I think I need your assistance

[Marshloft]

Heaven forbid if we ever had an emergency,, I tried posting this an hour or 2 ago and couldn't...
Anyhow..............
We had the buns out in the yard as we do every day,,, still in their cages.
All the sudden,, I heard a squeal from one of our new black does we just got.. Before I could get to her,, I saw her jump,, and squeal again...
I can't find anything wrong with her at all..
This has been 3 hrs ago now,, and she won't move at all...
She just lays on the ground and won't move...
I have her in the house now,, but she still won't even attempt to move..
I tried calling Talena so I could talk to someone in person,, but she must be busy,, or out of town...
Any ideas as to what to do???????
I'll give you my number if anyone wants to call
Gary H.

[dlwelch]

Without seeing the rabbit, I can only guess that it would be
a spinal fracture. The rabbit is probably paralyzed and unable
to move. In some instances, the rabbit is able to move with
the front legs but not always. The back legs would be spread
apart and the rabbit moves on the stomach.

If it is indeed a spinal fracture, the prognosis is not good.
I hope I'm wrong and it is something *curable* and less serious.

Good luck,
Linda Welch

[MaggieJ]

Does she react at all when touched? If Linda is right - and it sounds like a strong possibility to me - then I would think the rabbit would not react to its hind foot being touched etc.

Are there any poisonous snakes in your area? If so, is there any chance it was bitten by one?

When the doe jumped, did she bash herself against the wall of the cage? Did she scream before she jumped?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to get a clear picture of what actually happened. Very bizarre incident.

If she is in pain - sometimes it can be hard to tell - you might have to consider putting her down. Much kinder than letting her continue to suffer.

I'll be up likely until about midnight, so I'll check back in a bit.

[Marshloft]

I duuno Maggie and Linda,,,
I've never felt so helpless...
The boys were playing pretty close to the cages,, if there was a snake,, they would have seen it I think...
I wasn't but just a few yards away myself... Its just puzzling to say the least..
When I first attempted to take her out of the cage,, she squealed as if in pain...
But now,, several hours later,, I can hold her and she's just limp...
I held her in my lap for the last 30 minutes and she pead on me,,, that tells me something is seriously wrong with her... No animal will do that unless something is wrong...
I'm a tough old boot,, but,, I don't know if I have it in me to put her down..
Guess I'm not as tough as I thought I was...
I'll have to do something in the morning I know.. Just not sure what..
Thanks.
Gary H.

[Jcran]

I know that some rabbits can break their back when startled in their cage; they leap instinctively and hit the wall of the cage wrong...I am sorry to hear of your bun's mishap.

[MaggieJ]

Gary, put her down now. Don't wait for morning. It really does sound as though she broke her back. Loss of bladder control is one of the symptoms. If she jumped and slammed herself against the cage, that could do it. Rabbits can break their backs rather easily, unfortunately.

If you have a pellet gun or .22, use that. One shot to the back of the neck, just below the skull. If you don't have a gun, take a broomstick (or something similar), lay the rabbit on the ground, place the broomstick across its neck and stand on it. Pull hard on the hind feet and the neck will break. Both methods are quick and humane. I know it's a hard thing to do, but if it could the rabbit would thank you.

[Marshloft]

Originally Posted by MaggieJ

Gary, put her down now. Don't wait for morning. It really does sound as though she broke her back. Loss of bladder control is one of the symptoms. If she jumped and slammed herself against the cage, that could do it. Rabbits can break their backs rather easily, unfortunately.

If you have a pellet gun or .22, use that. One shot to the back of the neck, just below the skull. If you don't have a gun, take a broomstick (or something similar), lay the rabbit on the ground, place the broomstick across its neck and stand on it. Pull hard on the hind feet and the neck will break. Both methods are quick and humane. I know it's a hard thing to do, but if it could the rabbit would thank you.

ok...

[tailwagging]

limp as in dead limp or just not trying to move?
could she be having a reaction to an insect bite?

[Marshloft]

deleted

[rabbitgeek]

I'm not trying to rush you.

