Frieda the Continental Giant – A Story of Hope, Healing, and Hops
- emilyjayne08
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
At just two years old, Frieda, a gentle and much-loved Continental Giant rabbit, faced a heart-breaking challenge. She had lost the use of her back legs entirely due to severe arthritis in her hips and knees—an unfortunately common issue in giant rabbit breeds. Despite being on three different pain medications, she was unable to stand or move around, and had begun developing skin issues from lying in her bedding all day.
While Frieda’s appetite and curiosity remained intact, her quality of life was rapidly declining. Her vet began gently discussing the possibility that it might be time to say goodbye. But Frieda’s devoted owner wasn’t ready to give up—she saw a spark in Frieda that hadn’t yet faded.
Before making any final decisions, she wanted to try one last thing: acupuncture.
Carole, our veterinary acupuncturist, was cautiously optimistic. Together, they agreed on a plan—four weekly acupuncture sessions, followed by a reassessment. There were no guarantees, but sometimes, even small changes can mean the world.
To everyone’s amazement, Frieda showed signs of improvement after just three sessions. She was able to maintain a standing position and even managed a single hop forward. After the fourth treatment, her progress was unmistakable. And by session five, Frieda was back in her garden, binkying—those joyful, airborne kicks that only a happy rabbit can do.
Even more remarkably, Frieda was gradually weaned off all her pain medication. Her mobility continued to improve, and she went on to enjoy another 18 joyful months—bonded with a new bunny friend, exploring, hopping, and basking in her owner's care. She eventually passed away from unrelated causes, leaving behind a story that continues to inspire us.
Frieda's journey is a beautiful reminder of the power of listening to our patients, exploring complementary therapies when appropriate, and always giving hope a chance when it’s safe to do so.
If you’re curious about acupuncture or other supportive therapies for your pet, feel free to talk to us—we’re here to help, every hop, step or walk of the way.