clipping nails - now my rabbit has a limp

Question
Hello

I was clipping my rabbit's back leg claws and I was really careful, I didn't take very much off at all. However, my rabbit is now not able to put one of his back paws down and is hopping around on three legs. There was no bleeding when I clipped his nails and as I said I literally didn't take very much off at all which makes me think that his limp is not associated to me clipping his claws but I'm not sure? He's still got a huge appetite and looks very alert and happy but he must be in pain if he's not putting his paw down mustn't he? I am going to take him to the vet when I can, but I'm concerned about him in the meantime. How would I know whether this was something more serious than his nail being a bit sore, e.g. if he had a broken foot? What else could be causing him to be limping and what can I do to make him comfortable?

Many thanks

Elicia

Answer
Dear Elicia,

If he struggled while you were clipping his nails, and somehow wrenched his foot, that could explain the limping.  If he didn't break a nail, and if there wasn't any blood, then it's not likely that the nail clipping itself was the problem, unless you yanked on a nail accidentally when he jerked a foot, and that pulled the nail from its bed.

Yes, get him to the vet ASAP for a full check, and be sure you tell the vet *every detail* of what happened during the clipping, in case that will give a clue.

You can find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope that helps.

Dana