My boy loves sending me out 3x daily to forage for the best, carry him gently in my arms, position him carefully in the garden in the most comfortably position then clean, pamper, fuss and hand-feed him. He's lapping it up like the big spoiled softie he is.
He's in no rush to go anywhere and could continue for a lot longer like this which makes decision-making REALLY tough.
I'm not ready to part with him but all logic and the advice of several vets tells me that he isn't going to recover. In some ways, illness or steady decline is easier to deal with along with a suffering bun because you then know that the deed has to be done. Contrast this with a bright, comfortable, licky and affectionate bunny who snuggles into me, licks my face and rubs my nose, yet is completely disabled.... Very difficult... *sigh*
KAREN , The question I have is, Is there something there after all? You say he lifts his tail to pass urine. So, how does that happen if he is totally paralyzed? When he is resting without support does he feel the weight , or what allows him to rest without being held up?STEPHANY CUNNIFF Across the Pond MORE
Re: QUESTIONSfurrymobOctober 23 2015, 19:20:30 UTC
His X-ray showed he has a 'major compression of and some tearing to the spinal cord'.
There is a tiny amount of movement but no strength. He can scrabble slightly with his hind legs. He doesn't rest without support but is taking his weight on his chest and is at risk of pneumonia. When I referred earlier to him being propped up - this was the pen wall to one side and a flowerpot with a brick in to his other side to prevent him rolling over. He can't stand even with all the weight taken off all 4 limbs and support from beneath.
Following 2 assessments with different vets, one of whom is UK-renown rabbit expert, the unanimous opinion is that he is not going to improve and had there been any possibility of this there would have been indications within 2 weeks.
The appointment has been made for tomorrow and a chunk of my heart will leave with him.
Does he still have the spasms? Have you ever heard of "patterning" exercises? It looks like he moves his head very well. NOTE: I am now "fused" from C3-C6. B-4 surgery had painful cramping, so I know those are very painful. Also understand SURGERY NOT AN OPTION ? Could he now STEPHANY
COULD he now tolerate repetitive exercises ( PT, maybe patterning) to help his body remember simple motions? Can he let you move his feet without going into a spasm now? He's really moving his head! (And evidently his tail?).... My idea is: Can you tell if he has ANY sensation left? My guess is, maybe so. STEPHANY CUNNIFF
Please stop this. He has no sensation at all and no reflexes apart from a very slight anorectal reflex.
From the head up, he is my Wally but everything from his shoulders down has gone.
I have taken a lot of extensive advice on his condition from experts over the last 6 weeks and it has been heartbreaking to make the decision needed in his best interests.
Click to view
Comments 13
Reply
Reply
Reply
My boy loves sending me out 3x daily to forage for the best, carry him gently in my arms, position him carefully in the garden in the most comfortably position then clean, pamper, fuss and hand-feed him. He's lapping it up like the big spoiled softie he is.
He's in no rush to go anywhere and could continue for a lot longer like this which makes decision-making REALLY tough.
I'm not ready to part with him but all logic and the advice of several vets tells me that he isn't going to recover. In some ways, illness or steady decline is easier to deal with along with a suffering bun because you then know that the deed has to be done. Contrast this with a bright, comfortable, licky and affectionate bunny who snuggles into me, licks my face and rubs my nose, yet is completely disabled.... Very difficult... *sigh*
Reply
Reply
Reply
Is there something there after all?
You say he lifts his tail to pass
urine. So, how does that happen if he is totally paralyzed?
When he is resting without support
does he feel the weight , or what
allows him to rest without being
held up?STEPHANY CUNNIFF
Across the Pond MORE
Reply
There is a tiny amount of movement but no strength. He can scrabble slightly with his hind legs. He doesn't rest without support but is taking his weight on his chest and is at risk of pneumonia. When I referred earlier to him being propped up - this was the pen wall to one side and a flowerpot with a brick in to his other side to prevent him rolling over. He can't stand even with all the weight taken off all 4 limbs and support from beneath.
Following 2 assessments with different vets, one of whom is UK-renown rabbit expert, the unanimous opinion is that he is not going to improve and had there been any possibility of this there would have been indications within 2 weeks.
The appointment has been made for tomorrow and a chunk of my heart will leave with him.
Reply
Have you ever heard of "patterning" exercises? It looks
like he moves his head very well.
NOTE: I am now "fused" from
C3-C6. B-4 surgery had painful
cramping, so I know those are
very painful. Also understand SURGERY NOT AN OPTION ?
Could he now STEPHANY
Reply
He has been on high doses of gabapentin for the nerve pain and spasms.
Surgery is not an option for a rabbit because the bones are too thin and disintegrate.
Reply
exercises ( PT, maybe patterning)
to help his body remember simple
motions? Can he let you move
his feet without going into a spasm
now? He's really moving his head!
(And evidently his tail?).... My idea
is: Can you tell if he has ANY
sensation left? My guess is, maybe
so.
STEPHANY CUNNIFF
Reply
From the head up, he is my Wally but everything from his shoulders down has gone.
I have taken a lot of extensive advice on his condition from experts over the last 6 weeks and it has been heartbreaking to make the decision needed in his best interests.
Reply
Leave a comment