This case study describes a pet rabbit that developed serious bone problems because of kidney failure. When rabbit kidneys stop working properly, they can’t control important minerals like calcium and phosphorus. This causes the body to pull calcium out of bones, making them weak and brittle. The rabbit in this case broke its leg bones and had severe bone damage. Veterinarians don’t see this problem often in pet rabbits, but it’s important to recognize because it can cause painful fractures and lameness. This case helps veterinarians understand that older rabbits with kidney disease need special care to protect their bones.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How kidney failure in a pet rabbit caused weak, brittle bones that broke easily
  • Who participated: One adult male rescue rabbit of mixed breed who was neutered and brought to a vet clinic with leg problems
  • Key finding: The rabbit’s kidneys failed, which caused its body to lose calcium from its bones. This made the bones so weak they broke, and the rabbit developed severe bone disease similar to what happens in humans with kidney problems
  • What it means for you: If you have an older pet rabbit, watch for signs of limping or difficulty moving. These could signal kidney problems affecting the bones. Talk to your vet about checking kidney function and mineral levels, especially in senior rabbits. This is one case, so more research is needed, but it shows veterinarians should consider bone health in rabbits with kidney disease

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors describe what happened with one specific patient in detail. A veterinarian examined a rabbit that came in limping and having trouble walking. The vet took X-rays of the rabbit’s bones and blood tests to measure kidney function and mineral levels. The rabbit’s condition was so severe that it had to be euthanized. After death, the veterinarian performed a post-mortem examination (autopsy) to look at the rabbit’s organs and bones under a microscope to understand what went wrong.

Case reports are like detailed medical detective stories. They help doctors recognize patterns they might not have seen before. This case is important because it shows that rabbits can develop the same bone problems that humans with kidney failure experience. The veterinarian carefully documented all the measurements and findings to help other vets recognize this condition in the future.

This research matters because veterinarians rarely see this specific bone disease in pet rabbits, even though it’s common in humans with kidney failure. By documenting this case carefully, the veterinarian created a guide for other vets to recognize similar problems. This helps prevent other rabbits from suffering the same fate. Understanding how kidney disease affects rabbit bones could lead to better treatments and preventive care for senior rabbits.

This is a single case report, which is the lowest level of scientific evidence. However, it provides valuable real-world information that researchers can use to design larger studies. The veterinarian provided detailed measurements and test results, which makes the case credible. The post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis by showing the actual damage to the kidneys and parathyroid glands. Readers should understand this describes one rabbit’s experience and may not apply to all rabbits, but it raises important questions for future research.

What the Results Show

The rabbit showed severe bone disease with very weak bones (bone density of 934.6 mg/cm³, which is extremely low). X-rays revealed broken bones in the right hind leg—one break that hadn’t healed and another that had healed previously. The rabbit’s blood tests showed kidney failure with elevated waste products (urea and creatinine), high levels of parathyroid hormone (281.1 pg/mL, which is very high), and low vitamin D (11.2 ng/mL). These blood results are the classic pattern seen when kidneys fail and can’t control minerals properly.

When kidneys stop working, they can’t remove extra phosphorus from the blood or activate vitamin D. This causes the parathyroid glands (small glands in the neck that control calcium) to work overtime, trying to pull calcium from bones to keep blood calcium levels normal. Over time, this drains calcium from the bones, making them weak and prone to breaking.

The post-mortem examination showed severe damage to both kidneys with scarring and inflammation, and both parathyroid glands were enlarged from working too hard. The rabbit’s teeth were normal, which ruled out dental disease as a cause of the problem.

Additional blood tests showed mildly elevated blood sugar (10.6 mmol/L) and elevated alkaline phosphatase (179 mmol/L), an enzyme that increases when bones are breaking down. Tests for a common rabbit infection (Encephalitozoon cuniculi) were negative, so infection wasn’t causing the problem. The rabbit was thin, suggesting it had been losing weight as its kidney disease progressed. These secondary findings paint a picture of a rabbit in advanced kidney failure with multiple body systems affected.

Scientists have created this bone disease in laboratory rabbits by removing kidneys and feeding them diets low in calcium and high in phosphorus. However, this is the first detailed case report of this disease occurring naturally in a pet rabbit. In humans, secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone disease are well-known complications of kidney failure, affecting millions of patients. This case suggests that pet rabbits may experience similar complications, but veterinarians haven’t recognized it as often because they may not look for it or because it’s genuinely rare in pet rabbits. The findings align with what we know about how kidney disease affects bones in other mammals.

This is a single case report, so we cannot know how common this problem is in pet rabbits or whether it would respond to treatment. We don’t know the rabbit’s complete medical history or how long it had kidney disease before showing symptoms. The rabbit was euthanized, so we cannot know if treatment might have helped. We don’t have information about the rabbit’s diet, water intake, or other factors that might have contributed. This case cannot prove that all rabbits with kidney disease will develop these bone problems—it only shows that it can happen. Larger studies following multiple rabbits over time would be needed to understand how often this occurs and which rabbits are at highest risk.

The Bottom Line

Veterinarians should consider checking kidney function and mineral levels (calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone) in older rabbits, especially those showing signs of lameness or difficulty moving. If kidney disease is detected early, dietary changes and supplements might help prevent severe bone disease. Pet rabbit owners should ensure their rabbits eat a balanced diet with appropriate calcium and phosphorus levels. Regular veterinary check-ups for senior rabbits (over 5 years old) are important to catch kidney problems early. These recommendations are based on one case, so discuss individual recommendations with your veterinarian.

Owners of older pet rabbits (especially those over 5 years old) should be aware of this condition. Veterinarians who treat rabbits should consider this diagnosis in older rabbits presenting with fractures or lameness. Rabbit breeders and rescue organizations should monitor senior rabbits for signs of kidney disease. People researching rabbit health and longevity will find this case informative. This case is less relevant to people with young, healthy rabbits, though preventive care is always valuable.

Kidney disease develops slowly over months to years in rabbits. Bone damage from kidney disease also develops gradually, so early detection through regular vet visits is crucial. If kidney disease is caught early, dietary management might slow bone loss. However, once severe bone damage occurs (as in this case), recovery is unlikely. Pet rabbit owners should expect that managing kidney disease is a long-term commitment requiring regular monitoring and dietary adjustments.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For rabbit owners with senior pets, track monthly observations of mobility and gait (normal, slight limping, severe limping) and note any changes in eating, drinking, or weight. Log veterinary visits and blood test results, particularly kidney function markers (creatinine, urea) and mineral levels (calcium, phosphorus).
  • Set reminders for senior rabbit owners to schedule veterinary check-ups every 6 months instead of annually. Create a checklist to monitor signs of kidney disease: changes in water intake, appetite changes, weight loss, or difficulty moving. Use the app to track dietary calcium and phosphorus intake if recommended by a veterinarian.
  • Establish a baseline of the rabbit’s normal mobility and behavior. Photograph or video the rabbit’s gait monthly to detect subtle changes. Keep a log of all veterinary visits and test results in the app. Set alerts for scheduled kidney function tests. Compare month-to-month trends in mobility and appetite to catch early signs of disease progression.

This case report describes one rabbit’s medical experience and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment decisions. If your pet rabbit shows signs of lameness, difficulty moving, or other health concerns, consult with a veterinarian immediately. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always work with your veterinarian to develop an appropriate care plan for your individual rabbit based on their specific health status and needs.