July 12, 2015 Update

Good news update on Hodgepodge and thanks.
What a difference a month makes in a bunny life! Hodgepodge (formerly Dumbo) was rescued in mid-June with a terrible infection in his right back foot. A few days later vets were forced to amputated his entire leg as the infection had rapidly spread, threatening his life. But through it all Hodgepodge was a really brave trouper who touched everyone he met with his sweet friendliness, resilience, and affection.
And look how great he's doing now -- hopping, grooming, and giving kisses to his plushie friend! In fact, Marcy says he's almost ready for adoption to a rabbit-savvy home, as Hodgepodge will always need a little help cleaning his ears and monitored for possible hip/leg issues throughout his life.

June 22, 2015 - Hodgepodge (formerly Dumbo) update

Since his back leg amputation last week, Hodgepodge has been on cage rest with lots of fleece bedding as he gradually recovers. He has started moving around and as you can see from the video is beginning to find his balance, relearn how to groom, and is even playing a little. Emotionally, he seemed a bit depressed for a few days after surgery, but perked up over the weekend, enjoying attention from the steady stream of volunteers and visitors who stopped by to deliver gentle pets and compliments.
Hodgepodge is checked daily for symptoms of recurrent infection and remains on pain and antibiotic medications several time daily, but so far is doing really well, though his condition is still considered guarded.

Thank you to everyone who helped sponsor to save his life! Help sponsor Hodgepodge here: http://saveabunny.org/donate/phoenix-fund

June 19, 2015

Back at SaveABunny. Hodgepodge will be on cage rest with extra soft bedding for several weeks as he heals. He will be monitored closely for signs of infection and will receive pain meds and antibiotics several times a day. His condition is still guarded.

Hodgepodge's already being spoiled rotten. After settling in, he tucked into a nice fennel salad with a few extra special cranberry treats hidden inside for him to find and received lots of praise and head rubs for being such an incredibly brave boy.

Rescues such as this take a huge team of cooperating people, organizations, and volunteers. Many thanks to Animal Care & Control San Francisco, the kind staff at VCA Bay Area Animal Hospital, vets Dr. Rebecca Arntz (consult) and Dr. Michele Kim (surgery), SaveABunny volunteers Mark and Nola (transportation), Bernardo (preparing Dumbo's welcome home), Marcy Schaaf for rescue and rescue coordination, and everyone who has contributed towards Hodgepodge's care.

June 18, 2015

Hodgepodge (formerly Dumbo) on his way to the vet's on Wednesday. He is such as sweet guy -- despite his injury he still wanted to meet everyone and say hi, and tried to play as best he could.

Even with pain meds and antibiotics he was running a temperature of 105.9 , a sign of raging infection in danger of turning septic, i.e. spreading throughout his organs (normal bunny temp is 101 - 103 F). The vets also detected a heart murmur, possibly indicating shock or his body working overtime to fight the infections.

Infection had eaten his toes to the bone. And it's possible that a predator had chewed on his foot. In consultation with several vets, emergency surgery was quickly scheduled.

Because of the deep infection, the vet was forced to amputate his leg in order to save his life. Hodgepodge had already started perking up and was learning how to move around, curiously poking his nose out of the carrier to check out the view.

June 14, 2015

The amputation of his foot is necessary as there has been some aggressive progression of the wound to his foot. Only one toe is currently viable (the two toes you see in the picture are no longer there - I don't have a current picture of it) but that won't last as a quarter of his foot is already beyond saving. To try and avoid any further spread of infection or septic spreading, amputation is the best course. He is scheduled for June 18.

He was surrendered by someone who said they were a neighbor of someone who had moved overseas and left the rabbit in a cage in the back. The foot problem is most likely the result of a wire cage bottom.

He's a very friendly rabbit. He was constantly interested in what everyone was doing and didn't let his foot get in his way of seeing things out. He was a big hit at the hospital as he was so calm and nice while the various technicians and vets who had never seen such a bad case before examined him.

The VCA Bay Area Animal Hospital vet, Dr. Rebecca Arntz, is a 'rabbit savvy' vet and experienced surgeon - although she'll be overseeing the operation as she has a broken right hand but there are very few others who we'd trust the surgery to and none of them can see him this week - and it is imperative it is done ASAP.

This will not be an easy recovery for him. And it won't be an inexpensive operation and treatment for us. Any contributions to the Phoenix Fund would be greatly appreciated. This fund was set up specifically for cases like our brave guy here and donations made in his name (you can use "Dumbo" for now) will go directly to his surgery and ongoing care.

Thank you all for your warm wishes.

Donate here: http://www.saveabunny.org/donate/phoenix-fund