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Poorly rabbit (possibly ostioperosis)
14 Answers
Righti have a now 9week old long haired lionhead lop rabbit who was sold to me from a pet shop but was underweight...(i did post on here before about her weight).Anyways she had been totally fine until the other day i noticed her limping sometimes but not others but thought nothing of it as shes a baby. Then on thursday she started grinding her teeth real loudly and she for some reason started to smell of strong urine and her droppings were sticking in her fur so i had to bath her (just her back) with rabbit shampoo. she was fine directly after this wrapped in a towell etc then she had a hop around but started grinding her teeth badly (a sign they are in pain) and cowering away. She got to the stage she couldnt move at all and i thought she had broken her leg. Then she couldnt use any of her back lags and was clearly distressed. i was so frightened i had to take her down to the emergency vet at like 1am and they kept her in and gave her a painkiller etc. the next day she was fine to take home just still weak and they have given her anti inflammatory / painkiller drops for a month. This all cost me 130 pounds. (i hear people saying how stupid i am but when i love my pets the money doesnt even count even thought i had to use my credit card). Anyways they believe she has weak bones possibly ostioperosis and have given me 2 options, carry on with the medication she is on now, or pay 90 pounds for a couple of x rays to pinpoint exactly what is wrong with her and to give her the correct treatment which could possibly correct her hip as she is still a baby. I know its a lot of money but she means the world to me. What does everyone think i should do? Also please comment if you have had a rabbit who has had this or similar and do you think this is going to shorten her life? any advicewould be greatly appreciated. She is strugglying to walk due to her poorly hip/leg which im hoping will go back to normal once her medication works.
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Personally I would keep her on the medication until the month is up, then depending on how she is ask the vet for his opinion on how well an operation (if necessary) would work, before you fork out for xrays.
If the answer is not very positive, you may have to decide whether it is worth putting her through something like this at such a young age.
If after the month is up she is ok, all well and good, this may just be something she will grow out of. I do hope you have given the pet shop the benefit of your impression of them.
If the answer is not very positive, you may have to decide whether it is worth putting her through something like this at such a young age.
If after the month is up she is ok, all well and good, this may just be something she will grow out of. I do hope you have given the pet shop the benefit of your impression of them.
Forgot to say, don't consider it stupid to take your animal to the vet, whatever it is. It makes a change from some of the really stupid posts we sometimes get on here, when people should be seeking urgent veterinary help, instead of sitting at the computer!
As for the money, well the vets have got to finance their 4 x 4's and BMW's somehow haven't they?
As for the money, well the vets have got to finance their 4 x 4's and BMW's somehow haven't they?
Many thanks for your answer, thats exactly what i thought. Its like i was woried to leave it a month through incase a month is too late to do anything about her hip?
Also alot of people i have told about this have made me feel stupid by saying im silly to pay all that money out on just a rabbit and that i should of taken her back or got another one etc but its not the point when you love your pet and would do anything to save them no matter how big or small they are, i was in tears when she was in pain it was so upsetting and when you have a pet they rely on only you for there safety and comfort and its cruel to not put there best interests first.
Also alot of people i have told about this have made me feel stupid by saying im silly to pay all that money out on just a rabbit and that i should of taken her back or got another one etc but its not the point when you love your pet and would do anything to save them no matter how big or small they are, i was in tears when she was in pain it was so upsetting and when you have a pet they rely on only you for there safety and comfort and its cruel to not put there best interests first.
I second lankeela's answer that if you're not happy or there's something wrong, don't hesitate to take your rabbit to the vet.
Did your vet ask about the bunny's diet when you went in? Make sure you are giving enough calcium in the diet, and not supplementing it with too much Vitamin D, as these factors often cause osteoporosis in both rabbits and guinea pigs.
Hope her condition improves!
If both back legs are affected your rabbit may have fractured her spine - did she kick out at any time in the week leading up to her problems? Sometimes the force of the kick is so strong it can cause damage along the backbone. Alternatively, could she have fallen from somewhere and hurt her leg that way?
