Please help! 2 very worried owners!

NALA (our mini flop) has recently began limping, the limping on its own isn't super worrying as we have her booked into the vets tomorrow. But her behavior patterns have changed, she is making a low pitched noise constantly. I don't think it's tooth grinding based on the research I have completed.

She is eating and drinking still, she is also still passing and using her litter tray.

Are we over reacting? we are looking at her every move under a magnifying glass at the moment and I think it's adding to our worry.

It does sound like she needs to be checked over by a vet fairly urgently. Rabbits shouldn't be limping or making a constant noise, and any change in behaviour needs investigating. It's always best to follow your gut feeling - if you think there is something wrong, there usually is with rabbits. As prey animals, they normally cover up signs of illness.

It's a good sign that she is still eating and drinking.


You don't say how old she is, if she's neutered or had any previous conditions.

Wishing you well at the vet tomorrow.

I agree with shimmer. One other thing, has she had a vaccination recently ?

Nala is a female and has been spayed, she is 10 months old.
She hasn't had her vaccinations as of yet, between consent lockdown the vet hasn't been the easiest to deal with, so we've held it off.
The vet only has one specialist for rabbits and she isn't in until tomorrow, that's why we have had to wait.

She's still coming over to us when we call her name/flash the treats!

I'm sorry to read that Nala is not presenting as her usual self. I also agree with Shimmer and Jane and you have done the right thing getting her to the vets tomorrow. The fact that she is pooping and weeing is good and also that she is still eating and drinking. The noise she is making may be indicitive of pain so perhaps if you can, take some video footage of the noise for your vet, and possibly some of the poops.
Sending Nala vibes for tomorrow and hope you can update the thread once you have seen the vet.
Craig. xx

Upon looking online trying to directly compare the noise, this is the noise she is making.
https://youtu.be/uELWD8X2lxQ

That is same noise that my bunny Mischief does sometimes when eating now. Wondered if he is just being greedy but we not sure as he has had breathing issues.

Has Nala just started making the noise at the same time as she started limping? Was she making the noise before that? If they have started the same time then I would hazard a guess it is probably due to pain.

Rabbit's natural instinct is to hide their pain best they can. They are lowest on the food chain so try to hide it from possible predators and also their own kind in case they are rejected out of the burrow.

Unfortunately that does not help us to understand when they need medical assistance. If a bunny is showing her pain then she is probably in distress and you are totally right to get her seen by a vet urgently.

Until then try your best to keep her warm (not too warm though and not too close to a radiator) and offer her somewhere quiet to rest near hay and water. Also try not to handle her unless absolutely necessary. If she is injured and struggles it could make things worse.

Did you notice anything unusual that could have caused this? Did she maybe scoot about and hurt herself or knock into something? Anything you can tell vets will help them when diagnosing what is wrong.

I wish Nala the best of luck at the vets and sending you vibes. Hope you have a peaceful night x

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BunbunNala said:

Upon looking online trying to directly compare the noise, this is the noise she is making.
https://youtu.be/uELWD8X2lxQ

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That is actually a noise indicating respiratory tract congestion, not ‘happy honking ‘ as claimed in the video title.

I asked about vaccinations as with some vaccines a post vaccination limp can occur. These days this only applies to the ERAVAC vaccine for RHD2..

I hope the Vet can find the cause of her symptoms and that she has not sustained a hairline fracture causing the limp.If the limp is deemed to be neurological in origin then Encephalitozoon Cuniculi is a likely diagnosis.

All of the above does require prompt Veterinary attention so I am glad that you have an appointment today.

InspectorMorse said:

That is actually a noise indicating respiratory tract congestion, not ‘happy honking ‘ as claimed in the video title.

I asked about vaccinations as with some vaccines a post vaccination limp can occur. These days this only applies to the ERAVAC vaccine for RHD2..

I hope the Vet can find the cause of her symptoms and that she has not sustained a hairline fracture causing the limp.If the limp is deemed to be neurological in origin then Encephalitozoon Cuniculi is a likely diagnosis.

All of the above does require prompt Veterinary attention so I am glad that you have an appointment today.

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Oh that's interesting. Mr Chief is making that noise when he is eating. As he has respiratory issues that makes perfect sense.

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Little update:
The vets verdict, nothing is wrong with her, the vet has looked over her leg and she can't find anything, nor did nala react.
The only thing that could be of some importance is one of her nails grows on a slight angle which could get in the way sometimes.

We are to go ahead with the administration of some pain medication. She's due back in 2 weeks for a follow up.

Did the vet check her feet aswell? My bunny has weird dew claws that grow inwards and if they need clipping they start to dig in to bottom of his feet and make his pad sore. Have nails been trimmed recently?

Keep an eye on her feet and check carefully under the fur and around her toes. She may be a bit sore somewhere there and it is hidden from easy inspection.

If it carries on and painkillers don't work then don't be afraid to take her back to vets again. If she is making noises due to pain there is something wrong. She may need an X-ray. Hope Nala feels better soon xx

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One of her claws growing on a angle was the only thing the the vet mentioned but she did do a thorough inspection, well that's what I was lead to believe.

Best of luck for Nala x

Further update:
We took her back to the vet, not a specialist this time but seemed to be more helpful. She has gave us a course of antibiotics and mentioned the possibility that she could have osteoporosis, but we wouldn't know for sure whats up with her without blood work and X-rays.

The plan is to see where we get with the course of antibiotics first.

Awwww bless her. Really hope she is ok xxx

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BunbunNala said:

Further update:
We took her back to the vet, not a specialist this time but seemed to be more helpful. She has gave us a course of antibiotics and mentioned the possibility that she could have osteoporosis, but we wouldn't know for sure whats up with her without blood work and X-rays.

The plan is to see where we get with the course of antibiotics first.

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I wonder why the vet would think of osteoporosis? I've had osteoporosis since my twenties, so I've read a lot about it, but it's not supposed to cause limping, and it only hurts in rare cases (a broken bone would hurt, though, obviously, but osteoporosis itself doesn't normally). X-rays sound like a good idea, though. Lots of vibes for Nala.

Adding my good wishes for Nala. While a good rabbit vet is ideal, I have often been impressed by the effort a vet less specialised in rabbits will make to be helpful. Don't hesitate to call the vet again if you are concerned. Any sign of a rabbit being in pain is a worry as they could go off their food.

a reader of books said:

I wonder why the vet would think of osteoporosis? I've had osteoporosis since my twenties, so I've read a lot about it, but it's not supposed to cause limping, and it only hurts in rare cases (a broken bone would hurt, though, obviously, but osteoporosis itself doesn't normally). X-rays sound like a good idea, though. Lots of vibes for Nala.

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Osteoporosis is common in older Rabbits and is often related to an inappropriate diet and/or lack of exercise. Maybe the Vet meant the limping could be due to an osteoporotic fracture x

InspectorMorse said:

Osteoporosis is common in older Rabbits and is often related to an inappropriate diet and/or lack of exercise. Maybe the Vet meant the limping could be due to an osteoporotic fracture x

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Ooh, that would make more sense, yes.