Rabbit can't seem to move his back legs properly and is constantly wet... What would you do?

[IHTC]

One of our rabbits (age 5) seems to have a problem with his back legs. As he's trying to move forward he looks as though he's drifting as his back end is swinging to the side. His hutch is slightly raised and before now, he would jump up the step no problem but he stumbles every time. To add, he's constantly got a wet backside. Its as if hes just allowing urine to dribble down over his legs rather than doing whatever it is they are supposed to do. I also have to clean him everyday as his faeces his sticking to him where he doesn't seem to be cleaning himself.

I've took him to the vets twice with this issue and they say his legs are fine, it's normal to have to clean his backside this often in the summer etc but something doesn't sit right with me. I'm taking him back this afternoon and I have a video of how he's been moving.

What would you do in this situation? Would you put him to sleep or try and investigate and fix?

Thank you

Go to another vet. This is not normal and a good rabbit-savvy vet would be investigating this. It is NOT normal to have to clean up a rabbit like this.

There's a number of possible causes, including the EC parasite (neurological and can cause hind end weakness) or spinal damage.

Not all vets are rabbit savvy. The RWAF have a list of rabbit savvy vets:
rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-welfare-association-fund/our-work/rabbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/

I know nothing about rabbits, but remembering a similar sounding issue we had with a hamster, I googled ‘wet-tail’ and found this: cottontails-rescue.org.uk/health/wet-tail-in-rabbits-urine-scalding/

Rabbits don't get "wet tail" as such - being wet around the back end is usually related to a UTI or bladder incontinence - which in turn could be caused by a number of other issues including spinal damage, parasites or tumours.

I don't know much about rabbits, but I've heard that if you hold them incorrectly and they kick, they can get spinal damage. I've seen this with wild rabbits caught by cats.

I'd think difficulty with back legs and bladder incontinence should be ringing alarm bells, I'd try a different vet.

Yes I'd take video and show it to the vet. We've had this with a previous rabbit and did have to PTS. Probably depends on the cause though.

Just lost one of ours 2 days ago ( different problem) so feeling quite emotional about anything rabbit related at the moment.

For yours, I'd persist with the vet as it doesn't sound right to me at all.

That really doesn't sound right and I agree with the other posters about going to a different vet for another opinion.

My rabbit did this just before he died, he felt very cold too. Definitely take him to another vet, but I think the advice may be to PTS. Sorry 😢

This happened to my bunny too, he'd broken his back and had to be put to sleep. 😣 Go to a vet asap. I hope it is something treatable OP.

Thanks for all your comments

Sadly we decided it was best for him to be put to sleep. I'm absolutely gutted

I am sure you have done the right thing, by the time I had rung the vet to say I was on my way, my boy had passed away. You didn’t let him suffer 💐

I'm so sorry

Going through it ourselves at the moment, it's so sad

I'm so, so sorry OP. You did the kindest thing but of course it's still absolutely devastating.