My rabbit's back legs aren't working. Should I consider euthanasia?

I am sorry to hear about Bun Buns! Rabbits unfortunately are prone to developing back injuries which can cause weakness or paralysis in the hind legs due to neurological damage. I would recommend confining Bun Buns and getting him to the vet as soon as possible for evaluation. The vet will do a physical examination, test reflexes, and may recommend an x-ray to help determine what is causing his symptoms and how best to treat Bun Buns.

Rabbits can break their back if they kick too hard. If June isn't able to move the legs at all, then I would recommend taking him to a vet immediately for evaluation to see if there is a treatment available.

Thanks for reaching out about Poo-ah and including a photo. By the picture and position of Poo-ah's body a back injury is concerning. A veterinary visit is recommended this evening, as back traumas are more difficult to recover from, the longer you wait. The position of his neck/head, lend to believe this is painful. Seek an emergency visit this evening, for best outcome. Good luck.

Rabbits have sensitive backs and if they thrash around and kick strongly with their rear legs they can damage their spinal cord and become paralyzed. You can check to see if he still has pain sensation. Try squeezing a rear toe or paw to see if Nicky can feel it. If he turns around he then has deep pain sensation, if not he is paralyzed. He may pull back the leg which is a reflex, that isn't the same as his brain feeling the pain in the foot and looking around or crying out. If he's paralyzed he may also loose control of his urination and defecation so instead of going to the bathroom in his usual place, he may become soiled with urine and feces. To be sure about his condition a veterinary exam is recommended. If there is no improvement in the use of his legs in a few days then he probably is permanently paralyzed. This is very sad. If he isn't able to move or control his urination or defecation euthanasia may be the humane thing to do. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to get answers to your veterinary questions.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm so sorry to hear about this poor bunny. The outcome of this little guy seems very poor, and even if she had surgery, her recovery would be difficult and prognosis guarded. Have you looked into the local wildlife authorities, or animal shelters? They would be able to take in the bunny and have her put to sleep. As difficult as it is to make this decision, putting her down would be in her best interest to alleviate her pain and suffering under the circumstances. Thank you for caring and I hope this bunny gets placed in the right hands soon.

Unfortunately, figuring out why your rabbit is unable to walk is not going to be a simple matter. You should start by asking your self if it is possible that Lupita could have experienced something traumatic resulting in a break, strain, or sprain or a leg / back. Back problems are extremely common in rabbits and can unfortunately result in paralyzing injuries in many cases. Extremely weakness can make your bunny unable to walk, which can be the result of certain neurologic disorders or nutritional deficiencies. There are also certain parasites that can affect the central nervous system that will make your bunny unable to move around appropriately. While I can certainly appreciate your financial hardship, you may want to consider applying for something like CareCredit in order to get the funds needed to investigate this matter further with your veterinarian. Your bunny is going to have to be able to move around and get to the food and water bowl readily if she is going to be able to live a normal life. Hope this makes sense.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lucy. I recommend that she sees an emergency veterinarian today. She will likely need x-rays of her paw to see if it is broken. It does appear swollen which worries me. Based on her exam findings, treatment can be started to get her more comfortable. I hope this information helps!