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Update: September 24, 2010
Cedar and Charisma continue to strengthen thier bond, with the goal of living together as a pair. In this video, you can see their first kiss, with Cedar grooming Charisma. Cedar and Charisma sat through a long trip with foster Mom Gina to Las Vegas, arrived safely, and are now in there forever home, together again. Since Charisma is still too weak to spay, and Cedar was only neutered a few weeks ago, they still must live separately for a few weeks more. They are side by side now, where they can smell and hear each other and nose nuzzle through the bars. Here are a few photos of them in their new home. Thanks again to everyone who supported them during their recovery.
Charisma has been improving by the hour. She is stronger, moves freely and is truly trying to use that front leg. She is strong and her seizures are diminishing. She has very few balance issues now. All her fur is growing in and the good nutrition she has been given since in the Haven has made a world of difference for her. She is gaining weight, seems happy and adventurous. She is just going to be so excited to get to her forever home. Read all about that in our next post. She needed her forever home. So did Cedar. No these dreams will become a reality very soon. The magic of this situation is everywhere we turn. Survival, Recoveries, improvements when it was thought they both had such a slim chance of living. Cedar who did lose the vision on both eyes at least survived the massive infection he was suffering. He also has gained about ˝ pound . He may be blind but I do not think he is bothered much by it. Once he has Charisma again I just know he will be happy beyond belief. Charisma was so severely injured and malnourished when she arrived. I did not think she had more than a few hours left to live when she was brought here. She was barely breathing and unable to stand. You should see her now. What a delight. Then when they needed to most intense care, our donors came forward to help - You are awesome! More special action happened when Benny made his challenge to help this pair. He pledged $500 and to match and people donated- His match was made. So these rabbits medical care, supplies and needs are all covered. Blessing to all the donors who helped this pair make it through a rough medical plan now they move on to a better life in their forever home. It is a miracle that they survived and to top all that they are amazing and happy and will be for the rest of their lives! Since they are moving to Los Vegas next week. Being hand delivered by Sweet Gina. Maybe their new parents will give them a big LV party ! Charisma's foster mom is taking the sweet pair home soon. These rabbits have touched our hearts in ways that will last forever. Thank you so much to the good Samaritans who found them along that lonely road - Yet another miracle - that they were even seen. Then add to that -they were brought to the Haven. It is much more than luck that all this has occurred. I am still absorbing all of it. As I look at Cedar my understanding grows and I love him even more. I know that when I see them head off together, well and in joy, the next part of their journey will begin. I will have witnessed yet another miracle. When I see them go I know they are headed right into the loving arms of the lucky adoptive parents Eileen and Jerry.
News Flash!!!! Cedar and Charisma have found their forever home!
Eileen and Jerry Lee are to be the new proud bunny parents of Charisma and Cedar. They are receiving the pair in to their lives on 8-17! Charisma and Cedar have been staying in touch and the day is getting so close now! Just days away. Everyone is so excited! Eileen and Jerry contacted The Rabbit Haven when they read about this sweet pair left to die. They immediately offered help and support and finally they asked if they could adopt the special pair. Here they can live their lives in joy! Eileen & Jerry Lee never knew just how much they loved bunnies. It all started for them in 1994 with 3 guinea pigs and a little baby bunny no bigger than the palm of their hand that was spotted on the counter of the feed store. They thought it was a toy... until it blinked! So young to be left like that. They stayed with the baby for hours, obsessed about it all night and got him the next day. That was 16+ years ago and they have been lucky to have had 18 fur children come into their lives. Sadly, 12 have crossed the Rainbow Bridge in that time. All of their rabbits have come from either the House Rabbit Society, their vet (San Diego) or animal shelters in San Diego & Las Vegas. Some have been relinquished, abused or left on a roadway. They all have stories to tell that we may never know about but when they come into their house they get a new start. They are shown love and care. Some know that they are home right way. Others can take a year or more before they realize they are safe and no longer going to be harmed. I am sure that Cedar and Charisma will be very knowing bunnies – I bet they fit in as if they have always lived there. They currently have 3 very lucky pairs: Jessica (found on a golf course by Jerry's old job in 2002) & C.L.i.F.F. (means Cute Lil Furry Furball..the i is silent ~ who was relinquished at a no-kill shelter in Vegas 2008); Willow (House Rabbit Society adoption 2004 who has lost 2 mates over the years) & Simba (same no-kill shelter as C.L.i.F.F...see what happens when you go there just to "play" with them 2009) Radcliffe (found on a median in La Jolla 2005) & Princess Jasmine (adopted from a shelter in San Diego on Valentine's 2005). Jasmine is a special needs bunny. She came down with head tilt in August 2008 that turned into strokes and seizures. She has been