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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Rabbit Broke His Foot – What Are Our Options? (X-rays Included)

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    • Kat
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        Four days ago our rabbit Memphis broke his left hind hock/calcaneus. We took him to our local vet who suggests euthanasia and does not believe that there is anything else we can do.



        We are shocked by this. We’ve seen many stories online of rabbits who have healed broken bones naturally in confinement over time, had bones pinned or plated to help with healing, or lived good lives following amputation.



        He is a rescue bunny and we believe he is about 8 years old and possibly a mini rex:







        Here are the x-rays showing the break in the hock/calcaneus:








        We currently have him in confinement in a pet carrier to limit movement, and we’re giving him Metacam twice a day. He is still crazy about his food, drinking water, cleaning himself, and loving long cuddle sessions. He is keeping his weight off the foot; I bet it is really uncomfortable.



        I have contacted two vets a bit further away who are regarded as very bunny savvy and am waiting to hear back from them to see if they know of anything that can be done to fix this.



        Having spent days reading stories now, I am somewhat hopeful that confinement might allow the bone to heal on its own, but I am worried that without casting or setting it that it might never heal properly and leave him in constant pain.



        Has anyone got experience with this particular kind of break in that area of the foot? We’d really appreciate any advice we can get. He’s the cheekiest, happiest, loving little fella and we don’t want to leave any stone unturned.


      • Sleepy
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          One of our bridge bunnies had a broken foot but it was their front paw. However, it technically healed within a month and he would’ve survived it if there weren’t others complications that happened (but that’s why you need a rabbit saavy vet, particularly for a big injury like that). Hind legs are a more complicated heal but they should be healable, we were told. So why your vet suggested euthanasia, I’m not sure, unless the break happened in a place where it can’t properly heal. If it’s that sort of break, amputation is possible but it’s a long road to recovery/rehab.

          I highly recommend a splint or casting, though, since that goes a long way in helping with the pain on top of the metacam. Plus, you want to be sure that if it is healing, it’s healing right. If your local vet isn’t willing to do it, trying to get ahold of rabbit saavy vets is your safest bet.


        • Mikey
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            Seconding a splint and wrap until he can see a more confident vet. He likely can get through it with the proper treatment, your previous vet just wasnt willing to help. He might need it amputated, or it might just need to get casted and watched, with medication of course. Hopefully one of the two vets will call you back and give you better answers and will be willing to help. Please keep us updated

            (((((Vibes!)))))


          • Bam
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              The bone can heal with a cast, or spontaneously. We have had a bunny here with that type of break, that bunny unfortunately was treated in a far-away country where rabbit medicine still is a bit under-developped, so the cast was put on wrong, with the leg all straightened out. The bunny couldn’t bend his ankle but the bone healed and the bun learnt to live with his disability.

              I absolutely think you shouldn’t give up but try and get hold of another vet. The fact that your bun is eating means he’s not lost his spirit. Rabbits’ bodies are good at renewing skeletal bone.

              As Mikey says, please keep us posted!


            • Vienna Blue in France
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                Kat – I absolutely second bam ! Can’t believe the vet didn’t give you another option!
                Usually it’s “We can try this or the best thing is euthanasia”, but not just one option….

                Go with other vets and don’t stop until you are happy with their answer.
                By the sounds of it that is what you are doing, and also it sounds as if you did let him go now, you would live with that unbearable “what if ” scenario…

                Keep going and don’t hesitate to ask other questions. We have a lot of very experienced bunny owners here (not me )

                Pleeeease keep us updated with Memphis’s progress


              • Azerane
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                  I agree that there is definitely another option here. It’s a very tricky location for a break because it’s not only on a joint, but it’s where a large portion of their weight sits. It definitely needs to be set properly otherwise you likely will see issues with his hocks down the track with the bone being in the wrong place adding pressure.

                  Sending best wishes for him.


                • Kat
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                    Thank you everyone for your kind and encouraging words – they really helped

                    Needless to say that I will not be going back to our current vet. Out of the three other vets we have contacted, only one took the time to patiently listen to me and my thoughts and discussed the different options with me in detail.

                    He believes that there might also be a second fracture at the tibio-tarsal joint, but we’d need a front to back view to be sure. We decided that he is going to set the bones and fit a special, extended wire splint with support dressing tomorrow. He went into some detail about the technicalities of that splint, but I didn’t quite understand all of it. I’ll ask again tomorrow; he certainly sounded like he has good experience with that. He discouraged the use of using a cast because of the weight it would put on the foot and the skin problems it can cause.

                    The dressing will need regular changing and we hope that Memphis won’t keep chewing it. He thinks that it will probably need to stay in place for at least 6-8 weeks, and after that there is no guarantee that the break(s) will have fused. But at least we are trying.

