Early splay leg?

Question
My Baby Rabbit is about 6 weeks old. We have an all hardwood apartment and couple nights ago he couldn't seem to keep his legs under him. Last night and now I have a blanket under him and he seems fine. I was wondering if you could tell me the early signs of splay leg and if maybe I should take him to the vet? Everything else is fine so I just want to make sure. Thank you very much.

Answer
Dear Amber,

He may not have splayleg now, but this condition actually can be *acquired* if a baby rabbit is not raised on a surface with good traction.  For now, keep him on runners and mats that are not at all slippery.  If he can keep his feet under him, his pelvis and pectoral girdle should develop normally if he doesn't have any splayleg genes.

If he is showing signs of splayed legs even if on a traction surface, then please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/splayleg.html

You can find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

It is of utmost importance to treat splayleg early, since the relative positions of components of the pelvic and pectoral girdles can affect development in a growing animal.  Restore normal orientation, and the tissues may grow more normally (or at least develop to compensate), even in a congenitally abnormal bunny.

I hope this helps.

Dana