disabled for over a year and a half (April 2009) and has lost most of the use of her legs except for her back left, which she uses to push herself around and boy can she!!! She can hold herself up a little and has a custom "wheelchair." She is treated like royalty and she loves it! She adores attention and loves going to events such as wine tastings and animal rescue fundraiser events where people constantly want to pet and ask about her. She is an ambassador bunny. Her condition and care procedures have been documented and posted on YouTube (YouTube.com/eileenlee713) which has been used by many disabled animal groups. She is also discussed by Amy Spintman, Educator for the San Diego House Rabbit Society, in her Disabled Bunny seminars for the House Rabbit Society and has become an "unofficial" spokesbun for disabled buns. She has her own Facebook page (search for Jasmine Lee or rollerbun@gmail.com) and is followed by over 400 people. Bunny Mom Eileen is a Human Resources Generalist for a government defense contractor and can be found buying ANYTHING pink and Princess-y for Princess Jasmine. Bun Dad Jerry is a Warehouse Supervisor for an audio/video cable supplier and records instrumental music as well as helping Jasmine record her first single and music video soon to be posted on YouTube. When not slaving over the 6 soon to be 8 "rulers" of the house, they enjoy going to various wine tastings and wine charity events around Las Vegas and visiting Paso Robles and Temecula Wine Country. They will be attending Bunnyfest in San Diego Sept. 26 and will be bringing Princess Jasmine with them. Wishing the new family love and joy forever! Update: August 2, 2010Charisma was started on Phenobarbital early this week and it has not helped. In fact, she had a few more seizures with this medication. The vet wants to try increasing the dose for a few days and if the seizures worsen we will try another medicine for her or may decide to discontinue all seizure meds. The great news is that Charisma is improving in every other way! She is now able to bear weight on her left front leg and her wounds are almost healed. The leg is deformed and points the wrong way. Yes, the paw is missing, but she is still using it. The fur continues to grown back on those mite eaten back legs. Poor baby! Her entire body fur is filling in and out and she looks good now. I am talking to the doctors to see if we can give her more time to heal before we add more seizure medications in the future. I think that less is better for this bunny. I have the impression that since she is healing from severe malnutrition, unbelievably horrific living conditions and injures, not to mention the mites, I think we need to let her heal. It may just be too much for her to take in food, fresh water, love, attention, and those vet visits. So she may just react physically. The type of seizures she is having leads me to believe that she may be able to be effectively cared for and to have fewer seizures if we pay closer attention to the stimulation levels and allow her to heal prior to adding more meds which did not seem effective at all. The vet carefully examined her and does not think she will have to have the front leg amputated. This is fantastic news. She has feeling in this leg and she is learning to use it for balance and to push off. She is gaining strength and loves to try to run about. She has stopped scratching her ear and biting on her front leg. Her EC test results are not yet in, we will have that soon. She in eating tons of hay and veggies non stop - She did gain one ounce! She is eating 70 cc of mixed Critical Care and pumpkin from a dish every day too! Making up for lost time I guess. Still on her antibiotics and Metacam. She is improving every day. It is interesting to note that post seizure she is not tired, she perks up quickly. Her foster mom is taking such good care of her. She is loved. Even greater news: Charisma has found a forever home as soon as she can travel - with her friend Cedar! He is getting better too. What magic! This is a very special rabbit savvy family - More details on this later. She may be well enough to travel by the 19th! I can barely believe the positive energy these two rabbits have created. When I see how far both these rabbits have come I am so happy for them. They are indeed loving little rabbits who will have the best we can offer. Thank you to everyone for helping them. Update: July 23, 2010
I met with Charisma and her foster mom, Charisma is improving. She has an inner strength which she is happy to display!!! She hops about on her good 3 legs without much falling! What a remarkable improvement from the girl who could not even sit upright last Sunday. She is quite animated and energetic.She is adventurous and seems happier than I have ever seen her before. She is getting lots of love from her foster mom and is developing quite the fan club. Charisma is regaining her balance and had only one seizure today. During her transport she remained upright and no longer needed padding on the sides of her carrier for travel. We did start her on a light dose of Phenobarbital last night at the urging of her veterinarian. The meds certainly are not slowing her down any. Her terrible wounds are slowly healing, especially the large pressure wounds on her left side. That looked much improved today. She is missing her left front paw. The left leg appears to be disconnected so it hangs backwards towards her body. She is trying to make use of it and is not falling over it now. She can jump in and out of her litter box! She appears to have feeling in that mangled leg. Her right leg and paw curls in a c shape However, she can still use it. Charisma is a kissy bunny and is taking her medications easily and now lives in her own room. Her