How to Care for a Paralyzed Rabbit

When a pet becomes paralyzed, its quality of life is impacted. Rabbits with paralysis can experience a variety of challenges, and caring for their needs will be different from caring for a healthy rabbit. Skin breakdown, help getting to the food and water dish, and ensuring proper physical and mental stimulation are all ways in which you will have to care for your paralyzed rabbit.

Things You'll Need

  • Special bedding, such as synthetic sheepskin or egg carton foam.
  • Rabbit brush
  • Pet-friendly soap or shampoo
  • 5-cc syringe
  • Walking wheels or platform on wheels
  • Rabbit chew toys
Show More

Instructions

    • 1
      Rabbits need to sleep in a clean, dry bed.

      Provide your bunny with special bedding that will suit its particular needs. Soft materials such as synthetic sheep skin, egg carton foam and soft cottons prevent pressure sores from forming. Add an absorbent layer in the bedding for incontinent rabbits to ensure that any moisture is absorbed quickly away from the rabbit's delicate skin.

    • 2

      Clean the rabbit's skin and hair often, as it may be unable to do this for itself. Use a soft brush on the rabbit's fine hair, and gently squeeze warm water over any mats or patches of materials stuck to the rabbit's hind end. Bathe the rabbit's hindquarters using gentle pet-friendly soap and warm water. Dry using soft cloths or a very low setting on a hair-dryer held at arm's length. Incontinent rabbits will need frequent washing and personal grooming to keep from getting infections or pressure sores resulting from moisture.

    • 3
      Rabbits who can't hop may have difficulty getting to food and water.

      Bring a food or water dish close to the rabbit so it can feed and drink. Rabbits may drink out of either a bottle or a dish, depending on their needs. If your pet doesn't seem to be taking water from one source of liquid, try the other. Make food into a liquid or paste for rabbits weakened by their injuries until they are able to resume eating normally. Use a 5-cc syringe to squirt food into the mouth of a reluctant eater.

    • 4

      Fashion an alternative mode of transport for rabbits that still have use of their front ends. If a rabbit wheelchair is not a possibility, consider a moving platform. A simple piece of flat wood with wheels can bear the weight of a rabbit's back end, allowing it to scoot around using its front legs.

    • 5
      Paralyzed rabbits may become bored and lonely.

      Provide attention and companionship to the rabbit during its period of convalescence. Ensure it has the company of other rabbits, if this is what it is used to. Give the rabbit safe chew toys and other things to occupy his mental energy.