Rabbit with leg problems

[Rabbit100]

One of my rabbit’s hind legs has been having problems. When I first got the rabbit she had twisted her foot in the cage she came in from the breeder – her foot got stuck in one of the gaps. The cage has since been discarded and she is only placed on solid ground, but her movement was limited because of the bad leg and the vet said she is too small for surgery. She was 6 months then, now shes just over 9 years and today, I don’t know how, she twisted it even more. She can’t hop or hardly move at all. She isn’t producing waste or urine.
She is very limp, depressed and lethargic. She won’t eat or drink anything. It’s probably painful too. I can’t go to the vet because its too expensive and I have no insurance. I don’t know what to do about this. I am searching for affordable vet clinics, but its not looking good.

Also, I think her leg got injured when she flipped onto her side. She has been doing the flop onto her side a lot, but because of the bad leg she has bad balance and struggles to get up.She ends up struggling on her back and I have to help right her again.

[Rabbit100]

Tried to syringe feed with water, but it just leaks out of her mouth and she won’t swallow it. She is tooth grinding, a lot different from the normal grinding so I am sure she is in pain.

[jerseygirl]

I’m very sorry to hear this. It does sound like she is in pain and she really needs medical attention asap. I know you have said you cannot go to the vet due to cost but please ring around and see what they can do for you. Explain her age and situation.

I know this would be incredibly hard since you have had her for so many years, but you may have to consider surrendering her so they can give her some peace. I’m truly very sorry.

[Rabbit100]

In the past I occasionally read these forums and I am glad that you were the one who responded because of your signature, “Whoever says “It’s only a rabbit” has obviously never loved a rabbit.” Mopsy was not just a rabbit. She was like my baby daughter and I love Mopsy. You are right that unless you have had a rabbit it is difficult to understand.

We made an appointment with a vet nearby for first thing in the morning when they open. I stayed with Mopsy and I kept her near me – I was going to lie with her the whole night. A few hours ago she had what looked like a seizure. She stopped breathing, she was very limp and she started to go stiff. It was very sudden and it was awful. I have not stopped crying I am so sad and depressed. I don’t know what I will do without my rabbit. I can’t eat, drink or sleep. I think about how Mopsy never got to do any of those things today. I wish I could have given her some of her tasty treats she loves to eat, but we kept her on a strict diet because of her sensitive digestive system. 

She was a very happy rabbit. She was very social and liked attention. She was easy to play with and liked lots of hugs and kisses(she always got a lot of these because she is so cute). She was never bothered about being handled. She licked my face and hands all the time and made happy grinding noises with her teeth a lot whenever I played with her. Before her leg first got injured she did a few binkies. She liked to flop on her side and relax. I think she was very happy and that she liked me. I think she knew that I Ioved her because of the way she behaved around me – always licking me, grinding her teeth and flopping over to lie on her side. I could put my hands out, she would look at me and come running for a hug. Then she would lie down next to me for a big hug – she could lie next to me for a very long time because she likes to be close. She liked to be on my bed for sleep and playtime. There will never be another rabbit like Mopsy to me, she was very special.

I am very sad without my rabbit. Her death was very sudden and she was just fine yesterday. I don’t understand how and why she died now and the way it happened. If only there was a 24 hour clinic. There just aren’t enough specialists for rabbits. I knew today she was very sick, but I didn’t want her to die. I didn’t get enough time with Mopsy and I was not ready for her to leave.

[BB Administrator]

I am so sorry this happened. The seizure you probably saw was just after she died – and most likely she didn’t suffer through that part.  She is now free of the pain, but I know you are dealing with loss. I am so sorry.  Sounds like she was happy before this and was loved for 9 years.  She may have had arthritis or some other aging issue that made it easier for her to be prone to injury in that foot/leg 

Again, I am so very sorry this happened – I know you are heartbroken.     It will take time.   Hugs to you. 

Helloworld!!

[Love4Bunny]

Rabbit100, I am so so sorry for your loss. I agree that we need more rabbit vets, and that our rabbits become like children to us. Nothing really takes away the sadness of losing an animal, but you loved Mopsy lots, and she loved you, and was lucky to have you. So, very sorry

[Bam]

I’m so sorry for your loss, Rabbit100. Mopsy sounds like a very special rabbit. She had a long life with you and it was full of love and happiness, and you gave her that. I’m glad there are people like you in this world.

[jerseygirl]

I’m also sorry for your loss. It is so very hard when they go. I have had 2 of my bunnies pass away at home while I was with them. It is difficult. Eventually, you will start to hurt less and remember all the great things about your time with Mopsy. It really sounds like she was well loved and had a good life with you for many years.
Binky Free Mopsy!

[Rabbit100]

Those are very kind and appreciated words from all of you.

We buried Mopsy today and I still can’t stop crying. I miss Mopsy a lot and I want my rabbit back. We took a shoebox and I decorated it. I covered it with colorful baby wrapping paper with pictures of her animal friends. I put down some pillow stuffing inside the box and layered it with some nice fabric. After we put Mopsy inside we sprinkled some pink petals and covered her body, not her face, with a thin and decorated pink fabric. We buried her with some of her things, but I am keeping some of her things with me also. I hope where she is she will be able to be with her mama rabbit. She’s resting now.

[Bam]

You gave her a worthy farewell. I too hope she’s with her mama rabbit. I know you miss her so much. I will light a candle for her tonight. Your story made me cry too.

Binky free sweet Mopsie, you made your mommy so happy for so many years.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Sorry about your loss. Mopsy was loved and loved you, that’s all one can ask in life.
You were with her when she went. That’s also something we all wish for.
In time you may open your heart and home to another rabbit, but they will never replace Mopsy, but just might help your heart heal.

[Rabbit100]

This is not my rabbit in the video, but this is what she did right before she passed and as I was syringe feeding her. The only difference is that after it stopped she did not sit back upright, but was limp and lying on her side because she could not sit up anymore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrR1-eRSTbM

Does anybody know what this is? She also had a cataract in one eye that got bigger, opaque and protruded as she got older. It also started becoming covered with very small blood vessels and some type of black spot. She was seen by a vet a few times, but they did not want to do any type of surgery and just basically left it as is. It wasn’t present/hardly visible when I first got her at 6 months old, over time it grew and became very visible. 

[jerseygirl]

It’s hard to say what was going on with her eye. It could be several things. She maybe had glaucoma which can come on as a rabbit ages.

The seizure is part of the dying phase. A nervous response. My little bunny Maple did this too before she passed. It’s hard to watch and i know it’s probably staying in your mind a bit. Try not to focus on it though. They are not really aware of much when their body goes through this phase.

Stay focused on the times when she was being silly, enjoying her favourite foods, doing fast runs or a binky.

[Rabbit100]

Ok, thank you. I had to ask because I thought I choked her while syringe feeding. If you say it is a normal part of passing that alleviates the guilt aspect of my grief.

[jerseygirl]

She reached 9 years of age and it sounds like she just reached her time. It’s not easy seeing them go. xx

[LittlePuffyTail]

My condolences again on the loss of your bunny.

I’m going to lock this thread because I don’t want new posts to bring it up again and upset you.

Rabbit100 has started a thread in Rainbow Bridge if anyone would like to leave there condolences.

((((Binky Free))))

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