Bunny Has Problems But Mom Won’t Take Him to the Vet!?

[JatCat]

My bunny Checkers has had this weird thing wrong with him ever since before we adopted him about 6 months ago from the humane society.  It’s like his back legs are weak.  He’s constantly falling over on his hind legs.  Everyone in my household has noticed this, and I’ve asked to take him to the vet for months, but my momwon’t budge. She says it’s too expensive to take a rabbit to the vet.

Lately, other problems have arose to where the point I don’t know what to do anymore.  He has a crooked face that’s been there for about 3+ weeks.  Just today I noticed he’s starting to shake his head. Small points on his hocks are being rubbed free of hair. I’m so upset. I love Checkers, but I’m very worried.  I don’t want to be a bad owner for him, and I feel like I am one.  Anyone know of a way I can convince her my bun’s life is in danger if we don’t do anything?  Tomorrow is Easter, so nothing is going to be opened. 

[jerseygirl]

I’m sorry you’re facing this difficulty, JatCat.  Sending some  good health {{{vibes}}} for Checkers!

Vets can be expensive but unfortunately that is just part of owning a pet. I know you understand that. Hopefully we can help you find a way to get your mum more open to taking him. From what you’re describing, he really does need to see a vet. Hopefully right after the holiday. Have you contacted the Humane Society you adopted him from to see if he can be seen by vets they use?  It might not be as expensive as your mum thinks. 

Do you get an allowance or have a way you could earn some money to put towards vet care? 
There is also the option of CareCredit.

So you noticed he had difficulty with his hind legs before you adopted him?  Does it make a difference what type of flooring he is on? There are conditions that could cause his back legs to be weak but I’m just trying to rule out if it’s related to surfaces he hops on or his previous living conditions. 

He has a crooked face that’s been there for about 3+ weeks

By this, do you mean he has his head turned or parts of his features look contracted or slack?

[Gina.Jenny]

I’m not sure where you are based, but there are vets like the blue cross for people in the UK on low incomes? I don’t know if there is anything similar where you live. He needs to see a vet, its not fair on him to leave him suffering, and it may breach any animal welfare laws too. See if you can research animal welfare laws where you live, and see if you can come up with something that helps your mum realise she has a duty of care to get him to a vet asap!

[JatCat]

By crooked face, I mean the left side of his mouth looks “pushed in.” That’s the best I can explain it. Sorry if I was unclear!

[LBJ10]

I agree. It could be something serious, like EC. The symptoms you’re describing are concerning for sure. I would contact the humane society, they may be able to point you toward a vet that they use. If this has been a problem since you adopted him, the human society may help you out. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

[SirHopsALot]

If there is something seriously wrong and your parents refuse veterinary care, you have two main options:
1) Rehome the bunny to somebody experienced
2) Threaten to call animal welfare but that would have serious consequences.

Do you earn pocket money?

[Love4Bunny]

I agree with everyone else – it sounds serious, but you already know that. I’m so sorry it is tough on you right now. If the humane society can’t help with vet care, is there another family member, like an older cousin or aunty/ uncle who can help you out with finances? (Long shot, I know). Keep an eye on if your rabbit is pooping and eating/ drinking, and I don’t know if this will help, but maybe do some online research and present your Mum with lots of info about rabbit diseases, and proper care. If it doesn’t work, then, unfortunately, Checkers best chance may be back at the humane society (if they’ll take him back), where hopefully, he’ll be re-homed, and his medical needs taken care of.

With rabbits, I think timing is especially important. You don’t want to leave it too long. You seem like a very caring owner, and I’m really sorry you’re in this position.

[jerseygirl]

These are some pics of my rabbit who has a crooked mouth at the moment. Is Checker’s anything like this?

 

[JatCat]

Yes! It looks almost exactly like that.

[Bam]

If it is EC, and by the symptoms it rather sounds like that, the treatment is not very expensive. It consists of a special dewormer that you give for 28 consecutive days. I do think you should contact the Humane Society where you adopted him from since he’s been this way since you got him.
EC means Encephalitozoon Cuniculi and it sometimes called a rabbit stroke, buit it’s only the symptoms that resemble a human stroke, it has nothing to do with blood vessels or blod clots, it’s caused by a parasite.

[LBJ10]

That’s true Bam, the actual medication isn’t very expensive. What will add up is the cost of the vet visit and if the vet wants to run tests or not. In a case like this, the vet may decide to treat for EC without doing any tests.

[Booplesnoot]

That’s a crappy position to find yourself in. It would be a good idea to try the shelter where you adopted him, since this has been ongoing. I would also let your mom know that it’s far more expensive down the road when your bun has gone from “a bit off” to “needs emergency care RIGHT NOW.” Part of having a pet is vet expenses and bunnies are not cheap. My $30 rescue bun is having surgery today and the total cost of everything involved is over $4,000. If your mom agreed to this bunny joining your household, then she needs to step up to the plate and do the right thing. Good luck!

[Beka27]

Any update on this? I am so sorry your bunny isn’t doing well and you are having to deal with opposition from your mom. Have you contacted the rescue you adopted him from? They might be able to offer some guidance, or you may be able to return the rabbit to them so they can provide treatment.

[JatCat]

The rescue I got him from doesn’t know anything about rabbits, unfortunately. They deal with dogs and cats, not rabbits. I’m not sure if they would be able to do anything since it has been so long since I adopted him. :/ But he is still the same, but less of the head shaking. It’s not gone, though.

[jerseygirl]

Is a vet check a case of it not being an option at the moment financially? Or that your Mom doesn’t believe in spending the dollars on a rabbit? (Sadly, that’s not an uncommon way of thinking even though they are the 3rd most popular pet in the US. People often get a rabbit thinking they’re a cheap and easy pet).
If it’s the latter reason, maybe there is room for negotiation with her.

How are his nails? Are they kept trimmed short? This will help with the hock sores. Important too, if he is putting weight unevenly on his hind legs due to his gait. Overly long nails could easily snap off in this case.
For the sores, you can apply things like bag balm or diaper rash cream containing zinc. I would actually bandage the hocks also. 1) so the cream stays on longer. 2) the bandage provides extra protection. You’d have to keep an eye on them to check he’s not trying to eat the bandaging.

[LBJ10]

If your bunny is still exhibiting symptoms, then it would be best to take him to a vet. I don’t know what would be considered expensive to you or your mom, since it’s relative. You would need to pay the office visit fee, of course. But like Bam and I mentioned earlier, the medication to treat EC (if that is what this is) is not very expensive. Sometimes when EC is suspected by a vet, they just go ahead and treat for it because sometimes the parasite doesn’t show in blood tests.

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