Ophelia, an 8 pound Flemish Giant, was abandoned in a home when her owner moved away. Good Samaritans broke into the home to save her from starvation. However, they housed her outside in a chicken coop where she sustained a severe pelvic fracture. As a result of her injury, Ophelia was unable to control her back legs well and struggled to hop. When she did hop, her one back leg would sit uselessly under her causing her to suffer urine scalding. Her injury was both painful and debilitating.
Ophelia ultimately ended up at a rescue when her medical needs were beyond what her new found family could provide. However, rescue also struggled with her care. She was unable to hop into a litter box and required daily cleaning. Her urine scalding was significant causing red, irritated skin which she could not help but to continue urinating on. Plus her mobility was compromised. Throughout it all, Ophelia remained a loving, social rabbit who sought out human interaction.
When rescue reached out to Puffball Paradise to ask advice about acupuncture for Ophelia, they were considering amputation of her most involved leg. However, based on experience, we believed that would be a mistake in Ophelia’s case given her injury. Since rescue could not afford costly diagnostic tests to better understand Ophelia’s injury, Puffball Paradise offered to take over her care and accept her into our sanctuary.
Dr. Susan Tyson at Avian & Exotic Philly Vet ordered a CT Scan and started Ophelia on pain meds and antibiotics immediately. Ophelia also had a consult with Dr. Julie Geisler at City Wide Veterinary Rehab. Diagnostic tests revealed the extent of Ophelia’s fracture. She would never hop normally. However, with a larger living space, medications, exercise and repositioning, and skin care, Ophelia amazingly began to better position her back legs to avoid urine scalding and to hop successfully.
Ophelia is doing amazingly well! She is such a loving rabbit who thrives on attention. She is the favorite of everyone who meets her. Although her living area will require more intense daily cleaning and she will remain on medications and supplements for life, she is flourishing, begging for treats, and enjoying her life as part of our sanctuary family. Plus, she won Best Non-Canine at the 2025 Betsy Ross House Patriotic Pet Costume Contest! So many people touched by her resilience asked to pet her and take photos of her.
From unwanted and injured to a contest winner, Ophelia will always be a winner to us.
