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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My bunny is currently having an x-ray. I may have a horrible decision to make.

37 replies

NinjaBunny · 02/01/2014 10:09

She's either sprained or broken her leg.

She's been holding it off the ground and angles it weirdly when she's picked up.

Took her to the vet on Christmas Eve and was given painkillers for her.

Leg seems to have got worse.

Just back from the vet this morning and they've kept her in so they can x-ray it. Have an appointment at 2.30pm but they said they'd call if she was ready before that.

If it's a sprain/dislocation they'll sort it and she'll need bed rest and pain killers for 6 weeks.

If it's a break then it'll be surgery, pins, metal plates, etc all costing hundreds.

I don't have hundreds. Nor do I want my little bunny to go through surgery and weeks of pain. But I love her and don't want her to die.

If it is a break I have a hideous decision to make. I don't know what to do. Feel like I've been punched in the stomach.

What do I do?

:(

OP posts:
Original poster
NinjaBunny · 02/01/2014 10:13

Meant to be in chat, sorry.

:(

OP posts:
dreamingofthefuture · 02/01/2014 10:15

so sorry to hear this. I had to make the decision for my beloved dog over the Christmas period and I am broken hearted.

Hope the xray goes well for you x

MimsyBorogroves · 02/01/2014 10:15

I really feel for you - what a horrible choice.

If you went down the surgery route would your vet allow you to pay in installments? What would bunny's quality of life be like post-op? A lot of that will depend on age, too - an older rabbit is more likely to struggle under anaesthetic.

Hoping you have good news after the xray

Original poster
NinjaBunny · 02/01/2014 10:20

She's really young. Maybe 8 months.

I adopted her from a friend's SiL (was bought for child who got bored of her within weeks). Have only had her 3 or 4 months. Have properly fallen in love with her.

Just walking home from the vet without made me feel wretched.

Now I have to sit here and look at her empty cage until they call.

OP posts:
Topaz25 · 02/01/2014 10:24

See if your vet can arrange a payment plan if her leg is broken but also discuss her prospects of recovery and quality of life with them to see if surgery is the right decision. Thinking of you, I hope it's just a sprain.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 02/01/2014 10:28

Hope you get a good outcome, NinjaBunny, I always had a love/hate relationship with our vets - hated that we had to take our dogs but loved the fact that such professionals were available to us.

They'll do their best for your bunny, they really love animals. Best wishes.

Pawprint · 02/01/2014 10:35

How worrying for you :(

I agree with you that it would be unkind to put her through lots of surgery etc if it means she can't live as a normal bunny IYSWIM.

As far as the costs go, I would speak to the vet and, as someone else suggested, see if you can arrange a payment plan.

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 02/01/2014 10:42

I'm so sorry I lost 2 of my bunnies last year and was broken hearted, I burst into tears in the pet shop last week Sad

I agree with everyone else if having an operation will enable her to live a normal life then I'm sure the vets will be able to offer you a payment plan.

will keep everything crossed for you and bun x

Sunflower49 · 02/01/2014 10:51

Fingers crossed. A decent vet should do a payment plan-if she's only 8 months old and she can be fixed to a decent life quality I'd beg/steal/borrow for this to happen!There's always a way!

RaRa1988 · 02/01/2014 10:53

One of my rabbits, years ago, broke his leg when he was about 6 months old. He recovered really well and it didn't cost too much either - just a bandage really and a few checks. It's easier when they're young. Will yours definitely need a operation?

Would yo qualify for help from the PDSA? Even if you think/know you don't, it might be worth ringing them as they will know if any other charities can help in your area - when I was very poor due an abusive ex and living in Yorkshire a few years ago, a charity helped me get my cats vaccinated. I know it's not the same thing and the cost is far less, but you never know.

Hope everything works out ok for you. I've had rabbits all of my life and they are truly wonderful pets. I think some people underestimate the bond you can have with an animal, but they can be your rock. Fingers crossed for you. Be strong Flowers

BarbarianMum · 02/01/2014 11:06

Has the vet actually said this? That sounds like a very complicated break.

Bunnies don't tend to respond well to surgery ime - or the stress associated w medical treatment either Sad. Do take time to talk through any potential big treatment with your vet and the likely outcomes before you commit. I know you want her to live but not at any cost (to her or to you).

rumbleinthrjungle · 02/01/2014 12:59

Please don't think I'm saying this flippantly but if it's broken then amputation may be a better, much quicker healing and less painful/stressful option than surgery to repair a broken leg and a long recovery. Plus likely a much cheaper surgery. If she's a beloved pet and you can give her a safe environment, then being three legged is something many pets very successfully do.

aderynlas · 02/01/2014 13:21

Hope it goes well and the news is good for you and bunny.

