Rabbit Secondary Paralysis
📝 Summary
Secondary paralysis in rabbits means the hind legs cannot move, or only move partially. Causes are varied — parasitic infection, intervertebral disc herniation, nutrient deficiency, trauma, osteomyelitis, spinal injury, poisoning or even congenital defects. Recognizing the cause early is critical, since neglect can lead to irreversible paralysis.
1 Causes of Hind-Limb Paralysis
1. Parasitic infection, which causes immune deficiency. 2. Intervertebral disc herniation from an accident or other cause; if the disc compresses a nerve the rabbit is paralyzed. 3. Hind-limb trauma from a strong blow, which can damage the nerves and cause secondary paralysis — accidents are a common cause. 4. Osteomyelitis, possibly a late result of a hind-limb fracture, so bone inflammation must be treated promptly. 5. Spinal cord injury, which very likely leads to paralysis. 6. Deficiency of certain vitamins and trace elements. 7. Poisoning. 8. Congenital causes (genetic defects) in some rabbits.
2 Symptoms
1. Typical sign: a rabbit with secondary paralysis can barely move, or not at all. 2. In some cases paralysis brings further signs — both front and hind limbs paralyzed, urinary and fecal incontinence; because movement drops sharply, additional problems such as persistent pressure sores appear. 3. Poisoning-induced paralysis may first show dizziness and twitching before becoming irreversible; accident-induced paralysis may start as just a fracture or bleeding wound that turns into paralysis when left untreated.
Want to learn more about pet health?
Explore our pet health channel for more science-based care guides
Read More Articles →