Walking imbalance

Question
We have four pet bunnies that are five months old.... this morning when we let them out of their cage, Ginger appeared to have possibly broken a leg as she couldnt keep her balance and fell to one side.... I am a trauma nurse so of course went through the bones and joints to see if she got it stuck and snapped it, but felt nothing out of place.  She will wobble herself to her bowl to eat and drink, so she is hungry but lays with her feet out to one side or the other.  Now she will wobble to either side like she is "drunk".  We have had them in the house the past couple of days due to rain and have not gotten into anything.  She does not appear to be in any pain and was not painfull for me to feel her joints and bones.... no fever, no breathing difficulties..... Thank you for any information you may have!   Tiffany

Answer
Hi,

she either has an infection that's affecting her balance (in the ears, skull, or both), or she's dehydrated.  If her eyes look wet and the nose tip is wet, if the gums are normal pink, and her skin at her shoulders, when you pull it up and 'tent' it, goes right back down quickly, she's not dehydrated.

The fact she's still moving around suggests infection over dehydration, but she could be a little dehydrated as she might not be moving around as much as normal, therefore not drinking as often.

Also double check in the house she was not able to get to any plants that could pose a problem.  They can get to places we never think they could.

Get her to your regular, good rabbit vet immediately.  I would suggest until the vet can determine if it's just infection, versus infection plus parasite (e cuniculi), to put her on a broad spectrum antibiotic like baytril (enrofloxacin) as well as panacur in case she has e cuniculi.  In the meantime pad the sides of her cage (and carrier when going tothe vet) with rolled up soft cotton towels.  Make sure she doesn't have to go far for food and water.

If you don't have a good rabbit vet go here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

to find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet.  You should also look around for emergency vet services in your area that have vets that handle 'exotics' as rabbits are considered exotics in many places.