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Velvateen went to the vet this morning after 3 (!!!) fights with Fievel. He seemed to be the instagator. They have been bonded almost since I got Fievel 3 months ago. The first week was tense and then all was good, other than a few minor scuffles. Out of no where, they began fighting and will no longer tolerate each other…
So, the vet did x rays and a full exam on Velvateen this morning and found the pin in his leg has moved and is now pushing on his knee.. He should literally have no range of motion, but he still does which means the pin has carved out a little area in his knee. He is on pain meds for now but will have to go through another pretty major surgery, though I’m not sure if he will need another cast. The doctor said it would take quite a few weeks for him to recover.
The vet couldn’t say whether Velvateen’s agression is from the pain or if it is behavioral, but did say to separate them. I just got V home and already they are at it through the xpen bars (Fievel is locked inside and Velvateen is on the outside)! On top of putting V through another surgery and knowing that he must be in pain, I feel like their separation will greatly lower their quality of life. They have been sharing an xpen and they even have their Mini Haven in it, which they loove. Now, Velvateen is moved back to his small pet store cage thats about 40 inches and and a foot and a half in width. I had planned on just leaving this cage open for him at all times so he would never be confined to it, but after seeing him and Fievel try to fight through the bars, I’m not sure that’s smart. Further, I’m worried that Fievel will just end up staying in his xpen more often. I can’t let them out together. Fievel doesn’t care for me much, but was always so snuggly with Velvateen. I’m worried he won’t get the social interaction that he really needs.
With his surgery, I don’t think I can afford another xpen right now. V’s bill for this vet trip was already $250 and my budget for the month is $1000 (thats for rent, food, and bills, on top of the other bunny costs). Even if I could get another xpen, I don’t have any room! Unfortunately, we moved here on short notice so all I could find was a room in a 3 bedroom apartment and the bunnies have to be in my room.
I think I’m just being whiney now. I really do set aside their own budget every month and have a Care Credit card which is unfortunately at it’s max right now (along with my other credit cards….
). I feel so bad for not giving them exactly what they need.Just needed to vent..
Here are some of the X-rays that were done on V yesterday. They did a few whole body ones to look for anything else that may be hurting him, but the pin in his leg NEEDS to come out.. His surgery is scheduled for May 20th, but I’m waiting to hear back from the doctor so that I can send these over and explain everything..
*Hopefully, I’m actually allowed to publish these… Is there a copyright or something? I mean, I DID pay for them.
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Hmm, I don’t think it matters at this point. When he broke his leg, I called the emergency vet (it happened at 9 or 10pm) and they actually advised not taking him there. They couldn’t put him under anesthesia or set his leg, as they didn’t work with bunnies. They said to put him in a 10 gallon aquarium and try to barricade half of it so he was essentially stuck in a 5 gallon… Anyways, since his leg is technically healed I don’t think it will help and the vet didn’t say to do so. He’s been hiding under my bed since I took him home but really, he hops around normally… he isn’t gimpy at all. I think the damage is pretty much done.
I’m hoping to get him into surgery the week of May 16th. I would like the vet that originally operated on him to do the surgery. I trust him so much and he really came through when V needed him most. Plus, he may cover the cost of the surgery. The pin was supposed to come out a few weeks after his cast came off, but V’s bone grew around it so well that we didn’t want to chance it. I just don’t know if I can afford another $600 surgery right now. *kicking myself for spending my tax refund* I’m about 6 hours away from the vet and I’m heading over there the week after next.
The vet I saw today didn’t make it sound like surgery was immediately needed. She also said that she really didn’t know what to do as far as surgery, because it will be fairly intricate.
I don’t think he minds the cage too much, honestly. It’s more me. I like the fact that he’s free to roam the room and that his xpen is pretty nice.
Does anyone know of “success rates” as far as re-bonding bunnies go? Right now, they act like they’ve never met and need to defend their territory even though it’s been less than 24 hours since their first fight.
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it didn’t make sense to try and take it out when it was possible he could live comfortably with it for the rest of his life.
I now I have a new philosophy. The Way of the Bunny. Basically it states that….they will be as contrary in all things as they can be.
But good grief! No wonder he took it out on poor Fievel. That makes me cringe every time I see it. Oh poor poor Vel!
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Honestly, I had been worried about keeping the pin in, but then again, worried to put him through another procedure! There was also the possibility that as the pin came out, the bone would just kinda “melt” and we’d be looking at amputation. In the X-ray taken right after his pin was put in, his bone was invisible. Totally wasted away in a matter of weeks. But, I can’t say I’m surprised a baby dwarf with a tendency to dive-bomb his brother is prone to all sorts of injuries. Roll with the punches…
I had to share…
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