But if you haven't heard about the broomstick method there is a paragraph describing on this webpage - No graphic pics on this page
http://www.rawdogranch.com/rabbit_butchering1.htm

And a picture of the process here - Warning, graphic but no blood
http://www.rawdogranch.com/rabbit_butchering_9.htm

Other butchering pages are graphic, so don't click there.

Broomstick method is quick, it is sure, and not as "violent" as bonking with a stick. Be sure to pull firmly.

It's okay to say goodbye to them first.

Have a better day!
Franco Rios

[MaggieJ]

Gary, I'm off to bed... but I hope you're doing okay. It's tough deciding what is best to do and tough doing it. So no bashing yourself over this, okay?

[SILEIGH]

gary-- i had a hard time posting also..

just wanted to say i feel for you, been there done that to one degree or another..

i apologized to the rabbit and said goodbye...

[Michael Leferink]

Gary,

I'm sorry about your rabbit. Broken backs, necks and dislocated hind hip joints are pretty common with rabbits. I've seen a fryer jump up and kick out while playing. He did not hit anything, but I was watching and heard his back break when he kicked out. I've had this happen during thunder storms and when kids road four wheelers to close to our fence. I can cut grass around them all day, but if I forget to talk as I walk up or if I wear a shirt or coat they have not seen before, they freak out. It's never pleasant to put down an animal, but it's has to be done. Hang in there.

MikeL

[Otter]

Gary, so sorry this happened.

I once had a doe with wry neck I couldn't bring myself to put down. She was my favorite and I was afraid I'd hurt her with her poor head all twisted to the side. I called the local animal shelter and explained I needed her put down but couldn't pay a fortune. They only charged me the price of the injection, $10. Maybe silly economically, but the 10 was worth my peace of mind.

[Marshloft]

Thanks you all for the help,,, and your support..
I just couldn't do the deed last night,, as I hadn't thought it all thru yet ..
Too many decisions to make as to "what now?"
So,, this morning my boys and I talked it all out..
We followed the procedures from rawdogs web site.. Thanks Franco..
Quite an educational day for my boy's 6th birthday today..
We now have our first freezer rabbit..
Gary H.

[MaggieJ]

At least this way you don't have to think "maybe if I'd waited a bit, it would have got better." Good for you that you are using the rabbit meat. It makes some sense out of the whole sad situation.

Sad thing for your boy's sixth birthday... but help him to enjoy the rest of his day. It will make you both feel better.

[SILEIGH]

maggiej is right, no guessing here... i had the one i couldn't put down because i felt i hadn't done enough--she is still here and will go on to try for more litters...then the one i knew when enough was enough
i'm disappointed she died but not that i put her down

feeling sad for you and your boys....glad your boys have such a great Dad though!

happy birthday to your boy--my girls are Gemini's to-- last thursday and tomorow
8 and 5 !! how did that happen!?!

[MaggieJ]

Hey, Gary, it's my son's birthday today too. He's 33. June 24... but it's Cancer, not Gemini, Leigh. We're past the cusp.

[cathleenc]

I'm sorry, Gary. Animals can be so hard......

I've been butchering our first batch of chickens and our boys, ages 4 & 6, have run the gamut in reactions and feelings. From begging me to let the chickens live one more day to playing with dead, cut off heads. Learning where and why and how food comes from can be so hard, when it's animal derived, but so real.

[Marshloft]

We should throw a party this time next year...
For several years,, I and the boys go visit some friends on Fathers day..
These friends are retired school teachers and as nice as any people I know,, their birthdays are in June,, mine is the 7th,, and of course,, Lucas is on the 24th..
And Seleigh,, don't feel sad for us,, I was the one who was having a hard time,, these boys of mine are something else.. They have both been in the pigeon loft with me as soon as they can walk with shoes on.. Feeding,, watering,, cleaning,, and seeing babies die,, watching hawks take away our favorite bird.. They have such a soft heart,, but at the same time,, they are also tough when need be,, and oh so grown up for there age..
They fully understand,, each day is an educational experience around here..
That being said,,
I believe finding a group of people that are realistic about animal behavior,, taking care of our animals in the best way we know how.. but also understanding,, we also do need to use our livestock for the purpose in which they were intended.. And,, its ok to have a soft heart towards our animals..
The support you all have given speaks for itself..
Gary H.