GEMMA

Gemma, at only 54 grams, was the smallest of the surviving 7 babies on September 5. She remained the smallest, but ate her formula well and faired well despite gaining at this slower rate. At approximately two weeks of age however, Gemma developed a strange symptom.

Her front legs collapsed from underneath her and had 360º movement in both the left and right. It seemed as though her shoulders had been dislocated or that she had a malformation of the shoulder joints. Gemma awaited x-rays to diagnose her issue. In the meantime, as she developed and grew, the "double-jointed" ability ceased, while the left front leg remained backwards against her side and the right locked in the front. Over time, both hind legs splayed significantly.

On November 5, Gemma had her first set of x-rays which revealed baffling deformities. Both front leg bones showed "bulges" in the center, while her shoulder blades appeared to be overlapping. Her pelvis was so deformed as to be nearly non-existent, her spine was curved and at least one veterbrae mishapen. Nearly every joint was abnormally "loose." It was clear that Gemma's condition was not treatable beyond providing supportive care.

She is unable to clean her own ears or to reach her cecotrophs and must be monitored for sores on each leg (on which she already has "rub" areas due to the fashion in which she must move) and for urine scald. She is relatively mobile considering the severity of her issues and is extremely happy. She has found her own way of going about her daily activities: shuffling around on her belly to get to her destination, asking to be held by placing her arm on the sitter's leg and performing her own style of binky which is just as joyous to watch as a perfectly normal rabbit binky!

Gemma's strange genetic "disease" is believed to be Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) otherwise known as "brittle bone disease." The rescue and its veterinarian are currently seeking the aid of rabbit geneticists to obtain further information for her case. Please feel free to view Gemma's X-Rays from the November 5, 2008.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of little Gemma on March 11, 2009. Despite all efforts to maintain her quality of life, over the two weeks that preceded her humane euthanasia, her frustration and deteriorating health were clear. Her six month check-up confirmed her decreasing health and that her skeletal deformities were rapidly worsening. Her condition was beginning to affect the health and happiness she once had. Sweet Gemma will be greatly missed and always remembered by her caregivers.