RABBIT - HIND LEG INJURY

Question
I have a 4 year old New Zealand White female rabbit who has been in good general health since coming into my care at the age of 6 months. I noticed today that she was hobbling around and not putting any weight on her left hind leg. Upon closer inspection I noticed a crusty type would, seeping pus, and what I thought was abnormal swelling. I immediately took her to a vet (even though I live in a state where it is illegal to have domestic rabbits as they are considered a class 2 pest). The vet was quite happy to treat her but gave me the following diagnosis; "Examination reveals abscessed hock with fractured talus?? rotated and penetrating skin, thick white pus extruded from joint space. tags of ligament/tendon visible. advise that amputation necessary but have first dressed and started antibiotics before returning to primary vet for surgery/reassessment (which I don't have as I'm not even supposed to have rabbit). flush wound with 10% hydrogen peroxide, dress with solosite gel, bandage in two layers with splint to reduce movement. start baytril oral 5mg/kd oid x 10 days." Vet advised me that there is a 10% chance (or less) of the rabbit recovering from this as the bone will probably continue to rot away.


My question is; should I gain a second opinion from a vet who specialises in rabbits? is there any kind of surgery available to save the foot? what will the rabbit's quality of life be with only 3 legs? is she vulnerable to my other rabbit (who is older, bigger and somewhat more aggressive) who is the dominant of the two? i'm distressed at the thought of her losing her hind leg and feel the need to explore further treatments...am I wasting my time? is there a distinct possibility that this injury could heal satisfactorily enough for her to retain her foot?

You response would be very much appreciated. Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you.

Kylie

Answer
Dear Kylie,

I can't see your bunny's wound to assess its condition, but from the sound of it, it sounds very bad.  If the leg was broken and not discovered until it had time to become this infected, I suspect that even antibiotics and flushing will not save the leg.

It is also probably very painful, and I hope you will be able to find a vet who can prescribe analgesia until the condition stabilizes.

I would get another opinion from a rabbit-savvy vet, and I believe you can find some listings in New Zealand on the international vet list linked here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

But even if it does come to amputation, don't despair.  I know of many "tripod" rabbits who do just fine with a little extra help with ear cleaning and the like.  If you want to get advice from folks who have experience with tripod bunnies, you might consider joining EtherBun, a free listserve on rabbit health, care and behavior.  It has more than 5000 members, many of whom are rabbit rescuers, vets, and vet techs.  They will be happy to share their experience and advice.

For more information, please visit:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/etherbun.html

I doubt any surgery will save the foot.  The only hope might be that the proper antibiotics will kill off the infection, and that the soft tissue and bones will fuse.  It won't be a very functional foot, and it might have chronic pain.  But it will still be a foot. Please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/culture.html

for information on choosing the right antibiotic for the job.  Just know in advance that hock abscesses are *very* hard to resolve, and it might come to amputation, after all.  You have to weigh her chances of saving the foot with the pain she'll have to endure while it happens (or doesn't).

I hope this helps.  Sending lots of healing thoughts!

Dana