I brought him in the house and syringed some water into him and offered him some food by hand, he ate some oats. It was important to try to keep some food and water going thru his system so his gut wouldn't shut down making matters worse. I couldn't figure out if he'd hurt his hindquarters and it was inflammation that had to go down or something else. Throughout the day I would stand him up, holding him between my hands to the food dish and water dish. Thinking if he is still eating and isn't in pain to touch, maybe whatever it is will work itself out. All I can do to help him is try to keep him eating, keep him comfortable and get him up to try keeping his circulation going as he always laid on the same side.
The next day I noticed that while his body was prone, he was at least able to hold his head horizontally. A small improvement, but still his hindquarters would not work at all. Another day of holding him up to eat, though he seemed to have lost some of his appetite. The following day I heard him trying to get up and move around, he'd get his front end up but the hindquarters would just sway, fold over and topple. One hind leg didn't seem to work independent of the other so he couldn't make a stance. He'd lay panting after several attempts, then just quit. The following day I'd stand him up by his water and food and kept my hands a couple of inches away from his sides. He could stay upright til he tried to move, then he'd topple over. Gradually day by day he improved with less assistance from me. He was able to get along more steps with less swaying or falling. A week later he was just about normal. A week and a half later, you'd never know he had a problem. I guess that is why his "artist" effort is even a bit more of a m...... well I won't say miracle, let's just call it amazing.
I've figure out he must have suffered a stroke, hence the mobility issue isolated to one particular side. One thing is for sure, he is one mighty determined little bunny. He is loving the extra attention, though missing his barn-mates a little. He has always been one of the special ones as he lives (literally now) for the patting and holding. He is very in tune with humans, seeking their attention, not indifferent acting like a few bunnies are.
In the summertime I take him out on the grass while I sit and read. He may hop here and there a little bit but then just lays by my feet. He enjoys being close more than anything. Knowing he was getting up there in years, I told him how much I'd enjoyed his company all these many summers. I also told him last year that maybe it would be his last summer out on the grass with me. A couple of weeks ago, I was sure it was. Now.... we've gotten across the "Spring Begins" day, according to the calendar at least (don't look at the snow out there). So maybe Patt-tee will be celebrating his NINTH birthday in May... on the grass.. with me reading to him. And that my dears... is the rest of the story.