Nox’s PECA-BO Surgery and Recovery

Hi, everyone! For those that don’t know me, my name is Kennedy. I am the lucky bun-mom to Nox, a rescued lop rabbit. We were contacted about Nox in March of this year to assist in finding him an immediate home to keep him from being dumped at a shelter or outdoors. We gladly made room for the little guy and we welcomed him to his forever home less than 48-hours later.

We’d been told that he had a slight eye issue, but he was planned to have a wellness visit with our rabbit savvy vet the following week. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it that long and we had to admit him to an emergency vet that same weekend due to GI stasis, which can be fatal in rabbits in as little as 12-hours. It was discovered at that appointment that had a severe ear infection (literal pus in the ear canal), and he was immediately started on antibiotics and pain meds.

Upon following up with our regular vet and undergoing a CT scan, what started as one infection turned out to be bilateral inner and middle ear infections with facial nerve paralysis presenting on the left side of his face. He required artificial tears due to his inability to blink and we provided 7-weeks of antibiotics and accompanying medications. He was lucky to restore about 85% of function to his left side with only the asymmetry being the lasting “tell”.

Over the course of June and July Nox required two more emergency hospitalizations (totaling over 1k each), and multiple supportive vet visits and medications to combat varying issues. Most prevalent being his constant GI issues, requiring assisted feeds, motility meds, anti-inflammatories, etc.

After his most recent episode, we scheduled him to undergo more diagnostic testing to determine the root cause(s), as his vet was concerned his ears may be the issue. His vet recommended a myringotomy, a procedure that would make a small incision to the ear drum to culture the bacteria and allow them to identify the most effective antibiotic therapy. This required sedation, so we first opted to rescan to see if his ear infections showed any signs of improvement, worsening, or no changes. We decided that we would proceed with the myringotomy only if the infection appeared worse. Sadly, this CT showed degradation of the bulla and that the infection in his left ear had worsened. His right ear remained in a similar state (just fluid buildup, no bone loss). He was prepped ahead of the scan to go immediately into the myringotomy procedure, but his breathing stopped and his heart rate dropped, requiring our vet team to immediately reverse the drugs. We were unable to conduct the myringotomy.

Because the infection is eating away at the bulla/middle ear, our entire veterinary team collaborated and determined he was a candidate for a much more invasive procedure: a Partial ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy (PECA-BO). In short, Nox will need a portion of his ear canal and inner ear surgically removed to get his infection under control. The bacteria will also be cultured to determine the appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Due to the complexity and high risk of this procedure in rabbits, Nox will be undergoing surgery at the Oklahoma University College of Veterinary Medicine, where they’ve performed roughly 20 of these on other rabbits.

On top of his necessary surgery, he has presented lameness of his back right leg and foot. He has mostly stopped using the leg altogether, causing the muscle to atrophy and sores to form on the sole supporting left leg. Radiographs were unable to detect any obvious causes, such as a break or fracture. While awaiting surgery, Nox will also require an MRI of the leg and spine, and additional testing to try to identify the issue(s).

With his PECA-BO surgery (estimated around 3k), MRI ($800+), bloodwork ($250+), continued medication ($300+), travel and stay at OU, and the supportive care post-surgery (costs unknown), we’re looking at considerable costs. With over $4,000 spent in his care already since March, we’re struggling to get him the comprehensive care he needs. I fought with the decision to create this fundraiser. I know how much others are struggling and the thought of asking others to help fund this makes me feel so defeated. But I’m having to put pride aside to try and give this little bun the care to help him recover. Care that would likely not have been needed if he was cared for properly before we brought him home. I cannot thank you enough for simply reading about our sweet Nox. Any share, words of encouragement, or donations are appreciated more than you’ll ever know.

Much love,

Kennedy