I would follow both the vet's and lankeela's advice and keep up with the drops for a month. You might want to restrict how far she can move until you go back to the vets - maybe keep her confined to a small run in case she injures herself further.
How long have you had her for? It would be worth asking the vet how long he thinks the rabbit has had osteoporosis for (if that's what is wrong) - in case the pet shop sold you the bunny in that condition.
Did your vet ask about the bunny's diet when you went in? Make sure you are giving enough calcium in the diet, and not supplementing it with too much Vitamin D, as these factors often cause osteoporosis in both rabbits and guinea pigs.
Hope her condition improves!
If both back legs are affected your rabbit may have fractured her spine - did she kick out at any time in the week leading up to her problems? Sometimes the force of the kick is so strong it can cause damage along the backbone. Alternatively, could she have fallen from somewhere and hurt her leg that way?
I would follow both the vet's and lankeela's advice and keep up with the drops for a month. You might want to restrict how far she can move until you go back to the vets - maybe keep her confined to a small run in case she injures herself further.
How long have you had her for? It would be worth asking the vet how long he thinks the rabbit has had osteoporosis for (if that's what is wrong) - in case the pet shop sold you the bunny in that condition.
Many thanks for your answer. Well were not sure wether it is ostioperosis as yet until the xray which she is due to have on monday. I have only had her a week from the petshop who are agreeing to fund half of the costs which is better than nothing. If she has got ostioperosis they think she would of had it from birth. Do you know if this is treatable?
She seems alot better today shes eating away and coming to the cage still a little diffiult to walk but getting better each day. The problem is due to her not being able to do her messes and hop away properly she gets urine and droppings in her fur around her back end which is difficult to get out as i cannot wash her as when she gets cold after being washed it may set her bones off again so i have to use baby wipes or a damp sponge any ideas of an easier way?
Alot of people probably think blah shes only a rabbit have her put down but i couldnt give up on her yet, everyones fallen in love with her!!!
I am hoping that maybe its just that she landed funny on her leg or something treatable but it looks unlikely as what happened to her when she had been bathed. Il keep you posted on her as she goes for a checkup on monday!
But yeah i havent had her out for a hop as ive been told to rest her as much as possible
She seems alot better today shes eating away and coming to the cage still a little diffiult to walk but getting better each day. The problem is due to her not being able to do her messes and hop away properly she gets urine and droppings in her fur around her back end which is difficult to get out as i cannot wash her as when she gets cold after being washed it may set her bones off again so i have to use baby wipes or a damp sponge any ideas of an easier way?
Alot of people probably think blah shes only a rabbit have her put down but i couldnt give up on her yet, everyones fallen in love with her!!!
I am hoping that maybe its just that she landed funny on her leg or something treatable but it looks unlikely as what happened to her when she had been bathed. Il keep you posted on her as she goes for a checkup on monday!
But yeah i havent had her out for a hop as ive been told to rest her as much as possible
It's good that the pet shop are meeting you half way in the costs; if it is osteoporosis then the rabbit will have had it for a while.
To keep her clean you could try trimming the fur around her tail, just to keep it short and less likely to accumulate dirt. You can wash her but you should always make sure she is completely dry before you put her back outside again (gentle drying with a hairdryer works!).
Do let us know how you get on on Monday!
To keep her clean you could try trimming the fur around her tail, just to keep it short and less likely to accumulate dirt. You can wash her but you should always make sure she is completely dry before you put her back outside again (gentle drying with a hairdryer works!).
Do let us know how you get on on Monday!
Hey cheers for your answers again. Well i have been told not to wash her again as if she gets even slightly cold it could all flare up again. She is actually an indoor rabbit in a hutch, but she never goes into the dark private bit of the hutch she just sits by the front. Thing is her fur is matted and i dnt know where i cut im scared of cutting her tail or something and she smells really bad ive tried with baby wipes but its just not getting it out.
