Young doe not putting weight on one hind leg

alforddm · Jun 6, 2015

One of my 13 week old rex does is not putting weight on one of her hind legs. I was gone all day Thursday and got back yesterday around 4:30 when I checked on the rabbits I noticed it. I fed early Thursday before I left and didn't notice anything amiss. My son fed and watered for me Thursday night and friday morning.

I checked her over as soon as I noticed it. There doesn't seem to be any visible injury and I noticed no soreness in her hock or foot. I'm just taking a wait and see approach. She is still eating and drinking just not putting much weight on that leg.

Is there anything else I should do? I has to be the sweetest out of the two of them :evil:

Miss M · Jun 6, 2015

You're doing everything I would do. I hope she heals up well. :clover:

alforddm · Jun 7, 2015

Thank you. I thought that was pretty much all I could do but it never hurts to make sure.

BlueHaven · Jun 7, 2015

My rule for any animal is, if they ar e at least putting some weight on it, let them move around at will. Giving them something for pain will only encourage them to over use and make a problem worse.
If they are not putting any weight on the leg, but you don't think its broken, I would put it in a very small cage and limits its activity for forty eight hours and see if rest will help it. If not, its vet time.

Miss M · Jun 7, 2015

You can give willow twigs or some chewable baby aspirin for pain, but BlueHaven does have a point about possible overuse. I haven't heard of rabbits doing that, but it is a consideration.

For the aspirin, I think the maximum dose is 1 whole baby aspirin in a day, but I wouldn't come close to that for something like this. Maybe 1/4 of one twice a day. Willow is good for pain and generally well-liked and tolerated by the gut, and probably safer.

Confining her to a smaller space as BlueHaven suggested is a very good idea if she's still staying off of the leg.

alforddm · Jun 9, 2015

She is doing a better. I saw her raise up on both hind legs yesterday so she is putting some weight on it. She is still babying it though. I'm hopeful for a full recovery.