Rabbit won't move legs and when picked up urinates
My female bunny has suddenly developed a very disturbing condition. When I came home I found her in her box .. when she saw me she came out but she wasn't walking. She was dragging her back legs (as if they weren't working) When I reached in to pick her up she her legs just dangled and she was urinating.
I laid her back down and she eventually dragged herself back in to her box. Please tell me what this could be.
I have a wildlife camera on the hutch they were in and at about midnight on the 14th she remained in her box (not normal for her) until this morning (15th) she comes out but is dragging herself. I live in a very small community and there are no vets in this town. Please help me...
***** Karen Sez *****On that wildlife cam, did you see ANYTHING that could have startled your rabbit? Rabbits can snap their backs with a swift kick caused by a startle reflex.
I strongly suspect a bruised or broken back. When you picked up the rabbit, you applied pressure to the bladder, and because she is (possibly) unable to pee on her own, that pressure helped her pee.
But, without an x-ray it is difficult to know for sure whether the back is broken or bruised. A severe bruise can cause temporary swelling that can paralyze the rabbit temporarily.
If the back is well and truly broken, then sadly your rabbit will be paralyzed for good. The bladder symptom is possibly indicative of a break.
But, the peeing could actually indicate a parasitic infection rather than a broken back. Nosema is a parasite that, if it gets into the brain, can temporarily cause various neurological symptoms, including paralysis. Read more at https://www.raising-rabbits.com/rabbit-illnesses.html. If the immune system can bring the infection under control, the symptoms may abate, but unfortunately the rabbit will probably be infected for the rest of its life, even if not contagious.
I am not able to tell you which of these problems your rabbit has, since what you have described could be seen with either health problem.
At this point, you may simply wait it out to see how the rabbit's immune system responds. If in a month she is still paralyzed, I'm afraid I'd choose to euthanize the animal, were it mine.