Trauma to the Spine

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An interesting fact is that a rabbit's entire skeleton comprises

only 8% of its total body weight.  In comparison, a domestic

cat's skeleton comprises 13% of its body weight.  The rabbit's

fragile lumbar spine (lower back) is surrounded by powerful

muscles and is particularly susceptible to fracture.  Back

injuries most often occur when rabbits are dropped, or

improperly picked up or restrained.  Closely confined rabbits

that become excited and thrash about excessively are very prone

to back injuries.



Signs of back injury may include incoordination, urine-soiling

and uncontrolled defecation.  Paralysis of the rear quarters is

the most serious consequence of this type of injury.  Any rabbit

exhibiting any of these signs should be examined by a

veterinarian at once.  A thorough physical examination and

radio-graphs (x-rays) are usually necessary to make the diagnosis

and predict the eventual medical outcome.  Spinal injuries are

considered very serious and, generally speaking, the outcome

is often unfavorable.



To avoid injury, rabbits should be picked up and restrained very

carefully.  A panicked, struggling rabbit should never be

forcefully restrained.  Instead, such a rabbit should be

immediately released and reapproached when it has calmed down.