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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A (UPDATED: WEIGHT LOSS) Has my rabbit injured her right leg?

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    • TravisSaves
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        Two weeks ago, my 9.5 year old female dwarf bunny was doing what she always does, which is run around like a little maniac and jump off everything in site! This time, she unfortunately took a bad fall. My wife ran over to see if she was ok and she got up and hopped away normally.

        About a week later, we noticed that she was laying off her right leg a bit but after a few days, she seemed back to normal.

        On Monday of this week, about 2 weeks after the fall, out of nowhere, she began dragging her right leg a bit. She’s still eating normally, pooping normally, and still moving around and getting excited for food, but it looks like she isn’t pushing off her right leg as much as her left. Also, thankfully, it doesn’t look like she’s in any real pain. 

        If I look down at her, it looks like her right leg is sticking out a bit (I don’t actually see her leg. I just see her fur sticking out to the right). Unfortunately, our phenomenal vet is on vacation for the next week and the soonest appointment I can get is next Wednesday. For the time being, my wife and I decided we’ll leave her in her cage to avoid any further injury (if she did in fact injure herself, and if in fact it is due to her fall).

        Does anyone else have any other advice on what we can do? Anyone have experience with what this may be?

        Thanks in advance for the replies!


      • Sarita
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          I think confining her to her cage is the best idea.

          Many times rabbits don’t show pain and will still eat and drink. It’s possible especially at this age that she did strain it. Hopefully she will be okay but I would go ahead and make that appt for next Wed. If she does start showing signs of pain I would probably try another vet in the practice since it’s an injury most likely any vet can help manage pain if needed and call your vet for any advice as far as pain meds if it comes to that.


        • Roberta
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            As Sarita said, being prey animals it is not in a rabbits best interest to show pain. It sounds like what ever she has done is degenerating. Isolating her in the cage and limiting movement is a good idea. Make the appointment for Wednesday but have a look around and see if there is another vet you could visit at least for Xrays and an exam.


          • longhairmike
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              do you feel any swelling? if something had broken (other than just a toe), then she would have IMMEDIATELY ceased putting any weight on the leg. it would not have been slow developing like you described

              if she was already developing even slight arthritis (extremely common at that age),, a bad landing could certainly have aggravated it.
              Rini & Usako will be 9 in two weeks,, i make sure i get a refill of medicam everytime one goes in for a checkup. never hurts to keep it on hand.
              both my buns have pretty much retired from couch base-jumping.


            • TravisSaves
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                Thanks to everyone who’s answered so far! Appointment has been made for next Wednesday and she’ll be carefully monitored (as always) and kept in her cage until then to limit movement.

                At the moment, I haven’t attempted to feel for any swelling. Even though my wife and I know how to hold her properly, I’d hate to think she may attempt to kick and then wind up hurting herself more.


              • FlemishMom
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                  It is not at all uncommon for older rabbits to develop arthritis in the legs and the equivalent along places in their spine where the vertebre are starting to fuse. If this is contributing to her discomfort, there is nothing wrong with starting her on Cosequin (actually for cats, but a powder in a capsule that can be sprinked on food). Usually takes six weeks to have a noticeable affect. And if you do suspect a break, do immobilize in the carrier for six weeks.


                • LittlePuffyTail
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                    Just want to send your bunny some ((((Feel Better)))) well wishes and best of luck at the vet.


                  • TravisSaves
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                      Thanks again to everyone who has replied and sent kind thoughts! I’ll certainly update all of you when we receive a diagnosis. The next few days will be filled with keeping a bunny who is rarely in her cage… in her cage and occupied!


                    • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                        Just want to send {{{Vibes}}} Let us know how it goes


                      • TravisSaves
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                          Since you were all super kind with your feedback and well-wishes, I wanted to update you on our vet appointment yesterday. The x-ray showed that Marshmallow has a dislocation. Since she’s 9.5 years old, the vet doesn’t recommend the standard orthopedic surgery to correct this. For pain, she’s on Tramadol twice a day for a full week and by then, he believes the pain should be fully gone. He’s also asked us to keep her confined to her cage for 6 weeks to limit movement. After the 6 week period, he tends to think her right leg will harden (that might not have been his exact words but it was something along those lines) and even though she won’t be in any more pain, she’ll have limited use of it. So, that’s where we are. It’s sad to think she’ll never be jumping up onto the couch anymore to sit with my wife and I or doing crazy jumps around the living room, but as long as she’s happy and this doesn’t change her quality of life, I’m thankful!


                        • TravisSaves
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                            We have a very bizarre turn of events here and I’d love feedback!

                            When my bunny, Marshmallow, was diagnosed with the dislocation (read above for full story), she had a lost a bit of weight which was attributed to her injury. Two weeks ago when we went for a follow-up, she was in much better spirits but had still lost an additional small amount of weight; this was noted but didn’t raise a red flag to our vet since she had just beginning to show improvement due to her pain medication kicking in.

                            When we brought her in for check-up #2 last week (keep in mind that the days prior to this appointment she was 100% back to normal; jumping around in her cage, showing tons of excitement, begging for food, pooping a ton, eating everything in site, etc), she had lost even more weight from the last time!

                            To be exact, she has now lost 25% of her body weight in the past month

                            Due to this, blood work was taken and everything came back perfect. X-rays were done and everything came back perfect. Teeth and everything imaginable was checked and came back perfect. Also, for the past week since this appointment, she is acting even better then weeks prior; she’s more energetic and eating and pooping like normal.

