In need of bunny wheels for disabled rabbit

Rabbits Online Forum

Help Support Rabbits Online Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Taymog2009

New Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2019
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Manchester
2 weeks ago I noticed one of my rabbits back legs weren't working. After reading lots of info online, and being told this is a common problem in bunnies, I took him to the vets feeling quite hopeful. However, even though he had only been like this for a day, the vet seemed the kindest thing would be to have him put to sleep. I thought this was a bit strange as he didn't know what was wrong. So a week later after cookie being on anti inflammatories, he began eating very well again and twitching his feet and toes so I booked him for an x-ray yesterday with a different vets. I was told they would also test for a parasite. Not even an hour later I received a call saying it was only fair to have him put to sleep but the xrays show no spinal damage or breaks . I asked if it was the parasite and he said we haven't done the test as we feel he should be put to sleep. I disagree as cookie has put weight on, he now twitches his toes, I bath him twice a day and blow dry him for 2 hours to make sure he doesn't get wee burn as he was getting sore but now 100% improvement from bathing him. He is washing and also cleaning my other bunny and has made improvements daily so I don't see that taking his precious life is the right decision right now. I have seen on many forums that bunny wheels can help with mobility but I cannot find anyone that sells them in the UK even though there is a lot of info about them. Can anyone help me? I get up at 5am every day before work to massage him and bath him but think wheels would help massively .
 

Attachments

  • 20190321_110306.jpg
    20190321_110306.jpg
    52.2 KB · Views: 11
First, I would find a different more experienced rabbit vet. You have a very good one near you, Aidan Raftery at Ashleigh Veterinary Centre.
http://ashleigh-veterinary-centre.com/staff-by-departments/veterinary-surgeons/

Hind limb weakness isn't necessarily a death sentence, even when they don't regain full function, especially if they cope well with the disability. I had an older disabled bun and she did just fine with her disability. And sometimes it can be treated and corrected, especially with him showing signs of still having motor and sensory function in the legs. I would want to keep him on the anti inflammatories and also add in panacur(fenbendazole, 20mg/kg, once a day) in case of it being caused by the parasite e. cuniculi, which is what an experienced rabbit vet is likely to prescribe unless the findings show it's not e. cuniculi related.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html
http://www.disabledrabbits.com/paralysis.html

If you do end up needing to go the route of trying a cart, here's one for dogs. I'm sure they could make one for your rabbit.
https://dogmobile-online.com/
http://www.disabledrabbits.com/wheelchairs.html

Or you may be able to make your own.
http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Special_needs_rabbits
 
Thank you so much for your help. I totally agree with you that it doesn't always mean a death sentence for the bunny. He's well in himself and eating and drinking well and it's still very early days. The vet refused to do the test for e.coniculi as he said his legs were too sore from urine burn which isn't the case as I've managed so far to keep that under control by bathing him. I will contact the vet you have suggested to get a second opinion. Thank you again for your help
 
Hi, my rabbit has also had leg problems since the weekend. I noticed he started being weaker on his legs for a little while and assumed with his age (6) arthritis, but then on Sunday he couldn't walk and was dragging it. At the vets she determined he had muscle loss in his leg which comes with age.
She did suggest pts but as he was eating well and other wise happy she gave him some meds and said to see how he goes. He had a dirty bottom yesterday so she was concerned that as summer comes, if he cant clean himself he'd be more susceptible to fly strike. however today he didn't have a dirty bottom so the meds* do seem to be working, and he was a bit more mobile.
I am also interested in the bunny wheel chair if the time comes. I might make a Lego prototype.
Please let me know if you do get one, I would be very interested on how your bunny reacts to it. Hope he stays well.
Siobhan.

*She gave him an injection but I can't remember what it was for (I was crying at the time), he has a wormer and a gut medicine called meloxicam. He did go back into his shed earlier than normal to rest.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top