Baby rabbit has started walking on joints of front legs?

[Faye0731]

I have an 8 week old baby that has started walking on the joints of his front legs (feet bending inwards). I syringe fed him and his siblings after an accidental litter. The parents belong to a family member~ the dad and daughter mated through the bars of the cage so they are incest. The mother refused to care for them so I took them in when they were 2 days old. His front legs have always buckled on and off, but the past week he has started walking on his front knee joints almost all of the time. He isn’t kept on smooth surfaces and I keep their current cage lined with a cushioned blanket when he’s in there. I’m guessing it has to do with his poor genetics. Is there any way to splint his legs? Or is this something that will most likely be permanent? Would this be considered splay legs? His siblings are normal and haven’t had any issues and he has always been the runt. I am planning on getting him an appointment at the vet next week since the doctor that sees rabbits at my vet office isn’t in this week. Any advice or info would be great!

 

[JBun]

It sounds like it might be splay leg, but a knowledgeable rabbit vet could best determine what's going on and if splinting or bracing the legs is the appropriate treatment.

Medirabbit: genetic splay leg

Medirabbit: case of splay leg

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian
https://rabbit.org/veterinarians/
To have any chance of correcting the issue, something would need to be tried now while the bunny is still growing. If this can't be corrected, the bunny will be prone to developing sores, so soft flooring will always be needed, and regular monitoring for sores. A custom built cart to support the rabbits weight, may be a possible option.

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/splay-leg.html