Back legs failing?

Hi all - new poster here. We have a wee dutch bunny called Giz(mo). Got him for my wifes christmas years back virtually on impulse (had bunnies when I was young) but he was so beautiful and full of cheek I couldnt leave him in the shop. To be honest getting him for my wife was a pretty lame excuse for me to get him!

Anyway apart from an ear infection hes been healthy his entire life. He is now around 71/2 years old which from what I can gather is pretty old for a bunny. My last one when a kid lasted to 7.

Around 3 months ago when we had him at the vet for having diorreah (sp) she warned us that he could get some bug that effects the rear legs due to having a messy rear. Hes a house bunny and we clean his cage every few days but with two very young kids its impossible to bath him every day. It turned out he wasnt eating enough hay which we have recitified and while he still occasionally has a bad stomach its only occasional now.

Now since then his legs have gone from fine (spring lamb jumps in the garden) to falling over and being really stiff. We took him back to the vet and she examined him and said she thinks its artheritus (sp) due to old age. In the last two weeks hes really gone downhill. He still eats like mad - and he still wants to play and us to chase him about the house but he cannot really do it.

So really my question is - should we just accept hes no spring bunny now and old age gets to us all - or should we seek a second opinion on the bug she warned us about but discarded this week? Im still hoping (in vain) that its something I can sort somehow.

Thanks

Carl

I think what she was referring to originally was Flystrike. This is where a blowfly will lay it's eggs on the poo clumped around a buns bottom. The eggs hatch and eat the poo and then attack the bunny. It's very horrible, but is usually easy to spot because you can see the maggots or larvea by looking closely at the skin. So If he has been checked like this it's probably not flystrike, but that is why having a 'mucky bottom' can be a really big problem for a bun.

Has he ever been treated with Panacur? It's a worming paste used to treat E.C. I'm not saying your bun has E.C. because I don't know about your specific symptoms but it's something other people may ask.....

But if it were me, I would definately get a second opinion, vets won't be offended it's very common practice and sometimes they can miss things like all people do.

I talked with the wife about it tonight and were going to take him for a second opinion. Thanks for the reply.

To be honest it may be perfectly normal for arthiritus to effect a bunny like this but its come on so quickly its taken us by surprise and made me suspicous thats what it actually is. Only in december he was running in the garden and there was nothing obvious wrong. With all the snow he hasnt been out much but suddenly hes falling onto his back randomly and very stiff indeed. Weve nothing to lose getting him checked out again thats for sure.

Hi

Glad your bunny has been so generally healthy.

This sounds like there may be a bit of confusion as to various possible problems.

The 'diarrhoea' sounds as though it was actually the rabbit not eating his caecal pellets - which are a different type of 'poo' to the normal poo. They are meant to eat it but if their diet is too rich and does not contain enough hay then they often don't and it leads to sticky bum syndrome.

The legs 'failing' will not be related to this (although see spinal comment below). Seven is not actually that old for a rabbit - sort of about 50-55 for a human I guess. Some will have arthritis at this age if they have not got out and about enough (this doesn't sound the case with yours if he is a house bun) or had some trauma, or for some reason a predisposition.

Spinal problems would also be an option.

Either of the above might be treated with painkillers and anti-inflamatories ( a drug called metacam is often used). Accupuncture is another option.

But one of the 'obvious' things to worry about which often kicks in at this age for some reason is the 'parasite' EC (E.cuniculli). I won't go into detail about this as it could get lengthy (!) but it can cause a variety of symptoms including weakness of the legs, excessive weeing and drinking (as it effects kidneys) and sometimes a white disc in the eye and loss of balance.

There is no 'cure' BUT there is a treatment which will stop the advance of the problem and can also help a lot with getting mobility back.

Lack of mobility of the legs/spine can by the way stop a rabbit eating caecal pellets and in turn lead to mucky bun again!

Please do go for a second opinion with a rabbit specialist.
If you post a thread here asking for a recommended rabbit vet near you I am sure someone will come up with one!