                            Due to all tests coming back normal, our vet thinks her again process has officially begun and even though she’s spayed, he suspects it possibly could be cancer. He wanted to warn us that if she continues to lose weight, signs may point in this direction.

                            Does anyone have experience with this?

                            A) I find it bizarre that all this started around the time of her dislocation (is it just a coincidence or is it related and he doesn’t realize it?) and B) she’s acting 100% normal so how would it be possible that she’s nearing the end of her beautiful life?

                            My wife and I love Marshmallow with all our hearts and souls so any feedback is greatly appreciated!

                            Lastly, she’s been on Critical Care for the last week (she loves it!) and we have another follow-up appointment next Wednesday.


                          • Sarita
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                              That is alot – I know rabbits are not good at showing pain and at this age they can deteriorate quickly.

                              In my experience as well even though a rabbit may be eating that is not an indication that they feel really well – they eat to live so just eating doesn’t mean they feel well.

                              I do wonder as well if she has a continuing low grade pain too.

                              You could certainly seek a 2nd opinion unless this is a vet you know very well and trust.


                            • LittlePuffyTail
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                                I had a senior bunny that continued to lose weight despite blood tests coming back normal. Along with the weight loss, we noticed a gradual decline in activity level. He just layed around more and I originally thought arthritis but he was later diagnosed with GI cancer. Not saying your bun has cancer, of course, and I certainly hope not.

                                Have you tried offering alfalfa or oat hay? They are more fattening than regular grass hay and may help.

                                ((((((Marshmallow))))))))


                              • TravisSaves
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                                  @Sarita, yes, we know our vet very well and trust him immensely. Our follow-up appointment is in a few days so I’ll inquire about the possibility of her being in low grade pain.

                                  @LittlePuffyTail, we haven’t tried offering different hay but I’ll also inquire about it at our follow-up appointment. We do, however, have her on Critical Care which she loves.

                                  Thanks for the replies, everyone!


                                • TravisSaves
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                                    From my bunny dislocating her hip, to extreme weight loss, to fully stopping using her litter box which in turn caused a very messy poopy butt for days and days, my wife, bunny, and I have had a wild 6 weeks, but it appears that everything is slowly getting better!

                                    Next Tuesday is 6-weeks since she’s been confined to her cage per her vet’s orders due to the dislocation of her hip. Marshmallow has no use of her right leg anymore (which is sad to see but she seems to mind less than we do) but she’s slowly adjusting and I feel when she’s out of the cage next week, she’ll have more room to further adjust and get acclimated.

                                    Thankfully, the Critical Care has been working and she hasn’t lost any more weight which is a big relief! She’s maintained her weight and we are extremely pleased and relieved. Chances are she’ll be on it for the rest of her life, but she absolutely loves and goes crazy for it which is great!

                                    Lastly, about a week ago she fully stopped using her litter box. I think this has to do with only having one leg and it not being as easy to get around, but yesterday we cut the front portion of the box down so she can just walk right into it and it worked; she was pooping in it in no time!

                                    Lastly, when she stopped using her litter box last week, she’s had an extremely messy bottom which was also super stinky which I believe is because, with only having use of one leg, she can’t reach her cecotropes as easily and they’re sticking to her. Well, at her appointment two days ago the vet carefully shaved a lot of her fur down there (she had urine burn on her legs) and she seems happier and is much less stinky. Less fur=less mess!

                                    So, it’s been a wild ride the last 6 weeks and chances are she’ll need extra love, attention, and patience but she’s 100% worth it! She’s eating, pooping, and still acting like a cute little crazy bunny, so all is good! Thanks, everyone, for the help and advise. It worked!

                                    Oh, yeah, and the vet says she’s doing very good for a 9.5 year old bunny!


                                  • Sarita
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                                      That’s great – seems like all the adjustments you made are making her life easier. Glad she is doing better.


                                    • IsabellaRobyn
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                                        I’m so glad she’s feeling better! About the leg thing, I have a cat that had to have a leg removed when he was younger because he had an accident and it first it was really strange to see him like that but now it’s just him and if he wasn’t like that now he would look even more weird. I guess what I’m trying to say is you will adjust to the lack of motility in her leg just like she has. At first it looks strange but when you get used to it you hardly even realise there is something different !


                                      • TravisSaves
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                                          Thanks, Sarita and IsabellaRobyn! Your kind words mean a lot!

                                          Ok, my last question; I promise!

                                          I’d like to line Marshmallow’s cage for traction, since she’s been slipping a lot lately. I just lined it with a towel and within 5 minutes, she started chewing at it. Is this alright? Can rabbits safely ingest towels? if not, what can I use?

                                          Thanks again!!!!


                                        • Deleted User
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                                            Is she actually chewing/ripping it, or is she eating the towel? If she is eating it this isn’t good.

                                            As an alternative suggestion (for traction) I found a version of peel off tiles (I know the regular ones are available all over the place and probably of no help to you in this instance) that are made to resemble artificial turf. With the peel off back they are super easy to put in place, and the “grass” has been great for little rabbit paws to grip. One of mine spent some time trying to “uproot” the “grass” but really didn’t make any impression on them. You can also get little rugs at the Dollar Store, I put two in my condo and they are very popular. Again one has been pulling at the fibers, and I’ve noted a couple of bauld spots (after a good month and a half) but I also get to pick up the fluffy bits of rug every day so they aren’t being eaten.

                                            Hope something helps and all goes well.

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                                        Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A (UPDATED: WEIGHT LOSS) Has my rabbit injured her right leg?