I really dont know what to do anymore see i just had her out to sort her fur out at the back and she wanted to explore so i put her down and she can barely hop and her front legs seem to have weakened and she cant really hold her self up all her legs just slide away from her when shes on the carpet so its not like its a slippy floor. Her back legs are at odd angles and she pretty much drags her back legs its heartbreaking it really is i sometimes just think it is so unfair on her, like i dont see what they can do for her if it is ostioperosis as itl just get worse as she gets oldeer plus im scared once shes finished this medication that the pain will come back again. I dont think i could ever have her put down though either ... what do you all think?
I really dont know what to do anymore see i just had her out to sort her fur out at the back and she wanted to explore so i put her down and she can barely hop and her front legs seem to have weakened and she cant really hold her self up all her legs just slide away from her when shes on the carpet so its not like its a slippy floor. Her back legs are at odd angles and she pretty much drags her back legs its heartbreaking it really is i sometimes just think it is so unfair on her, like i dont see what they can do for her if it is ostioperosis as itl just get worse as she gets oldeer plus im scared once shes finished this medication that the pain will come back again. I dont think i could ever have her put down though either ... what do you all think?
You mentioned that you are taking her to the vets on Monday for X-rays - they should make the situation pretty clear. Your vet will then be able to give you more advice and help you with any decisions you might have to make.
If you can't wash her, maybe use an old toothbrush to brush some of the dirt away?
I'd try and keep her in her hutch and not even let her out - the painkillers often work so well, the animal doesn't feel so bad and can try to move - making the injury worse.
I'm sure if you are faced with a difficult choice, you will make the right decision.
If you can't wash her, maybe use an old toothbrush to brush some of the dirt away?
I'd try and keep her in her hutch and not even let her out - the painkillers often work so well, the animal doesn't feel so bad and can try to move - making the injury worse.
I'm sure if you are faced with a difficult choice, you will make the right decision.
Hey not too good, theres no point in her xray as there isnt really anything they can do for her as she has nerve damage in her back legs so they kind of drag a little behind her and she has no strength in them. I can either have her put down or leave her on this medication which could end up damaging her kidneys if on for so long :( ive brought her home with me shes all with it etc but cant move her back ed properly so soils herself etc and not being able to wash her i cant get it off properly. Though spoke to the petshop and they dont like to put animals down so theyre gunna assess her tomorrow and probably take her in and care for her properly until she dies of naturally or until the pain comes back... im so upset abut letting her go but i think it would be best for her being cared for people who know what they are doing - id rather that than her put down. But if she needs putting down after shes been assessed then i guess it is best for her? ive been in tears over all this :(
I'm very sorry to hear that, I was really hoping she was going to be ok :(
Try not to feel too bad about it - you took her to the vet in good time and although there is nothing you can do, at least you are making sure she is comfortable. Losing a pet can very very distressing for anyone - it doesn't matter whether they are big or small.
My thoughts are with you xx
Try not to feel too bad about it - you took her to the vet in good time and although there is nothing you can do, at least you are making sure she is comfortable. Losing a pet can very very distressing for anyone - it doesn't matter whether they are big or small.
My thoughts are with you xx
Many thanks for that , it broke my heart even though i only had her just over 2 weeks but now i know i did my best for her. Sounds silly but i dont want the pet shop to tell me if shes had to be put down or not as id rather just believe they think she has enough quality of life to keep her on and look after her though she didnt look too good. But now i know i only ever did my best for her, the pet shop gave me a different rabbit for free and lots of new food- this new rabbits a boy and completely different to sugar (the rabbit i just lost), i almost felt guilty for having another 1 straight away but it was upsetting seeing an empty hutch everyday. Though hes so bouncy like rabbits should be and having him has made me realise just how poorly sugar was she didnt do even a quarter of the things he does now. I just feel good that i did my best for her and gave her a good 2 weeks :(
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