Drunk Rabbit Symptoms

Hi, my mini lop Millie (a neutered female - approx 18months) was not moving about as often as normal and looked a bit off balance so we took her to vet on Saturday. She was given an antibiotic injection, anti-inflammatory injection and we were given a 9day course of panacur. On the sunday she had a fit whilst we were in the room (she is in an indoor hutch at the moment to give her a bit of peace from her partner whilst unwell). Probably lasted about 5-10secs (but felt a lot longer) and she was thrashing about all over the place. Since then she has gradually started to improve: moving about more, using her litter tray again (although poo a lot paler than usual) and limited appetite (happier to eat hay and treats instead of normal pellets, although is eating a small amt of these), taking water out of a dish as seemed to be struggling with the bottle. She is however still very off balance and seems to be dragging her legs and often goes in circles, falls over and throws her head right back at 90 degrees (she does look drunk). Has been out in her run today for a wee while and managed to hope onto the top of her shelter. Does anyone have any ideas for anything else I can do to help her or should I just wait until the Panacur is finished and return to vet.

It sounds to me like she may need the full 28day course of panacur at whatever the full strength is.

The 9 day panacur course is usually given to any bun who has been in contact with EC but not showing symptoms. as your bun is showing symptoms I would think a 28 day course of a higher dose may be more appropriate.

Definitely take her back to the vet before the panacur is finished.

sue:wave:

I would personally take her back to the vet now. Did you call them after her seizure?

Hay should make up most of a buns diet so the fact that she's eating lots of hay is good.

Also it may be an ear infection but the fact that she is dragging her legs does sound, from what I've read, more like EC.

Couple of thoughts
Diet-push the hay as much as you can,veggies with no sugar (kale,greens etc) and lots of water.
I'ld agree 28 day course of panacur but get your bun weighed and dose right. Lots of good threads on here and Jack-Janes advise and info is EXCELLENT (thanks Jane)
I would consider anti-inflammatories but discuss this with your vet
Is your bun a lone bun or does he/she have a mate? Has your vet enquired re this?
If you feel your vet isn't bun savvy ask if there is a local exotics specialist your vet can refer you to (if they don't know one then start a thread on here).
Buns can do VERY well from EC but you need to utterly trust your give your bun a lot of TLC.
Good luck and keep posting on here, the guys on here are very knowledgable and the support is really important to us all when our buns are sick!!!!

Thnx very much for all the replies folks. Now have a longer course of panacur and Millie has definitely perked up a bit (obvious by the way it's getting harder to get her to take the medication!) Thinking of letting her partner Albert back into the outdoor run with her this weekend as he's been very lonely. Still showing symptoms but I believe it is just a case of waiting patiently for improvement.

Sounds like this could be EC to me. I have had two bunnies with EC, one with head tilt and one with hind leg weakness.

I would suggest that your bun needs some anti-inflammatory such as Metacam. If you have any other bunnies who have been in contact then they need to be treated with panacur too.

I would recommend changing your title to ask for EC advice as this will attract more replies.

Unfortunately the improvement must have been Millie's last fling as she sadly passed away the following night
Now we have to decide if her partner Albert would like a new companion and if so do we go for a baby or try and adopt one of a similar age?

Hi

I am so sorry to hear that she has passed away. BINKY FREE LITTLE ONE XXX

scottish bunnies said:

Unfortunately the improvement must have been Millie's last fling as she sadly passed away the following night
Now we have to decide if her partner Albert would like a new companion and if so do we go for a baby or try and adopt one of a similar age?

Click to expand...

I am so sorry to hear that Millie has passed away.

It does sound as if it was EC.

I am sure Albert would like a new companion but I would tend to give him a couple of weeks at least before any new bondings. Albert will no doubt go into mourning, so keep a close eye on him. Make sure he is eating and drinking as usual.

In my experience, bunnies suffering loss need extra tlc. I have used a soft toy in the past to give comfort to the remaining bunny. Obviously this depends on Albert and whether or not there is a chance he might destroy it.
Pamper him, and this will no doubt help you with your feelings of loss and his too.

When you think the time is right for Albert and you to find a new friend, try contacting rescues as they will help match up a new partner and usually do the bonding.

If I can be of any further help don't hesitate to contact me.

Take care of yourselves....................and please try not to feel guilty about what has happened. Unfortunately these things do happen.

So sorry to hear about your bunny.

I'd treat your other bun with panacur as a precaution as EC spores are very contagious once activated.

I would also go get a vet check with your other bun to be safe.

The other thing- you need to wait until after the 28 day course and then disinfecting the accomadation down before adding another bunny to one where there was previously ec.

When bringing the new bunny home if you do decide- you will need to treat with panacur as a precaution.

Deeply sorry you lost your bunny. I lost my to EC and it was horrible x

Thnx very much for your messages folks. :thumb:
Think we have decided to get Albert a new companion but will leave it a bit for the moment and let him finish the panacur and by that time we will be off for summer hols and kids and i will have more time to introduce a new rabbit.
He will just have to make do with our company for the time being.
Will definitely look into rescue places as I remember being a bit more stressed when bonding an adult Albert with a baby Millie compared to bonding two babies of similar size!