Good luck - and I hope you have several more happy years with your bun!

parsnipbun said:

Hi

Glad your bunny has been so generally healthy.

This sounds like there may be a bit of confusion as to various possible problems.

The 'diarrhoea' sounds as though it was actually the rabbit not eating his caecal pellets - which are a different type of 'poo' to the normal poo. They are meant to eat it but if their diet is too rich and does not contain enough hay then they often don't and it leads to sticky bum syndrome.

The legs 'failing' will not be related to this (although see spinal comment below). Seven is not actually that old for a rabbit - sort of about 50-55 for a human I guess. Some will have arthritis at this age if they have not got out and about enough (this doesn't sound the case with yours if he is a house bun) or had some trauma, or for some reason a predisposition.

Spinal problems would also be an option.

Either of the above might be treated with painkillers and anti-inflamatories ( a drug called metacam is often used). Accupuncture is another option.

But one of the 'obvious' things to worry about which often kicks in at this age for some reason is the 'parasite' EC (E.cuniculli). I won't go into detail about this as it could get lengthy (!) but it can cause a variety of symptoms including weakness of the legs, excessive weeing and drinking (as it effects kidneys) and sometimes a white disc in the eye and loss of balance.

There is no 'cure' BUT there is a treatment which will stop the advance of the problem and can also help a lot with getting mobility back.

Lack of mobility of the legs/spine can by the way stop a rabbit eating caecal pellets and in turn lead to mucky bun again!

Please do go for a second opinion with a rabbit specialist.
If you post a thread here asking for a recommended rabbit vet near you I am sure someone will come up with one!

Good luck - and I hope you have several more happy years with your bun!

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Thanks - it was the EC she warned me about.

To be honest I took him the first time and my wife the second and weve just realised that its two different vets that have seen him. The one that told us it was artheritus was a lot younger (not that it means anything).

My wife has seen him more as shes at home more and while hes stiff she thinks his general balance is wrong. She thought at first something like a tumour effecting his brain so maybe that balance thing is more to it than just stiff legs.

We stay up in Inverness - im not sure how we can find out which is the best vet in the area for him tbh.

Trimmtrab said:

Thanks - it was the EC she warned me about.

To be honest I took him the first time and my wife the second and weve just realised that its two different vets that have seen him. The one that told us it was artheritus was a lot younger (not that it means anything).

My wife has seen him more as shes at home more and while hes stiff she thinks his general balance is wrong. She thought at first something like a tumour effecting his brain so maybe that balance thing is more to it than just stiff legs.

We stay up in Inverness - im not sure how we can find out which is the best vet in the area for him tbh.

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Yes this does sound like possible EC and if so is best treated soon as it can get serious (leading to head tilt). If it is anything else neurological then it needs quick treatment too of course. in my VERY LIMITED personal experience middle age males and smaller breeds seem quite prone to the EC affecting them (a LOT of rabbits get it - not all have symptoms).

If you Post a new thread headed Recommendations needed for Rabbit Savvy Vet Inverness you should get some answers. I have a feeling there are some posters from up that way! You can always ask the vet for Panacur anyway (make sure you get 28 days - not 9 days) but a good vet will try and make a difinitive diagnosis and may give other drugs alongside panacur.

The stiff legs can be caused by a number of ailments, not just arthritis. I've had buns present with this symptom, one of whom had bladder sludge and the other kidney failure.

Blood tests are a good idea, to check whether all his organs are working okay. And x-rays too if he's well enough to be sedated

abbymarysmokey said:

The stiff legs can be caused by a number of ailments, not just arthritis. I've had buns present with this symptom, one of whom had bladder sludge and the other kidney failure.

Blood tests are a good idea, to check whether all his organs are working okay. And x-rays too if he's well enough to be sedated

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yes absolutely . . all the urine/spinal stuff needs checking out in addition to checking for EC.

