Why does my rabbit have trouble getting up?

Why does my rabbit have trouble getting up?

Spondylosis, osteoarthritis, vertebral disc deterioration, and other degenerative processes can cause hind limb weakness and paralysis in rabbits. If these are suspected, your vet may wish to get a positive diagnosis via radiography. The exact treatment will depend on the cause of the problem.

What causes weakness in the hind limb of a rabbit?

Heat stroke and moderate to severe respiratory disease can also lead to weakness. Any disease of a rabbit that causes pain on movement may be incorrectly interpreted as hind limb weakness . For instance, pododermatitis (ulcerated feet) causes pain on movement, therefore the rabbit may sit hunched all day in his cage and appear unable to walk.

What to do if a rabbit has muscle tightness in his back?

Gentle massage over the muscled areas of the back only, never directly over the bone, can warm the area and help decrease muscle tightness. In addition, if the rabbit is overweight then reduce the workload on the back by reducing the weight.

What happens if you kick a rabbit in the back?

The force of the kicking or twisting can fracture vertebrae in the back, which are then unstable and result in severe bruising or severing of the spinal cord. Rabbits can also sustain this kind of trauma (although rarely) when running or playing.

What to do if your rabbit is not feeling well?

If you do not know where to look, to find a referral consider contacting a local rabbit club or group, the National House Rabbit Society or go to the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians . Have your rabbit examined while he is still healthy and establish a place to go when your bunny is not feeling so well. This could be a life saver!

Heat stroke and moderate to severe respiratory disease can also lead to weakness. Any disease of a rabbit that causes pain on movement may be incorrectly interpreted as hind limb weakness . For instance, pododermatitis (ulcerated feet) causes pain on movement, therefore the rabbit may sit hunched all day in his cage and appear unable to walk.

Why do rabbits hide signs of ill health?

Rabbits hide any signs of ill health because they don’t want predators to know that they’re weak and vulnerable. Get your rabbit checked over by a rabbit-savvy vet several times per year. Rabbits are also vulnerable to sudden shocks, such as loud noises and the sight of a dangerous predator.

Why does my rabbit hold her leg out to the side?

At 4 months my rabbit started to hold her rear right leg out to the side, this has got progressively worse and she now barely uses it, drags it, often at a 90 degree angle. Our vet believed it to be due to a bone deformity, a recent xray confirmed the leg appears to have grown twisted.

What happens if you try to pick up a rabbit?

If your rabbit runs in the opposite direction when you walk towards them, you are not going to be able to pick them up. Rabbits are very good at reading body language and working out routines, so if you’re thinking about trying to pick your rabbit up – he probably knows.