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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.
› Forum › HOUSE RABBIT Q & A › *Left for the Rainbow Bridge* (UPDATE: MORE WEIGHT LOSS, CAN’T RELEASE BLADDER, PRESSURE SORE) PLEASE HELP: RABBIT NOT STANDING UP!
First, the last few weeks of my beautiful 9.5 year old female dwarf rabbit is documented on this forum post:
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/124788/Default.aspx
To give quick feedback, 7 weeks ago she disclocated her hip and since the vet felt she was too old for surgery, we let the leg stiffen by keeping her confined to the cage for 6 weeks. During all this, blood work and x-rays came back perfect but sadly she began losing weight. We then began her on Critcal Care and she maintained her weight which was great. Due to the fact that she can’t move her right leg anymore, she started getting extreme poopy butt so the vet shaved her and this resolved it a lot. As of 3 days ago, we were allowed to take her out of the cage again and although she seemed to find it odd having one leg to run with, she seemed to manage just fine and this made my wife and I very happy.
Now, yesterday my wife brought her in for another shave which went well and to all of our suprises, she also gained some weight. All in all, it was a great visit and seemed promising except for the fact that the vet believed she’s still in some pain and therefore wants us to continue with Tramadol.
Over the next few hours after arriving home, my wife noticed she started using her only good leg less, to the point where as of late last night, she wasn’t standing up on her own at all. It’s now the morning after and she’s still not standing at all; she’s just lying there flat with her head in her hay bowl eating. We picked her up to put her ointment on where she was shaved and she was definitely moving her good leg, so why isn’t she standing? I tried standing her up, and she just falls down.
Does anyone know what happened? How did the vet appointment go so well and hours later, everything gets bad out of nowhere? Why can’t she or isn’t she standing?
I’m sorry I have no answers for you… All I can do is offer moral support… Have you phoned your vet. It is late evening here but I assume it is Friday morning where you are. There are so many things it could be and I would not even hazard a guess. Phone your vet as soon as you can and see what they can suggest. Hopefully some of the others will be coming online soon and may have some answers.
Just rereading your post… Is she peeing and pooping ? Is it possible she is experiencing some stasis from the medication ? Maybe try some very gentle tummy rubs stroking along the tummy and gentle circles if she will tolerate it.
I would call the vet about this – it could just be a coincidence that she went to the vet and then had these problems – nothing at all to do with actually going to the vet. She’s an elder rabbit and already has some health issues so all that could be related to this. Might want to get her back into the vet today.
Yes, as far as I can tell, she’s peeing and pooping. I also just gave her lettuce which she ate right away. I’m going to keep an eye on her for a bit longer (she is sleeping) and I’d rather not disturb her, and will then call the vet.
Anyone else have any insight?
She may just be tired too, it’s alot to adjust too having use of only 3 legs and then not moving much after, but I would take her to the vets for another check up. Better safe than sorry!
Ok, I feel significantly more calm now!
I drove to the vet (I left Marshmallow at home) and talked to him about what’s going on, and he thinks she’s just extremely exhausted and her legs are probably in slight pain from the shave yesterday; they did shave quite a bit off both her legs and bottom yesterday (there’s almost no hair on them). He said when the Tramadol kicks in, he expects her to be more active. He said they definitely had to hold her in positions she found uncomfortable yesterday to do a good job with the shaving, so she’s probably just tired and in slight discomfort.
Of course if this doesn’t approve in the next few days, we’ll be bringing her in for a check-up.
Thanks, everyone, for the help!
I’m glad it was nothing to subsistence! I hope she improves! She’ll probably feel a whole lot better in a few days x
Marshmallow had her follow-up appointment today and it wasn’t a good one. To give a quick update, she’s lost more weight despite being on Critical Care, she hasn’t stood up in over two weeks and the vet believes its a mixture of arthritis and her dislocating her right leg (yes, she’s been on pain meds and anti-inflammatory meds for two weeks), despite us padding her well, she has a dangerous pressure sore on her hip from not moving and now we have an antibiotic (to prevent infection) to give her which makes it 3 medications we’re giving to her twice a day and we have to have her sit on a soft pad which is being held to her via an elastic band to stop further sores, and she’s no longer able to pee on her own so we have to help her release her urine from her bladder.
The vet believes her quality of life is going downhill and suspects she’s uncomfortable and not happy. He said she’s certainly not the same Marshmallow anymore. He never said the word “euthanize” but he looked my wife in the eyes (I wasn’t there) and told her he wants us to spend time thinking about if she’s happy or not.
All I can say is that this sucks!
I agree, it sucks having to make a decision such as this. But I can assure you if you end up euthanizing her you will be doing the right thing if she is in pain…it’s a decision I’ve had to make many times and with the consent of my vet, I knew it was right and I felt better about doing that than letting my rabbit suffer but it still sucks no matter what.
Vibes to you, your wife, and little Marshmallow.
Thanks so much for the kind reply, Sarita! At the moment, it’s making me happy to share this cute video I filmed of Marshmallow a few years ago. It’s amazing that a tiny and adorable 3-pound bunny has forever changed my life and made me a better person:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsFIBsM2IsU
So cute – just want to rub those cute little fluffy cheeks!
I’m sorry about Marshmallow’s health problems. It’s never easy to watch our bunnies decline and know that they won’t be with us much longer. At least we are able to alleviate any pain and suffering they have and to give them peace when the time comes.
She is precious in that video. Thank you for sharing Marshmallow with us.
I’m so sorry to hear your sweet bunny is so unwell. It’s a very difficult time. We are all here for support. ((((Hugs))))
Thanks, Sarita, tobyluv, and LittlePuffyTail!
