Not using back legs

Hi all,

Not been on here for a while, but thought it was the best place to get some advice about Freddie.
Freddie is about 5 1/2 years old.

About 1-2 months ago we noticed Freddie's back end getting a little stiff when we was moving about so as he had a 2 storey hutch we took out the stairs, and left him on one level, and of course took him to the vets, they started speaking about special food because of his age that would help his hips, we mentioned about our previous 2 rabbits potentially having e cuniculi, so the vet advised a 30 day course of Panacur for Freddie, and we also got a 9 day course for Noob even though he's in a different hutch (They didn't get on when trying to bond).

After the course we kept and eye on him, and again his back end looked to be getting worse, when letting him out, he'd just drag one foot along. We went to the vet that I think was a little harsh on him, who decided to give him an injection to help with any inflamation, and said he could need this every 6 weeks.
When we got Freddie home, after 1 day I noticed a massive decline, he was then moving but just dragging his back legs. We thought the hutch floor might not be helping, so we added some carpet to help him move about, and it has helped, he does kind of use the back legs occasionally, but when out in the run, he doesn't he just drags them about.

A few days ago whilst checking him we noticed all around his eyes are crusty, so we've been cleaning around his eyes every night, and they are starting to look better.

I'm still really worried about his back end not moving, he seems okay in himself, and has been eating well, although last nights dinner he didn't finish.
Having to keep taking him in to clean his eyes has had an affect on his legs too, and no doubt is stressing him out.

Has anyone experienced this sort of thing? Is it worth going back to the vets?

TripleD said:

Hi all,

Not been on here for a while, but thought it was the best place to get some advice about Freddie.
Freddie is about 5 1/2 years old.

About 1-2 months ago we noticed Freddie's back end getting a little stiff when we was moving about so as he had a 2 storey hutch we took out the stairs, and left him on one level, and of course took him to the vets, they started speaking about special food because of his age that would help his hips, we mentioned about our previous 2 rabbits potentially having e cuniculi, so the vet advised a 30 day course of Panacur for Freddie, and we also got a 9 day course for Noob even though he's in a different hutch (They didn't get on when trying to bond).

After the course we kept and eye on him, and again his back end looked to be getting worse, when letting him out, he'd just drag one foot along. We went to the vet that I think was a little harsh on him, who decided to give him an injection to help with any inflamation, and said he could need this every 6 weeks.
When we got Freddie home, after 1 day I noticed a massive decline, he was then moving but just dragging his back legs. We thought the hutch floor might not be helping, so we added some carpet to help him move about, and it has helped, he does kind of use the back legs occasionally, but when out in the run, he doesn't he just drags them about.

A few days ago whilst checking him we noticed all around his eyes are crusty, so we've been cleaning around his eyes every night, and they are starting to look better.

I'm still really worried about his back end not moving, he seems okay in himself, and has been eating well, although last nights dinner he didn't finish.
Having to keep taking him in to clean his eyes has had an affect on his legs too, and no doubt is stressing him out.

Has anyone experienced this sort of thing? Is it worth going back to the vets?

Click to expand...

Definitely

Has he had any diagnostics such as an Xray of his hips and spine ?

Is he able to poo and wee OK and keep himself clean ? A Rabbit with any mobility issues is at a very high risk of Flystrike if they cannot clean themselves.

Jack's-Jane said:

Definitely

Has he had any diagnostics such as an Xray of his hips and spine ?

Is he able to poo and wee OK and keep himself clean ? A Rabbit with any mobility issues is at a very high risk of Flystrike if they cannot clean themselves.

Click to expand...

Nope, the vet just started pressing around on his spine, and his back legs were spasiming madly, then he just gave him an injection.

He's wee'ing and poo'ing fine, we keep checking him and he seems clean, have watched him clean himself. Normally he sat on his back legs and used both front paws, but now he just uses 1 at a time and balances on the other.

from what you say i think it's worth changing the vet.

TripleD said:

Nope, the vet just started pressing around on his spine, and his back legs were spasiming madly, then he just gave him an injection.

He's wee'ing and poo'ing fine, we keep checking him and he seems clean, have watched him clean himself. Normally he sat on his back legs and used both front paws, but now he just uses 1 at a time and balances on the other.

Click to expand...

Sounds as though he might have a problem with the vertebrae in his spine. I would suggest asking for a referral to a Specialist for further investigation if your Vet is not willing or able to provide this.

Thanks all,

Had him in again last night to clean him up, wet poo all over his bum, also needed to clean his eyes up again and isn't really eating much, he loves hay, but hasn't touched that at all, and not really had much food either.
He's booked into the vets tomorrow morning again, so will see what they say. Can't help thinking the worst tho.

TripleD said:

Thanks all,

Had him in again last night to clean him up, wet poo all over his bum, also needed to clean his eyes up again and isn't really eating much, he loves hay, but hasn't touched that at all, and not really had much food either.
He's booked into the vets tomorrow morning again, so will see what they say. Can't help thinking the worst tho.

Click to expand...

Could the Vet not see him today? I really dont think this can wait another 24 hours

Vet possibly could do earlier but me and the other half are both at work, and they didn't have any free spaces when we finish or close to finishing time.

The good news is other half phoned at lunch time, and he's finished his food off, so she put a little more in his bowl and he went over and started eating it.

Spondylitis in the spine is quite common in older rabbits apparently - I'd agree with the others. Get a more rabbit savvy vet if possible. Good luck. http://www.petmd.com/rabbit/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_rb_spondylosis_deformans
and this one: http://www.celebratingrabbits.com/stories/caring_for_aging_rabbit.html