I woke up at 6am this morning to find that Pants was unable to use his back legs. He can move them, but they are unable to support his weight and he drags them behind him. He was absolutely fine yesterday night when I went to bed… I can’t believe this somehow came on over the course of a single night’s sleep.
My normal vet could not see him today and the emergency vet did not open until noon. I called every single vet I could find on Google until one said they had an exotic vet on staff and could see me in an hour.
I packed Pants and his emotional support wife Boxxy up in the car and rushed over. His vitals were good, his teeth were good, his chest / breathing was good. He had an unusual response to the reflex tests which indicated a spinal issue. I didn’t hesitate to approve for them to run an xray so we could get more information.
Unfortunately the information the xray provided was not great. He did not show any signs of external trauma (no outside injuries, breaks, tears, etc) but he has quite severe degenerative arthritis in his spine. The vet said most arthritis cases would cause a gradual onset of loss of limb mobility, not just overnight. So his second suggestion was to start treatment for EC and give pain meds for the arthritis.
My boy just turned 10 last December and this little creature has been my entire world for a decade. It physically pains me to watch him unable to move like he could not even 24 hours ago. I can do nothing to help him (aside from administer the medication which I hope DOES help him) but the vet told me this may be something I have to come to terms with due to his age. He has a check up in 2 weeks and his symptoms could improve… or this could be his new standard of living and at that point we will have to “evaluate his quality of life”. Those words broke me. I know what they mean. I am not ready for that. I know he is 10, but so many rabbits make it to 13-14 and beyond. I know I’m being selfish, but I don’t know how I will be able to make that decision when the time comes. My heart is so heavy right now.
by v10l3tt3