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Bunny - trouble hopping

22 10:39:25

Question
My bunny lately has had trouble hopping in her cage.  Loosing her balance a little.  I took her to vet and they could not find anything.  When I put her on the carpet in the house she seems to hop fine, but in her cages she stumbles around.  Any thoughts on what is going on or how I can help her?

Thank you,

Amy >:o}

Answer
Dear Amy,

First, you need to find a vet who is more experienced with rabbits:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hind limb weakness and balance problems can be due to many different things, but in rabbits two very common culprits/suspects are a parasite known as E. cuniculi:

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

or the early signs of a middle- or inner ear infection:

www.rabbit.org/health/tilt.html

(The above was written by a rabbit expert vet, so if you feel your vet could benefit from it, please share.)  Please also see:

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

But of prime importance is finding a rabbit-savvy vet who will be able to properly diagnose and treat this problem.  E. cuniculi can be treated with Panacur (fenbendazole), and antibiotics will be needed if this is an ear infection.  Please consult your vet.

I hope this helps.

Dana