And this is Pudge, the inspiration behind it all. The idea is to trick the predator into loosening its grip just long enough for the rabbit to escape. when i pat them i can feel their ribs and it's almost like they have no fat there, but their bellies are a good size. He has a constant supply of timothy hay, food with alot of good stuff in it like dried carrots, sunflower seeds, and dried banana. Varga, Molly, BVetMed CertZooMed DZooMed (Mammalian) MRCVS. Any idea what predator could quite cleanly disembowel a rabbit? In my area (semi-rural) we have foxes, owls, eagles, hawks, magpies, and the occasional household cat or dog that gets out. The rabbit will look content and appear to be totally relaxed. That was our intention with this video as well. Rabbit sex demystified. Nothing else, no skin, no bones, nothing but some fur blowing about and a bloody pile of guts. How can I make my rabbit feel more comfortable on stone floor? These included flattened ears, widened eyes, increased muscle tension, and overt struggling. You should never hit your rabbit to discipline it. If you google “rabbit trancing”, you will indeed find many forums and discussions with voices on both sides of the issue. Dr. Varga draws on scientific studies, including the Paper by McBride et al to come up with her opinion that TI should not be done routinely or for bonding purposes. Do Rabbits go into heat? Using TI as an alternative to anesthesia is still indicated due to the risk/benefit ratio. Rabbits are terrified and so they stay still, they are *not* enjoying the experience. Rabbits can also sustain this kind of trauma (although rarely) ... Any disease that causes a rabbit to feel weak can cause hind limb weakness and can be confused with a true neurological disease. Many loving and caring rabbit owners and even practitioners in the veterinary field have performed this measure on rabbits. How should I discipline my rabbit? Can rabbits feel love? At least one report stated that a rabbit suffered a heart attack and died in the arms of a groomer while in this dorsal recumbent position. This is scientifically proven fact, not opinion”. Dr. Vanderlip does not discuss one way or the other whether hypnotizing your rabbit is good or bad but leaves the impression that it is only for brief care and examination. I found a neat pile of intestines amid rabbit fur on my lawn. When I touch the mass it seems it's filled with fluid and it's loose and very soft. Today, when I handled my baby crestie who is about (8 months or so old) who I handle regularly for short periods of time I realized that I could feel his spine when petting his back more than usual. Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you. RWAF encourages the sharing of this poster. I'm worried about him, is there anything i can do? It is understandably something that would seem to promote bonding. Dislocation and paralysis in rabbits are often caused by trauma to the spinal cord. Pain is pain, ... To make sure that the diagnosis is correct, the veterinarian will usually take x-rays to identify what is causing your rabbit to feel pain. I don’t know if he’s supposed to be this size or if he’s supposed to be heavier, either way I’m concerned for this lad. Other symptoms include: Trauma, genetic predispositions and obesity are all risk factors for spondylosis deformans. She lives in my room, which is carpeted, but I spend a lot of time in the living room at the end of a stone … Read full details through the link at the bottom of my home page and thank you for being here! hello, i have a 10 month old dog (poodle mix) and i never really worried about this, but i can feel her spine. If your rabbit has suffered from mild to moderate trauma to the spinal column, can maintain urinary and bowel continence, and has sensation in the toes, cage rest may be indicated for treatment. Finally, the authors state that TI should only be used when necessary and rabbit owners and others should be educated on this. Several other rabbits were housed in separate hutches in the same air space. Help! This is my bunny Pudge happily napping. I’ve been giving him hay every day and he eats it all, when you pet him, you can feel his spine, and he’s light as a feather. Inexperienced handlers can easily fracture a rabbit’s spine picking it up. And while many rabbits with this condition show no symptoms, some will suffer from pain. McBride, E. A., Day, S., McAdie, T. M., Meredith, A., Barley, J., Hickman, J., & Lawes, L. (2006). It causes the rabbit's body to form noncancerous tumor-like growths (or osteophytes) in the spinal column, most commonly the lower spine. A more detailed poster with a more detailed message can also be found on their website for sharing here. Whatever you call it, there are varying opinions about what it does and whether or not it is harmful. i have a 6 and a half year old rabbit with cancer of the uterus and its spread, she's lost so much weight around her spine and hips, and as days go on she seemed more distressed, but still eats and is happy to run around when i let her out but has much less energy. Providing a stimulating environment for your rabbit can stave off boredom. Here are some things to look for if you think your rabbit may have broken its back. My cinnabun Churro looks really skinny for his size. That’s just the beauty of affiliate marketing! The rabbit was housed with another male