Hurt forelimb

[Kristina]

 Hello,

I have a small rabbit named Lenny that is 2 months old and yesterday we tried out the harness and leash for the first time with him and took him outside. He is very skittish, and he “freaked out” several times during the process . I am not sure how it happened but when I got him back in the house, I noticed that he had his right arm tucked up underneath him. I am scared that it might be broken, but I cannot afford to take him to the vet (100 dollars for X ray and several hundred for bone setting if necessary, without an option for payment plan).

I have assessed his arm, and the shoulder and elbow seems normal and the same as the other one, and does not seem to hurt to the touch, but when I get down to his ankle and foot it seems to hurt him. His foot is tucked backwards and seems very limp and he will not put it on the ground, and it is bent slightly sideways. Otherwise, he is behaving normally, is mobile and active, eating his hay and food, drinking, and hopping around his cage.

Should I be very concerned? Has anyone had a similar experience that could comment on this? Since he is very young, is it possible for it to heal normally or could he lose the functioning of his right arm? I understand that you may not be able to comment on the specifics, but any general information would be highly appreciated. I feel so bad for my poor bunny! 

Thanks!

Kristina

[Sarita]

Hi Kristina, you should be concerned and take him to the vet. It’s not possible for any of us to know what your bunny’s injuries are and if he’s in pain, you need to do the right thing by taking him to the vet.

Ask your vet if they take Care Credit. At least call the vet about an option as well of any payment plans.

Harnesses and leashes are not meant for rabbits and unfortunately you are finding out the hard way.

Please try to come up with some money or something to get him to the vet.

[Stickerbunny]

I can’t comment on specifics – but I know a few people who adopted rabbits who when young broke a foot/leg and it healed incorrectly (which without setting it WILL heal crooked). Their legs are permanently twisted and while they manage to get around, eat, play, etc… it is a disability. Contact the rescues / shelters in your area and see if they can point you to a vet that could help you out, or set up a payment plan for you. Some rescues will even help with vet care bills. If it is broken he really needs to see a vet.

[LoveChaCha]

If his limb is hurting, he needs to go to the vet. have you spoke directly to the vet about a payment plan?

[Kristina]

Yes, I called the vet that I take my other pets to and he said no payment plans. I am going to sit down right now and call all the vets/shelters in the area. I am going to try my best to get the money, but I may not be able to get it for several days. Will it be too late by then?

[Tate]

The longer you wait, the higher the chance he will need surgery. And I hate to sound rude, but if you can’t come up with $300 to put a cast on it and xray it, you will not be happy to see a bill that’s over $1000 for surgery. Trust me, I know. Same thing happened to me. I was able to get vet care right away because I did what I needed (ie, I sold tv, wii, xbox and applied for care credit), but the vet set the bone wrong so my rabbit needed a pin in his leg because the bone had basically started to disintegrate and there was no way for it to heal normally.

There is nothing you can do for it and nothing we can either. He has to go to a vet today. Would you wait to go to a hospital if you broke your arm? Don’t you think it would hurt?

PS. CARE CREDIT CARE CREDIT CARE CREDIT! Totally saved me.

[Kristina]

OK, made an appointment for 5:45 today and borrowed some money from a friend. Thank you for your advice. But I am afraid he is going to hurt himself even more trying to take him to the vet, because he is so fiesty. I don’t see how they are going to get him to sit still!

[Sarita]

Good luck and keep us updated. Do ask your vet about Care Credit as well.

[Tate]

They really do much better at the vet because they are so confused and stunned as to where they are.
Good job getting the money and vet appointment! I’ve been in the same position as you so I know how stressful it is!

[RabbitPam]

I’m so glad you got help for the bill and am seeing the vet today. A bunny in pain is not as feisty as they are cooperative in getting help, so he can probably lured into his carrier, or, if you haven’t left yet, gently cover him with a towel and scoop him up and place him in the carrier using the towel as a bed under him as it falls away. He will be fine for the vet – he’s in pain.

If you want to try to get VPI pet insurance for him after he is treated for this, it might be worth it to you. They will not cover this incident, and will consider it a pre-existing condition, but they are only $12 a month if they accept you and it will help a great deal with future emergencies. Meanwhile, try the Care Credit asap.
{{{{{{{{{{Healing vibes to Lenny}}}}}}}}}}

[Stickerbunny]

Glad you were able to get the money – let us know how he does at the vet! My feisty, frightened little girl totally froze up at the vet, with the stress and pain they kind of just sit there.

[Kristina]

Good news: got an X ray done at the vet’s and nothing looks broken or dislocated. She thinks it is just a superficial injury in the muscle and he’s not putting the foot down because it hurts. She gave him pain medication to take daily, and said to come back in a couple of days if he doesn’t improve. At this point it doesn’t look like he needs a splint or anything. I feel 100% better now knowing it is nothing serious and he’s got something for the pain.

You’re right, Lenny was surprisingly calm at the vet’s. Also, everything only cost $112, thankfully! I will definitely look into pet insurance. Thanks guys, and I’ll keep you posted on his recovery.

[jerseygirl]

Good to hear nothing is broken. It was important to get it checked because rabbits hide pain so well.

My rabbit Jersey sprained her front leg not so long ago. It took about 2 weeks for it to come good though she still does favour that leg a little. It’s difficult to limit their activity but you could remove things he’s likely to jump up and down from. I was not successful with Jersey in this. She just did want she wanted.

Swift healing (((vibes))) for your Lenny.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Glad to hear little Lenny is okay.

[KatnipCrzy]

Glad to hear that Lenny is doing OK!! Do yourself a favor and get rid of the harness so you are not tempted to ever try it again. Other members have had to have bones surgically pinned to repair a break after trying a harness.

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