Spay gone wrong !

[zookeeper]

I was trying to do the best for my bunny and had her spayed last Wed.  She woke up from the surgery paralyzed.  She can’t move her hind legs and I just don’t know what to do.  She has had laser treatments and laser acupuncture and is going for one more treatment tomorrow, but I fear it isn’t helping.  Has anyone had this problem and did their bunnies recover?  I am heartbroken and feel so guilty.  I don’t think I can cry anymore.  Does anyone make carts for these bunnies and where do I go from here ?  Thanks for any help or reassurance.  

Marge

[JackRabbit]

Oh my gosh, that’s terrible! I’m so sorry this happened! I have never heard of this happening! Did something happen during the surgery or did the vet have any explanation? This just doesn’t sound right.

As for carts ideas, etc., check out disabledrabbits.com

[Sr. Melangell]

I’m so very sorry to hear this I’m in tears, Jack I just seen that link I hope they can help both Zookeeper and Bunny, all I can say is don’t give up, I’ve never heard of it.
Another bunny on my prayer list.

[Bam]

I’m very sorry to hear this. Is she getting cortison? Could there be a swelling or sth pressing on the nerve-roots/spine? That may be reversible.

It sounds awful. Of course you did the right thing by having her spayed, you could never have known.

Please keep us posted. I’ll be thinking of you and sending healing-vibes your way.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry to hear about this. I hope the Disabled Rabbits website can help you out.

I know this must be extremely upsetting. But you did the right thing in having her spayed. Any bunny knowledgeable person will tell you that.

((((((Bunny)))))

[zookeeper]

Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers. I really believe in prayer and that has kept me going. I just got back from a holistic vet and Molly has received her third laser acupuncture treatment. There seems to be slight improvement and I’ll take that as encouraging. The vet that did the surgery said that she had never had this problem before and she was so sorry. We both assume it happened after she was asleep and they put her on her back and tied her legs down. She said they do this to prevent a bunny from kicking in case they wake up during the surgery. This is a very good vet and I don’t really blame anyone. I have to deal with the “now” and believe things happen for a reason. Thanks also for telling me I did the right thing. The guilt was killing me and I didn’t think I could cry that much. I think I was in shock and it’s taken me almost a week to be able to talk about it without crying. Molly is drinking and eating, but doesn’t have control of urin or stool, so she gets a bottom bath every morning. I took her outside in the sunshine and grass yesterday and the day before and she likes that. I also have another bunny “midge” that is just 5 mo. old so maybe they can bond easier now. That’s why I wanted to have Molly spayed so they wouldn’t fight. She has another treatment on Fri. and I will keep everyone updated. Thanks for caring as much as I do and keep those prayers and good healing vibes coming. We really appreciate it. Marge

[Hazel]

Posted By zookeeper on 5/26/2015 2:42 PM

The vet that did the surgery said that she had never had this problem before and she was so sorry. We both assume it happened after she was asleep and they put her on her back and tied her legs down. She said they do this to prevent a bunny from kicking in case they wake up during the surgery. This is a very good vet and I don’t really blame anyone.

So what does that mean? Is she saying that they somehow broke her back while tying her down? What’s the actual diagnosis?

I’m so sorry you and your bun are going through this and I understand that you trust your vet. But I have to say, simply securing the legs of a sedated animal can not cause paralysis, unless someone made a bad mistake at some point, like dropping her on the floor. I’m not saying your vet is lying to you, maybe she wasn’t there when it happened and doesn’t know. Someone messing up and not taking responsibility for it seems a lot more likely to me than “Well, we tied her legs and now she’s paralyzed…“.

Just my thoughts on what your vet said. It’s done now and all you can do is try to do what’s best for your bun. I would be interested to know what they told you her injury is exactly, though.

Again, I’m very sorry this happened, you did what’s best for her by getting her spayed, there was no way you could have seen something like this coming. Sending lots of healing vibes for your girl!

[LBJ10]

I’m so sorry to hear this. Poor thing and poor you for having to go through this too! I agree with everyone else, this wasn’t your fault. You could have never known this would happen. I also agree with Bam in thinking this could improve over time. Something could have been pulled or pinched and there is swelling. Have you asked the vet about possible anti-inflammatory drugs? This might be something that requires steroids, which should be used with extreme caution in bunnies. Only your vet will be able to determine what the best course of action is here. I’m glad the laser treatments seem to be helping a little.

