Rabbit without feet

[Beagle123]

Hello, My children were gifted amale rabbit that doesn't have any feet. He came from accidental litter from beginner rabbit owners.

He came with a wireless bottom cage and we keep him on paper bedding. He gets out several times a day to play and seemingly acts like a happy bunny. I check his limbs daily for signs of stress or changes and so far none. He seems to lie down more than most rabbits but other than that appears to be happy and healthy.

I am hoping that there might be someone on this forum that can share with me any information on how to care for a rabbit in this condition.

Thank you so much for any information!

 

[fuzz16]

no idea...how old is he? why does he have no feet?

if he seems happy and fine...then just need to take some precations to not let him get sores on the limb ends or to much stress. meaning dont let him run out of fright cause he may hurt himself

 

[Beagle123]

Thanks for your reply. I think the person who had the litter born thought that it was a birth defect. But I've been researching like crazy and it seems like the mother can bite at their babies feet and ears causing them to die and fall off. This seems more likely what happened to this guy.

He was born this spring. Thanks for your input!

 

[mistyjr]

Poor Bunny!! It could be that the mommy ate the feets or it could be birth defects.

 

[cirrustwi]

Oh, this is very interesting. I'm not sure the baby would have survived the blood loss if mom had actually eaten the feet...so I'm guessing birth defect, but I could be wrong. (Stranger things have happened. LOL)

I would keep checking the legs for signs of sores or other problems. He will most likely be more prone to sores then a typical rabbit.

The set up does sound like the best option.

Jen

 

[Beagle123]

I'm told that he was born with feet and that they quickly turned black and then fell off. He was the only one of his litter that lost all four feet. There was only one that ended up with four feet.

He seems comforatable and happy for now.I check him daily to make sure he's not sore, or have any redness in the area. He has a great personality. When he wants to comeout he'll stick his nubs through the cage. He is really playful and willjump up and twist in the air when he's playing.Certainly he doesn'tdisplay any pain right now.

I just read thatbunny's sweat through their feet?Is that true? If so, I hope he can keep his body tempature regulated okay.

 

[Luvr of Wabbits and Polar Bears]

It's possible that mom over groomed the babies. That's the most likely possibility.
Your bunny is certainly happy if he's Binking(juming/twisting in air).

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

One thing that could help if he does start getting sores is medical gauze. Like make little shoes for him when he is out. You would just wrap his feet like socks or shoes.

To keep the skin from getting raw. You would be surprised how well animals can adapt to life without things.

 

[tamsin]

I would try something a little squishier on the floor like a blanket or vet bed. That will provide more grip and reduce the likely hood of sore - make sure you keep the wire floor covered.

 

[Beagle123]

Thanks for the suggestions and support! Iappreciate your time!

 

[NorthernAutumn]

I will direct TreasuredFriend here... she's very
knowledgable about disabled buns. She may know someone facing a similar situation.

 

[tonyshuman]

I don't think, other than preventing pressure sores via methods already described, that you will need to worry much about it. It sounds like an overgrooming by the mom. Soft bedding and keeping his feet dry will be key, especially in the litterbox. You may want to change his litterbox more often or put down fresh dry hay a couple of times a day to keep his feet from getting wet from urine. Of course, TF will have some good advice as well.

Sounds like a happy little guy!

 

[joeyC19]

Sorry I dont have any valuable advice but was just reading the boards at work and I just wanted to say it is awfully kind of you to give him such a nice home. Poor little fella. A lot of people would not be bothered to be so caring and research the right info to care for him. Kudos to you.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

You may want to use a soft bath rug in the bottom of his housing unit. With Karla's disability and bouts with abscess sores in '05, a soft low-weave and non-abrasive bath rug became a necessity. Several. They get laundered.

Be sure to watch that he won't chew the rug fibers or the plastic backing (if the rug has a non-skid undersurface).

As Karla's ability to lay comfortably brought on special challenges, comfy rugs in her bedroom on the floor, and in her housing unit sure helped. Abrasive material in the rugs made her sensitive skin worse. Run your fingers over the rugs to do a "scratch factor" test.

I was late in getting here with input, and was pullin' together some photographs to show you Karla's set-up to keep her comfortable...

~ thanks to northern autumn for flagging me.

Everyone has lent great info on helping his feet already.

~ from Mrs. PBJ -
"You would be surprised how well animals can adapt to life without things." :agree

Word of caution re: towels: A sanctuary mom took in a tripod bun from a local shelter. Named Hope, she became a tripod because a towel fiber entangled around her leg at the shelter, and cut off the circulation. Her limb needed amputation. This is more of a rarity, but not entirely uncommon with towel loops and a bun having a fun time pulling up the strands with his/her teeth. You'll know whether your fella will get into trouble and danger this way. I'll see if I can display some pics of Karla's soft amenties if you want to see them.

Sounds like your boy will be well-cared for with his feet nubs and your family will take good care of him. Good to check his limbs daily for signs of stress or abscesses, or raw areas.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Good luck with your little one. He is very lucky you are looking after him...

 

[butsy]

wow that is very interesting ! do you have any pics? i would love to see him.