Are you wondering what will happen if your rabbit’s broken leg is left untreated?
If your rabbit just fractured its leg, several thoughts will come into mind, such as; will my rabbit die of an untreated broken leg? Will they be able to heal on their own?
In this article, we will let you know if your rabbit’s broken leg can heal on its own, causes, symptoms, and treatment.
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Can a Rabbit’s Broken Leg Heal On Its Own?
Unfortunately, a rabbit’s broken leg cannot heal on its own.
Unlike some animals, rabbits cannot regenerate bone tissue, meaning a broken leg will not heal properly without veterinary intervention.
If you suspect your rabbit has a broken leg, it’s essential to take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
A vet can examine your rabbit and determine the extent of the injury.
Sometimes, a broken leg may require surgery to set the bone and stabilize it while it heals.
In other cases, a vet may be able to use a splint or cast to immobilize the leg and give it a chance to heal.
Irrespective of the specific treatment approach, seeking veterinary care for a broken leg as soon as possible is essential.
Without proper treatment, a broken leg can cause significant pain and discomfort for your rabbit and can even lead to more severe complications over time.
Causes Of Broken Or Fractured Legs In Rabbits
There are a couple of ways through which your rabbit’s leg can get broken.
Here are a few of them.
Your bunny can fracture its legs when you suddenly drop them while being held or if they land wrongly/awkwardly while trying to jump down from a very high cliff.
Rabbit can also fracture their leg when their legs are caught in cage bars with wrong width spacing. When this scenario occurs, they may struggle to set themselves free; they could break their leg along the process.
How To Treat a Rabbit With Broken Legs
Treating a rabbit with a broken leg requires prompt veterinary attention.
Here are some of the steps that a veterinarian may take to treat a rabbit with a broken leg:
- Examination and diagnosis: The vet will examine your rabbit to determine the extent of the injury and whether it’s a simple or complex fracture. They may also take X-rays to better look at the broken bone.
- Pain management: Your rabbit may be in significant pain due to the broken leg, so the vet may prescribe pain medication to help manage their discomfort.
- Immobilization: Depending on the severity of the fracture, the vet may need to immobilize the leg using a splint, cast, or other devices. This will help to keep the bone in place while it heals.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the broken bone. This may involve inserting pins, screws, or plates to hold the bone in place while it heals.
- Follow-up care: After the initial treatment, your rabbit will likely need to be monitored closely to ensure the bone is healing correctly. The vet may need to adjust the splint or cast periodically and will probably recommend rest and limited activity to allow the bone to recover fully.
In addition to these steps, giving your rabbit plenty of love and attention during its recovery period is essential.
Offer them a comfortable and quiet space to rest, and ensure they have access to fresh water and their regular diet.
With proper care and treatment, most rabbits with broken legs can fully recover and return to normal activities.
How Long Does It Take For A Rabbit’s Broken Leg To Heal?
There is no stipulated time frame for the healing of your rabbit’s broken leg to be healed. The time depends on the level or severity of the fracture.
The time frame for healing the broken leg also depends on the overall treatment and care given to the rabbits.
The age of the rabbits also determines how fast the rabbits can heal.
However, generally, it will take about 4 – 8 weeks for the rabbit’s broken leg to be joined together or healed completely.
The broken leg will take longer to heal when proper care is not given to the rabbits.
Symptoms Of Broken Legs In Rabbits
If your rabbit has a broken leg, there are several symptoms that you may notice. Here are some of the most common signs that your rabbit may have a broken leg:
- Limping or favoring one leg: A broken leg can cause your rabbit to limp or avoid putting weight on one of their legs.
- Swelling or tenderness: The leg may be swollen or tender to the touch, and your rabbit may flinch or show pain when you touch the affected area.
- Inability to move: In severe cases, your rabbit may be unable to move the affected leg.
- Decreased appetite or activity: A broken leg can be very painful for your rabbit, and it may become less active or lose interest in its everyday activities. They may also stop eating or drinking as much as usual.
- Changes in behavior: Your rabbit may become more irritable or aggressive due to the pain and discomfort of the broken leg.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your rabbit, it’s essential to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
A veterinarian can examine your rabbit, determine the extent of the injury, and recommend the best course of treatment to help your bunny recover.
Can a Rabbit Survive a Broken Leg
A rabbit can survive a broken leg with proper veterinary care and treatment.
Rabbits have a relatively high success rate when it comes to healing from broken bones as long as the injury is treated promptly and appropriately.
Conclusion
If you notice that your rabbit’s leg is dangling or he is running improperly, this might be a sign that your rabbit has broken his leg.
If you notice that your rabbit is breathing fast, squinting, or refusing to eat, it shows that they are going through pain, which may be from a broken leg.
We hope this article helped you know if a rabbit’s broken leg can heal on its own. If you have any questions, comment below, and we will answer them.
Reference
1. Ou K-L, Hou P-J, Huang B-H, Chou H-H, Yang T-S, Huang C-F, Ueno T. Bone Healing and Regeneration Potential in Rabbit Cortical Defects Using an Innovative Bioceramic Bone Graft Substitute. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10(18):6239. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10186239