Spinal fractures and luxations are among the most serious injuries in pet rabbits — occurring most commonly when rabbits struggle during handling or jump from height — causing paralysis and often necessitating euthanasia.
A rabbit that fractures its spine during a struggle or fall experiences an acute traumatic welfare event — sudden paralysis, loss of bladder and bowel control, and the distress of being unable to move. Even in cases where animals survive and adapt to paralysis, the welfare of managing an incontinent paralyzed rabbit is significant. The majority of spinal injuries in rabbits are preventable through proper handling education — yet handling-related spinal injury remains common because rabbit body language and handling requirements are poorly understood.