With a Supportive Human, Bunny Can Continue to Live a Good Life

Thanks, Ingrid and bunny Lilly! Ingrid writes:

Last April 27th a picture of my Lilly was placed, where I also told about her e.cuniculi.

Hereby I send an update with some new pictures of Lilly. Unfortunately last summer the EC worsened, resulting in that she cannot walk anymore. The vet advised to put her to sleep, but she was still so lively, eating very well and loved to get attention from me and the other rabbits. So I decided to go for it and give her a good life as long as possible. We went a few times to an animal physiotherapist for exercises and she gave me tips what I could do myself to help her.

Since she cannot walk, she lies on a special mat and on a stuffed animal, so she doesn't lay in her own urine. While laying down, she eats and washes her front paws. I keep her backend clean when necessary. In her cage she has a water bottle next to her so she can drink.

I've also made a wheelchair for her so she can walk with her front paws. This doesn't work so far, but we put her in there twice a day so that she can lie/stand in a different position. The grey mat you see on the pictures is a doormat with studs, where we practice standing. She cannot stand on a flat floor with her rigid paws, but on the doormat she can. According to the physiotherapist this is because the studs stimulate her feet, making her aware of her legs. And of course it is rougher then a floor or mat.

After practicing she loves to sit with me on the sofa in the evening and cuddle :-)