I am not quite sure what is wrong with my rabbit.

Question
QUESTION: My rabbit (who i will refer to as Midnight) was quite ill. He used to move a bit funny, and when he would jump off something, sometimes his feet would not take the weight of him when he landed so therefor he would fall over on his side and sometimes struggle to get back up for a few seconds.He doesn't move funny anymore but sometimes the problem about his legs not being to strong still arises (also he can't jump on my lap). Also, as its winter and is freezing cold and he is not a house rabbit, he is not developing a proper winter coat which worries me.It makes him look  really thin and yuo can see where he goes in and out,even though he is getting all the food and vegetables he needs. It's not of major concern but i love him to bits and i would hate it if anything ever happened to him. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Emma

ANSWER: Hi Emma,

Is there any way you could make him a house rabbit?  I am very concerned due to the neurological deficencies.  Rabbits carry a parasite sub-clinically known as E Cuniculi.  Under proper circumstances, the immune system will control this parasite.  But if the buns get stressed for any reason, this parasite can become active.  One of the first things you will notice is that one of the hind legs, most often the left, will show a marked weakness...to the point the rabbit will fall over and scramble and thrash about trying to right itself.  The condition will stabilize as the immune system mounts a counter attack.  But the EC will respond and the rabbit will go down again and show more signs of weakness.  Their body will start to decline gradually and they will become weaker.  This parasite will also compromise the immune system and allow other infections to grow.  It is a difficult situation to diagnose and to treat.  Most vets have never seen a case of this.

There are some other possibilites as well.  Rabbits that are outside...and some that are indoors too...will develop something like arthritis and it will make it painful for them to move around.  Rabbits are also prone to some spinal issues...especially in the trans-lumbar region....as they age and this causes them some difficulty.  Sore hocks can also cause some issues like this.  It is also quite possible that he has suffered an ear infection at some point that has damaged his vestibular system and he is dizzy...just like when we get an inner/middle ear infection.

I really feel this rabbit needs to be seen by a rabbit savvy vet.  There are many possible causes of the symptoms you mentioned..but most of them are leading me toward a possible EC infection or related secondary issue.  Wish I could be more specific but without doing a physical exam, anything is a guess at this point based on the symptoms.

Randy

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QUESTION: hi its emma again

its not your fault or anything to do with you.My dad found him dead on the morning of Sunday 6th January 2008, i was and am so gutted.I know I should of taken him to a vet....you dont understand how bad that makes me feel.He is buried at the bottom of my garden near a tree.

He lived with another rabbit called Bubble.I want to know how my other rabbits death may affect her(this is the 3rd rabbit she has been with and lost.and her and midnight lived together for...ummmmm...say 2 years)?

ANSWER: Hi Emma,

So sorry he didn't make it.  It is never easy to deal with.  I never imagined how attached we become to these guys.

It seems that rabbits are like we are...each has their own way of dealing with a loss.  We have had some buns that seemed totally lost after losing their friend...and some that took it in stride and moved on.  I would just keep a watch on her and she if she acts depressed.  Signs would be loss of appetite, not moving around as much as possible and becoming distant when you approach her.  Might want to give her some toys or something to keep her occupied and keep her mind on other things.  And it doesn't have to be a store bought toy...our buns love empty paper towel rolls, plastic soft drink bottles with marbles or coins inside, a big pile of hay to dig in, newspaper or an old phone book with the shiny pages removed.  Be creative and give her something to keep her occupied.  But basically, just watch her and give her as much TLC as possible.

Randy

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QUESTION: i have kept a watch on her and tried to play with her as much as possible.Can you give me some other ideas for toys please, because the problem with my rabbit bubble is that she wont just play with something, she will eat it as well.Once we gave her a plastic ball which you put treats in and she sat in a corner eating the plastic!(hard to believe i know.....)

How soon would be to soon to get another rabbit to keep bubble company and to live with her, and what type of rabbit would be suitable. (Bubble is 3 and half years old,she is a mini rex,she hasnt been neutered,she doesnt get on with females,she is quite territorial, and this would be the 4th rabbit she hs been with.)

You have been  great help to me so far

Thanks

Emma

ps. are you a real person or a human being?

Answer
Hi Emma,

We use many of the hard plastic baby toys like the ring of keys.  But many of our most successful toys are common things around the house.....and empty paper towel roll, newsprint, a plastic bottle with marbles or coins inside to make noise, a phone book with the shiny pages removed or just a huge pile of hay.  And some rabbits will eat plastic.  Not good for them.  Usually means they are bored or lack fiber in their diet.

It's hard to pinpoint a particular breed of rabbit that would be a bonding candidate.  Having her spayed would really help as it would reduce, over time at her age, the territorial issues.  I would suggest contacting a rescue in your area.  The people that run the rescues and foster the rescued buns really know their personalities.  And you can bring your rabbit out for "dates" to see how they interact.  While it may appear that they don't get along at first, an experienced foster can see the potential for the bonding to succeed or fail.

Randy