Dwarf Rabbit with Lame Back Legs

Question
QUESTION: My daughters pet rabbit that we have for about 6 weeks and got as a baby has suddenly got lame back hind legs.  Everything else appears to be fine.

ANSWER: Katrina,

What do you mean by lame back legs?
They don't work at all and are being dragged when the rabbit walks or the rabbit is limping?

Rabbits have very powerful hind legs and can break their own backs if they kick their legs too hard. If there is any injury to the spine, the rabbit will have no use of its hind legs.

It is also possible for it to have broken/sprained a toe or ankle. Hyperactive rabbits can easily break or sprain bones if not properly handled.


Limping can be caused from other more minor things as well.

Your daughter's rabbit may have pulled a muscle.
If that is the case it will increasingly get better daily and will soon go away.

Check the bottom of the rabbit's back feet for bare skin. This is called Sore Hocks. It would be unusual for a Dwarf rabbit this young to have Sore Hocks.

Also, check for any splinters that could be in the legs or feet.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply.  In the meantime we took the rabbit to the vets who said that she had hurt her spine and that it would take about 4 weeks to heal.  That was a week ago and unfortunately the rabbit has gotten worse, we will take her back to the vet again this week. She can't use her back legs at all and drags them completely outstretched behind her we have to place them under her for her to sit or move them for her to lie. On advice from the vet they said not to handle her too much which we haven't. (this has been hard for Lauren as they cuddled a lot). The rabbit has a beautiful nature and doesn't seem upset at all but we think the lack of movement is not good for her.

Answer
Oh dear, I am so sorry.

I accidentally broke one of my rabbit's backs when I was tattooing her. She lost all use of her hind legs. Rabbits hide their pain very well. It is rabbit instinct not to show pain because they are prey animals and the weak are hunted.

I once had a dachshund that lost use of his back legs one day. My vet said that he would need a surgery that may or may not work and he would possibly need a wheel chair. He didn't look too bad at first, but got worse day after day.

Your vet was right. Do not handle her too much. I do not know the severity of the accident that caused the spinal injury, but it is not a good sign if she is getting worse. I hope that she does get better in a few weeks. Please do continue your vet visits and hope for the best.

Good luck to you and your bunny.

Lia