Why Your Pet Rabbit Is Limping

Hello, how are you today? Welcome to our blog About Pets. We hope you are very well and looking forward to a new post about Pets.
Today we want to share with you a special post:

What should I do if my rabbit is limping?

Rabbits have quite a bit of rear leg strength and are well known for their jumping ability. But like other animals, things can sometimes happen that can cause a rabbit to limp.

Fracture

Your rabbit may suddenly start to limp if he has fractured (broken) his leg. This may be an obvious reason for limping in rabbits, but it is also a very serious reason.

Rabbits can jump off high surfaces or off your arms while holding them and land too hard on their legs, causing a fracture. It is a common occurrence among young children trying to carry their rabbits.

The rabbit can fight and fall or jump and land incorrectly, causing a broken leg. If you think your rabbit has broken his leg, take him to the exotic vet as soon as possible for treatment.

Another reason a fracture could occur is that your rabbit's leg is stuck in something like the bars of his cage. Hay hoppers and improperly sized cage bar spacing are the usual culprits, as are ramps in your cages and floor vents in your home.

Make sure your rabbit's paw cannot slip into or through any of these items found in its environment.

Pododermatitis

More commonly known as "Bumblefoot," pododermatitis is a foot infection that can occur in rabbits (and rats). This type of problem can be very painful and cause your rabbit to limp.

You will notice redness, sores, hair loss, and perhaps even scabs or drainage on the legs or hocks (ankles). Bumblebees in rabbits can be caused by several factors.

Some of the reasons the bumblebee is overweight are that your rabbit puts too much pressure on its feet and hocks, leading to sores that subsequently become infected, dirty environments that cause persistent moisture on the feet and hocks, rough wire-like surfaces that do not have his rabbit relief for your rabbit sitting in his dirty litter box for long periods of time and for sedentary rabbits that sit for long periods of time without too much exercise.

Bumblefoot can be treated in different ways depending on its severity, but it usually involves antibiotics, pain relievers, and correcting the reason for the problem.

Tumor

While that's not the reason anyone wants to listen, rabbits sometimes limp due to a tumor. Bone cancers are sometimes seen in rabbits and are very painful, causing the rabbit to limp.

If you notice any kind of swelling or lump on your rabbit, don't hesitate to make an appointment with your exotic vet to find out what it is. If it is a tumor, it may need to be surgically removed. Sometimes leg amputations are needed to completely remove the tumor if it is cancerous.

Abscess

Rabbits are particularly prone to abscesses. Abscesses appear to appear anywhere in a rabbit and can be very difficult to remove. They can also grow large enough to cause discomfort to your rabbit and, if found on its paw, cause lameness.

Abscesses are pus-filled bumps that are treated by cutting (cutting) them or with antibiotics, pain relievers, and sometimes even surgical debridement or removal. Like a tumor, if you notice any kind of lump on your rabbit, make sure it is examined by your exotic vet to determine how to treat it.

Osteoarthritis

Commonly known as arthritis, osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the joints and can affect rabbits in the same way that it can affect humans, our dogs, and other pets. Arthritis usually occurs in older rabbits and can cause lameness.

The front and back legs can be affected by arthritis and it is important to remember that any joint can be hindered. Arthritis is isolated in the elbows and knees as many people think but can be found in the carpus (wrist), hock (ankle), hip joint, and even one of the many feet and toes.

Radiographs (X-rays) are used to diagnose arthritis in rabbits. Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis, but there is a way to treat the pain and inflammation it can cause.

Your exotics vet may prescribe or recommend different medications and supplements, but it is important to discuss any of these with them before attempting to treat your rabbit.

Some medications and long-term doses can be harmful to a rabbit with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract. There are no medications specifically labeled or designed for the long-term treatment of arthritis in rabbits, so what you use is likely misuse.

Diets and supplements with added ingredients are also available for arthritic rabbits. These items are designed to help treat osteoarthritis in rabbits, but may not be enough on their own to completely resolve lameness.

Omega fatty acids, glucosamine, turmeric, and other natural ingredients can help your rabbit feel better and prevent more joint problems in the future.

Overgrown nails

If your rabbit spends time on rough surfaces, he can grind his nails naturally, but most domestic rabbits need regular nail trims.1 If a rabbit goes too long without a nail clipper, the nails will continue to grow, and sometimes, they will grow on the pad. . of the foot or break as quickly as possible and cause pain or discomfort.

If your rabbit's nail has rolled back into the paw pad, the long nail will need to be cut off and removed from the pad. It will likely bleed and your rabbit will need antibiotics, pain relievers, and maybe even a bandage.

If the nails are too long, they can catch on the mat or cage, break off and cause bleeding. These can usually be handled at home if you have styptic powder, but if your rabbit is feeling too uncomfortable, they may appreciate pain relievers. Make sure that whatever the nail injury, your rabbit's feet remain clean. Dirty feet will lead to infection at the nail injury site.

Dislocation

Joints can dislocate in rabbits just like in other animals and humans. When a joint "falls out of place," it is called a dislocation, and sometimes you need help getting back into place. If a joint (such as the hip or knee joint) is dislocated, your rabbit may limp until he sits back in place. If a joint has been dislocated for too long, it cannot be replaced, so don't wait to see what happens if you suspect that your rabbit has a dislocation.

Spine problems

Rabbits can injure their back from excessive blows, falls, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Sometimes this is a chronic problem (with the discs swollen, inflamed, and putting pressure on the spinal cord), and other times it is an acute problem. problem (due to trauma), but regardless, spinal problems can cause your rabbit to limp and sway. Spinal problems are serious in all species and your exotic vet should be consulted if you are concerned about your rabbit's back. X-rays and other images such as an MRI or CT scan may be recommended to aid in diagnosis and steroids, pain relievers, and other medications may be prescribed to treat your rabbit.

Soft tissue injuries

Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries can cause your rabbit to limp. A fracture or dislocation may look like a soft tissue injury on the outside, but surgery is not necessary. Anti-inflammatory and pain reliever medications are usually prescribed with rest, fortunately, soft tissue injuries usually resolve over time (unless a ligament or tendon is ruptured, which will require an MRI or CT scan to diagnose).

Enjoy The Video Tutorial about Signs Your Rabbit Needs to See a Vet!

Source: avianexoticsvet