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splayed legs

22 10:57:58

Question
I HAVE A BABY LOP ABOUT 4 WEEKS OLD HER MOTHER KILLED 4 OF HER OTHER KITS WHICH WAS A HEART BREAKING EXPERIENCE. I BELIEVE HER NESTING BOX WASN'T RIGHT I USED A CARDBOARD BOX? NOW MY POOR LITTLE BABY HAS SPLAYED LEGS FRONT AND BACK .I HAVE TRIED THE METHOD WITH HE CORK BUT CAN'T KEEP THEM ON. ARE THERE ANY OTHER WAYS TO CORRECT THIS.THANKYOU FOR BEING HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. IT IS VERY HARD TO FIND ANY VETS IN MY AREA THAT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT RABBITS.I NEVER REALIZED HOW MUCH THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT RABBITS

Answer
Hi Laurie

I don't know of any other method of splinting other than the corks.  Did you try placing a cotton bath mat in her cage after the splints were on?  Sometimes this can keep them from continuing to splint.  I will attach a web-site but I am pretty sure you might have already seen it.

Without a vet to fit her with splints then the homemade one's are your only option.  The good thing is that bunnies with splayed legs can still survive and live happy lives.  So it is not a complete loss.  You might just end up with a special needs bunny.  They are often more loveable because they rely so much on you to help them.  

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/splayleg.html

I am sorry I don't have any other solutions for you.  If you are willing to make a 2 or 3 hour drive you can usually find an exotic pet hospital/clinic.  It is a sad fact that many rural area's just don't have bunny doctors but you can almost always find one with in a few hours.

I hope your little one does ok.  I wish there was more I could tell you.

Give her lots of kisses and let her know you love her.

Thank you  :(

Pam