RABBIT FARMING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21808, 13 June 1936, Page 7

RABBIT FARMING

RHEUMATISM AND PARALYSIS (By REX.) Readers sometimes write saying that one of their rabbits seems to have no power to move its hind legs and to ask the reason for this and if the condition can be cured. To answer this question in a really satisfactory manner it is essential to have more details af the case than simply that the hind legs seeny'to be powerless. Such a condition jhay arise from a variety of causes, and nobody can prescribe a cure, or say whether a cure is possible, Without knowing something of the events leading up to this condition. Complete details should be given about the extent of the powerlessness, for it may vary in a wide degree from an apparent stiffness and inability to move the legs without an effort, which passes when the rabbit has taken a few hops, to complete permanent loss of power when the legs have the appearance of being limp and lifeless, being dragged behind the rabbit when it moves about. The condition first described is probably rheumatism. Though rabbits cannot be said to be liable to this complaint, they will sometimes contract this disease if they are allowed to get wet or are kept permanently in damp hutches. Rabbits kept in hutches spend most of their time in a sitting position, and it is the hind legs and the lower part of the rump which thus comes into contact with the damp litter. If no measures are taken to treat this rabbit, this stiffness gradually becomes more pronounced, movement becoming increasingly difficult until an awkward walking movement takes the place of the familiar hop. If the rabbit is allowed to reach this crippled state and no measures are taken to relieve it, the hind legs will become so stiff that they are dragged behind it when the animal moves about. If taken in the early stages, rheumatism is easily curable. The treatment consists in massaging all the affected parts and the parts immediately surrounding it twice a day with equal parts of camphorated oil and turpentine. The joints affected are those of the hock, knee, hip, and, in a lesser degree, the lower vertebral joints of the spine. The oil should be well rubbed in with the palm of the hand, and then massage should be given, starting at the feet and working upwards with a circular movement of the finger-tips. Finish off with a firm stroking, also in an upward direction. It must be noted that perfectly dry quarters are essential for this treatment. ' When the legs of the rabbit go limp and lifeless and are dragged behind it in a loose manner with no suggestion of stiffness, it may be concluded that the rabbit is suffering from some form of paralysis. Setting aside the various injuries which may give rise to a paralysed condition, paralysis of the hind legs occurs as a result of some disorder in the nervous system. At present there is very little accurate knowledge of these diseases and their origin, and in the majority of cases the kindest thing and the most humane course to take is to kill the rabbit at once. Recently a well-known breeder has put forward what is said to be a method of treatment which has been tried with success. For the benefit of those breeders who are able to spare the necessary time we will give directions as to the method of treatment. In the first place the rabbit should be kept warm by means of a hot-water bottle placed under the bedding, which should consist of a quantity of soft hay. The bpttle must be refilled every two hours in order to keep the temperature as even as possible. Care must be taken to ensure that there is enough bedding so that the rabbit will not be burned. The diet should consist of three meals a day of warm milk, followed by a teaspoonful of the following mixture; Salicylate of soda, 40 grains; potassium iodide, 50 grains; tincture of orange, 2 drams; and water, 4 ounces. Times for the feeds and medicine once fixed should be adhered to strictly, and it is better to kill the rabbit than to attempt this cure in a haphazard way, causing prolonged and unnecessary suffering. If these directions are properly carried out, three or four days’ treatment should bring about a permanent cure.