entire rabbit, and had been in the owner’s possession for 6 years. Ensure they have enough space to run and jump, and fill their hutch with toys. The idea is to trick the predator into loosening its grip just long enough for the rabbit to escape. There are still some who opine that this method may be appropriate to facilitate brief exams and routine care, such as nail trimming. If you do purchase, thank you! Is it okay to do this? The hutch was in a shed, with access through the day to an exercise pen. Is this normal or should I be worried? X-rays, however, are generally used to identify osteophytes in the spinal column and diagnose spondylosis. But they look cute on their backs, and the vet does it all the time! Sciatica. She differs perhaps from Dr. Varga and Dr. McBride by not clarifying that TI should only be performed as an alternative to anesthesia and not by pet owners themselves. ----- We believe that education is essential for every people. Use the Size-O-Meter to find out! Dr. Varga cited several studies including one by McBride et al, 2006 which I will also discuss further in this post. Hey all! Did this article provide any new information for you? I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be feeling for to check for overall health. Observe your rabbit's breathing to see if it is rapid or heavy. ... they’ll feel insecure and kick their legs in a way that they can break their spine. When I first got my little 2-pound bunny Pudge, I would occasionally hold him in my arms on his back. This potentially dangerous maneuver should be reserved for absolutely-necessary situations. If pain shoots down from your lower back, through your bottom, and into your leg, the culprit may be your sciatic nerve. Myiasis, or fly strike, is a condition that can result when flies lay eggs on the skin and larvae, or maggots, hatch. So, who is correct? It causes the rabbit's body to form noncancerous tumor-like growths (or osteophytes) in the spinal column, most commonly the lower spine. My rabbit has wet fur under his mouth. But when i pick him up, i can feel his ribs and spine. Is my rabbit too thin? This is a controversial subject in the world of rabbit care. My rabbit can move its upper body perfectly fine and the musclesstill tighten around the stomach if i touch her, ... if your rabbit had broken its spine it would not be able to move it would go into shock and die so if your rabbit is still moving and is alive then the answer is no. The veterinarian will first want to rule out common causes of back pain, such as degenerative joint disease, certain forms of arthritis and even dental disease may lead to similar symptoms. Yes rabbits feel pain, I'm the anesthesiologist for our exotic pet surgeries and I can guarantee they feel pain. Going through it will help you know if the problem caused by injury, tooth spur, gas, indigestion, or blockage. He is not in a trance. The “death feint” can help a wild rabbit should it be out of options with a predator. Dr. Vanderlip cautions that rabbit hypnosis is a short-lived event. Rabbits who have been repeatedly hypnotized have been shown in studies to have raised corticosteroid levels and fear behaviors, supporting the fact that the immobility response is indeed induced by fear and stress. And while many rabbits with this condition show no symptoms, some will suffer from pain. Dr. Varga describes the physiology behind this freeze response, which she describes as a “transitory and reversible state of profound motor inhibition,” that occurs in prey species under threatening or stressful conditions. Symptoms As there are other causes of paralysis in rabbits, your rabbit will require a comprehensive exam to determine the cause and type of his paralysis as well as an appropriate treatment. Trancing your rabbit. Spondylosis deformans is a degenerative, non-inflammatory condition which affects a rabbit's spine. Obesity can especially lead to this spinal condition because the rabbit's bones alter and deteriorate due to the excess weight. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Do you perform this maneuver on your rabbit? In the wild, rabbits cover large distances sprinting for the cover of the burrow when danger threatens. Dr. Varga’s final opinion is that repeated trancing of rabbits by their owners for bonding reasons is inappropriate but that in the clinical setting, it is reasonable to perform this if it prevents the need for anesthesia. Without the ability to move its hind legs, rabbits can’t eat their cecotropes which gives them essential nutrition. Is it bad to put your rabbit on its back? Will you do this with your rabbit going forward? Yes, rabbits are believed to feel emotions such as love, fear, and happiness. I have 2 female rabbits, one is nearly 2 years old and the other is about 6 months old. Matted fur or soaking of under-belly or perineum area, Buildup of ear wax in the canals because the animal is not able to properly groom. Last night I found a soft 2×2 cm bump under his left front leg. This reputable organization does not mince words on this topic at all. Rabbit welfare groups and Veterinarians largely agree that a tranced rabbit is in a fear-induced state of stress. when i run my hand through her back, i CANT feel the spine (close to her neck) but when i run my hand down (rib/below rib section) i CAN feel the bumps of it should i be concerned about my dog? Who can resist the cuteness? Irregular breathing is an observable sign of pain or injury in rabbits. They can’t exercise which may cause them to gain weight. Their message is “Trancing is cruel, please don’t do it. Fauve de Bourgogne rabbit presenting a deformity of the spine. If possible, the veterinarian will treat the underlying cause of the paresis or paralysis. If you suspect that your rabbit is in pain, listen to its breathing carefully to see if it is fast or laboured. “there is a view that the immobility response occurs in stressful situations and that rabbits lying on their backs are terrified and waiting to be eaten.”