                    Once the splint and dressing is in place I can move Memphis out of the tiny pet carrier and into a larger dog crate (so thankful for that, it’s breaking my heart seeing him in there). And I can re-unite him with Bailey, who has been sitting and lying in front the carrier missing his cuddles.

                    I’ll keep this thread updated in hope that other bunny mums and dads who might face the same issue get some help/ideas out of it.


                  • Bam
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                      I’m glad to hear that you found another vet who is willing to try. There are never any guarantees of course – but that’s the case with all things medical. The body has to do a great deal of the job itself. We can only try and provide the best conditions possible. I’m glad he has a friend – bunnies that have a friend heal faster. That Bailey has planted himself outside the carrier like a little fluffy watch-dog probably helps Memphis a lot.

                      There could be issuses with Memphis wanting to chew at the splint, so you might have to put an e-collar on him to perevent that when you can’t watch him. He can’t have the e-collar on 24/7 because he must be able to eat and drink and preferably wash himself and eat the odd cecal.

                      We’ll be very happy for updates.


                    • Odette
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                        I am glad you have a vet who listened and has experience with the wire splints. That would set my mind at better ease.

                        Memphis has a cute little guard bunny there too. I’m sure Bailey does bring him comfort.

                        I wish swift and strong healing to Memphis.


                      • Azerane
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                          I’m so glad you found a vet that was willing to work with you, that’s wonderful Wishing him the best.


                        • LittlePuffyTail
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                            Just want to send some big ((((Healing Vibes)))) to your bun!


                          • Kat
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                              Thank you all ❤

                              Memphis has had his splint for almost two weeks now and is doing remarkably well.

                              The vet (Andrew at Oak Barn Vets) was the kindest, gentlest and most patient man I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. He took the time to talk me through all the different treatment options again, even making drawings.

                              He fitted a splint which consists of a gutter shaped long piece around the bottom of his foot and an L-shaped wire at the top, which points his foot forward and downward to stop the tendons in the back of his foot from pulling the bone upwards and pulling the break apart.

                              I stayed with Memphis non-stop for the first 24 hours, trying to keep him calm and adjusting his enclosure to ensure he could get as comfortable as possible. I could see he was distressed by the big thing on his foot for the first couple of days. I did feel cruel and had to keep reminding myself that this is hopefully all just a temporary glitch and will lead to healing. And with every day that has passed since then he has gotten more and more used to it and has figured out comfortable resting positions. And come food/treat time he his running back and forth like crazy. What a guy!

                              Based on the vet’s recommendation, he came off the pain meds a day after the splint was fitted, as there shouldn’t be any pain with a completely immobile foot and ankle.

                              He does chew on the bandage, but it’s such tough material, he isn’t causing considerable damage. The vet would ideally like to keep it on for 3 weeks before changing it. I might see if I can push it to 4 weeks and then get x-rays done at the same time. The vet said it could take 6-8 weeks for the break to heal, but I am secretly hoping that signs of healing will be visible by then already. Here’s hoping.

                              Unfortunately I wasn’t able to unite him with Bailey 24/7, as she chews the splint and tries to pick it up and throw it away. But I put them together supervised for a few hours during the day, so they can have some grooming and cuddle sessions, which they really enjoy.


                            • Odette
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                                Memphis is a champ. What a brave bunny. It sounds like he is doing exceptionally well.

                                I love the photo of Memphis and Bailey together. What a sweet friendship.


                              • Bam
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                                  This is so great to hear!! Your vet sounds wonderful. Here’s more hoping it’s started to heal *hoping*.

                                  They look lovely together, Bailey and Memphis. So glad he still has a good appetite.


                                • Azerane
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                                    Awww, bless him. It looks and sounds as if he’s doing really well. I’m so glad you found a vet to work with you that seems very understanding. It’s very cute that you can put them together for cuddle time


                                  • Vienna Blue in France
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                                      Ahhhh that’s so lovely Kat – well done you !! And well done buns – and do i see a photobomber in the 2nd piccie ? (You can’t go anywhere these days…!!)

                                      Is that an Ikea box cut out as a litter / hay tray?
                                      I’m looking for new options, my new boy seems to lift his bum quite high when he pees and so I need a new tray idea… boys !!


                                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                                        Awwww……((((More Healing Vibes))))))


                                      • skysblue
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                                          so cute! love your cage setup too.
                                          all the best!


                                        • Kat
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                                            Posted By Vienna Blue in France on 10/23/2016 3:04 PM

                                            Is that an Ikea box cut out as a litter / hay tray?
                                            I’m looking for new options, my new boy seems to lift his bum quite high when he pees and so I need a new tray idea… boys !!

