Strange foot movements

[MimzMum]

I’ve been noticing in the last week or so, Mimzy is tending to make some odd foot movements with his hind legs. Almost like he’s trying to shake out a kink in his muscles or something. It’s either as he’s lying down for a ‘superman’ pose nap, or getting up from a nap.

Could he be getting something like arthritis? At 3 years old? He seems kind of young for bone/joint troubles.

His nails are a bit long, he’s overdue for a trim. His are the hardest to clip properly since they are so dark, so I tend to procrastinate in his case.

He also seems to crash into the litter box first thing in the morning when it’s still a bit dark in the room. He’s woken me up twice doing it, and startled the heck out of Jenna in the process, she comes and hides under my pillow. Since I’m usually too groggy, I can’t tell you exactly what he does to cause this noise. He’s always tended to skid down his ramp from his sleeping shelf early on in the day, but this just sounds like he’s full on bashed into it.

He needs more exercise, I’m sure. Maybe that’s caused his coordination to be off? But doesn’t explain the jerking movements in the hind legs.

The rest of the day, he hops, moves and acts completely normal. Any opinions?

[RabbitPam]

Yes. Trim his nails.

I think a bit of excess growth can cause all kinds of skidding, as well as walking funny to avoid any lack of traction if it’s uneven on their paws. It’s the first, readily available cure and the most likely answer. Usually a burst of running accompanies a completely trimmed set of paws, and I am betting you will see that as soon as you do the dirty deed.

Mimzy emailed me asking me to get you to do it already, then provide a tasty banana for during and after.

[GrumpyBun]

I’m no expert, but a trim might well cure it. It’s worth a go!

[Deleted User]

I doubt this is a sign of arthritis. If it were, you’d see him move oddly, compensating, to avoid triggering the pain.

[Author]

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