Limping!

[OliverBun]

Last night around 10pm, Oliver was startled by something. Then he began holding up his right, front paw. It was really bothering him. He wouldn’t put any weight on it. He still tried to hump the dog, though, and was purring when I pet him. So I read up about this situation and it seemed to be that you should wait to see how the rabbit reacts to it after a bit of rest. So I put him in his cage. Over night he ate his greens and pellets but no hay. 

This morning I let him out to check on the status of his paw. It was definitely improved, but still definitely an issue.I minimized his movement as I got ready for work.

 It’s now 5:30pm. I just got home from work. Not quite 24 hours since the original injury. He still has a very pronounced limp, but isn’t holding the paw up. He will put some weight on it to scratch his face or hop a bit, but is trying to avoid using it. He’s not holding it up anymore and it does seem better than this morning. He still seems to be in good spirits. He wants to explore and play, I can tell. I am trying to keep things as calm as possible to keep him from hopping around. Movement clearly exacerbates his pain.

His paw looks a little swollen but isn’t dangling and isn’t hot. Nothing feels out of place.If I try to touch it he winces and hops away.

I called the vet. His vet (and the only rabbit vet in the area that I trust) only works Monday-Thursday. So my option is to take him to the emergency vet or wait for his 10:30am appointment on Monday.A vet tech said it’s really based on my observations.

So, do I continue to wait and observe; keeping him from moving as much as possible? Or do I take him to the emergency vet?

I should add that he already gets gabapentin as a pain killer twice a day so he is taking that. Metacam is not an option because it causes him stomach problems.

[jerseygirl]

Do you think he may have a strain or sprain? Did you check his nails? Sometimes they can tear one completely off.

How is he doing now? Was there any improvement after his gabapentin? If it’s still tender, he’ll probably moderate his own movements. Do keep an eye on his temperature and appetite. If those have declined, he probably needs to see the vet sooner rather then later. {{{Oliver}}}!

[Bam]

I too think it’s ok to wait until Monday to see the vet who knows Oliver, unless he stops eating or gets a temperature or becomes lethargic etc. That he’s exploring is so great. It can very well be a sprain or a strain or a completely broken nail, seeing that it has improved in 24 hours. A broken bone isn’t likely to improve like that without intervention. (((((Olive)))))

[OliverBun]

I don’t really know how he is without gabapentin. His arthritis in his back is so severe that without twice daily pain killers, he becomes very lethargic. He obviously wants to move around, just experiences pain when he does.
From everything I’m reading, it doesn’t seem like this is too severe most of the time. It’s just a matter of a few weeks of decreased activity and pain killers. I really really hope it’s nothing more than that.

He REALLY hates when I touch it. It is obviously very painful to him.

[OliverBun]

Olive is still limping but has remained in good spirits. We are all taking it easy in the apartment because otherwise he gets over excited and over does it on his paw. Over these three days, he has made improvements; albeit minor. He at the point where if he is sitting, he’ll hold his paw up just a bit but can hop at the same speed as before with his bunny limp and can put weight on it to groom himself. He’s moving around less than he normally would be, understandably so.

I have an appointment scheduled for him at the vet tomorrow morning. I cannot afford it and have to miss work, but am absolutely prepared to find a way to pay for it and make arrangements for work. However, I’m wondering if all that is necessary. After researching leg injuries, it seems as if nothing really can be done if it’s not broken. He already has pain medication. I know that if I cancel it, the vet will call me during that time just to check up, so I’ll definitely be talking to her either way.

If it was your bun, would you take him in or continue to let it heal at home?

[jerseygirl]

Posted By OliverBunny on 4/17/2016 10:44 AM

Olive is still limping but has remained in good spirits. We are all taking it easy in the apartment because otherwise he gets over excited and over does it on his paw. Over these three days, he has made improvements; albeit minor. He at the point where if he is sitting, he’ll hold his paw up just a bit but can hop at the same speed as before with his bunny limp and can put weight on it to groom himself. He’s moving around less than he normally would be, understandably so.

I have an appointment scheduled for him at the vet tomorrow morning. I cannot afford it and have to miss work, but am absolutely prepared to find a way to pay for it and make arrangements for work. However, I’m wondering if all that is necessary. After researching leg injuries, it seems as if nothing really can be done if it’s not broken. He already has pain medication. I know that if I cancel it, the vet will call me during that time just to check up, so I’ll definitely be talking to her either way.

If it was your bun, would you take him in or continue to let it heal at home?

If he’s been doing well (other then the limp) over the weekend, it probably would be okay to cancel and just speak with the vet on the phone. Then, if based on your description to them they think he needs to be seen, then reschedule.  With mine,  I’d take the wait and see approach only because I have seen this before. If I started to see it was affecting their appetite, grinding teeth, showing signs of shock, then obviously I’d whip them to the vet.

 I think you’re experienced in knowing all the signs to watch for when things change and you have to get them to the vet.  If they arise, keep your morning appointment or see an E-vet. 

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