Since everyone here has been extremely loving and supportive, I wanted to update all of you on Marshmallow.
Marshmallow had an extremely important check-up appointment at the vet yesterday, where we spoke about her quality of life and her current state. A quick overview: she’s a dwarf bunny, she’s at least 9.5 years old, she’s lost all mobility in both back legs and therefore can’t move anymore, she can’t release her bladder on her own, she’s lost a quarter of her weight, and she has a terrible ulcer (pressure sore) on her hip from not moving. She’s also on 3 medications (these are given twice a day) and Critical Care (this is given three times a day), and has ointments applied to her sores twice a day.
The vet definitely thinks she’s on her way to being fully uncomfortable and not happy; he doesn’t think she’s quite there yet but does think it will be very soon. He also thinks we’re doing an amazing job and knows she wouldn’t even be alive right now if it wasn’t for our determination and love for her. Anyways, he does think the time will come very soon (he said we’ll totally just know) when we’ll realize we need to love her even more and end her suffering for her. Of course this is no fun but we know we’ve given her an AMAZING, LONG, and FULL LIFE FILLED WITH LOVE AND HAPPINESS which is all we ever wanted for her.
My wife and I know in our hearts that someday, possibly very soon, we’ll need to put her need to be free ahead of our need to hold on. When that time comes, I’ll definitely sad but I’ve had a few weeks to think about this and I’m pretty close to being fully at peace with it. All I know is I’d be more sad if I contributed to her suffering longer.
Hugs to you and your wife – it’s so difficult to make this decision but it sounds as if your vet is very understanding and is an advocate for Marshmallow as well.
I always want my vet on board for a decision such as this and to give me an more objective view of how my rabbit is feeling. I’ve made the decision numerous times and while it’s always difficult, I always know I have done the right thing for my beloved rabbit and it sounds like you are realizing this as well.
Strength vibes to you and your wife and comfort vibes to little Marshmallow.
Thanks again for the kind word, Sarita. It truly means a lot!
Our vet is incredible and he’s certainly understanding and an advocate for Marshmallow. He said that with his knowledge and experience and if Marshmallow was his bunny, he certainly wouldn’t let her go through this for much longer. But, I believe he wants us to ultimately be the ones to make the final decision.
TravisSaves,
I had to leave a few words here for your beautiful Marshmallow. I send all the good thoughts to you and your beautiful, precious and well loved bunny. She is blessed to have been so loved by good people, good vet care and you have been graced with bunny love.
Thank you, Belarusian Bunny!
Thank you, Belarusian Bunny!
Thursday evening, July 18th, at 9 1/2 years of age, Marshmallow left for Heaven while being surrounded and held by loved ones. My wife and I had so much love and respect for that tiny, adorable, energetic, fun, and good-spirited bunny and member of our family. Marshmallow had an extremely long, healthy, happy, loved, fun, and full life which is all we ever hoped and wished for. She’ll be missed greatly but will remain in our hearts forever. God bless you forever and ever, our Pookie Bear, our 3-pound angel, Marsh, Marshie girl, our little pumpkin! You truly changed our lives for the better and we’re forever grateful. Thank you for being you, and we’ll all be reunited someday! ♥
Hugs to you and your wife – I’m so sorry for your loss. I know you must be hurting and sad. I will light a candle for little Marshmallow so she can cross the bridge and be whole again.
I’m so sorry to hear of her loss. She was a very special rabbit… So clearly loved. My thoughts are with your family.
Binky free Marshmallow…
i am so sorry for your loss I’m glad she got to go as peacefully as possible, can’t write more I’m crying
I am so sorry for your loss. She was very fortunate to have you and your wife.
My condolences on your loss. Marshmallow was very well loved, and is now at peace across the Rainbow Bridge.
{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}
I’m so sorry for your loss. You wrote so beautifully, my eyes are full of tears. Old age is a natural thing, but it still hurts to let go. My thoughts are with you.
I’m sorry about Marshmallow. The love you shared for all those years is beautiful.
Binky Free Marshmallow…. Your family love you and will miss you .
*Binky Free Marshmallow*
A beautiful tribute to your girl. Please accept my condolences.
Thank you so very much for the kind words, everyone. The oddest thing about right now is waking up and her not being there, getting home from work and her not being there, and going to bed and her not being there. She had such a large presence and filled our home greatly with love, so there’s definitely a large feeling of something missing at the moment. But, my wife and I were realizing the other day that Marshmallow spent her entire life loved and when it was time for her to go, she did so peacefully and in the arms of loved ones, and that if we’re all as lucky as that, we’ll be truly blessed. So, Marshmallow was truly blessed throughout her long life and we’ll try our best to just focus on that
If anyone didn’t see it last time, here’s a fun video I filmed of her years ago. The reason it has a good amount of views is because the House Rabbit Society had posted it on their website back in the day (I can’t figure out how to make a hyperlink):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsFIBsM2IsU
It’s amazing how a tiny little rabbit can fill your life so fully and that is a good thing :~)
It’s nice you have that video as well to remember her by.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. She was very lucky to be so loved.
This is so very true for us bunny lovers:
(((((Binky Free Marshmallow)))))
Thank you again, everyone. Your kindness through all of this has meant the world to my wife and I, and we’ll never forgot it!
› Forum › HOUSE RABBIT Q & A › *Left for the Rainbow Bridge* (UPDATE: MORE WEIGHT LOSS, CAN’T RELEASE BLADDER, PRESSURE SORE) PLEASE HELP: RABBIT NOT STANDING UP!