Mini lop rabbit

Question
I have a 4 1/2 year old mini lop who this morning is having difficulty moving fluidly.  She is eating and drinking but a little hunched over and her back leg is stiff.  She has been a little stiff over the past few months but seemed happy enough but we had a particularly nasty frost last night and it has made her reluctant to hop around. I have brought her into the house to warm up and she is mobile but stiff in her hind leg.  Do you think this could be arthritis and, if so, what would you recommend I do to ease her pain?  Many thanks.

Answer
Dear Jayne,

Bringing her inside was a very wise move, and you should keep her there for her safety and comfort.  Cold winter is not safe for a rabbit outdoors in a hutch, and you are much better able to monitor her health and behavior inside, where she can be a member of the family.

If she is still showing stiffness in her back leg, it could be arthritis, or it could be something more serious:

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

I would recommend you get her to a good rabbit vet for a wellness check, and pain meds if it's just arthritis.

Please also visit:

http://www.rabbit.org/care/new-bunny-index.html

for all the information you'll need for litterbox training, etc. to make her an indoor member of the family.  You'll love it, and so will she!

Hope this helps.

Dana