 

Here’s an article that might be helpful:

http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Corticost/Cortico.htm

[HappyHollandDays]

I am so sorry this happened to your poor baby. As everyone has been saying, you really did do the best thing for her. With the high risk of cancer in females, spaying really is the safest option. Please don’t feel guilty!

As for the paralysis, there are a few explanations. Worst case scenario is complete paralysis, probably caused by a broken back from who knows what. Accidents do happen in an OR, whether human error or not. If this is the case a nice bunny cart could be fashioned. I’m sure you’ll find a way, as you seem to be a dedicated bunny mommy.

There is a slight chance that as LBJ10 and Bam have suggested, this might be a pinched nerve, and the condition could be reversed with time. The possibilities in between the two extremes are the most likely and most numerous!

Sometimes weird medical mysteries happen and we never really find the cause. Keep your chin up, your bunny is lucky to have such a wonderful mommy!

[zookeeper]

Thank you all for all your encouragement. Hazel, I don’t know what went wrong and I thought as you did that someone had done something because she was fine when she went in, but as you also said, I have to deal with the here and now and keep my eyes looking forward. She still doesn’t seem to have the appetite that she should, but I have been tempting her with lots of dandelion leaves and grasses. We live in the country so it is easy to find a variety. She isn’t eating her hay or pellets like she used to which has me concerned or drinking enough water, but I am hoping the greens will give her some. She does drink some water, but I have to put it in front of her and then take it out or she will spill it. There is a water bottle, but she doesn’t hop or drag herself to it. Today I put her and my other bunny together for the first time and they were fine. They kind of ignored each other most of the time, but Molly did seem to move around a lot more with Midge hopping around her. It was also sad for me to see my once crazy energetic bunny just sit, but I keep telling myself, “one day at a time”. Tomorrow we go to the vet for another treatment and get some questions answered. Again, thank’s for the encouragement. I really need it.

[Roberta]

Keeping up the vibes for you. I fully understand what you are feeling. My bunny Pascal is paralysed from 3 ruptured discs caused by scholiosis. A friend has made him a wheelchair which we will be trialling on Sunday.

[zookeeper]

Roberta, so glad to hear you are getting a wheelchair for him.  How long since he has been paralyzed? Please let us know how it worked out for you.  I’m thinking of getting some sort of drag bag for Molly.  Have to look into them a little yet.  Good luck !

[Bam]

Many vibes for little Molly.

And for Pascal too.

[Roberta]

It has been slow and progressive because of the scholiosis. He can move his legs when he does not have to bear weight but he cannot walk or hop unaided. His wheel chair cart came today.

http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/fowlsfeet/media/afd18116-157b-4b7a-9711-ab1a83ebbe61_zpsxmh727ib.jpg.html?state=copy&sp=false

It is very light and maneuverable

[Sr. Melangell]

Oh his wheelchair came, that’s good, I have seen these and a bunny start using his legs more,good luck to you both.

[zookeeper]

Here is an update on Molly. At her last vet apt. she was given a full needle acupuncture instead of the laser. She hadn’t been eating or drinking as I said in my last post and the vet made sure she hit an appetite point. She still can’t use her legs, but her appetite has returned and she has found her water bottle again, although I supplement. I finally received my critical care, but I didn’t have a syringe large enough to feed it to her, so I’m going to the vet tomorrow to pick one up. I think that I will give it to her for awhile just to supplement till she puts some weight back on. I still haven’t found a drag bag for her, but am still looking. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. Hopefully she will get better with time. She loves to be outside and that perks her up.

[JackRabbit]

If you have a picture of one, maybe someone could make one for you (if you don’t know anyone who sews, maybe check atva fabric store, people who work at those places usually sew).

[Roberta]

You should be able to purchase oral syringes at your chemist or pharmacist. I use the 10 and 3 ml oral syringes for humans when I give cc.

[MoxieMeadows]

Oh I am so sorry to hear about this. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. <3

((((Vibes))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

More ((((((Wellness Vibes)))) for your little Molly

[Author]

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