Pascal has scholiosis.Update.

[Roberta]

Back from the vet. Pascal has scholiosis and three discs have already ruptured.

At the moment we are focusing on pain management. If it spreads up the spine he will be paralysed in the front paws and whilst he is still awkwardly mobile I would assume as it degenerates he will be completely paralysed in the rear legs.

For now I have anti inflammatories and need to make sure his home is completely one level with soft flooring. I need a secure area for the day when I am out so I don’t what to do. I have taken his cage out of the platpen and replaced it with a box with a hole cut in the side. I will have to try and build something secure so he is protected during the day incase anything gets in through the catflap or my cats misbehave. Just feeling defeated right now.

[Deleted User]

My heart is breaking Roberta – so not fair! I am keeping in touch and up to date via FB.

[bestmom]

poor guy. i had no idea rabbits could get scoliosis! My 16 year old has scoliosis. She was diagnosed at 13 and needed surgery to install titanium rods and screws in her back.

[BrunosMama]

Oh that’s awful. Poor little guy. I’m here if you need to talk or anything. ~hugs and snuggles from the buns and I~

[Bam]

I’m so sorry Roberta, poor little Pascal =(

I know you’ll do everything and then some for him, so I’m glad that he has you for an owner.

[Sindri]

I am thinking the same as everyone. Poor Pascal. I am sorry Roberta. I hope the changes you make to his housing helps and the pain is managed well with his medication. I hope it doesn’t spread.

[Sarita]

Poor guy – wonder if accupuncture might help him…

[Roberta]

I thought the same thing Sarita. I will be getting Reiki for him, if nothing else it is soothing.

[Roberta]

Figured out the housing. My old desk is about to get a new life. It’s basically a wooden frame. A couple of hinged panels on the front and its a one level access luxury unit. I have mocked up a temp enclosure to keep him safe tomorrow morning whilst I am at work. ( Going in to make sure the payroll ran ok then I am out of there and back here to modify habitats after I have the greens and hay. Crappy holiday weekend that means the green grocer and stock supplies will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

[TheWhiteRabbit]

I am sorry to hear this Roberta. I believe any sort of health problem is always devastating but those that have to do with the skeletal system are truly heartbreaking when it comes to our furry friends.

I read something somewhere once about a rabbit with scoliosis that they treated with acupuncture and I believe hydro therapy to re build muscle mass that was lost due to immobility…. let me see if I can find the link…

http://www.rabbitcare.org/swimming.htm

I do not know if it helps but I found it interesting.

[Sindri]

Reiki is a good choice as well. I didn’t think of that for animals. I had a friend that used it on me once when I got a bad cut. She had a warm healing touch.

[MoxieMeadows]

Poor Pascal!

((((Vibes))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so sorry about this, Roberta. Sending him lots of ((((Well Wishes)))))

[JackRabbit]

I’m so sorry. Poor little guy. If anyone can keep him safe and comfy its you. Hang in there.

[Megabunny]

How sad! All the best for you both

[BubblesJo]

How awful Vibes and all the best for you and Pascal.

[Hazel]

Roberta, I’m so sorry! He’s lucky to be in such great hands with you. Sending lots of vibes for you both!

[Little Lion Head]

So sorry to hear this Roberta! I agree that Pascal is in the best bunny momma hands he can be in right now! ((((Pascall)))))

[LBJ10]

Oh no, poor Pascal. I was wondering about an update, but when I saw this thread my heart sank. I would definitely do the anti-inflammatory and pain meds and the acupuncture sounds like a good idea to try as well.

[LongEaredLions]

I’m so sorry Roberta, sending hugs and love-this is heartbreaking. (((((Pascal)))))
I am so glad, however, that he has you to care for him.

