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paralysed hind legs

22 10:15:59

Question
Hi,
I am writing this letter to you,hoping that you could give me some advice.Yesterday morning we found our 9 months old pet rabbit (Tsoupy)unable to move his hind legs. I have no idea how this happened!He had been very well and playful one day before.There was no sign that he couldn't walk or move or jump.I put him safely in a cage and I tried to feed him and keep him hydrated.He drinks water and he eats some parsley,dandelion,broccoli leaves and occasionally he won't refuse his favorite arrowroot biscuit.I massaged his legs and I noticed that when I slightly pinch his paws he retracts his legs.This gives me some hope that his spine is not broken and that he will recover.Otherwise he is alert and he tries to walk crawling on his forelegs.He also manages to wee and poo.I don't know if this is of any importance in this case.Could you , please, give me an answer,and what can I do before taking him to the vet? I am scared that the vet might advice me to put him down and we are not prepared for that.Thank you!

Answer
Dear Gina,

In such a young rabbit, the most likely cause of this problem is trauma/injury, and prompt treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs (even short-acting corticosteroids) is critical.  Please find a good vet who is experienced with rabbits here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

A vet who has rabbit experience is far less likely to recommend euthanasia, which is certainly *not* the first option here, especially if he's urinating and defecating.  We have lived with many disabled bunnies, and even if he doesn't walk again, he can live a perfectly happy life with extra care from you.

Please read this before you go to the vet:

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

and especially the link to the article by Dr. Susan Brown.  I hope it will help, and I hope your bunny will make a full recovery.

Take care,
Dana