                                            Yep, it’s a storage box. I also had to deal with them lifting their bums over the edge of normal litter trays. I can highly recommend high sided trays. If you look at the pictures I posted, behind the crate there is two beige coloured ones put together. I bought those in store at Pampurred Pets. Can’t find them online, but similar ones probably work just as well. They’ve been a godsend, no more ‘accidents’ since I’ve got them .


                                          • Sr. Melangell
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                                              Dear Memphis.

                                              What a big brave strong bunny you are, I’m happy you got a very caring bunny vet, its not nice having a splint on, but its to make you better and you’ll get used to it but it won’t be forever because you are getting strong.

                                              Hope you recover very very soon.
                                              From Charlie’s Angel and Olly Rabbit.


                                            • Bam
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                                                Kat, your set-up really is inspiring, when I saw your water-dispenser I had to go out and buy one just like it for my Bam
                                                How is Memphis doing now?


                                              • Sr. Melangell
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                                                  Those water dispensers are great bam, I got my Olly one, come in handy if you have to go away for a few days, that was my plan to use it for Olly when I go away, but he loves it so much, when I pick it up he puts his paws up on it as if to say. “Put it down please, that’s mine.” same with his food dispenser, also if you are ill bunny can eat ant and drink, bunnies love dispensers, maybe they feel independent in their own little home.


                                                • Kat
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                                                    Soooo… We went to the vet last Tuesday. At that point Memphis had worn the splint for 4 weeks. The vet took some x-rays, and unfortunately they didn’t look that great. Even with the foot being kept extended and forward, the back of the hock had been pulled up, so that the break remained at an angle:

                                                    The good news is that there seems to be new fibrous material filling in the break, which could (or could not) become solid bone. If it does, then the foot will be slightly disabled. Memphis should still be able to walk and hop, but big jumps might not be possible anymore. However, considering that he managed to jump out of the crate with that big splint on his foot twice now, I think he’d be able to manage very well still.

                                                    So the plan is to continue keeping that splint on for the next 4 weeks and then check again to see if the break has fused with solid bone. The vet has also contacted some orthopaedic specialists to see if they have any more ideas on what we could do in case the break does not heal/fuse on its own.

                                                    For now we are hoping that it will.

                                                    He still surprises me with how well he is doing with all of this. He hasn’t got any sores and is generally very happy. He’s also getting lots of cuddles and treats. And Bailey is with him a lot. She’s got the whole lounge to use (they are both usually free roaming bunnies), but she much rather sits with Memphis in the crate. Too sweet!


                                                  • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                      Kat. Depending on your budget….
                                                      You coooould go and visit Noel Fitzpatrick, the very same Supervet….
                                                      You could even get on TV….


                                                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                        It’s amazing how well they can adapt to changes like that. Crossing my fingers the next x-ray is more positive.

                                                        ((((((Healing Vibes))))


                                                      • Jess
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                                                          Hi there, new here, glad I’ve found this thread, one of my bunnies,chloe, has fractured her forearm bones in her left leg, the vet has splinted it in a cast, but shame she looks ever so annoyed with this new heavy and long leg of hers.
                                                          I’ve separated her from her buddy, who tends to be a bit more rambunctious and chloe ends up constantly trying to get out of her way. Chloe is now in a smaller cage to keep her a bit more confined. But I’m a bit concerned that they’ll miss/pine for each other. The 2 cages back onto each other, so they can still see and smell each other.
                                                          Is this enough? I did put them together for a few hours today just so they could love on and groom each other and they do seem a bit happier after that.
                                                          How long does it usually take for bunnies fractures to heal?


                                                        • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                            Hi Jess and welcome. If you get them out together under supervision regularly then that will help them keep the bond and also help in recovery, no doubt…. their smell and view of each other will help too.

                                                            The above post mentions 4 weeks to see if the bone has started fusing….

                                                            Hope that helps


                                                          • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                              I meant to say poor poor Chloe….. (((get well quick vibes))))


                                                            • Bam
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                                                                Hi Jess, and welcome! I’m sorry to hear about Chloe.

                                                                You’ll get more answers if you start a thread of your own, and many here will be interested in following Chloe’s story. You can start a new thread here if you like:
                                                                https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/afv/post/aff/2/Default.aspx

                                                                I think it’s excellent that you let them be together a little bit every day and keep them so they can see, hear and smell each other the rest of the time.


                                                              • Kat
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                                                                  Hello Jess,

                                                                  I am so sorry that you are having to go through this ordeal – it is truly distressing to see a bunny struggle when this happens. Getting you and your bunny through this requires a lot of patience and love.