Ling Jai started to lose his balance a few months ago and when he ran it was at an angle, definately not straight, he also stopped running up and down the stairs which he used to love before. His back remains some what hunched and he no longer lies down straight and flat as he used to. An x ray was done and nothing was found wrong with the spine, the vet came to the conclusion it could be arthritis at his age and now I give him metacam every day incase he does have some pain which he probably does have as he's had plenty of dental issues. The problem is vetenary care for rabbits is really not well developed, it's all about cats and dogs sadly:roll:

I have an 11-year old bunny whose very gradually struggling more and more with his back legs. I am 90% sure it is arthritis, it has been getting worse over many months.

My first port of call will be my vet to make sure arthritis really is his problem (and to prescribe NSAIDs). If so, then my next step is my McTimoney chiropractor. She will be able to readjust the bones/joints and often that alone is really helpful.

Benji is also on glucosamine, and once the diagnosis is confirmed, I will add other supplements.

Vera

old thumper

Trimmtrab said:

Hi all - new poster here. We have a wee dutch bunny called Giz(mo). Got him for my wifes christmas years back virtually on impulse (had bunnies when I was young) but he was so beautiful and full of cheek I couldnt leave him in the shop. To be honest getting him for my wife was a pretty lame excuse for me to get him!

Anyway apart from an ear infection hes been healthy his entire life. He is now around 71/2 years old which from what I can gather is pretty old for a bunny. My last one when a kid lasted to 7.

Around 3 months ago when we had him at the vet for having diorreah (sp) she warned us that he could get some bug that effects the rear legs due to having a messy rear. Hes a house bunny and we clean his cage every few days but with two very young kids its impossible to bath him every day. It turned out he wasnt eating enough hay which we have recitified and while he still occasionally has a bad stomach its only occasional now.

Now since then his legs have gone from fine (spring lamb jumps in the garden) to falling over and being really stiff. We took him back to the vet and she examined him and said she thinks its artheritus (sp) due to old age. In the last two weeks hes really gone downhill. He still eats like mad - and he still wants to play and us to chase him about the house but he cannot really do it.

So really my question is - should we just accept hes no spring bunny now and old age gets to us all - or should we seek a second opinion on the bug she warned us about but discarded this week? Im still hoping (in vain) that its something I can sort somehow.

Thanks

Carl

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it is nice that this little guy has gotten to this age,,unfortunately age can be a big factor/pain arthritus,etc,..a radiograph would confirm some speculation to fact,,i nursed our dog along for two extra years,,past the point that she could no longer-care for herself,,then i did what she wanted,,to this day i feel good helping her,,hoping that the same would be done for me..love them as long as you can,..sincerely-james waller

LurcherGirl said:

I have an 11-year old bunny whose very gradually struggling more and more with his back legs. I am 90% sure it is arthritis, it has been getting worse over many months.

My first port of call will be my vet to make sure arthritis really is his problem (and to prescribe NSAIDs). If so, then my next step is my McTimoney chiropractor. She will be able to readjust the bones/joints and often that alone is really helpful.

Benji is also on glucosamine, and once the diagnosis is confirmed, I will add other supplements.

Vera

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lurchergirl tell me more about this therapy for rabbit's, if it'll get an old bunny a little more energetic I would also like my boy seen, he's 11 too and isn't the same as he was

jassie said:

lurchergirl tell me more about this therapy for rabbit's, if it'll get an old bunny a little more energetic I would also like my boy seen, he's 11 too and isn't the same as he was

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Chiro is not just for rabbits, but for all animals and of course also for people. I have mainly used it for myself and my dogs with excellent results, but I have also had it done on a rabbit once.

McTimoney chiropractic is a therapy where the therapist manipulates the bones of mainly the spine and pelvis but also other bones very gently back into the right position. Both myself and one of my dogs go to our chiropractor once a month, me for my back and Troy for his arthritis. It works very well.

See this for a better explanation: http://www.k30.co.uk/yourchiropractor/chiropractic.htm

And to find one in your area, check this website: http://www.mctimoneychiropractic.org/

Vera

thanks I will have a good read