litter box is in one side of a crate. She has piled her hay in all the edges and around her box. We are praying that she is not pregnant, it is still too risky to spay her now. I don't want to push our luck. She is still eating pumpkin, mashed pellets, drinking lots of water, HAY, and devouring veggies. No weight gain yet, still at 2.11 1/2 ounces. The TMS seems to be working to heal her infections. She is no longer chilled or weak from disease. She has had a few full seizures after which she is very tired. Then she just wants to rest in a c shape in your arms. Then she relaxes and the seizure stops. The fur is growing back on her body and on those back legs too. There is one wound we are watching on the back right leg which is deeper and more serious. She is most defiantly healing. She has about one month of PT and medical support and during that time we can evaluate her for spay and any other surgery she may need. Thank you for the get well wishes and special love! It is working! I will keep you posted- In the meanwhile, take a look at the beautiful Charisma today. Did everyone see Benny's challenge to help this pair, Charisma and Cedar. Check out a very special fundraising match challenge for Charisma and Cedar going on now. Good news a new family has written they are very interested in this pair! They will have to wait awhile, but it will be worth it. Love, Auntie Heather Update: July 19, 2010Here's a update on little Cedar and Charisma, the two rescued bunnies from the Santa Cruz, California, area. You might recall that Charisma had a recheck on Friday from Dr. Sarah Hawklyn at Aptos - Creekside Vet Hospital in Aptos, California, and we were awaiting some test results. Here is a new photo of her:
Charisma's blood panel results are all within normal range. However, since Charisma is still having movement related seizures the doctor plans to start her on Phenobarbital. Her special medication is being formulated for her and she can start it on Monday. The doctor is encouraged that Charisma is regaining some use of her legs and that fur is starting to grow in the mite infected areas. Her wounds appear to be less irritated and inflamed. The antibiotics are helping! The seizure medication will most likely be temporary. Apparently Charisma has a good appetite and is hungry. I plan to ask the doctor about an EC titer on Monday as well. So a slow healing process is underway and her foster mother is doing a great job caring for her. Charisma remains a most loving and affectionate bunny, taking every opportunity to give kisses. There have been no major changes with Cedar. He continues to gain strength, which now equals or surpasses what a "normal" bunny would have. He's a little bundle of hoppin' energy, is totally fearless, and acts like a bunny who doesn't know he's disabled. However, special precautions are taken when approaching him because of his blindness, so as not to startle him His left eye socket continues to produce a small amount of pus, and Dr. Harvey has instructed his fosterer to try to instill the eye drops into it with a catheter needle. Even though he's given Metacam about 30 minutes prior, it's apparently very tender and he's not a happy camper about having it messed with. Can't blame him! Update: July 16, 2010
Due to reported increase in seizures Charisma went to her Vet today. Charisma hasn't gained any weight even though she has been eating hay and critical care non stop! Still at 2.12#s. She had a blood panel done today to check for other medical issues that may be treatable. We will have results possibly Saturday or at the latest on Monday. I will keep you all posted. The Dr. said that her ears are clean inside & that revolution should be sufficient to cure her mites. She doubts that ear issues are the reason for her seizures. She's did had two seizures while at the vet. The vet is evaluating further to determine the reason for her seizures and to formulate a plan to help her manage this. So far Seizures have been relatively light. I will speak with Dr Hawklyn tomorrow re her test results and any new plans for Charisma’s treatment. According to her foster mom, Charisma appears to have successful mobility on the three legs, and can even us the bad left front leg a bit to help keep her balance. Dr. Hawklyn said that amputation doesn't appear necessary at this point, but Dr. Hawklyn wants to keep an eye on the left leg over time to be sure. Charisma is not strong enough for surgery anyway at this point in time. Dr. Hawklyn did say her mobility and attitude are much improved. Her physical condition is improving daily. Charisma gave her foster mom kisses the whole time she was getting examined! Awww. Here are a few pics of charisma today sent by foster mom. I am very optimistic about her recovery. Update: July 15, 2010
Here's an update on the 2 rescued bunnies from the Santa Cruz, California, area. But first, let me thank everyone for your concern and support of the poor little bunnies.. It's greatly appreciated! Charisma, the little girl, is holding her own, but her prognosis remains guarded. Although her strength shows signs of improvement, the frequency of her seizures has increased. She's now having 5 - 6 per day, possibly more that aren't noticed. Dr. Hawklyn at Aptos - Creekside continues to be her primary care vet. Dr. Hawklyn feels the source of the seizures may be the ear mites, which are being treated and thus should become less of a problem. Let's hope so. But she's settled well into her foster home, and her foster mom dotes on her. Mobility has improved, but she still needs Critical Care. Charisma is scheduled for a recheck from Dr. Hawklyn tomorrow (Friday). We hope to have an update afterwards - and maybe new photos. She's not stabile enough for a long trip to see