📚 What Is It?

Vertebral fractures or luxations occur when a spinal bone breaks or dislocates, often compressing the spinal cord. In rabbits, this commonly happens at the lumbar-sacral junction—especially L7—due to sudden twisting, powerful kicks, or trauma from improper handling :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

⚠️ Why It Matters

• May cause hind limb weakness or paralysis, urinary/fecal incontinence, loss of sensation.
• Painful and urgent; swelling and spinal cord injury may worsen without prompt intervention.
• Delayed treatment increases risk of pressure sores, urinary infections, and muscle wasting :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

👀 Clinical Signs & Symptoms

• Inability to hop or stand, dragging of hind legs.
• Altered posture; tail or limb immobility.
• Urinary/fecal incontinence or constipation.
• Altered reflexes, tense front limb tone compensating for hind limitation.
• Lethargy, pain (grinding teeth, hunched stance), depression :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

🔍 Diagnosis & Imaging

• History and physical examination, noting sudden trauma or handling incidents :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Neurological assessment—motor reflexes, sensation, tail tone.
• Radiographs of spine to confirm fracture or luxation location.
• CT or MRI may be needed to assess spinal cord damage and plan treatment :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

🛠️ Treatment Options

A. Immediate Stabilization & Hospital Care

• Pain relief (NSAIDs, opioids) and anti-inflammatories to reduce spinal swelling.
• Fluid therapy (IV/SQ) and nutritional support to prevent gut stasis and dehydration :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Strict cage rest to prevent further injury; frequent turning to avoid pressure sores.
• Bladder expression or catheter care for incontinence; monitor for urine scald and flystrike :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

B. Conservative Management

• Indicated for stable fractures without severe instability.
• 6+ weeks of strict bed rest with cage confinement, pain control, nursing, and physiotherapy :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Gradual supervised mobilization to regain strength.

C. Surgical Stabilization

• Advanced 2022 technique: percutaneous external fixator (Kirschner wires) for lumbar fractures :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Indicated in unstable fractures or luxations with spinal cord compression.
• In small-breed rabbits, surgical bone trauma is challenging due to fragile cortical bone—outcomes variable :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Postoperative care includes fixation monitoring, pain control, assisted standing, and rehabilitation.

🏠 Home Nursing & Rehab

• Provide padded, clean bedding; change frequently to prevent sores and flystrike risk.
• Nurse bladder and bowel function; hygiene care under tail to prevent urine scald.
• Passive range-of-motion exercises for limbs; assisted walking under vet guidance.
• Encourage feeding with nutritious, easy-to-eat diets to maintain gut health and weight.
• Follow-up imaging at 4–6 weeks to confirm stabilization or healing.

📊 Prognosis & Outlook

• Conservative cases: 3–4 month recovery for mild injuries; some regain mobility fully.
• Surgical repair: recent reports show return to normal gait within weeks in stable cases :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Prognosis worsens with severe spinal cord damage—those without deep pain perception often have poor outcomes :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

🛡️ Prevention Strategies

• Handle rabbits securely—support both chest and hindquarters; avoid holding by ears or scruff alone :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Use sedation when rabbits are anxious or fractious to avoid sudden movements :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Supervise interactions with children and high platforms/furniture.
• Ensure flooring is non-slip to prevent falls.

🧠 Vet Tips for 2025

• Early imaging and neurological assessment guide decision between surgery and conservative care.
• Recent surgical advances like percutaneous fixators are less invasive and effective when available.
• Educate clients on cage setup, nursing care, and physiotherapy to improve outcomes.
• Frequent check-ins to monitor complications (incontinence, bedsores, infection).
• Record baseline neurologic scores to track recovery progress.

🔚 Final Takeaway

Rabbit spinal fractures and luxations are serious but manageable. Whether with conservative nursing or advanced surgery, early diagnosis, animal-safe handling, and committed rehabilitation are key. In 2025, minimally invasive techniques offer hope—but thoughtful prevention remains the best medicine. With care, many rabbits can hop again and enjoy renewed mobility. 🐇❤️

🌟 Partner Services

• Ask A Vet: Expert support for imaging interpretation, nursing protocols, medication planning, and physiotherapy coordination.
• Woopf: Soft bedding kits, padded cage liners, urine scald prevention products, and nursing supplies.
• Purrz: Pain management supplements, gut-nutrition packs, mobility aids, and rehab guides for home care.