. She concurs with Dr. McBride that it may be appropriate in the clinical setting if it obviates the need for anesthesia which may pose more risk to the rabbit. The substrate was wood shavings. Stress is a significant problem for many rabbits. 23 ways to discourage your rabbit from digging up your carpet. I noticed when feeling in between her shoulder blades, I could feel small hard bumps (what I thought might be the spine), but I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be able to feel them? Back and neck pain is common in rabbits and can be due to a range of conditions. Some claim to routinely trance their rabbits and feel that if your bunny is used to it, there are no ill effects. is she too skinny or what? Should you decide to do this, safely secure your rabbit should she quickly come out of her trance. In 1839, Charles Darwin termed this the “death feint” – a play-dead tactic used as a last-ditch attempt to survive. ... Arthritic conditions of the spine, hips, knees or hocks can cause an inability to move normally. After TI, there was an increased frequency in hiding and grooming coupled with a decrease in exploration. Rabbit teeth: Everything you need to know. There's a little lump like a lymph node near the mass. How to safely pick up your rabbit to prevent injury. My 6 year old Holland Lop is very fluffy but when I stroke him I can feel his spine a bit and I can feel his hip bones very easily. This is a long-known phenomenon in the wild. Your rabbit will be cared for as an inpatient if it presents with severe weakness or paralysis, or until bladder function can be ascertained (an indicator of the severity of the condition). (2nd pick is mid run) My rabbit is finally getting comfortable with me and allowing me to pet her. You can read the RWAF page on this topic here. He eats well and is otherwise healthy. Your pet may require cage confinement for 6 – 8 weeks. This strengthened previously held beliefs that the notion that the rabbits are relaxed using TI and using this practice to bond with pets are misplaced. In 2006, Dr. Anne McBride and her co-authors presented a paper at the VDWE International Congress on Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare. They completely lose the ability to right themselves. Please comment below. A part of monitoring their anesthetic depth you do a pain response by squeezing their toes, if they pull back/kick they are too light. any foods that will help him gain weight? They concluded that both the physiological and behavioral responses were indicative of a fear motivated stress state. There do not appear to be any scientific studies that promote doing this for the purposes of bonding or human pleasure. In addition, the stress of capture often hastens death. For my part, I will not use this method because after my research I do believe this to be a stressful and frightening maneuver for rabbits. What Can I Give My Rabbit For Pain? The “death feint” can help a wild rabbit should it be out of options with a predator. i have a pretty old male rabbit, i adopted him so i'm not sure how old exactly, but around 10 years old. If obesity is the cause of the spinal disorder, the veterinarian will put the rabbit on an exercise and diet regimen. are my rabbits too skinny? Dr. Vanderlip instructs her readers how to mesmerize their bunny and describes the “slow, deep breathing” that will occur in a “couple of minutes.” She provides this instruction for the purpose of examining your rabbit’s underside, genitals, cheeks, and teeth. In their study, the rabbits exhibited fear behaviors during TI. I dont have a scale to measure him so I Further, Dr. McBride points out that terms such as hypnosis and mesmerize may suggest to people that this is a relaxing event for your rabbit when in fact, the scientific and behavioral evidence supports the fact that this is, in fact, a fear-driven stress event. Some use the terms “freeze response” or “rabbit immobility response”. When passing the finger along the spine line, the bone of the shoulder are very close to each other, covering the spine to the point that it becomes difficult to pass a finger between them. Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small…. Is my rabbit fat? Know Your Rabbit is an informational blog by Michele Ross: animal lover, rescue/adoption proponent, and bunny-mom. If a rabbit is housed in an outdoor rabbit hutch and has moisture from matted fur and urine or feces collecting around the tail region, flies can be attracted to this moisture. Spondylosis deformans is a degenerative, non-inflammatory condition which affects a rabbit's spine. I may make a small commission for purchases made through any of my links at no additional charge to you, the purchaser. I am an Associate with Amazon Associates and other affiliates. Thanks for reading! MediRabbit.com. If a rabbit is hot it will breathe more rapidly to try and cool down. Pain is a frequent symptom of spondylosis and the veterinarian will usually prescribe pain-relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for this, while antibiotics are recommended to protect against infection. Rabbits who are tranced have depressed reflexes, poor muscle tone and a drop in all vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure). Some rabbits with spondylosis deformans will display neurological problems because of the compression of the spinal cord. With rabbits as well they start growing … If you bond with your rabbit and spend time together, it will form a social bond with you and will come to love you. Is it OK to Pick a Rabbit up by its Scruff? If you can't feel the ribs don't worry too much but if you can't feel the spine they're likely to be over weight. What vitamins and minerals does my Rabbit need? Let me approach this by summarizing some scientifically sound information from some experts: Dr. Varga acknowledges the controversy of this topic by noting that some practitioners will place rabbit’s on their back in order to perform short procedures (such as nail clipping) but that the controversy stems from the viewpoint that rabbits become frozen due to fear. His feces seem normal and healthy to me and he eats very regularly, is he losing wait? How Can I Stop My Rabbit from Barbering? I decided to research this topic and I would like to share with you what I learned. I just moved into a new condo and my year old holland lop Lola won't step on the stone floor. The rabbit spine is not very flexible and when stressed it will break at the weakest point, which is usually the L7 vertebra. Many also refer to this process as trancing, hypnotizing or mesmerizing. They’re small and defenseless, and natural prey to many larger animals. As rabbits have powerful hind limbs, injury to their back can easily occur due to kicking out during improper handling. My Mountain Husky • Is it bad if I can feel my dog's spine? All about rabbits, rodents, hares and more! My rabbit is completely normal. My rabbit Peanut is 4 years old. Regular exercise and a healthy diet rich in fresh greens will help prevent or reduce obesity, a contributing factor to this spinal disorder. So, Now that you have read this, I would love to hear your stories. In some cases, however, certain steroid medications are used in rabbits to assist in wound healing or to protect against ulcers. If the rabbit is not able to move or get around, it may require basic hygiene care such as regular baths and a constant change of bedding. Veterinarians (some) will routinely place your bunny on her back while examining her and/or cutting her nails. While I did find photos and videos of rabbits tranced, I just could not bring myself to put on one my website. It is normal to feel your rabbit's spine, ribs and hip bones as long as they are covered with a 'healthy' layer of tissue/fat. If you are going to take a wild rabbit out of its natural environment, you need to be sure it is really injured and needs your help. I will provide a link to this article titled “Trancing Rabbits: relaxed hypnosis or a state of fear?” at the end of this post. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, Second Edition. This usually happens because the front end is held firmly while the back end kicks. Other causes that may lead to back and neck pain are trauma, pain caused by infection, or chronic conditions such an osteoarthritis. Also, the disease typically progresses with age, so bring the rabbit to the veterinarian for routine follow-up exams, especially as it gets older. i feed them generic pellets but i mix them with fruits and sunflower seeds since cheap pellets are very low in fat, but they still feel a bit skinny when i pat them Placing a rabbit on its back results in a physiologic state of tonic immobility, or TI. Noting that previous research describes the physiological responses to TI, the authors set out to study the behavioral responses in rabbits both during and after this maneuver. A neat pile of intestines amid rabbit fur on my lawn and a bloody pile intestines! Housed with another male entire rabbit, and had been in the wild, rabbits cover distances. 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Back can easily occur due to a range of conditions proponent, and bunny-mom new information for?. This topic at all by McBride et al, 2006 which I will also discuss further in post... My name, email, and had been in the veterinary field performed..., knees or hocks can cause an inability to move its hind legs, rabbits cover large distances for! ” or “ rabbit trancing ”, you will indeed find many forums and discussions with voices on both of. You suspect that your rabbit is an informational blog by Michele Ross: lover! To run and jump, and website in this post contains affiliate links any. In wound healing or to protect against ulcers love to hear your stories spine picking it.! Safely pick up your carpet CertZooMed DZooMed ( Mammalian ) MRCVS their hutch with toys and healthy me! Other affiliates the same air space about him, is he losing wait i can feel my rabbits spine in post! Back can easily fracture a rabbit 's spine old holland lop Lola n't...
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