[BinkyMom14]

Oh I’m so sorry to hear this! Poor Pascal I hope it doesn’t spread. Binky and I will be saying little bunny prayers for Pascal and you. He’s in good hands

[MimzMum]

Just seeing this Roberta. All my best and brightest vibes for your wee Pascal. I hope he will be okay. ((((((Hugs)))))) xx

[Roberta]

Poor Pascal had a bad night. He had fallen over at some stage and could not get up so he spent several hours lying in a puddle of his own poop and pee. He was icy cold and wet. I came out of my room and hear the xpen rattling and when I looked there he was all wet and struggling to get up. I have dried him off and cleaned him with baby wipes. He has since gulped down some pieces of pear and some pellet. Todays chores will include changing all of his flooring, reducing his pen size and putting bolsters around the whole area. Any suggestions for what else can be done to help him?

[MissGabbster]

Pascal is having such a rough time and it’s absolutely heartbreaking. I’m afraid I don’t have any suggestions but we’re sending lots of vibes your way. ((((((Pascal))))))

He’s so lucky to have such a great caretaker.

[LBJ10]

How are his back legs doing? Can he use them at all?

[Roberta]

Some movement LBJ but very limited, they can’t really bear any weight and he tends to sit with his butt tucked under and one leg extended forward.

[LBJ10]

Would he benefit from a wheelchair? It would have to support his back though.

[Roberta]

Yes, a friend is custom building his wheelchair. Unfortunately he won’t be able to use it in the pen or unsupervised. If he fell over in it or got stuck somewhere if I wasn’t there he could be stranded for hours. Bolstering his whole pen area is the best option then he can go cart through the lounge and kitchen.

[LBJ10]

If his pen is fairly small and he has something to push off of if he falls over, I would think that would help. I’m not sure what else you could really do. Maybe an extra object in the center of the pen would help too, just to have something extra to lean against or use as leverage if needed.

[MissGabbster]

I found these two websites. They might have some useful information.

I really liked the ‘roll’ idea on this site. They’ve rolled up sherpa fabric and the rabbit can use it to move around or rest on.
http://www.specialbunny.org/special-needs-housing/

This one is full of all sorts of information.
http://www.disabledrabbits.com/

[LBJ10]

MissG – Yes, that’s what I was thinking of. A roll in the middle of the pen that they can rest on, lean against, and use for leverage to right themselves.

[JackRabbit]

Roberta — I’m guessing you’ve seen it, but what about some type of sling/hammock like the bunny Stroker on My Spoiled Bunny on fb has?

[Roberta]

No, I haven’t seen it. Is it part of the cart or is it in the pen?

[Bam]

I’m so sorry about Pascal. It seems to be progressing fast. The roll of sherpa fleece seems to me like a good idea. That way he can maintain some autonymity.

(((((((((Pascal))))))))

[JackRabbit]

Roberta – I hope I did this right, but I just sent you an invite to like the page on fb. If you go to the page, scroll down and you’ll see pics with various views of the bunny in the sling. I think it was made to use for therapy for Stroker to try to get some back leg control, but from the looks of it, it could be made with the back feet in and even set up so the bunny could move along a clothesline-type bar using only the front legs, or set up to use just to give the bunny support by having it low to the floor.

[Roberta]

Thanks JR, got it. I am currently sitting here with a double doona/quilt in my lap. I have folded it to the minimum and now sewing the seam to make it into a big bolster.

[Sr. Melangell]

Oh poor Pascal, I don’t know about this in animals but I have it and I know how painful it can be at times, sometimes I cannot get out of bed, I cannot move my arms, but I know he will have good days and bad, I hope it does not spread even more, has the vet said anything about some gentle physio? I don’t know if its the same with animals but if we sit for too long with Scolliosis we get pain in the spine and muscles and I know sometimes we don’t want to move, also gentle massage can help but check with the vet first, can the vet give him a brace? I’m just wondering, I’ve seen pictures of a bunny with leg problems with his back part in a cart so if his legs do eventually stop there is help now out there, poor Pascal, good luck both of you.

[LBJ10]

Does anyone do acupuncture on pets there?

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