Dr. Harvey, but Dr. Harvey has offered to consult with Dr. Hawklyn if necessary. Cedar, the little boy, has made noticeable improvement. Here he is with his stuffed bunny friend at The Rabbit Haven yesterday. If you've been following his story, you'll notice how much better his left eye looks. This afternoon, Cedar made the long trek from The Rabbit Haven in the Scotts Valley / Santa Cruz area, to see Dr. Carolynn Harvey at Chabot Veterinary Clinic in Hayward. He did really well in his carrier, and was a very curious and active boy while in the waiting room prior to his appointment. Dr. Harvey gave him a thorough exam and concurs with Dr. Hawklyn's previous diagnosis, with the addition that Dr. Harvey detected a heart murmur. On a scale of 1 to 6, it's about a 4. There are several possible causes, but nothing's penned down yet. She also looked extensively at both of his eyes. The left one is indeed gone; ruptured, with only a little tissue remaining. She flushed it out and the good news is that the infection seems to be lessening. She also looked at his right eye. The cornea is completely clouded over, and after running several pressure and light reaction tests, she's concluded that he has virtually no sight from that eye, or likely none at all. At this point, there does not appear to be any infection, so she'll monitor it for awhile before making any decisions on whether to remove it. She wants to see him again in three weeks. In the meantime, he'll continue on his meds. He weighed 2.7 pounds today; we'd like to get it up to 3 pounds. Following his exam, Cedar was transferred to a foster home that's closer to Dr. Harvey's office. He'll be staying there for the next several weeks. We'll post updates about Cedar and Charisma as they become available. Update: July 13, 2010
A compassionate person arrived late at night at the Rabbit Haven in Scott's Valley with two of the most injured rabbits I have seen in a long time. The person reported that they found these two rabbits abandoned near a roadway. One male and one female dwarf, barely able to stand. Lucky for these rabbits someone cared enough to stop and help them. I honestly did not think Cedar would survive the night as he could barely open his mouth to eat. The Good Samaritans' quick thinking may have saved these rabbits lives. They brought them to the Rabbit Haven where they knew they could receive emergency care. It was their only hope as all emergency clinics for rabbits were closed. When the rabbits arrived they were severely dehydrated, fifthly, famished, laden with bite wounds and infected injury sites. Charisma appeared to be in great pain and when picked up, immediately had a seizure. She was so badly dehydrated that her skin was hard and dry. Post pain meds, fluids and critical care she seemed OK - she relaxed measurably. Both her eyes are clear. Her teeth even appear to be normal. She appears to be relatively young. She does have severe large wounds on her left front leg, most likely caused by her inability to stand. She may have been dragging that side to move. I do not know if that leg can be saved. She is such a beautiful girl (short of all these injuries). It may be possible to save her - I hope so. She has a twisted left front front and possibly a broken or disconnected leg. She has horrible open wounds on her left shoulder and leg - she could hardly stand with one severely injured front leg and foot. She could not bear weight at all. Her two back legs are missing all the fur. At first glance it seemed as if she was completely unable to sit up or use her back legs. She was severely weak and in great pain. She responded very well to pain meds, fluids, and ate Critical Care so quickly - she was so hungry! X rays were taken Monday. She was able to walk once stabilized and was eating on her own by Tuesday morning. Most likely the girl will need surgery if she is strong enough to make it through. You can see a video of her just after her rescue on YouTube. Cedar has multiple bite wounds, and two injured eyes. One of his eyes are open but covered with a bright white patch. I do not yet have the vet's diagnosis on this eye. The second eye was too swollen to open. He had pus oozing from that eye so basically he cannot see. Even after soaking we were unable to get his eye to open. He is such a sweet little boy, and responded very well to sub-q fluids and Critical Care plus pain meds! He was cold and barely moved when he arrived but by the time he left he was warm, moving and responding well to fluids and medication. He may need to have one or both of his eyes removed. It may be possible to save the one eye. Currently we cannot see it as it is swollen shut. It is obviously that these rabbits have been terribly neglected to the point of starvation, disease and they were both near death due to injuries and obvious lack of basic care. They needed urgent medical support which they received Sunday and the following days with our great local rabbit vet, Dr. Hawklyn at Creekside Vet. They are also receiving care today in urgent temporary foster support today - both rabbits have improved significantly in just a few days! Cedar can eat and drink on his own today. Little Charisma is now able to stand up some! Both Cedar and Charisma will need loving, supportive medical follow through and veterinary support. They are two of the sweetest rabbits you can imagine. These rabbits will need so much more care. We hope to raise at least $1,000 to use for their care. Eye removal surgeries or leg amputations are costly. Help us to help them please. You can make a cash donation to help with Cedar and Charisma's expenses via Paypal, or donate by check Love and many thanks to everyone, Auntie Heather -The Rabbit Haven |
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