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Rabbit Tattoos on People, Not Rabbits

Spotlight on Finn

 

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Rabbit Tattoos on People, Not Rabbits
by Stephanie Lodge

An excerpt from Harelines: Spring/Summer 2014

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Spotlight on Finn Thank you, Lagomorph Lounge!
 


Update on Finn
August 04

Many will be happy to know that Finn's leg surgery "challenges" have turned into a huge success! In July, the leg that we hoped to "straighten out" through a special surgery was not successful, so we, along with our vet, decided that amputation was the only solution. The plan was to first amputate the leg that was operated on initially, then purchase a custom-fitted wheeled cart (the kind they make for cats and dogs) to enable Finn to get around more easily.

Soon after the amputation of her right leg, however, it became apparent that Finn wouldn't need a cart! When it came time to dispense her daily dose of pain medication, she ran across her pen like a lightning bolt -- away from the meds! From that point on, we frequently let her roam around in a large area and it became obvious that a cart wasn't necessary.

More good news: on August 14, 2004, Finn went to her new home in New York to live permanently with Lagomorph Lounger Angela Brandt and her husband Matt, who have two other bunnies.

Finn's new mom, Angie

On the day of Finn's departure, we celebrated her new beginnings with a good ear cleaning (photo), since without a back foot, she can't clean her ears on her own.

 

Although Finn now has a wonderful new life, she will be missed at the Doherty foster home (Angie and Kristen Doherty, foster mom, are pictured here with Finn). Dealing with Finn's multiple surgeries, recoveries, and special challenges was a unique learning experience -- one that will surely help another foster bunny in the future.

 

We love you Finn, and we couldn't be happier that you are going to live with Angie and Matt!

 
 


Update on Finn
May 21, 2004

Thank you for keeping little Finn in your thoughts.

The surgery on Finn’s right foot did not go as well as we had hoped. The bones in her leg were much too brittle and some of the bones shattered during the surgery.

That would’ve been fine if her other leg had remained "normal"; however, soon after the surgery, the left leg, as it was continuing to develop and grow, became twisted just as badly as the right leg. This was not good since we were hoping she’d be able to put most of her weight on the left leg.

Her vet feels that the only way she will be able to get around sufficiently, without further damaging the right leg, is to amputate her entire right leg and to get her a custom-built cart with wheels. They make carts for dogs, cats, and other animals, and it enables them to get around when they can’t use their back legs.

Our next step is to look into the wheeled carts and then most likely have her right leg amputated. Our vet feels that this is her only chance at having an acceptable quality of life.

Finn has a family who is willing to adopt her and bond her to two bunny friends. We are taking things week by week to see if it will be possible for the family, who is very dedicated to rabbits, to take care of her.

Thank you again for your letter and donation. Finn’s veterinary care would not be possible without contributions such as yours.

 
 


Update on Finn
3/20/04

Finn underwent the surgery to attempt to straighten her right leg on Thursday, March 11. She did very well. Many thanks to Angela and the folks at the Lagomorphs Lounge bulletin board, who sent a generous donation for her surgery! They even sent Finn a Good Luck card for her surgery.

At the end of the surgery, a Schroeder-Thomas splint was installed on her leg. One week after the surgery, the tension on the splint will be adjusted as needed. As you can see from the photo below, it looks like she is dragging around an ironing board. If healing goes well, the splint may be removed in no less than six weeks. Physical therapy will eventually be necessary to rehabilitate the leg.

Finn will be recovering in Cleveland for another six weeks or so, then will go to her new home in New York to live with Angela and her husband, and their two bunnies!

Thank you to everyone who supported Finn, financially and otherwise.

 

 The Background

 

One day in July, an animal control officer noticed that a tiny gray and white baby bunny had been following him around outside during one of his calls, so he brought the little bunny back to the kennel. One of the workers at the kennel then called the Buckeye House Rabbit Society and asked if we could take her. We named her Finn, and from her first day in foster care she loved to snuggle and give kisses.

As Finn began growing into an adolescent, something didn’t look quite right with her back legs. Because of a deformity at her left kneecap (like Malcolm), it became increasingly difficult for her to use that leg to stand up. The deformed kneecap caused the leg to grow more twisted as she developed. Since this has forced her to bend the other leg too, Finn looks as though she is always “sitting down". She gets around by scooting herself using the strength of her front paws and her one back leg.

Finn keeps herself very clean and therefore requires little maintenance. Her sweet and docile personality will make her a wonderful companion for anyone considering adopting her. She is very affectionate and constantly seeks human interaction.

Before she goes to a new home, however, her vet would like to perform a special surgery that would attempt to straighten the leg. This would involve a 4-6 week recovery period, as well as require extra funds to cover the cost of the surgery. If you would like to send a donation to help Finn, please mail a check directly to the Buckeye House Rabbit Society, P.O. Box 61, Vickery OH 43464 (check payable to "Buckeye House Rabbit Society"). Please mark your donation: “Finn’s surgery”. All donations are tax-deductible.

If you are interested in adopting Finn, please contact Kristen Doherty (Cleveland) at 440-543-4959 or kristen@ohare.org.

 

 

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