RabbitRabbit78 · 02/01/2014 13:26

I know of several bunnies who have been treated for broken legs which have then healed and they have gone on too I've long, happy (hoppy?) lives. If they think it may be a sprain it sounds unlikely to be a complex break so hopefully not complex surgery either.

Historically rabbits have responded badly to surgery, however now good rabbit vets have put in place procedures to reduce their stress and aid recovery which means they do much better. Not all vets are good rabbit vets however, as they get little training and have to have an interest themselves (or at their practice generally) to develop their knowledge.

RabbitRabbit78 · 02/01/2014 13:28

Re: amputation - how they cope with it depends very much on which leg it is. They are more complex than dogs/cats etc with a standard gait, some amputations can result in joint problems in the other legs. Again the vet should be able to advise on this.

Reincarnatedpig · 02/01/2014 13:54

We had insurance luckily - my old rabbit broke her leg at about 6 months. She was treated successfully and lived until about 8.

Before the vet realised we could pay he did give the option of just leaving it or amputating. I would agree with those who mention the payment plan. If it is a back leg and you still can't afford it, ask the vet if a local animal charity or PDSA can help

Original poster
NinjaBunny · 02/01/2014 14:44

Spoke to vet.

They've just x-rayex her.

Is a dislocation. Been told that because it's been left to heal the tissue around ot has reformed so it's difficult to relocate it.

:(

I took her in on Christmas Eve when I first noticed the limp. They gave me painkillers, charged me £50 and sent us on our way.

They obviously missed it.

My poor bunny.

:(

OP posts:
ManAliveThisThingsFantastic · 02/01/2014 14:53

Do they have a plan for your bunny?

My cat hurt his leg just before Christmas and had to have an op. I was gutted to see him hurt and not himself in his cone. I know how you feel Sad

rabbitlady · 02/01/2014 15:00

get onto rabbits united forum right away. if anyone knows what to do next, they will.
i am so sorry you are in this position. poor bunny, and poor you.

Topaz25 · 02/01/2014 15:09

Ask the vets what they are going to do to make this right. They have admitted that the leg is worse because it has been left and they are the ones who left it.

Original poster
NinjaBunny · 02/01/2014 15:33

They've called back.

They can't pop it back in because it's partly healed, it just pops out again. Apparantly it'll just have to heal and she'll learn to live with it. They said that many animals dislocate limbs and manage fine.

I mentioned that I brought her in 8 days ago and was turned away and was told 'that's our procedure with rabbits'.

Hmm

I'm not happy.

She'll need bed rest and painkillers.

She's been away from home for 6 hours in pain for nothing.

And I can't get her until 5.30pm.

:(

I feel very stressed and migrainy. Struggling to think.

OP posts:
GingerBlondecat · 02/01/2014 15:48

(((((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))

And find a more caring vet Sad

Original poster
NinjaBunny · 02/01/2014 15:59

I really trusted this vet.

My last baby rabbit had a brain parasite and numerous absesses (probably from the pet shop) which they sorted. She was attacked by another rabbit as a baby and almost ripped in half. The vet spend hours stitching her together and weeks of aftercare. When she died (impacted bowel aged 3) they were really lovely and let me sit in the 'hospital' with her.

My oldest cat managed to swallow a length of cotton. Was wrapped around the back of her tongue and went all the way through her intestine. They sorted her out.

My second oldest cat had a missing testicle ( Hmm ) which was someone inside his body. They located that and removed it.

I found an old cat on the side of the road. They checked him over for nothing and didn't charge when he eventually needed to be put down about 8 weeks later.

Whenever I've found injured ducks or pigeons they've been taken there and either looked after or put out of their misery.

I'd have trusted these people with my child.

:(

I also have PMT and an anxiety disorder so my emotions are all over the place.

Am just gutted that my little bunny went through all of this shit today for nothing.

OP posts:
GingerBlondecat · 02/01/2014 16:05

I am so sorry, but these vet people appear to be a bit 'prejudiced' against rabbits.

Since they have been caring about all your other Furkids....

More (((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))

GingerBlondecat · 02/01/2014 16:06

said that badly, they did look after you previous rabbit well.

Is there a different staff on now ?