absesses, eye infection, dislocated leg diagnosed as cancer!

Question
My daughter brought her miniature dwarf of 5-years old to my home only two weeks ago. She seemed to be starting an eye infection as her eye was tearing up at first. Within a few days the fur was sticky and difficult to clean. I was using warm sterile water to clean the eye, being sure to always use a clean cloth to do so, as with eye infections in people. This did little to nothing to help and in fact I noticed her eye seemed a little bulgy after several days.

All along she was eating well. She did seem very thirsty to me right from the start, so I made certain to provide her with a small, fresh bowl of water 1-times daily. She seemed to be in good spirits. There was only one day during which I did not pick her up to carry her around with me. I had noted that she seemed rather light, but hadn't held her regularly in several years, so it was difficult to know for certain. However after that day I noted a dramatic difference. She seemed to have somehow dislocated her left hind leg as it was protruding at an odd angle, and since her eye was only worsening and because my overall concern was growing daily I brought her in to an emergency clinic on Canadian Thanksgiving.

While there I realized just how frail she seemed to be and how much I could feel her spine and bones. The vet said she'd never seen such a poor case as hers. She said that the rabbit was dehydrated and had no stool in her abdomen, though the rabbit was definitely and still is defecating and urinating regularly. The vet also noted what she called abscesses in the teats - though from what I recall the rabbit always seemed to have rather pronounced mammary glands. (hope I'm getting the terms right#

Anyway, the vet seemed to think her a lost cause saying she believed the leg to be a sign of neurological trouble, or that it may be because of the spine as she is definitely in poor condition. She seems to have little musculature, no fat to speak of, and at the time her fur if picked up behind the head seemed to stay up. #I'm happy to report that is not the case at the moment.)

Also the vet seemed to think that the bulgy eye could be another cancerous abscess behind the eye. She seemed to feel an abscess in her abdomen too.

Despite all that I chose to treat the treatable, and left with antibiotics rather than a bill for euthanasia, as was recommended. This is not my own rabbit and knew that my daughter would have wanted me to try all that I could to keep her childhood friend alive.

I have been offering her softer foods, such as banana and soft apples, carrot shavings, in the hopes that these will help to restore some of the strength that seemed to be draining from her. She's drinking well and eating rather well too. She's been a wonderful sport about taking her medicine each night. She's still trying to get around without much use of her left hind leg. It does move a little but it's obvious that she's lost most of her mobility in that leg. It just rests awkwardly to the side.

I'm hoping to find more ideas on how to restore her strength. What else can I feed her that could provide her with the greatest nourishment and strength? Would it be safe to offer her something like sesame butter? Also, I was thinking that maybe warm dry heat and some mild moving around on a blanket might help her leg. I don't want to push her unnecessarily, however.

Please let me know what you might recommend. If she manages to make it through the week and seems to be somewhat stronger than when I took her to the vet, I intend to take her to a rabbit expert.

I truly appreciate any help or suggestions you may be able offer.
Josie

Answer
Dear Josie,

I am glad you opted for care instead of euthanasia.  The effects of neglect can be overcome, and I hope you will speak to your daughter about the poor condition of her rabbit.  There is no reason for the poor little one to have become a bag of bones, and prompt veterinary care would have spared her (and you) a lot of suffering.  :(

Antibiotics are a good first start. But did the vet have a look at her teeth?  If they are overgrown and she's unable to eat properly, then you may have to give her emergency food such as Critical Care from Oxbow Hay Company (www.oxbowhay.com).  If you can't get that, then you can make your own emergency food by putting some alfalfa-based, high quality pellets in a bowl with enough warm chamomile tea to cover them, and let them sit until fluffed.  Add a bit more liquid until it's the consistency of grainy pudding, and this can be fed with a wide-bore syringe or dropper.  If bunny has jaw abscesses, her mouth may be too painful for chewing, and this will help her gain weight more quickly.

High calorie treats such as mashed banana can be given in judicious amounts, but watch carefully for any sign of runny stool, and add any new dietary item slowly.  If she is not able to drink on her own, ask the vet about showing you how to give subcutaneous fluids.  Now that she is better fed and not starving to death, it is safe to administer these to help her recover more quickly and just feel better and stronger.

Please ask the vet about equipping you with injectable bicillin for a severe, systemic problem like this, and perhaps even doubling up with a fluoroquinolone, such as ciprofloxacin.  It can't hurt her at this point; it can only help.  What antibiotic are you giving her?  This is a very important aspect of her treatment.

I hope you can nurse her back to health, and I wish you all the blessings for taking care of this poor little soul!

Take care,

Dana