beach chick Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) poor Arthur - he has a compound fracture of a back leg and is spending the night in a very small cage at the vets on antibiotics and painkillers and will probably have his leg amputated in the morning The other option was putting to sleep. we have no idea what happened - I was in and out of the garden all day, bunnies were in their run hopping about just fine every time I looked at them; then youngest went to put them in their hutch at 7.45 and found Arthur with his back leg dangling so I rushed him straight to the vet. they just might try and fix it, with external fixators etc, but I suspect that if he pulls through the night we will have a 3 legged rabbit. on the plus side, he is young - 4 months ish, fit and healthy. please keep everything crossed that Arthur makes it, I'm upset (I cried at the vets) and so is my 12 year old. Edited July 7, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Got my fingers, toes and eyes crossed for Arthur . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 thanks. he did well over night, they were very happy because he'd eaten lots. in surgery now (ish) for the amputation which makes me but obviously better than the alternative. still keeping everything crossed he comes through the anaesthetic/recovery ok. they will keep him in til they are sure he's eating properly afterwards, and I can call about 2pm to find out how he's doing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Fingers crossed for Arthur! I volunteered at a rabbit sanctuary where there were a couple of amputees, both did fine so I'm sure your buns will too x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franklyrabbit Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Oh poor Arthur and poor you and your family! How is he after the op? Hugs to you and I hope to hear that Arthur is soon hopping around again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Poor little Arthur . I hope they can save his leg but if not, I hope his op goes well . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 he's doing well! op was delayed because they were short-staffed, so finally spoke to vet about 5.30. he has come thru the amputation op and come round ok. they reckon he's a fighter - it was taking 2 nurses to syringe feed him! so he is there now til at least tomorrow afternoon, and I reckon best place for him, I've tried to syringe stuff into buns before and it is not easy. not out of the woods yet, but we are all feeling relieved at least it is done... it's his rear leg at the 'knee' joint iyswim, so I reckon he will be ok if he gets through the next 24 hours. poor Ruby misses him! thank you everyone for kind words, it means a lot - there are not many people you can tell how worried you are about a rabbit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Poor little chap . Very glad that the op went OK . Fingers crossed for a quick recovery . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Still got my fingers and toes crossed for Arthur . Sounds like he is a real little fighter and here's to a speedy recovery . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Poor Arthur Rabbits can break their legs really easily so don't beat yourself up. Fingers crossed that he gets through the post op period which is the critical time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 He is home! vet pleased with him, he has been eating and pooing/weeing while in their care, and moving around pretty comfortably considering. he is now in the tortoise cage in our porch - sheltered but fresh air, and if it is nice and dry outside we can move it out so he is next to Ruby in her run and at least they can see each other. he has shredded paper bedding, which we are to change 2-3 times a day as got to keep the wound clean and dry; he starts metacam tomorrow (had big painkiller before he came home) plus some kind of probiotic thing for his gut. we also have emergency food and a syringe in case we need to force-feed him - chuckymama, you're a VN, am I right? only I have tried to do this before, and either made the stuff so wet it dribbles out, or so thick you cant suck it up in the syringe - what am I doing wrong? (might PM you later if that's ok and you dont appear on the thread....) but we are very pleased to have him back; he had a lovely wash as soon as we settled him down which seems like a good sign, and now he's resting. hasnt eaten much here, just a few willow leaves, but I will go and find him some dandelion leaves later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Pleased he's home , sounds like good news so far . Bet Ruby can't wait to see him . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 all going well, he's eaten a fair bit (willow leaves, dandelion leaves, grass, rabbit muesli, apple - actually that sounds like loads ) got a bit worried about 6pm as he hadnt peed or pooed, but that is now all working fine. back to vet for check on monday am. once his fur has grown back I honestly think it will be very hard to tell he has lost a leg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 That's all sounding really good . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Great to hear that he is home and sounds like he is doing really well. I wouldn't worry too much about syringe feeding him if he is eating and drinking well. If you do need to you would be better off using a feeder syringe rather than a standard syringe. I always avoid syringing animals fluid unless absolutely necessary as they inhale liquid so easily. They are more inclined to swallow slightly sloppy food rather than fluid but you definitely need a feeder syringe for this. If he is happily being tempted with food I would carry on with that. Get him back to normal food ASAP. If he doesn't poo soon there is a paste that you can give him to keep his guts moving. You can't be too careful with fly strike protection so make sure that you have that angle covered and keep stress to an absolute minimum too (might PM you later if that's ok PM away if you need to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 thanks CM, I think we are doing ok with 'normal' food which is a relief! we've got the probiotic paste stuff for his gut and that's quite easy to give, he's only got to have it today/tomorrow. we put him outside yesterday, in his cage next to Ruby in the run, and it was sweet to see them saying hello through the bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 ! we've got the probiotic paste stuff for his gut and that's quite easy to give, he's only got to have it today/tomorrow. Is it fibreplex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 yes, he doesnt seem to mind it. I am also giving metacam via a syringe, altho vet said we could put it on his food - just seems better to know he's had it, rather than let him pick at it all day. for a 3-legged rabbit he can't half move!! oldest is making a lot of pirate jokes about him; youngest says he's the best 3-legged rabbit in the world (I cant think there are many... ) so happy that he's pulling through, and again thanks to everyone for your support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 that he is on fibreplex. He may have advised that the metacam went in food as it can cause digestive issues and if he wasn't eating it may cause a problem but as he is eating well though it should be fine to syringe it down him. Try to make sure it isn't given on an empty stomach though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 yes that makes sense. dont think he ever has an empty stomach tho! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Glad he is home and on the mend They seem to quite like that probiotic stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 It is dandelion flavoured (I am reliably told ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 went back to the vets in town today for a check (35 mins away instead of local branch, 10 mins). I am sure we could have gone to the local one, but the lovely vet wanted to see his handiwork! and was very pleased with it, we had a great chat - he was saying how much satisfaction he and the nurse who did the op get, because it was a very difficult op (major trauma, buns difficult to anaesthetise, very small veins etc) and to see Arthur doing so well is very rewarding for them. I will get dd to write a nice thank you letter, and drop it in with a box of chocs or something for all the staff (even the receptionist wanted to see him when I arrived "oh is that the 3 legged bunny? let me see!") I've been going to this practice for 12 years, and would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone in my bit of Kent looking for a good vets... they even have a couple of chicken experts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 just wanted to let everyone know: Arthur is back in his hutch and run with Ruby, and they are delighted to be back together (we used to carry his sick bay cage out so they could touch noses through the bars!). his fur is growing back over his stump, which has healed beautifully. he can go as fast as ever in a straight(ish) line; cornering is bit more erratic depending on whether he is turning right or left; if left he can forget about the lack of leg and topple slightly but it doesnt bother him. he has no problem 'standing up' if he thinks something nice is being offered, and has learnt to balance so he can wash his face with both paws (bless him). thank you again everyone for kind words, and Chucky Mama for advice via PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
