Elderly Rabbit - Weak back legs

[lynn's Cavies]

Hi,

I have an older rabbit that I adopted from my friend. She said his estimated age is 7 or 8 years old. I have had him for year now.

I've noticed that he is having difficulties with his backlegs. He has troubles hopping and his back sways side to side when he tries to get his balance. His back left leg is so weak that he partially drags is at times.

When he is out running in the yard he gets excited and seems to be okay for awhile but does have some problems getting his balance when he stops moving. After being out for a good hour he gets tired and then that is when I can see that he is having problems with those back legs.

Is this normal for older rabbits? Has anyone else had this problem before?

He lived the most part of his life in a hutch and I'm wondering if his leg muscles have atrophied?

I'm taking him to the Vets but if anyone has any suggestions or advice or has had this happen to their rabbit please let me know.

Thanks!
Lynn

[VoodooJoint]

Sorry your sweet old guy is having this problem. It sounds like either arthritis or possible a neurologic or spinal problem. Your vet shoudl be able to sort out what it is.

If it's something not treatable and his legs get worse many rabbits have lived happy lives with the use of a cart or even in an ambulatory cage set-up. If it comes to that I can help steer you towards the info and resources you will need.

[lynn's Cavies]

Thank you. I will let you know what happens at the Vets.

[smartorl]

I have seen it alot more in rabbits that have been confined in smaller cages on wire. In most of the cases I have seen, a glucosomine supplement and a fair amount of exercize can really help but I strongly suggest seeing a vet to rule out neurological or spinal damage. My point is that your bun could require a minimalist treatment and add a few more good years on. I am sorry he is having problems but as VJ stated, rabbits are resilient creatures and are great at adapting. I hope he does ok!

[naturestee]

You've been given some great advice already. I just wanted to add that if the vet can't find another reason, such as injury or arthritis, check for E. cuniculi infection.

I do know many rabbits who have lived with decreased mobility and even paralysis. And they are still happy, mischievious little buggers too.

[Cavy Carnage]

I once adopted a english lop eared rabbit that a man had running wild in his back garden.Its only shelter was a wooden summer house which wasnt much protection since the way she had to enter was through the swinging open door. She had a water bottle attached to the summer house but had no pellets or dry food of any kind. The man had originaly got it for his kids who, no suprise, got bored with it. It was left to eat the grass and whatever veg peelings were getting thrown out. He informed us it was a boy and called Peter. I was only about 10 at the time but was appalled at her 'home' and you coulldnt get near her. She was the most vicious rabbit and I was afraid I couldnt help. After months I managed to get her tame and took her to the vet who confirmed what I had suspected that she was in fact female. She quickly settled in with my other rabbit (netherland dwarf). She would allow children to stroke her and she became the most friendly rabbit ever, she adored affection and I tried to make up for what she had missed out on. Sorry ive rambled , well after about 2 years she started getting slow or just stopping before jumping, she occasionally would drag a paw. Well this got progressively worse so I did some research and finally figured she had gradual hind leg paralasis. I got this confirmed at the vets, he suspected that he had been confined to a hutch before being let out in the garden which helped make this show early in her life. She lived happily for another year until she just couldnt jump what so ever, she dragged her feet when doing anything, she was still happy in herself which hurt me so much because I took the decision to have her euthanised. Now that im older I think I would try to see if any animal like this could use those wheel aid that you attach them to and there back legs hang over a bar off the ground so they dont scrape and hurt there legs. I hope this isnt to depressing, my rabbit even with the condition didnt change in her personality, it just limited what she could do until it got to bad and it was no way to live for her. It could be lots of things, arthritis, paralasis, trapped nerves.

I found that massages my rabbits legs and lower back helped, this might not be easy depending on your rabbits temperament. Also warm baths helped her. Hope this helps.