bracing an adult rabbits front leg

Question
Hi Dana,

Glad you're back from vacation.  I've been waiting to ask you if you've ever had success bracing an adult rabbits front leg?  I saw your article about bracing a baby buns legs but nothing on an adult bun.  My 10 year old buns front leg is starting to splay from old age/arthritis.  I've tried bracing it myself but the bugger keeps getting it off.  I have to say, in the short time the bandage is on her, it's made such a difference for her to get around.  My other question would be, is it not wise to brace an adult rabbits leg for fear they could hurt themselves? Someone mentioned that to me so thought I should only try this when I'm there to watch her.  I currently have her, Miniwheat, on Joint Support that I purchase from Trader Joe's as well as Traumeel for pain and inflammation (although I do have Metacam on hand should she need it) and I'm also giving her Arnica.  She's doing pretty well on this.  I try to massage her as much as possible too.

Anyway, I would appreciate your advise on bracing.

Thanks very much.  I look forward to your reply.

Best,
Jenna Schissler

Answer
Hi, Jenna

Yes, we have braced adult rabbits' legs.  Some tolerate the braces well, and others rip them off a few minutes after they're put on.  It depends on the bunny, as well as the type of brace.

To make them more comfortable for your bun, try getting some good, leftover fur from grooming to make a soft pad inside the portion that's wrapped on the foot.  You also can use spongy gauze to wrap it, and then secure the entire pad with VetWrap.  (You can usually get this cheaper at a feed store where horse supplies are sold, since this type of self-adhesive tape is used for wrapping horses' legs for jumping.  And you can get fashionable colors!)

We don't use the corks any more, though.  We just make a strap between the legs out of water-resistant adhesive tape wrapped around the VetWrap "foot straps" and then tack them on with a small bit of tape on the top of the foot.  One of these days, I swear I'm going to video our procedure we use for Rusty, our little paraplegic bunny.  He LOVES his braces.  If they fall off, he just sits there forlornly until we pick him up and re-install them.  :)

Let me know if you need more explicit instructions, and I'll do my best.

Dana