rabbit: left hind leg break at ankle

Question
QUESTION: Im writing you again to respond to my frantic 1am question and to clarify my
question. Please forgive me for the double request. I went to the emergency
vet who seemed not too familiar with rabbits.. After xrays it was determined
the foot is broken at the soft connective tissue of the ankle.. They say my
regular vet can pin it via surgery but my worries now are with him and the
family. These 3 month old bunnies are still being breastfed by mom... They all
live together and are free house rabbits. I tried secluding the injured rabbit
tonight but he ceaselessly was attempting to get free of my barracading.. I
finally had to let him out to calm him down..
What should i do durring his recovery? The other bunnies would be able to
clean him but im also worried they will aggravate him post surgery.. Any
advice? If i separate them now will they unbond? Help, if you can. This is
such a young bunny im rather confused on what the right thing to do is, for
him as well as the mom n other sibling - who have spent this night in the
hallway. :)


ANSWER: Dear Lauren,

Once the leg is stabilized, the baby can be with his family.  At the moment, I'd try to keep him with his family, as the stress of separation can just make things worse.  It's not likely that the others will injure him.  He's more likely to do that to himself by moving around more than he should--and if he's trying to get over a barricade to get back with his mates, then he should be left with them.

I'd get him to a good rabbit vet ASAP for either pinning of the leg, simple stabilization with a splint and wrap, or--last option--amputation, if the break is very severe.  

If the vet thinks that the break is severe, then please do believe it.  We've tried in some cases to save a severely broken leg, and have always failed, ending up amputating.  If the break is at the hock, it's going to be very tricky to save it.  If the vet thinks it's doable, then go for it.  But don't be too alarmed if s/he suggests amputation.  It's a viable option.  We have had several tripod bunnies, and they do just great, especially if they are young when this happens.  They are very adaptable!

I hope this helps.

Dana

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

QUESTION: hi dana, one more thing. I finally got to see my vet and he said its a clean
dislocation at the ankle, the growth plate is destroyed and all the tendons
ripped. He game me the the options of splinting it in hopes the bones fuse
with scar tissue or fusing the foot to the leg bone permenently with a pin
destroying the joint but offering more support than a stump from amputation (
the other option). . I chose the pin fuse  option and just wanted to check with
you about your thoughts on this. Would my 3 month olds foot regrow back
together eventually in a splint? Or is fusing it smarter? Thank you for your
advice. I trust your judgement.


ANSWER: Dear Lauren,

No one can tell the future, and with an injury like this it's especially hard to know what's best.  But I think the fusion idea is what I would choose, too.  At least she'll have a foot to use, even if it's not flexible.  Pinning will also stabilize the foot more, and probably get her to a point with less pain more quickly.

I hope all goes well.  It sounds as if you have a great vet who's really willing to do the best for her!

Good luck!!

Dana

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

QUESTION: so sorry to write again so soon.. It seems i did the wrong thing last night
leaving the mom n sister in the hall while injured bun stayed with me. This
morning mom was pile driving the baby out if the litterbox n running into it
directing it away from things. Is the bond demolished?

Today i took the baby in to the vet and early tomorrow it gets surgery. The
mom and other babies are still with me at home. Is there any way to fix this
bonding mess? What if i ask vet to board all rabbits together tomorrow after
surgery? My vet wants me to contine to separate the injured bunny from the
others but if theres anything i can do to rebond these guys id do it. This little
guy needs all the love he can get right now. What should i do?


Answer
Dear Lauren,

The mama may sense that the baby is injured, and so is rejecting him.  If the babies are weaned, then you could consider just keeping one of his siblings with him for company and cuddling, and then trying to re-bond both with the family later, when the injured baby is fully recovered.

If that doesn't work, then at least he'll have a bonded partner, preferably of the opposite sex, to love.  But if they are of opposite sex, know that he'll have to be neutered pretty much as soon as his testicles descend (around 12-14 weeks) so there's no risk of his impregnating his own sister.

If they are *not* weaned, it's a bit more complicated.  But I'll let you tell me that, if you need more information on what to do if the babies are still nursing.

Hope this helps.

Dana