not necessary and I have had problems in the past with that if I couldn’t afford the treatment and the vet would just tell me to put the poor thing down. I refuse to do that to her. I have never cared for a special needs pet before so I don’t want to cause more unnecessary damage. Also, she is litter trained but this hopping problem has hindered that. I was thinking if I cut the side out of her litter box it would be accessible to her. And does anyone have any thought on toys for this kind of bunny? I don’t want her to be bored or depressed.

[jerseygirl]

Some anti-inflammatory meds might help and if so, be an indicator that it’s muscle strain.
{{{vibes}}} for bun.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Welcome!

Wow-I definitely can’t imagine what an MRI costs. I know things vary by location, but here at least they are astronomical in cost. I can definitely emphasize with you not wanting to do them; I would want to pay for tests only if the test will change or indicate a course of treatment.
So -in this case the vet thinks it’s soft tissue, and wants to do an MRI to confirm; yet what would change with the treatment-that would be my question. As you’ve ruled out a break, it’s obviously soft tissue or neuro; My question to the vet would be what treatment would she do depending on the outcome of the MRI that she can’t do without an MRI?
I think that you could ask the vet to proceed with a treatment course without a diagnosis through expensive tests-is I guess what I’m getting at So I would push your vet to start some kind of treatment (or 2 treatments if they aren’t contraindicated!) -the test may not be necessary.

The second thing I would suggest, is to also join the Yahoo group-disabled rabbits. (Don’t get me wrong-we want you posting here, and I know I’m definitely interested to hear how things progress with your little one!) they are a group of people who solely care for disabled rabbits. They’ll have tons of tips and tricks for caring for your rabbit in her condition-and you never know, someone there may have had a similar experience and can help you look out for possible treatment options.

Keep us posted on how things go, please!

[Melonija]

Pepper update!
Thank you to everyone for their insight and for welcoming me. So, the vet has her on anti inflammatories and she can still feel her legs and feet and uses them to “swim” around. On Thursday she actually tried to hop for the first time!!! I think I know somewhat of where the problem is. Her left leg looks the way a bunny leg should, but her right leg is stretched out to the side which is why she is splaying. She can move it I just think at the moment it is more comfortable like that for her. She was trying to reposition it but still keeps it out stretched. She has been using her front legs more and more doing little bunny push ups and cleaning herself pretty well considering the mobility issues. She is doing better and better each day! I am so happy /relieved. I will take a picture today so you all can see what a big beautiful lady she is. Oh, and thanks for the yahoo group info too! More updates soon!

[Melonija]

So her right leg has curved back into bunny shape but she is still splayed out. She has a new peroblem now with blood in the urine and the vet found a calcification in the urinary system. She said it was from the alfalfa and again probably had it before I found her. The vet is trying to stop the bloody urine and find a way to break up the calcification without surgery. Poor bunny baby she can’t wait to come home.

Edit to update: as of my last phone call, she is now hopping, like a frog but hopping none the less . And there is less blood in her pee today.
I would appreciate some input on breaking up that calcification if anyone has experience with their bun and that. Thanks!

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