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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Questions regarding paralysis (very sad story warning).

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    • Rhee
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        Yesterday morning, I came to feed and play with my three boys…and found my Harvey not with me anymore. There had been no signs of stress, he wasn’t eating differently, dehydrated, or sick, he had no movement or behavioral changes, the room wasn’t hot; he was a healthy, two-year-old boy, and it really threw me. Of course, I am upset, but it happens. I know bunnies don’t show their problems, and I now have concern for my other two boys. “Time for a vet appointment for them,” I said, so we went this morning.

        Sascha was first; he’s my easygoing (if independent) boy. No issues at all, other than he’s skinnier than he should be, but it seems to be just weight fluctuation that some alfalfa and extra fruit can help. Clean bloodwork, calm examination, quick and painless nail-trim.

        Ming was a different story. He is already skittish, but has blood vessels over his corneas and an old scratch on his left eye, making him vision-impaired – which just makes his fear worse, of course. I did everything I could to keep him calm, and my vet is experienced with bunnies. The bunny-burrito worked, with some patience, for his nail-trim, and he was okay being felt over and having his heart rate listened to, until – “Oh, not the oral exam, get that out of my mouth!” He started to thrash around, and my vet immediately stopped, giving him time to calm down before poking and prodding anymore…but oh no, he hurt his back thrashing. My vet x-rayed him, and sure enough, he’d broken a vertebra in his back. He seemed alert and not to mind moving, but now his hind legs aren’t working, and my vet feels awful (it couldn’t be helped, of course I don’t blame her – bunnies hurt themselves so easily, such fragile creatures).

        I was given a daily painkiller for Ming, and also picked up some Rescue Remedy and arnica for him. He’s never been much of a drinker, so his lack of interest in that isn’t concerning currently. He’s eating normally and isn’t showing any signs of shock, which is surprising (and making me hope a little too much for my own good, I am sure). This next day or two is going to be so nerve-wracking, because it’s really the deciding factor for Ming. There’s nothing to be done surgically, there’s only seeing if he continues eating, and seeing if he is capable of passing urine and feces. I am so beyond worried, as I want to do right by him, but I don’t want to lose him, either. My vet is on call this weekend and ready to help, whatever that may have to mean.  I’m focused on making his night as comfortable as possible.

        Anyway. I am praying that all of that goes well, and it might not, I know. Still, if all that does, and if he stays still enough to let his back heal with minimal pain, what are the kinds of things I should expect? Keeping his hind end and hind legs clean is the first thing that comes to mind for me.

        I do have my vet to talk to as well, but this is more of a “What if he winds up okay?” informational thing, so I have an idea of what I may be in for.


      • Tate
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          Hello! I’m so sorry to hear about everything. How stressful.
          I haven’t cared for a rabbit with paralysis before, but I definitely recommend a book called, “When Your Rabbit Needs Special Care” by Lucile Moore. She has a fairly extensive portion relating directly to paralysis and recovery along with some other really great information.
          Hope that helps in some way and I’m sure a few people on here will be able to guide you.


        • Sarita
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            Is he able to urinate on his own? If not, that could be a concern – I would ask the vet about this.

            If so, then, yes, keeping his clean and dry can be a challenge especially if he has to drag his back legs. You can try lambswool which will wick the wet urine away from him. You might also ask the vet about silvadene to help sooth his urine scald.

            Vibes to Ming – I hope he will be okay.


          • Rhee
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              Thank you so much for your replies, Tate and Sarita. I will definitely look into your suggestions.

              The good (hopefully!) news is, Ming has now passed both urine and feces, and they were normal to boot! He is still eating and not showing signs of shock. He was even cleaning himself a few moments ago, which is a very good sign according to my vet (if he cares enough to keep himself clean, it could mean he’s not in a lot of pain and doesn’t care to leave us just yet).

              Hopefully some rest, and of course keeping up with the painkiller dosage, will mend what is broken so he can be as back to normal as possible.

              Thanks for your well-wishing. I am sure he feels it, I know I do. This has been so stressful, but things may just be looking up. Don’t want to count my chickens too soon, of course, but hope’s a good thing, I think.

              The bad news (also good, in a way) is that I believe I have solved the mystery of how Harvey died, thanks to some careful observation of Sascha. It may also explain some of the skinniness problem with Sascha.

              Harvey and Sascha had identical large water bottles bought at the same time, and the vacuum on Harvey’s failed. I went to replace it, and, having had luck with the longevity of glass water bottles, purchased two of those, replacing Harvey’s right away but waiting on Sascha’s. During the last overhaul of their bedding, I replaced Sascha’s bottle with the new bottle as well.

              Tonight, sitting with my bunnies, I noticed Sascha tugging on his bottle aggressively, and started watching the water level as he licked – no movement. When he stopped licking, however, the water level started to slowly drop. Apparently, the bottle leaks, but movement of the ball bearing causes water to stop flowing. I checked Harvey’s bottle, and, sure enough, the same thing happened. I must have thought they were drinking because the water level was dropping.

              I feel like such an awful bunny-mom for not checking the bottles more carefully, but I am glad I noticed in time for Sascha. He now has a dish. I have avoided them in the past, as they always end up spilled or peed in, but I will deal with the nuisance if it means he gets something to drink. I will look into getting a dish that I can attach to the side of the cage he stays in (he’s only confined when I am not home to keep him out of trouble, though Ming is on strict bed-rest right now).

