Possible Leg Amputation

Question
QUESTION: About 5 days ago, I noticed my rabbit not using one of his rear legs when hopping about the house. I took him to the vet the next day and they did an Xray that showed massive infection starting above the ankle and around the "tibia". They told me it would not be possible to clear all the infection and amputation would have to be done. He's on Baytril and Metacam for two weeks. They will re-check the infection then. Is there any hope that he won't have to lose his leg?

ANSWER: Hi,

well, there is always hope.  I would however ask the vet if a stronger antibiotic should be given instead of baytril (general broad spectrum) such as chloramphenicol that seems to do better dealing with tougher infections, and get him on that to really work hard on the infection.  If he would be against chloramphenicol as an oral, perhaps he'd consider chloramphenicol as a topical.  Or perhaps both.  Baytril is often just a catch-all antibiotic tried first to see if it will do anything, and if nothing happens, they then move on to a stronger antibiotic.  I'd say you don't have time to waste seeing if the baytril will do anything.  A more stronger antibiotic may be what's required to really prevent loss of the leg.  Especially if the bone would otherwise be in good shape after the infection's gone.

The thing that is probably the most important will be how much bone is left as the infection can eat into the bone.  Rabbits' bones are more lightweight than dogs and cats and in someways more similar to birds in their fragility.  

Even if amputation needs to be done, two things to keep in mind.  First is that he will adapt and be a happy rabbit, as rabbits like most animals live in the moment for the most part, and just keep trucking along the best they can and they don't get depressed about not having something they don't have anymore.  Not like people that way.  Second, losing one of the rear legs is a little easier than a front leg, because rabbits steer (and also put their front legs down individually), while they use their back legs together to hop forward - so losing one rear leg doesn't have the same impact to them as losing a front leg would.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Unfortunatly, they told me the infection "ate away" significant amount of bone, so I guess that doesn't leave much option. Am I correct then in assuming that they are just trying to get the infection down to a level where it would be safe (or safer) to proceed with amputation?  He's 9-1/2 years old.... WAS otherwise in good health.... Do you think he can survive this surgery?  I've been reading about bicillin....is that the same as the antibiotic you mentioned?

Answer
UPDATE

Also pray for your little guy.  I know you will be doing so.  I will too.  And pray for the vet and everyone helping with the surgery.  And let me know how it turns out.

END UPDATE

Hi,

if what they say about the bone is correct, then yes, they are probably trying ot make sure that he's as healthy as possible before doing the surgery.  Generally you don't want to operate on sick people or animals if you don't have to, they're a lot more touchy to operate on.

9 1/2 is old, but if he's otherwise healthy and not overweight, and if the vet is a good rabbit vet, he's got a good chance of being just fine.  Generally the three biggest factors are:

1. Good rabbit vet.
2. Bunny's internal strength reserves are good.
3. The care given by the owner post-op.

Ask the vet about his success rates and how confident he/she is in about doing the operation.  they should be giving you post op antibiotics and also pain medication for him for several days (metacam) in order to keep his pain down so that he continues to eat and drink.  If they aren't aware of this and weren't planning to give you pain meds for him, get another vet.

If you have to look somewhere else, go to:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

and find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet near you.  You might want to check anyways for a backup vet.

Bicillin isn't the same thing.