Traumatized owner

[Ajpp50]

I have a 9 year old Dutch bunny and I noticed his back leg was splaying so i took him to the vet and she said it was Arthritis and there was nothing that could be done but he wasnt in pain (he’s on metacam) Well today I came home from work and he can no longer stand and keeps falling over when he tries to hop. I just can’t believe that this morning he was ok and I come home and my bunny cant walk. I can’t even express how upset and heartbroken I am.

[bunnytowne]

Oh nooo. Can you take him back to the vets again?  Poor bun.  awe  and you too. 

[bunnytowne]

She is sure it is arthritis and not a back injury?  Seems it came on kind of sudden.  They are good at hiding their ailments and they can go down so fast.

[Ajpp50]

I’m taking him back and I want an xray or something bc it just makes no sense.

[Beka27]

oh i’m sorry to hear about that! just b/c he has a loss of mobility doesn’t mean there is no hope for him. vets can prescribe medicines that can help with arthritis. is you vet hopeful that with treatment he might regain his movement, or is there a specialist you might be able to see in your area? with his somewhat advanced age you’re going to need to weigh the benefits of treatment with his quality of life and make a decision based on that.

[Tami]

I am so sorry to hear this and hope that it’s something that can be corrected. 

If it turns out that it’s just a sympton of old age you might like to try one of these to help with his mobility :

http://www.doggon.com/products/others.html#1

[Ajpp50]

Thanks for link. I was thinking of looking into something like this if it’s something that can’t be fixed.

[bunnytowne]

Good for you.   I agree go back get an xray too good idea.  Also I think e cunniculi can do that to a bun too.  I agree with you on the xray. Bun going downhill sure was awfully fast.

[KatnipCrzy]

A trip back to the vet is definitely in order!!  An x-ray should show bony changes such as arthritis (hips, knee, etc)  and the vet should be able to evaluate spacing of the discs on the spine to see if there is any signs of “bridging” (the spine becomes fused).

Also sounds like the bunny should have a neurological  exam done by the vet to evaluate responses to stimuli.

But I have to say I am way disapproving that the vet did not feel the arthritis is causing pain (that is untrue- ask any person with arthritis) but it is good that the bunny is on Metacam, although the use of Metacam (NSAIDS) may need to be re-evaluated due to progression of problems.

Keep us posted please!

Julie

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

…Maybe even a different vet?!?!

Arthritis doesn’t come on suddenly and giving metacam but saying he isn’t in pain doesn’t make sense either.

{{ VIBES }} *HUGS*

Definitely good to go back to the vet but I’d try a different one for a second opinion. Katnips suggestions are great.

Stay calm for your bun and please keep us posted *HUGS*

[Sarita]

Yes, did she do an x-ray? What about bloodwork? How thorough was the exam – he is a 9 year old rabbit and I would imagine she would do the x-ray and bloodwork initially if she did not.

Poor you and poor bunny.

[Sage Cat]

Sounds like you have gotten some good advice!

(((((((((hugs)))))))))) for you and your Dutch boy from Sage, Kay & Winston!

[Beka27]

and definitely let us know what the vet says or does.

((((((((((((((((((((feel better Sweet Boy!))))))))))))))))))))

[Ajpp50]

Well he’s back up again and hopping but it looks like he’s still wobbly and has a curve to his back. No problem eating anf still fiesty. He’s going to the vet in the morning. Katnip where do you take your bunny. I am in Grand Rapids and I used to live in Lansing and had a good rabbit vet there. When gas went up I found one in my area that was adequate as far as exams and I know she knows about bunnies but I’m either going to change or go back to Lansing.

[KatnipCrzy]

I work at a vet clinic in Holland and they will see rabbits there- so I had her spayed there.  But if my rabbit were to ever become ill and need treatment for something other than basic issues (skin, eyes)- I would take her to Dr Bennett on 28th St.  28th and Division I believe is where he is at.  He was the zoo vet for quite a few years and I know that he is a very competent exotics vet- and I would assume most of his associate doctors that work with him have also gained from his knowledge and expertise.

Whenever someone calls our clinic with a very ill bunny- we encourage them to go to Dr Bennett- but not everyone will drive to Grand Rapids to take their bunny to the vet- so we will at least see them for what medical care we can provide.  But the vets here are honest with their skills- we are great for spays/neuters and basic care- but any complex GI problems or dental problems we refer there.  But we will at least agree to see an ill bunny and treat with the best of their knowledge and consulting resources.

I know the above sounds conflicting- OK for spays but not serious medical conditions.  But we have an excellent surgical set up with the latest in anesthesia protocols and have spayed and neutered many rabbits with no problem.  But when our practice does not in general see a lot of bunnies- we feel that if it is a serious illness their best bet is to see an exotics vet.  One of the vets told me that she would refer me to Dr Bennett for any dental problems that my bunnies might get- as she is not confident in working on a rabbits mouth (no experience).  I would rather have that type of honesty than having a vet assume it can’t be difficult or different than dog or cat.

I have not had anything done other than a spay and a fecal check done at this point.  And an exam on a new bunny before I brought her home- make sure there were no fleas or ear mites, etc.

LANSING HAS A LOT OF GREAT VETS IN THE AREA DUE TO THE MSU VETERINARY COLLEGE THERE- so I would go with your gut feeling.  Maybe call Dr Bennetts first and see if you get any confidence from the phone call. (??)

[Ajpp50]

I didn’t really get any resolution this morning at the vet and have decided to change vets. A couple people did recommend the one on 28th street and so I believe I will talk to them and see what I can find out. When I was in Lansing I used to take him to Dr. Seager and she was amazing and very thorough. She got Popper through GI stasis and when I started to think about I don’t think this current vet would have made the same efforts and that’s what made me really decide he needed to go to someone else. She also made a snide remark to me when I left about liking him but not needing to see him next week. He’s doing much better and she said it may be a inner ear infection but didn’t make any efforts to find out exactly what was wrong with him and she wouldn’t do an xray. After she made the remark about not needing to see him next week I said to myself that she wouldn’t have to see him or Potato my other rabbit ever again because I was taking them elsewhere.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Aipp, you’ve gotten some wonderful advice and I just wanted to say (((((HUGS))))) & ***vibes*** for your bun. Please keep us updated!

[Beka27]

what a mean vet… oh my gosh! you poor thing. def. go somewhere else!

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