Ugh. Seems like I can't catch a break with my meat rabbits. My flemish/French lop buck escaped his enclosure some time last night. I wasn't overly concerned because we've had escapees before and they always seem to return to the area for an easy capture. This evening I was feeding the other rabbits when my dog started whining at the blackberry bushes. I knew she must smell something in there and figured it must be him. I couldn't get into the bushes myself because its all a huge thick wall of blackberries and stinging nettle so I told her to go check it out (she is incredibly friendly and gentle with the rabbits so even if it was him I knew she wouldn't do anything except maybe flush him out for me). I heard her walking through the brush, and then heard something else rustling in there with her. Next thing I know my buck comes out dragging his hind legs with him. I know it wasn't the dog because I saw/heard her the whole time.. she didn't chase or bite or step on him, just slowly walked in towards him. I picked the buck up and turned him on his back to feel the legs and manually extend each one to see if anything was broken/dislocated.. both seemed to work fine. He still seems able to somewhat use them - he tried to kick me pretty good, but it's sloppy and uncoordinated. Half the time he falls over top of his hind legs and can't walk. My boyfriend thinks we should wait and see because he can still move himself around, but I think there is something seriously wrong. He just lies on his belly and flinched when you touch his back end.. He barely responds.. and when he does move he half drags, half stumbles around on the hind legs.
Any ideas what this could be? Is it best to just put him out of his misery? He's not our best quality buck, but he's our our favourite and I hate to think he might be suffering
Edit: he did get up and moved around when my boyfriend brought extra hay just now apparently. I came by and saw him sitting up and nibbling away.. so that's a plus right?
Any ideas what this could be? Is it best to just put him out of his misery? He's not our best quality buck, but he's our our favourite and I hate to think he might be suffering
Edit: he did get up and moved around when my boyfriend brought extra hay just now apparently. I came by and saw him sitting up and nibbling away.. so that's a plus right?