Rupert Hops Weird

[housetb]

So Ruepert got neutered 5 weeks ago and since I have noticed his back legs seem very weak. I thought it was because we kept him confined to the cage for a while so he didn't get to hop a whole lot the first couple weeks. Once we gave hin free range of the house I thought the strength would build back up. Well, he is still hopping weird and sometimes falls over if he gets too excited and tries the race around a lot.

We also have let him and Babs start hopping around together too. She has claimed the dominant role in their relationship now, but poor Ruepert gets knocked over easily now. Its like he doesn't have balance anymore. Is this normal or should I talk to my vet about this?

 

[LakeCondo]

talk to the vet.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

:yeahthat: for sure.

 

[missyscove]

I'd definitely ask your vet about it, and if you can take a video to bring with you, that might help also as I'm guessing he wouldn't be inclined to run around in the vet's office anyway.

 

[Serenity73]

Yes Ask your vet, that is not right at all!

 

[LakeCondo]

If you can't take a video, try to tell if he always falls to one side & if it seems to be one leg more than the other.

 

[housetb]

Its been FOREVER since I have posted on here, let alone about this issue! Rupert, unfortunately, has not gotten any better with this issue. He mostly scoots around now, trying every once and a while to get on his hind legs to actually hop normal. He still eat, drinks, and goes to the bathroom normally, so the vet, spinal cord specialist, and my family have decided to just let him live on! He is still adorable and friendly as always, just a little gimp. They think he injured his spinal cord in the process of hopping over to our other rabbits cage not too long after his neuter happened.

I would suggest for anyone that has something similar happen to their rabbit, take him to the vet because it could be really bad and surgery could be necessary. The orthopedic vet we went to basically said that if he is happy and healthy, there is no reason to do surgery when he can still get around. So, it is possible it could just be a slight issue and your bunny can still live a fairly normal life.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

ray:

 

[agnesthelion]

Awww Rupert. Glad he still seems to be enjoying life though!

 

[BunBuns Human]

housetb wrote:

They think he injured his spinal cord in the process of hopping over to our other rabbits cage not too long after his neuter happened.

Yeah that, or the vet botched the surgeryat the nuetering and isn't planning on owning up to it.

From what I've been reading online a lot of vets are like: "yeah I work on rabbits" and their real attitude is like: "rabbits cost ten bucks, go buy another one if there is a problem". That is why I'm still dealing with bunny pee and Booger still has his balls.

 

[LakeCondo]

Some vets may be like that, but that's why people have to find a good vet before anything serious happens that one must be seen asap.

 

[housetb]

I have a really good vet, its where I take both my rabbits and my dog. They are probably the best vet hospital in the area I live in. Its run by a husband and wife who are very educated and care a lot for every animal that comes in their office. The wife of the couple is the doctor who actually sees both of my rabbits and has been with us every step of the way through Rupert's injury. She has been so concerned with him that she will email almost twice a month to ask how he is doing. She even takes video of him to send to the spinal cord specialist we were referred to.

The vet who performed his surgery was another vet who specifically specializes in exotic animal surgeries and such. I know for a fact, with the care they give, there was no mistakes made. If there was the slightest thought of a mistake, they would definitely own up to it and do what was necessary to help fix it.

I guess that was not really a rant I needed to go on, but I wanted it to be clear that our vet is top notch when it comes to bunnies. All 3 vets who do the main checks and surgeries own rabbits and are very educated on how to care for them. I agree 100% that you should make sure you find a vet who really knows what they are doing when it comes to bunnies!

 

[MagPie]

Yeah I kind of find it hard to believe a bad neuter could cause nerve damage or lameness. Is that even possible?

Harvey's neuter went very smoothly. It helps that the place I took him does a lot of rabbit neuters and spays.