Rabbit hind limb weakness

Question
QUESTION: My rabbit used to be pretty fat.  I noticed he was using his back legs funny and that he still is really fat near the front of his body, but towards the middle his ribs are poking out.  I see him eat and drink.  But his back legs look like its hard to move on them, like the slip out from underneath him. do you know what could be wrong?

ANSWER: Dear Kayleigh,

There are several possible causes of hind limb paresis, and the most problematic is Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a parasite.  Please read this:

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

and find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

who can positively diagnose and treat the problem appropriately, depending on its cause.

I hope this helps.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok well if it is that parasite what does that mean? is it deadly?

Answer
Dear Kayleigh,

It is not necessarily deadly, but it can seriously debilitate a rabbit, and in some cases the parasite has been linked to renal failure, which is lethal.

The best option is to seek a vet's help for proper treatment, and not let this go to fate.

Hope this helps.  Happy New Year!

Dana