                                                                  The first couple of days, Memphis was also really unhappy about the splint – proper annoyed. It broke my heart seeing him like that. But after a few days he was getting better and better with it, and after weeks of wearing it he’s really gotten used to it. He has found comfortable resting positions and it whizzing around like crazy come food time. He has now passed the 7 week mark and we are seeing the vet next Friday, which will make it 8 and a half weeks of having worn the splint.

                                                                  In terms of healing time: This really depends on a lot of different factors. The age of the bunny, the nature of the break, the position of the bones etc.

                                                                  My vet always said he’d anticipate a healing time of 8-10 weeks. But I’ve read of other stories where breaks healed much faster.

                                                                  In terms of putting your bunnies together: Bailey has really surprised me with her attitude towards Memphis throughout the entire thing. She has always wanted to be close to him, sitting next to the dog crate almost all the time. In the beginning I couldn’t really leave her with Memphis as she kept trying to bite and throw away the splint, but after a couple of weeks of only short supervised times together, she completely stopped with that and now they are together pretty much all the time.

                                                                  I hope that Chloe’s break heals super quickly.

                                                                  xx


                                                                • Kat
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                                                                    Oh btw, my vet did contact a couple of surgeon specialists.

                                                                    An orthopaedic surgeon at Fitzpatrick’s (the Super Vet practice) was reluctant to suggest surgical options due to the high complication rate in rabbits, and another specialist in Swindon said that whilst they had operated successfully on calcaneus fractures before, they thought that due to the displacement and time since the fracture occurred, the prognosis would not be good at all. They did suggest amputation as another option.

                                                                    Fingers crossed we’ll won’t have to consider this option come next Friday and that we’ll get some good news then.


                                                                  • Kat
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                                                                      Now that spring and the sunshine is here we are certain that our decision to give Memphis a chance and put him and us through the very tough healing process was absolutely right. He is doing great!

                                                                      When we went to the vet on the 9th December at the 8.5 week mark of Memphis wearing a splint, the news weren’t great. His foot had lost most of its fur and was absolutely covered in sores. The poor guy must have been so uncomfortable; it was heartbreaking to see. The vet said that the foot felt more stable, though not yet 100%. At this stage the only thing we could try is to put him on Metacam, carry on keeping him in confinement without a splint and see if he would start using his foot after a few days. If not, then our only other option would have been amputation.

                                                                      Back home Memphis did not use his foot at all. I cried every time I saw him and really didn’t think he’d recover.

                                                                      But after a couple of days he started to stand on the foot. Then gradually he used it more and more and after about a week he was really eager to get out of the crate whenever we opened it. I let him jump out to see what would happen and he immediately started binkying around the lounge and even jumped on and off the sofa (nearly gave me a heart attack!). From then on I gave him about half an hour of exercise time a day and gradually increased that. By the time the new year came around he was back to being a full-time free roaming lounge bunny.

                                                                      All the sores have gone and all the fur is back. His foot has ended up slightly disabled; it splays out a bit and is a bit wonky (not straight at the bottom). He uses it for standing and walking and as stabiliser when hopping.

                                                                      He does sometimes sit with his foot sort of stretched out to the side and upwards:

                                                                      He also does not seem to be able to completely spread the toes like he can on his other foot and the only thing that he is struggling with is to get the balance on the crooked foot right so that he can use his healthy foot to give his right side of his face and right ear a proper scratch. He usually wobbles over a bit when he tries that (I wish I could teach him how to use the wall or his cuddly bunny as support…). Still, he seems to succeed every now and then and I’ve been keeping a close eye on the inside of his ear to make sure it’s clean and so far it has been looking good.

                                                                      So, long story short: He has a slightly wonky foot and struggles a bit with using his healthy foot for scratching. Apart from that he is a super happy bunny who loves to run around, binky and spend hours passed out in the sun.

                                                                      I’ve created a little video which shows him jumping into the garden, climbing up his favourite shrub and binkying around the flower bed (I didn’t get my camera quick enough to film him rolling around in the soil). I also added a clip of him totally passed out and dreaming at the end, because it’s just too darn cute

                                                                      https://youtu.be/EKpuXELtkxw

                                                                      I am really glad the little fellow is still around enriching our lives and am so grateful that we did find a vet who was willing to give him the chance to enjoy another spring and summer with us.


                                                                    • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                                        Ahhhh thanks for the update Kat.
                                                                        That’s reeeaaaally great news and those garden popcorns and binkies !!! Go Memphis !!!


                                                                      • Bam
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                                                                          Thanks for the update! Such good news! The video is lovely, he doesn’t seem to have lost any of his speed or binkying-capacity. He even jumped over his friend in the flower bed! He looks like a very happy bunny =)


                                                                        • Azerane
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                                                                            It’s so good to see that he’s loving life and doing binkies!

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                                                                        Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Rabbit Broke His Foot – What Are Our Options? (X-rays Included)