My rabbit is not using her hind legs

[Linda Hawkes]

Hello everyone
I’m looking for advice please for my 7 year old rabbit.
In the last few weeks she has not been using her hind legs very much . She quite often shuffles along .
She seems quite happy in herself and is eating well.
Would you recommend I worm her with Panacur as a precaution ?
Also I’ve heard that EC ( E. Cuniculi)
I’m a bit apprehensive about her having X-rays as I know rabbits are at high risk with anaesthetics .
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Linda

 

[John Wick]

I'm sorry to hear about your rabbit Linda. Best wishes to her.

Being older, I would also wonder about arthritis or just general hind leg weakness. A couple of my colleagues mention their older rabbits having hind leg problems, and their causes have varied, so it would be important to see a rabbit vet.

Regarding the risk of anesthesia, you are in control of what procedures your rabbit undergoes, and a vet visit without x-rays may still be informative for you. That being said, you can also speak to your vet frankly about how often he/she does x-rays on rabbits and his/her record with successful rabbit anesthesia. The risk for rabbits under anesthesia has greatly decreased overtime as vets adopt new and better procedures, though the vet's actual experience with it is most important!

 

[Mackenzie Salm]

I agree I think it would probably be arthritis if you have an older rabbit. But its painful so get her to the vet and ask them about it. Maybe you could try doing x-rays without anesthetics? But idk I'm not a professional rabbit vet or whatever. But if she doesn't want to use her hind legs maybe she wouldn't kick and you don't need the anesthetics? I would ask your vet

 

[Linda Hawkes]

I'm sorry to hear about your rabbit Linda. Best wishes to her.

Being older, I would also wonder about arthritis or just general hind leg weakness. A couple of my colleagues mention their older rabbits having hind leg problems, and their causes have varied, so it would be important to see a rabbit vet.

Regarding the risk of anesthesia, you are in control of what procedures your rabbit undergoes, and a vet visit without x-rays may still be informative for you. That being said, you can also speak to your vet frankly about how often he/she does x-rays on rabbits and his/her record with successful rabbit anesthesia. The risk for rabbits under anesthesia has greatly decreased overtime as vets adopt new and better procedures, though the vet's actual experience with it is most important!

Hi
Thanks so much for your reply.
Yes I think I need to take her for a visit to my vets to talk over options .
I think also ; if I had an X-ray down , maybe there is a chance she could have it down without anaesthetic; as she won’t be hopping off .
Thanks again
Linda

 

[Linda Hawkes]

I agree I think it would probably be arthritis if you have an older rabbit. But its painful so get her to the vet and ask them about it. Maybe you could try doing x-rays without anesthetics? But idk I'm not a professional rabbit vet or whatever. But if she doesn't want to use her hind legs maybe she wouldn't kick and you don't need the anesthetics? I would ask your vet

Hi
Thanks so much for your reply.
Yes I did think of arthritis and I’m giving her anti inflammatory medicine daily .
I think that’s a really good point about her having an X-ray without anaesthetic , as she won’t be hopping off .
Thanks again
Linda

 

[Linda Hawkes]

Hi everyone
My 7 year old rabbit is now not using her hind legs and has now developed some pressure sores. I am giving her a bath every day to clean her bottom . I also am giving her anti inflammatory medication everyday and antibiotics at the moment . I have taken her to the vet and he thinks I should now let her go and euthanise.
I’m reluctant to do that as I feel she has still got quality of life . Her appetite is really good and she really enjoys her food . She is still very responsive to everything and enjoys attention . I do understand rabbits are prey animals and don’t always show how they are feeling but I feel she is a happy little bunny still .
Any advice I would appreciate.
Thanks
Linda

 

[Blue eyes]

Hi everyone
My 7 year old rabbit is now not using her hind legs and has now developed some pressure sores. I am giving her a bath every day to clean her bottom . I also am giving her anti inflammatory medication everyday and antibiotics at the moment . I have taken her to the vet and he thinks I should now let her go and euthanise.
I’m reluctant to do that as I feel she has still got quality of life . Her appetite is really good and she really enjoys her food . She is still very responsive to everything and enjoys attention . I do understand rabbits are prey animals and don’t always show how they are feeling but I feel she is a happy little bunny still .
Any advice I would appreciate.
Thanks
Linda

Please start a new thread so that more people will realize this is a new question. That way you will get more responses.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

I agree and then i have an answer

 

[Maki_p29]

I don’t think you should let her go yet. She still wants to live and is eating, drinking, pooping and responsive to you. Maybe do some research on handicap rabbits and maybe look into making her a wheelchair like devices that lifts her back half so it won’t drag as much. Continue giving her mini baths and keeping her comfortable. I think she still has a lot more living to do, don’t take it away from her yet.

 

[Linda Hawkes]

I don’t think you should let her go yet. She still wants to live and is eating, drinking, pooping and responsive to you. Maybe do some research on handicap rabbits and maybe look into making her a wheelchair like devices that lifts her back half so it won’t drag as much. Continue giving her mini baths and keeping her comfortable. I think she still has a lot more living to do, don’t take it away from her yet.

