Disloacted Hip Recovery – Mable

[Mable2018]

Hello Everyone.

Has anyone had a rabbit who had recovered from a dislocated hip? I haven’t found many stories of any rabbits and their ecovery after they get it popped back into place.

My rabbit Mable(lion head lop) who is a little over 2 years now suffered from a dislocated hip(left hip) in late May of this year. She had just underwent surgery for her liver lobe that was bleeding(she quickly recovered from the surgery it was a miracle!!). It looked hopeless, but we had to vet put her under again to try and place the hip back into socket. Luckily it went back in and she had a sling on her hip for 2 weeks. She managed to chew it off a few times so we had to get to wrapped many times. It was very expensive but worth it because we love her!

The vet warned up that the hip could come out again very easily because rabbit need to use their hind legs 24/7.

Fast forward to now in late August. She has been running around very happily, still seems bothered by her hip that’s dislocated, but overall very happy until… yesterday. I notived some blood on the carpet and on Mable’s right foot I found a small sore hock.  It seems like shes been overcompensating on her right foot for her bad left hip. I took her to the vet today and he did an ray on her hips to double check and her left hip is out of joint and will never go back in.

She doesn’t seem like she is in pain, but will be she will never be fully able to use her left hip. Would love some advice if anyone has had a rabbit who can’t use all four of their legs.

Thank you 🙂

[DanaNM]

Sorry no one has responded to this yet!

I don’t have too much personal experience with this, but there was a bun at the rescue I volunteer at that couldn’t really use one of his back hind legs. It seemed like it had broken in the past and not been set properly, so it just kind of stuck out to the side and didn’t help him hop at all. He seemed quite happy and got around fine.

I’m guessing she might need some flooring and habitat modifications to protect her good foot. You might check out http://www.disabledrabbits.com/

They have lots of suggestions for housing for various types of bunny disabilities.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[LBJ10]

No experience with this, but I thought this was an interesting article: https://rabbit.org/journal/2-7/hop.html

Seeing if scar tissue forms seems to be preferred. Femoral head ostectomy would be the last resort.

[Author]

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