Coco Gabriella

Question
Coco is a house rabbit and turned 6 years old last November.  Took her into her vet couple weeks ago for check up.  She occasionally has difficulty with her hind legs (seems to not be able to get both hind paws straight).  Of course, when Doc saw her no sign of a problem.  He thought it might be beginning of arthritus since she's getting older. This morning she was fine with my husband (hopped into his lap, etc.).  But when she came over to me she seemed to be almost falling over sideways.  I called the Doc and he's out today but am taking her into another vet who sees bunnies.

Answer
Dear Kathy,

Please read:

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

to get information on the most common causes of hind limb paresis in rabbits.  In a bunny Coco's age, I'd suspect E. cuniculi, and hope the vet might put her on Panacur or oxibendazole ASAP to slow progression of the problem, if not cure it.  Ponazuril is another drug showing promise in fighting this parasite.

If she seems to fall because of lack of balance, she may have a problem affecting her vestibular system, and this article might help:

www.rabbit.org/health/tilt.html

I hope this helps the bunny with such a pretty name.  :)

Dana