              Also, while Harvey had shown no signs of dehydration, I checked his most recent bedding – some of his poos were much smaller than they should have been, and must have been kicked aside or otherwise hidden from my notice yesterday morning.

              I gave Ming a dish for water as well, as he’s not too keen on sitting in the right configuration to drink out of his water bottle. So far, he has only licked at the nursing bottle, not gone for the dish next to his nose, but that’s okay, as long as he’s getting fluids.


            • LBJ10
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                So does the vet think that the paralysis is due to swelling and he may gain some movement back if everything heals?


              • Rhee
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                  At first she was figuring dislocation, as that’s the most common issue, and his hind legs are quite out of line from his front legs – so it’s possible that it’s not a permanent paralysis. However, the x-ray shows that there is definitely a break in one vertebra in his lower back, so that healing with him in minimal pain is the first priority. Non-permanent paralysis would be great news, but according to my vet, it is too soon to tell, especially since it’s hard to say whether he’ll make it at all yet. It is a good thing to keep in mind, however. I believe there is a holistic vet near where I live who uses acupuncture and chiropractic care, which I would love to look into if he winds up okay.


                • LBJ10
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                    Aww, poor baby. I hope he keeps showing good signs. He sounds like a great little bunny.


                  • Rhee
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                      I hope so too. Thanks so much for your kind words. He’s really sweet, a tiny little two-pound dwarf Himalayan in love with raisins and carrots. I hope I don’t have to miss him.


                    • brittbritt
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                        I hope your bun recovers quickly too. If you’re bun that passed on was getting wet veggies it may have helped with the lack of water coming out of the water bottle.


                      • Rhee
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                          Thank you brittbritt. I am guessing that the wet veggies stalled the problem, and may have furthered the impression that he wasn’t dehydrated =/


                        • jerseygirl
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                            I’m sorry you lost your boy so suddenly like that. *Binky free Harvey*

                            Don’t place blame to heavily on your shoulders. It’s sounds as if he was getting some water via veggies and as you said, they’re seemed to be no change in his behaviour. Some dehydration might have contributed but it would be hard to say for certain unless you had an post mortem exam done. Will you be contacting the manufacturers of these bottles?

                            {{{Vibes}}} for Ming, Sascha and You! 

                            I believe there is a holistic vet near where I live who uses acupuncture and chiropractic care, which I would love to look into if he winds up okay.

                            That’s great. It seems these sort of therapies (Oesteopathy also) can really assist rabbits with these disabilities. Hopefully you’ll be seeing an improvement over the coming weeks.


                          • Rhee
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                              Thank you, jerseygirl. I know there was no real way for me to know, and I did the best I could with what I did know. I may do that; it is possible that the bottles were just defective and others would be fine, but mine certainly were not.

                              Sascha isn’t listless and he’s eating still, which implies he’s not too bad off. Here’s hoping this was the only issue, and he’s back to normal soon.

                              Today, Ming was eating happily when I woke and checked on him. I gave him more Metacam, but I would think that an animal in much pain won’t have an appetite. This is good news! He has continued to pass feces, implying that he’s been eating throughout the night. I am thinking positive!


                            • Sarita
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                                Well, hopefully he is not in pain but it is possible he is uncomfortable – rabbits are very good at hiding pain so that is something to keep in mind. They may also tolerate a more bit of discomfort than we would as well.

                                I’m hoping he is all well though but do want you to keep that in mind. Continued vibes to Ming.


                              • Rhee
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                                  Sarita, that is definitely good to keep in mind. I talked to my vet today and she agreed that in her experience bunnies aren’t interested in food when they are in much pain. He adjusts his position quit a bit, indicating some discomfort, which is understandable with a broken bone – though I have caught him sleeping, and it’s good to know that he can ignore it enough to sleep. Arnica and Metacam seem to be helping. He’s continued to eat and drink, and I have noticed no change in his eyes or usual behavior (other than the fact that the poor boy can’t sit on his hind legs to clean his face). I am just going to be keeping an eye on him and hoping for him. Both boys have their next vet appointments on Friday, basically a follow-up visit to check progress. Hopefully there is indeed progress, not a plateau.


                                • Rhee
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                                    I thought I’d give an update to anyone curious.

                                    Sascha is gaining weight and doing just fine!

                                    Ming is adjusting to life nicely, it seems. He is on oral and topical antibiotics against skin issues, and continues to be on Metacam, and it’s a waiting period now to see how his back heals. I have found him diapers, which makes the clean-up process much easier, and Epi-Soothe shampoo for cleaning him. He has a comfy bed full of towels, a big pile of hay he’s always making dents in, and still loves his carrots – he’s also been drinking just as much as ever, and seems like the same bunny I’ve known him to be. I’m excited for him.

                                    Thank you to everyone for the advice and suggestions. I did find the book When Your Rabbit Needs Special Care, and it’s been helpful in seeing just what it’s going to take in the long run for Ming, and also in giving me information about other problems that may arise in my bunny-mom experience.


                                  • jerseygirl
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                                      Thank you for the update. They both sound to be in very good hands.

                                      I have found him diapers, which makes the clean-up process much easier,

                                      May I ask what ones you have found? Another member is looking into this and would appreciate any suggestions I think.


                                    • Rhee
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                                        They’re still doing well, and things seem to be looking up =)

                                        I apologize for not responding sooner! Ming is in Huggies Little Snugglers Preemies diapers – they work very well for him, but keep in mind that he’s little, a bit over two pounds (or about one kilogram).

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                                    Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Questions regarding paralysis (very sad story warning).