Broken hind leg

Question
QUESTION: My bunny got smushed in a door. Imediately we took him to a vet, they said it was a broken hind leg, put a cast and did an x-ray. The doctor who saw him first showed us the x-ray and said the brake was very clean. The diagnosis says "Traverse fracture of right tibia and fibula". She did want another doctor who sees more bunnies to see him too. This morning the second doctor told me that we should amputate the leg. I asked them to wait a little and see if maybe it heals. I am just not sure if I am putting my baby bunny through all that pain in vain. Do hind bunny legs ever heal? I got an impression from the doctor that it is only a matter of time until the hind leg will brake again. Is there no other option to amputation?

ANSWER: Dear Nerita,

It might be a bit too early to say whether the bones will knit back together.  I can't see the radiograph, but I have to wonder if the vet saw a break that--in his/her experience--isn't likely to heal.  Some breaks are like that, and if the vet really thinks it has no chance of knitting, amputation might be the best option.  If you're still not sure, then you can find another vet here for a second (third) opinion:

www.rabbit.org/vets

A tibia/fibula fracture is not a good thing.  The vascularization in the lower part of the leg isn't the best, and it's possible that the break simply won't knit.  You could give it some time and see via radiograph whether there's been any progress.  But the danger is infection and necrosis, if the blood supply just isn't good enough to support healing.  I can't see the injury, so I can't make a judgment.  But I would try to see another really experienced rabbit vet to be sure.

If amputation is the best option (and it may be), then don't despair. Most bunnies with a hind leg amputation adjust very well, especially if they are young when it happens.  The leg is usually amputated mid-thigh, and a *very* thick pad of muscle is left as a cushion to be sure the bone doesn't ever push through.

We have little Paava, who came to us with a horribly broken foot that required ampuation of her leg at the thigh.  She does incredibly well!  You'd almost not know that her leg is missing! She runs like a little train, and she can even jump up on furniture that's a couple of feet high!  We need only make sure that the ear on her "tripod" side is clean, since she can't clean it herself.

So though this is a really unfortunate accident, it's not the end of the world.  I hope it has a happy outcome for all concerned, even if that means that your bunny will be a tripod.

Sending healing thoughts...

Dana

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

QUESTION: Hello Dr. Dana,
It has been a month now. Doctor removed Blip's cast. The bones healed even though not very straight, but there seems to be nerve damage. His footsie is not very responsive. He seems to be draging it around. He does pull it up when he stops. I have read that bunnies have a capability to regenerate nerves, some of them even recover from back injuries. I was hoping maybe you can give me some advice on what can I do in order to make sure that thouse nerves have every possibility to regenerate. Is there any hope? What is helpfull and what is harmfull in this situation? Should I seek some kind of physical therapy for the bunbun?
Thanks for your time and care.
Nerita and Blippy

Answer
Dear Nerita,

I'm glad the bone healed well!

Mammals are not very good at regenerating nerves, but it's possible the nerves were not destroyed, but only may be a bit pinched by inflammation and lack of exercise.  Physical therapy:  gentle stretching of the limb and weight-bearing exercise might help, as might massage and warm compresses.

You won't know until you try.  The only harmful thing would be if he developed ulcers from dragging the foot.  But for now, I'd try the physical therapy and gently wrap any areas that seem to be getting sore with soft gauze and VetWrap until the situation is more clear.  This will be a time of "wait and see" with a lot of care and help from you.

I hope all will be well soon!

Dana