caring for splayed legs

Question
Hi
I've recently adopted a dwarf bunny that has his hind legs splayed. I think he is about a year and a half years old. I read an article about splinting legs but I think that my boy is too old for that now. I was wondering if you had any tips or ideas on how to better care for him. He can get around well on solid ground but Ive run into some trouble with him constantly getting a poopy bum because he will poo and rest in the same spot.
Any information would be great :)
thanks
Amanda

Answer
Hi Amanda,

thanks for writing and caring about your disabled little guy.  Glad you haven't given up on him.

one thing you can do is diaper him.  BAsically you get diapers that fit him for his size, cut a slit just big enough for his tail.  It will keep him from getting urine scald because the diaper absorbs the urine and keeps his skin from being soaked.  Now you still need to feed him his cecal pellets if/when you can.  

Here is what someone at the House Rabbit Society wrote about caring for their disabled rabbit:
(begin)
Diapering
What we typically do is use diapers (huggies #1 or some other brand of size 1) to keep the bun dry. I pull the diaper, still folded, from the package, and cut a hole out of the butt end of it. When you unfold it, it is in exactly the right spot for the tail to poke out. I like this because the tail stays dry and also the poops come out, which prevents them from mixing with the urine and getting all mushy. Then I usually lay the rabbit on a nice synthetic sheepskin rug wherever he wants to be. Your rabbit may be mobile with his front legs, in which case he'll just pull himself around your house with those. My last guy, Dandelion, was super strong with his front legs and could move very fast. So I just let him do what he wanted, and changed his diaper twice or three times a day.
(end)

Other things you can do is to have your vet trim his hair around his vent area so that it is easier to clean and less likely to become matted with fecal matter.

You could always have your vet do an xray on his legs and see if his condition could be fixed by surgery.

The diapers seem to be the answer you are looking for, though.  I think it will give him a new lease on life.

Lee