 

[Linda Hawkes]

Hello
Thanks so much for your reply , I do appreciate your opinion .
Yes I agree she still have some more living to do and she is still enjoying life .
I just want to make sure she’s comfortable. I’m struggling to get her pressure sore on her side under control . Do you know of ointment or creams that might help with healing ?
She’s also got a bunny friend who she has lived with since they were babies so want to keep them together as long as possible.
Thanks
Linda

 

[JenGibs]

Hello
Thanks so much for your reply , I do appreciate your opinion .
Yes I agree she still have some more living to do and she is still enjoying life .
I just want to make sure she’s comfortable. I’m struggling to get her pressure sore on her side under control . Do you know of ointment or creams that might help with healing ?
She’s also got a bunny friend who she has lived with since they were babies so want to keep them together as long as possible.
Thanks
Linda

Is your vet an exotic vet? I would seek out a more experienced vet for a second opinion. Did he give you a diagnosis? Seems odd that the solution was to euthanize so quickly. You need to get to the bottom of what is going on before deciding anything. Rabbits go downhill so fast that even a small pressure sore can kill them quickly. You can often let a cat or dog ride it out a little longer while you do ointments and stuff but not with a bunny. I wish you had gone when this first started showing up weeks ago.
Keep us posted and good luck.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Do you have access to Facebook forums? Elderbuns and Disabled Rabbits are pages to join and receive help from other bun parents. Lots to be learned from those forums and hind limb paresis matters.

We've cared for multiple buns with hind limb paresis for the last decade or more. Are you applying an ointment like silva sulfadiazine cream? Is she on soft towels or bedding to alleviate the sore area?

Our DVM never anesthetizes for radiographs.

DVMs are often quick to suggest euthanization. Our 12 y.o. dutchie incurred a fx'd femur and the rabbit-savvy vet was suggesting euthanization. Hell no!, perhaps she wasn't aware that some rabbits can successfully heal without crisis surgery; pins, amputation, or euth as a non-reversible end-life call. Many Facebook bun parents care for special needs' buns while remodeling and callous formation occur.

I agree on the 2nd opinion option. Appetite, attitude, and affection! Input, output, and analgesics to assist with mild discomfort matters. Plus having a buddy to groom her, make her feel loved & secure, are positives. Please keep us updated.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

You, Linda, know your bun better than a DVM who hasn't watched her for the duration you've welcomed her into your home.

- You are with her day and night. Our DVM will script Panacur if clinical signs are present; imbalance, nystagmus, head wavers.

The look in a rabbit's eyes can tell you volumes as you carefully assess and/or seek a 2nd opinion. Appetite, attitude, and affection. Quality of Life. Even with a hampered limb or pressure sore, from what you described above, she has gumption to keep going with support from you and her furry friend. You know her best of all.

Sending positive vibes!

 

[Linda Hawkes]

Is your vet an exotic vet? I would seek out a more experienced vet for a second opinion. Did he give you a diagnosis? Seems odd that the solution was to euthanize so quickly. You need to get to the bottom of what is going on before deciding anything. Rabbits go downhill so fast that even a small pressure sore can kill them quickly. You can often let a cat or dog ride it out a little longer while you do ointments and stuff but not with a bunny. I wish you had gone when this first started showing up weeks ago.
Keep us posted and good luck.

Hi , just wanted to update you on my little bunny .
I did find an exotic vet so I could find out how I could help her . He gave some good advice and lots of medication. I wanted to try and give her the best chance before making a decision on whether to euthanise or not .
within 24 hours of starting the medication, she started to get really sleepy and on Sunday night I put her to bed and when I went to check she was lying on her side . I know it this stage she wouldn’t last very long now . She died during the night on Sunday night with her bunny sister beside her . Still feeling absolutely devastated!! Her sister is totally lost and grieving so much ; it’s breaking my heart to see her looking so lost . I think her poor little body wasn’t strong enough to cope with all the drugs .
Thanks very much for your time; it’s really appreciate
Linda xx

 

[Maki_p29]

Hi , just wanted to update you on my little bunny .
I did find an exotic vet so I could find out how I could help her . He gave some good advice and lots of medication. I wanted to try and give her the best chance before making a decision on whether to euthanise or not .
within 24 hours of starting the medication, she started to get really sleepy and on Sunday night I put her to bed and when I went to check she was lying on her side . I know it this stage she wouldn’t last very long now . She died during the night on Sunday night with her bunny sister beside her . Still feeling absolutely devastated!! Her sister is totally lost and grieving so much ; it’s breaking my heart to see her looking so lost . I think her poor little body wasn’t strong enough to cope with all the drugs .
Thanks very much for your time; it’s really appreciate
Linda xx

So sorry for your loss. You did the best you could for your sweet bunny. I was rooting for her to pull through and have a stable condition. I too am saddened by the loss. Thank you for being willing to not give up on her and give her a chance at the best care despite her condition. Hugs to you!

 

[Linda Hawkes]

So sorry for your loss. You did the best you could for your sweet bunny. I was rooting for her to pull through and have a stable condition. I too am saddened by the loss. Thank you for being willing to not give up on her and give her a chance at the best care despite her condition. Hugs to you!

Thank you I appreciate your message.
Linda xx