My 11-year-old bunny boy has been having increasingly problems with his hindquarters. Since a week or so he sometimes falls to the side and cannot get back up by himself; he ends up sitting with his legs to one side until I help him up. His hips feel unstable. I am very sure that it’s related to the surgery he had in Jan 2024 (neutering). After that surgery, his hip hung to one side, and he circled for a while before recovering.
He’s also rather bony (hips) despite eating well. He hasn’t flopped since the surgery. I haven’t seen him loaf in quite some time either. I saw a (new) vet last year who offered further tests (MRI/x-ray) but I didn’t continue with her as she wanted me to come back for a nail clip instead of doing it at the time. I have old x-rays from 3 years ago. I consider seeing a (different) vet again, but I am wondering if anyone has experience with this? I don’t want unnecessary stressful tests if it won’t help. I may consider the medicine for him, if necessary, but it won’t help with the stability of the hindquarters/ muscle mass.
Also, I consider getting him a thick fitness mat, would this work better than blankets for easy cleaning and good comfort for him? Moreover, I read on a blog article by a Vet about bunnies that can just lie due to being “paralyzed”. She wrote she can’t understand how people keep these bunnies alive as she finds it cruel as the quality of life is no longer there. Thank God my bunny is not at this stage (yet) but what do you guys think about this?
I’ve also tried some physiotherapy exercises for bunnies such as slowly extending the leg and bringing it back up and trying to massage it but I don’t think it will help that much. Besides that, I make sure I enjoy every day with him.
On a positive note, he is in great spirits, playful, eating well, naughty, alert when he is not resting. He’s bonded to a rabbit girl. It’s just heartbreaking watching his happy alert mind in a body that won’t always cooperate. Hoping this improves.
Does anyone have any experiences or advice with this? It’s much appreciated. Thank you.
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