health concern please help

Cheesepaws · Feb 1, 2025

I've noticed my bun Binky hasn't been running around or moving unless she has to (to eat/drink) but she doesn't hop, just shuffles along, and she's in a weird posture, like a dog when they're taking a ****? Her middle half is bigger than usual and her butt is smaller, I don't really know how to describe it. I don't know if she's in pain or if it's something normal that happens to bunnies sometimes? I'm a student so I'm away every week so I don't know if she's eaten anything unusual or if anythings happend. But I love her so so much and I'm very scared for her health so please anyone who knows anything that might help.

JBun · Feb 1, 2025

The bump might be contracted muscles, from her hunching from pain and holding her hind end in to protect whatever is hurting. It could be a hind leg or spine injury, or if she's not eating, drinking, or pooping normally, it could be related to gas pain or some sort of GI upset, or it could be some other internal ailment.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Veterinary_emergencies

A check up by a knowledgeable rabbit vet is really the only way to find out what's going on. The vet may be able to find the cause just from a physical exam, or xrays and possibly a blood test may be needed. Just preparing you as you're a student, and those will increase the cost of the visit a lot, along with meds or any other treatment needed.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/recommended-rabbit-friendly-vets/

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Category:Europe

Cheesepaws · Feb 1, 2025

JBun said:
The bump might be contracted muscles, from her hunching from pain and holding her hind end in to protect whatever is hurting. It could be a hind leg or spine injury, or if she's not eating, drinking, or pooping normally, it could be related to gas pain or some sort of GI upset, or it could be some other internal ailment.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Veterinary_emergencies

A check up by a knowledgeable rabbit vet is really the only way to find out what's going on. The vet may be able to find the cause just from a physical exam, or xrays and possibly a blood test may be needed. Just preparing you as you're a student, and those will increase the cost of the visit a lot, along with meds or any other treatment needed.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/recommended-rabbit-friendly-vets/

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Category:Europe

Would contracted muscles be from not having enough space to move? She seems to be eating and drinking ok, but she's not using her hind legs at all, and she's also started to grind her teeth very loudly whenever I touch her.. I'll get her checked by a vet as soon as possible, thank you

JBun · Feb 1, 2025

No, a rabbit in a smaller space may take smaller hops, but will still use their hind end normally. And they won't be grinding their teeth due to pain.

It sounds to me like she may have injured something in her hind end. If it was an internal issue with her stomach or organs, that will usually cause a rabbit to stop eating and drinking due to the internal pain. The fact she's still wanting to keep eating but is grinding her teeth in pain, and is reluctant to hop normally, sounds like an injury to me.

The vet will probably need to do xrays, as there's a good chance it's something higher up like the hip or spine. An injury lower in the leg, will usually just cause the rabbit to hold up and not use the leg that's injured. It may not be an injury that can be surgically repaired. The vet may just recommend cage rest for several weeks to months, to limit moving around and aggravating the injury, and allow time for the injury to heal on it's own. Also the vet will need to prescribe some pain medication.

The cage rest is something I'd start right away, so any possible injury isn't further aggravated until the vet can check it. So small level area with no steps or ramp to have to use. Also not picking bunny up if at all possible, as this will be very painful if there is an injury. If outdoors, either bring indoors, or closely monitor bun is staying warm. Then get her checked asap.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Broken_bones

Cheesepaws · Feb 9, 2025

JBun said:
No, a rabbit in a smaller space may take smaller hops, but will still use their hind end normally. And they won't be grinding their teeth due to pain.

It sounds to me like she may have injured something in her hind end. If it was an internal issue with her stomach or organs, that will usually cause a rabbit to stop eating and drinking due to the internal pain. The fact she's still wanting to keep eating but is grinding her teeth in pain, and is reluctant to hop normally, sounds like an injury to me.

The vet will probably need to do xrays, as there's a good chance it's something higher up like the hip or spine. An injury lower in the leg, will usually just cause the rabbit to hold up and not use the leg that's injured. It may not be an injury that can be surgically repaired. The vet may just recommend cage rest for several weeks to months, to limit moving around and aggravating the injury, and allow time for the injury to heal on it's own. Also the vet will need to prescribe some pain medication.

The cage rest is something I'd start right away, so any possible injury isn't further aggravated until the vet can check it. So small level area with no steps or ramp to have to use. Also not picking bunny up if at all possible, as this will be very painful if there is an injury. If outdoors, either bring indoors, or closely monitor bun is staying warm. Then get her checked asap.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Broken_bones

Update; I got her checked by a vet, turns out she's incontinent, which injured her legs

she has to take pain killers and medication daily for a month (hates it and tries to eat the syringes) she's still a bit hunched but seems to be less in pain, and i took out their steps from their hutch until she's better. It was fairly expensive, (nearly 200€), but I'm just glad she's okay.
Thank you for your help!

Preitler · Feb 9, 2025

I give meds on a little oatmeal, mixed with a little mushed vegetable or fruit mine get anyway (carrot, Topinambur, apple..), just as much as it needs to soak up the medicine, maybe a teaspoon or so. Might work with pellets too if they like them. No struggle giving it that way

I think some americans here might be a bit surprised that you call 200€ expensive, but well, yes, for here it's quite a bit.

To prevent urine burn on the legs and around there it can help to keep the fur down there rather short, easier to clean and dry too.