Special-needs bunny continued…

[TriBun]

My bunny goes in for surgery.  As any of you who have had a bunny get surgery (even a spay or neuter) know, I was on pins and needles all day.  Just wondering if they’ll come out of anesthesia is bad enough, let alone the rest of it.  Finally, the call.  She did well.  The doctor cut off a big part of bone, leaving it just below the knee (it was mid-calf before).

The first day after surgery was awful.  She kept pulling at her stitches and I couldn’t get her to take her medicine.  Everytime she tried to get to her cecotropes she would fall over so I had to hand feed them to her.  One time she fell over and was so drugged she just layed there till I walked over.  The next day improved, but she was really having a hard time getting around.  There was a time I feared she wouldn’t be able to survive like this.   I had to create a type of litterbox that was nearly flat (I got ideas from the House Rabbit Society website) and used blankets instead of bedding.

Now, a month after surgery, she is doing great!   Her personality has slowly come back and she will sit on my lap again.   I’m having major litterbox issues (I think that’s mostly because she’s not spayed), but her wound has healed over and I can finally feel optimistic about her future.

By the way, my best guess as to what happened to her foot: sometimes the umbilical cord wraps around an appendage and the mother, in her effort to eat the afterbirth, chews it off.  I am told, it happens in puppies and kittens too.  These animals are usually discarded.  Luckily no one noticed or I wouldn’t have my sweet Rosy

Pictures: On the left, the day after surgery.  You can see the stitches in her leg.  On the right, “helping” me with the laundry

I’ll have to post her baby picture, it is too cute!

 

[jerseygirl]

Oh she is so sweet looking! I have to tell you, I read the other post and was left sad wondering what happened. I’m glad you continued the story and Rosy made it through okay. These rabbits adapt extremely well and I hope you see this with your Rosy.

Welcome to you both.

[Tate]

Wow! What a lucky rabbit to have found you! I have heard really great success stories and amputee rabbits (and really all animals!). My rabbit broke his leg which, long story short, ended up causing huge problems and he needed a surgery to put a pin in his leg so I know how scary these surgeries are. She is such a beautiful rabbit!

[Monkeybun]

I am so glad she is doing well! I just posted in the other thread, didn’t realize then that the surgery already happened

Hugs and snuggles from me and my buns for you and your adorable little princess!

[brittbritt]

I’m so glad she is healing and getting back to her sweet self.

I had a similar situation with a baby zebra finch. I’ve adopted splay legged birds before and have been able to help a couple be able to walk better. At a local pet store I noticed a baby zebra finch who I thought was splay legged. Took him to the vet and it was a severely broken leg with bone protruding. Like your bun the leg had to be amputated. He healed up great and is a happy little one legged finch.

[TaraMichele]

Posted By jerseygirl on 07/26/2011 01:48 PM

Oh she is so sweet looking! I have to tell you, I read the other post and was left sad wondering what happened. 

 

 

I did the same exact thing! this is such an amazing story and she is very lucky to have such a great mommy! cant wait to see more pictures!

 

[Sarita]

She’s pretty. I hope she heals quickly and stays in good health. Tripod bunnies can live very good lives…I fostered a little rabbit who had to have her back leg amputated and she is doing well in her forever home and is quite the spunky little rabbit. It just takes someone very committed like you, thank you for taking on this special little rabbit.

[Author]

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