|
There is a huge difference between a spinal injury, iatrogenic splay leg and hereditary splay leg!
Spinal Damage:
Rabbit may be able to move the legs slightly and have sensation (pull back from a pinch), but cannot move normally; OR, may not be able to move the hind legs at all, has no control over bladder and bowels, and has no sensation in feet or legs. Postures seen may range from slightly 'off' to sitting with hind legs flat out on the floor in front of the rabbit; animal may 'inchworm' their way across a cage or simply drag the unresponsive hindquarters; some do not move but use the 'dead' area as a pivot point for food and water.
Symptoms can vary from one extreme to the other, and unless an X-ray shows a severed spinal cord, recovery M Happens at any age and has many causes.
Iatrogenic (Breeder-caused) Splay Leg (ISL):
Rabbit is usually young (2-6 weeks of age), and is usually a single kit or part of a VERY well fed/overfed litter. Nest box may be deficient in bedding, leaving a slick surface for the kit to move upon. Legs retain
normal movement (i.e. able to kick) and sensation. Very often appear to be moving on the 'knees'. They will often be able to support themselves and move normally if assisted.
Best remedy is to encourage the kits to move around on their own if circumstances might predispose them to splay; doe rations on overfed litters should be restricted to prevent the belly from hitting the floor first.
"Hobbling" in this case MAY be curative, but if the condition is unresponsive to any of these treatments, the genetic condition of Splay Leg should be considered.
Genetic (Heritable) Splay Leg (GSL):
Very similar in appearance to ISL, GSL may also occur in the front limbs as well. To the best of my knowledge, it is not responsive to treatment and animals should never be kept from those that display such traits for breeding stock.
GSL is due to the inheritance of two recessive genes from the parents and is most commonly seen in the hind legs.So...when you see a bun with splayed legs, the first step is to check for physical deformities, followed by the consideration of trauma; if the rabbit is splayed through ISL, rather than spinal trauma or GSL, provision of a traction surface (rubber matting etc) and careful management will often result in a normal bun.
Hobbling should be used only short term; it is NOT a viable management option for the lifespan of the rabbit due to the potential hazard to tendons and muscles when using the methods that have been described here on SB.
Something akin to the jesses of a hawk might, with much work, be adapted to function for the pet rabbit.
|
