Help Luna with Medical Costs & a Bunny Wheelchair

Hi - my name is Sheri. I started this GoFund me account to help raise funds for a young pet rabbit who suffered a horrific injury at the hands of a negligent vet/staff member during a routine spay surgery.

Luna is about a beautiful golden French Lop/Lion Lop mix. She turned a year old on October 18th. She is NOT my pet bunny. She belongs to a lovely young woman who I connected with on Instagram. Instagram has a thriving Rabbit Community and I came across Luna's story just a few days ago. My heart broke into a thousand pieces as I read the story of what happened. I cried. I ranted. I cried some more. I just couldn't stop thinking about that sweet innocent bunny or her poor owner - a recent University Grad who just wanted to do what was best for her bunny. I felt compelled to reach out to this young woman and offer my help. I have never done this before, but I cannot get Luna off my mind. I had to do SOMETHING to help. So here we are. Here is Luna's story.

 

Back in July 2021, Luna went in for a routine Spay at 8am. Her owner Keltee, waited anxiously at home until she got a call from the clinic. She was told Luna had some trouble waking up from the anesthetic but could be picked up around 6pm. She was met outside of the clinic. Luna was already in her carrier. Keltee was given 3 days worth of meds. Nothing was said about Luna's state. But when they got home and Keltee opened the carrier, she knew something was wrong - as Luna's legs were off to one side and she was unable to get up, but figured that the effects of the anesthetic weren't gone yet. So she just made sure Luna was still drinking and eating normally.

 

But at 4am, Luna was still unable to move around. Keltee took her back to the clinic. Hours later she received a phone call from a different vet that changed everything. X-rays showed that Luna had suffered a severe break in her spine; had no control over her bladder or bowels - and that the condition was permanent. Keltee asked why this wasn't addressed the day prior and was told that their main concern with recovering animals is that they are able to eat and drink. When asked how they didn't notice the lack of movement in her back legs - there was no answer. They told Keltee that all necessary care relating to Luna's back injury would be covered (this was never provided in writing) Please note that to date - the vet who actually performed the procedure has NOT spoken to Keltee. Every time Keltee has asked to speak to someone in management at that clinic, she was told they were not in.

 

During that initial phone conversation, the clinic offered daily physical therapy and acupuncture for Luna - whose bladder would have to be expressed manually every few hours - or she could "humanely say goodbye". They kept Luna there in therapy for the afternoon and told Keltee she could pick her up around 6pm. Keltee expected to have a discussion with a vet about Luna's ongoing care, but instead, was met at the door with Luna all ready to go. The receptionist handed back Keltee's money and attempted to close the door, but Keltee requested that the pain medication they took back that morning, be returned and that she be given an additional week's worth AND her paperwork. She was told the paperwork was misplaced.

 

Because she was now incontinent, Luna started showing signs of urine scalding on her backside. Once again, the clinic staff was very dismissive to Keltee and showed no empathy toward Luna - considering that her condition was caused by negligence or malpractice on their part. Requests for any act or procedure to make things easier for Luna were denied ( i.e shaving her backside to make cleaning easier or letting Keltee hold her while receiving treatment or giving her treats while at the clinic). The instructions Keltee was given to care for the scalding was confusing & contradictory to what she had been told on prior occasions. It was cruelly suggested again that she consider euthanizing Luna - and that it would be FREE OF CHARGE. This was done in a waiting room with people present!

 

Keltee became more and more uncomfortable bringing Luna to that clinic - even after they agreed not to charge her for the visits. She decided to take Luna to another Vet. She had avoided this due to finances but felt now she had run out of options to get Luna the care and medical attention she needed. The second vet confirmed that the paralysis is permanent - but also noted that Luna was still playful and affectionate with her owner - and this was a good sign that she could still have a happy life. Luna is now getting the medical care and attention she needs with a vet who cares.

 

But now Keltee has to bear the medical costs. When she finally found the strength and courage to share Luna's story on her Instagram page @portcity_bunnies, as I mentioned above, I HAD to do something. Keltee was prepared to somehow manage on her own, but caring for a disabled pet is not easy. And in Canada, there isn't ONE insurance company that handles rabbits. NOT ONE. All expenses come out of our pockets.

 

We don't know if Luna's spine and back legs can be straightened - even with physical therapy. But seeing that poor sweet bunny pulling herself around using her front paws will break your heart. Keltee will have to clean Luna every few hours for as long as she remains with us. She'll need special wipes, cleaner and creams to soothe Luna's skin - which will need frequent shaving. A bunny's digestive system is delicate and the slightest upset can result in them going into stasis - which is deadly. How little Luna is still managing is a testament to her owner's love and dedication.

 

I hope we can raise 10K-12K to help Keltee to care for Luna going forward and to look into getting her therapy that may help straighten her legs/hips AND a customized wheelchair so that Luna can move around easily. PLEASE help us to hit this goal.