not able to move its legs

Question
During a check up at the Vets last Tuesday - The Vet on one side of the table. Their "Rabbit Expert" on the end of the table and I across from the Vet prceeded to examine the bunny. I said, let me hold Holmes because he knows me. The Vet said "NO" let the "Rabbit Expert" hold the rabbit. I agreed because she was after all the "expert" and in less then 2 seconds the rabbit was paralyzed. Holmes went to squirm and in front of my eye's I watch her squish Holmes as he let out a scream. He urinated and then the legs weren't working. They immediately gave it a steroid shot and xrays and said the back was not broken. They said this is common and it happens ALOT! My question is - Does this happen Alot? and Do you know what the problem is? I have him home now and I have to help him urinate. He does poop on his own. He's eatting. I have to wash his bottom after urinating and sprinkle Neo-Predef on his bottom and give him 1cc 2 times a day an antibiotic - Sulfatrim suspension. I understand his bladder is also paralyzed. I have never heard this happening. Do you know the best recorse for this situation? I don't believe he's in pain. Thank you for your help. Sincerely Pat

Answer
No, that is not common!  

If the spine isn't broken, there is a type of spinal injury called a subluxation which affects the flow of nerve impulses. Without a second opinion by a rabbit-knowledgeable veterinarian, that would be my best guess.

The nerves that tell him to urinate may not be working now, I would have hoped that the steroid shot would have cleared up the injury by now though.

There is a lot of information about care of disabled rabbits at http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabrefs.html#dis

There is also a Yahoo Group of disabled rabbits, and you could subscribe to Etherbun, another Yahoo Group, to get more information.

He's likely not in pain, but, the vet should have done more to ensure that he recovered from the injury they caused.  I would have a talk with the vet and let him know how terribly unhappy you are with what they did to your rabbit and that you are displeased that he hasn't done more to help him recover (at free or reduced charges, since they caused the injury).  You could also report him to the veterinary board of your state.  

In the meantime, I would talk with other people who have rabbits with this problem to find out how they cope with it.  Paralysis in rabbits is not uncommon (either through trauma or illness), and there are lots of good resources out there.

You can give him a good quality of life if he doesn't recover, it's going to depend on how much you are willing to do for him.  Talk to other people online, they may have some other ideas or suggestions that can help you out.

Kim