rabbitlover08
Well-Known Member
I have two pet bunnies, approximately 4 years old I believe.. When I got them around 3 years ago they were almost fully grown I'd say so I'm really unsure of their exact age, although that does make me very curious from time to time.. My one female rabbit is a little shy and paranoid sometimes. They both don't come out of their cage too often unless to eat food or play in the fort I made them from boxes. I've never really been able to handle them, I would like to, and it makes it difficult for cutting their nails etc. I try to respect they're comfort zones but do need to be in control when it comes to grooming and nail trimming etc, so need to maybe be a little more assertive about it is the word?
Anyway, my female has an arch on her back and appears to almost be hunchbacked. I can feel her spine very easily and it feels so delicate, her shoulder blades are also very easy to feel. I notice she has her head down sometimes as if the curve in her back makes it hard for her to bend her head back...
I've looked into spinal deformations and have came across a few terms that may describe her condition on a site called medirabbit.
It does seem like this has progressed since I first got her, I never really noticed how bony she felt in the past. She eats a lot of pellets and weighs a little more than average so I'm sure it has nothing to do with being too skinny. I do think it could be a lack of muscle on her back from lack of exercise.
She gets around fine, though it seems like she doesn't hop the same way she used to. I recently moved to an apartment around 8 months ago in the city and they both seem to be less happy than they used to be, as before we lived in the country and I took them outside to play and they loved that.
I rarely see them binky or run around anymore and this make me upset. I try to maintain a close relationship with them but still think they're unsure of me and don't trust me 100% as I try to pick them up sometimes etc.
Anyway, her spine seems very fragile and her shoulder area. I've had her to the vet and they didn't say much except that they could take X rays. I also had tested for parasites a few months ago.
I'm aware that spinal deformations are more common with female rabbits but am unsure what to do at this point besides getting X rays done, which I can not afford right now but am desperate to do ASAP.
I'm worried she could have a tumor on her spine, or just a very skinny back as of lately for some reason. The arch dips at her neck, then rises closer to the top of her back and then almost goes down at a 70 degree angle.. she looks very uncomfortable sometimes. I feel like I don't know what to do having no money. I've never liked taking my pets to the vets as I don't trust how they handle them, behind closed doors etc. Knowing how rabbits are so fragile.
Sometimes she will sit and stare at me as if to say I want something, or help me out here before it's too late please!! And I feel so bad and get depressed and they notice that and become upset, she seen like this for almost over a year now and I don't know what to do. I feel like an idiot, unresponsoble pet owners for not doing something sooner. She has been fine the whole time and I realize it's not an "emergency" but lateky I'm feeling I should make this a priority and an urgent matter to get her checked out. I'll need to get a loan somehow. I'm 21 and single living on my own and can barely afford the basic needs at this time.
If anyone could provide further assistance or advice, or if anyone has dealt with issue like this than please let me know. I've uploaded some photos too.. Not the best pictures to show what I mean but a few are taken at okay angles.
Very sorry for making this so long! I haven't been active for awhile now so figured I would provide some insight on me and my rabbits situation..
In the meantime, I'll encourage exercise, and try to make an appointment as soon as possible. I feel horrible for not doing anything sooner, and believe me I would do anything for these guys, they're my true best friends and always will be..
Thank you so much in advance for any help or recommendations
EDIT: The link to the spinal deformations I was referring to
http://www.medirabbit.com/Radiography/Spine/Spine_def.htm
Anyway, my female has an arch on her back and appears to almost be hunchbacked. I can feel her spine very easily and it feels so delicate, her shoulder blades are also very easy to feel. I notice she has her head down sometimes as if the curve in her back makes it hard for her to bend her head back...
I've looked into spinal deformations and have came across a few terms that may describe her condition on a site called medirabbit.
It does seem like this has progressed since I first got her, I never really noticed how bony she felt in the past. She eats a lot of pellets and weighs a little more than average so I'm sure it has nothing to do with being too skinny. I do think it could be a lack of muscle on her back from lack of exercise.
She gets around fine, though it seems like she doesn't hop the same way she used to. I recently moved to an apartment around 8 months ago in the city and they both seem to be less happy than they used to be, as before we lived in the country and I took them outside to play and they loved that.
I rarely see them binky or run around anymore and this make me upset. I try to maintain a close relationship with them but still think they're unsure of me and don't trust me 100% as I try to pick them up sometimes etc.
Anyway, her spine seems very fragile and her shoulder area. I've had her to the vet and they didn't say much except that they could take X rays. I also had tested for parasites a few months ago.
I'm aware that spinal deformations are more common with female rabbits but am unsure what to do at this point besides getting X rays done, which I can not afford right now but am desperate to do ASAP.
I'm worried she could have a tumor on her spine, or just a very skinny back as of lately for some reason. The arch dips at her neck, then rises closer to the top of her back and then almost goes down at a 70 degree angle.. she looks very uncomfortable sometimes. I feel like I don't know what to do having no money. I've never liked taking my pets to the vets as I don't trust how they handle them, behind closed doors etc. Knowing how rabbits are so fragile.
Sometimes she will sit and stare at me as if to say I want something, or help me out here before it's too late please!! And I feel so bad and get depressed and they notice that and become upset, she seen like this for almost over a year now and I don't know what to do. I feel like an idiot, unresponsoble pet owners for not doing something sooner. She has been fine the whole time and I realize it's not an "emergency" but lateky I'm feeling I should make this a priority and an urgent matter to get her checked out. I'll need to get a loan somehow. I'm 21 and single living on my own and can barely afford the basic needs at this time.
If anyone could provide further assistance or advice, or if anyone has dealt with issue like this than please let me know. I've uploaded some photos too.. Not the best pictures to show what I mean but a few are taken at okay angles.
Very sorry for making this so long! I haven't been active for awhile now so figured I would provide some insight on me and my rabbits situation..
In the meantime, I'll encourage exercise, and try to make an appointment as soon as possible. I feel horrible for not doing anything sooner, and believe me I would do anything for these guys, they're my true best friends and always will be..
Thank you so much in advance for any help or recommendations
EDIT: The link to the spinal deformations I was referring to
http://www.medirabbit.com/Radiography/Spine/Spine_def.htm
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