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physical therapy for buns? urgent advice needed

Neleh

Alpha Buck
HI,

My bun has had Ec/brain infection. He is trying to walk but his front legs seem weak and I'm not sure how aware he is of his own body as he has nibbled his foot (he nibbles everything close enough to nibble!). A good sign is that he does jump when he hurts himself and doesn't bite again until the next time.

I'm wondering what I can do? I have gently pulled on his legs to stretch them out, this worked on his back legs along with massage. It seems his front legs are weaker. He can manage one hop now before he falls and I have been helping him tone by gently pushing him, now he is quite stable unless he is trying to walk and he is wobbly! I don't know how I can help him regain strength? I suggested a warm bath to the vet - I've seen it for dogs and just wondered, I've also read about it for buns - the vet said no. I tried him on grass and he enjoyed the chomping but our lawn is a bit lumpy and bumpy so he fell. I had him on a rig with buffered sides yesterday he did really well and then got weak - I realise now I possibly had him out too long and wore him out:oops:. He got frustrated and managed to jump but not to land and banged his head, he was ok if a little stunned and we had cuddles after that he really enjoyed. I really need advice from anyone who has had to help their bun walk again from scratch. I don't want him to get lazy but equally I don't want to get him doing too much too soon and hindering progress. He is a lovely bun I just want him to be the happy 1 year old he was 2 weeks ago.

He has a friend and they spent a little time together today for the first time in 12 days, his pal needs the chop tho as he was overly happy to see him again :oops: They both perked up some but I think there are too many hormones in the other guy and if together he will constantly try to mate, he is a bigger bun so I can't let that happen, plus its not fair to either of them, vets ASAP on that count!!
 
he is on Panacur and Batryl. He is in no pain just happy munching on herbs, hay, veggies and pellets.
Spinal injury not ruled out but he can move his legs and he has control of bladder and bowels (I know as he is tray trained and when I hold him or he is on the floor he moves when he needs to pee as he knows he can't do it just anywhere! He can go backwards and change from side to side if he spies grass its just forwards his front legs don't do what he wants so he falls forwards.. sometimes rolls to one side but he can right himself again now. he can sit still happily for hours, moves for food/toilet
 
Is he not receiving any anti-inflammatory medication such as Metacam ?

This would be essential in a case of EC as it is inflammation caused by erupting EC spores that leads to clinical symptoms and longterm cellular damage. Minimisimg the amount of permanent damage is obviously important.

An anti-inflammatory would also be essential if a spinal injury were to be involved.

So he has not had any diagnostics ?
 
vet said blood test would be £80 and slow so may as well go for EC treatment. He had painkillers originally but none now. I would say that the first vet we saw was pretty :censored: as he told us there was a bite on his penis and it was a blocked scent gland. He had a large wound on his side - looked to be a claw embedded but both buns had all their claws and we would have felt it if it had been one of the buns we tried him with as they left over a month ago. Its all puzzling! He also may have had an electric shock and one/both of them ate some potato (about 1/5 of a large new potato) as a couple of nights before the buns escaped (Christmas Day) and explored the garage! The emergency vet we saw (and paid £120 for the privilege) didn't mention anything about these, he just saw him all limp and only able to move his head and said EC/infection from said wound had entered the brain. One aspect that links with EC is that we dropped the water bottle and had to give them a bowl of water that day - I've read that an alteration with water seems to be linked with EC onset?

Last vet was very nice and good, I mentioned Malteser is grinding his teeth but as otherwise happy vet said no pain just stress, it did begin when he began trying to walk so I'm thinking he is frustrated with failing? He held Malteser and rubbed his paws on the table but there was no instinctive movement to place them onto the table, but as I say he has nibbled them and he feels the pain. I went to the vet we have used for over 20years.. no vet is a bunny specialist per say - the receptionist said they all know about buns, leaves me a bit skeptical and wondering if I should go elsewhere? I want what's best for him, its all been very shocking - happy in the morning and not moving when we got home =( I guess I want him to recover just as spontaneously
 
I believe there are a few members in your area, I think it would be a good idea to start a thread in Rabbit Chat titled 'URGENT: Rabbit Savvy Vet NEEDED in Ellesmere Port' and hopefully you'll be able to find a good one. The care you have had and are having doesnt sound very good at the moment.

I dont know a lot about EC but I would have expected a test for it to have been done, and due his symptoms an xray as well to rule out spinal damage.

Jane knows her stuff so hopefully she, or some other knowledgable members will be able to help you some more. I hope your bun recovers.

edit: oh and grinding teeth is a sign of severe pain, your vet should know that :?
 
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If he were mine I would be seeking the opinion of a Rabbit Specialist.

I am astounded that no anti-inflammatory medication has been prescribed. Even if there is no pain, there is clearly inflammation within the Central Nervous System. I can think of no good reason why a NSAID should not be given.
 
Thanks I have requested help finding a bun specialist vet nearby. I feel awful now! I hope I've not let him suffer any more than he would have done.. He is such a good bun, takes all his meds without bother - he starts lapping as soon as I get the syringe by him!
Oh, I should have done this yesterday then I wouldn't have to wait till Monday :(
 
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