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Bunny lost conciousness now has paralysis

A

ash_white2014

New Kit
Hi there
My first post on a bunny website and unfortunately a sad one. My 5 yr old Mini lop house bun Steve has had a bad turn. On Tuesday evening I noticed she was behaving a bit dopey but assumed it was because she had just woken up. When I came to her in the morning she was on her side unconscious. She was floppy and her eyes wouldn't open. As soon as we arrived the vet's took her from us and put her on a drip and oxygen. The prognosis was very bleak and he advised that if we were to ask him to PTS he would do it. However, seeing how distraught me and my OT were he said that she could remain on the drip for a few hours to see if there was improvement. Mercifully, Steve regained consciousness but she can barely lift her head and walking/sitting up is out of the question. The vet allowed us to take her home as he believed she would be more comfortable. He told us quite frankly that he thinks it is Kidney failure and that she probably doesn't have long. Last night we kept her in a makeshift bed wrapped up in towels and blankets with heated pads (the vet's advice). She hasn't changed much today but she eats excitedly and is passing faeces/water. The vet didn't do any blood tests and because she had no response in her legs I wondered if it could be a parasite? She doesn't appear to be in any pain (vet agreed) but she has chattered/grinded her teeth a few times which has terrified me. As I can't tell if it is comfort or pain. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Or advice on how long we should wait? I feel so useless and worried for her.
 
Hello, it sounds as though it might be 'Floppy Rabbit Syndrome'

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Floppy_Rabbit_Syndrome.htm

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Flop_rabbit/Floppy_rabbits.pdf



The fact that she is eating/pooing and weeing and is responding to you makes me think that it's too soon to give up hope yet. One cause of FRS is thought to be a lack of Potassium. So try offering her little bits of banana which has a high potassium content. Ideally ongoing IV/ subcutaneous Hartmanns Solution would be beneficial. That would help stabilise her electrolytes. It is possible for a Rabbit with FRS to make a complete recovery. It can take several days of ongoing supportive care though.
 
Last edited:
ash_white2014 said:
Hi there
My first post on a bunny website and unfortunately a sad one. My 5 yr old Mini lop house bun Steve has had a bad turn. On Tuesday evening I noticed she was behaving a bit dopey but assumed it was because she had just woken up. When I came to her in the morning she was on her side unconscious. She was floppy and her eyes wouldn't open. As soon as we arrived the vet's took her from us and put her on a drip and oxygen. The prognosis was very bleak and he advised that if we were to ask him to PTS he would do it. However, seeing how distraught me and my OT were he said that she could remain on the drip for a few hours to see if there was improvement. Mercifully, Steve regained consciousness but she can barely lift her head and walking/sitting up is out of the question. The vet allowed us to take her home as he believed she would be more comfortable. He told us quite frankly that he thinks it is Kidney failure and that she probably doesn't have long. Last night we kept her in a makeshift bed wrapped up in towels and blankets with heated pads (the vet's advice). She hasn't changed much today but she eats excitedly and is passing faeces/water. The vet didn't do any blood tests and because she had no response in her legs I wondered if it could be a parasite? She doesn't appear to be in any pain (vet agreed) but she has chattered/grinded her teeth a few times which has terrified me. As I can't tell if it is comfort or pain. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Or advice on how long we should wait? I feel so useless and worried for her.
Click to expand...

I'm so sorry to hear about your rabbit, but you did well to get her to the vet and on a drip straight away.

Floppy Rabbit Syndrome (FRS) refers to the acute onset of several symptoms which added together can lead to a potentially fatal condition. These symptoms include varying degrees of progressive generalised weakness and partial or complete paralysis.

The condition could be related to a dietary deficiency, in which case there are two schools of thought. One is that it is a Selenium/Vit.E deficiency and the other is that it's a Potassium deficiency.

If the condition is due to a dietary deficiency, then correcting this will speedily resolve the issue. You can give Vitamin E squeezed from a capsule. For the other minerals it's important you keep those levels topped up via her food.

The key to treating and preventing this form of FRS is keeping the vitamin and mineral levels maintained in her body.

I hope this helps xx Many mega vibes for Steve's ongoing progress xx
 
Thank you for the links. There were several symptoms that ring true with Steve's condition. My husband and I are feeding her some banana now (which she is loving! ) and trying to get her to drink water is difficult. We have taken it in turns to care for her today. Not leaving her side. ��
 
MightyMax said:
I'm so sorry to hear about your rabbit, but you did well to get her to the vet and on a drip straight away.

Floppy Rabbit Syndrome (FRS) refers to the acute onset of several symptoms which added together can lead to a potentially fatal condition. These symptoms include varying degrees of progressive generalised weakness and partial or complete paralysis.

The condition could be related to a dietary deficiency, in which case there are two schools of thought. One is that it is a Selenium/Vit.E deficiency and the other is that it's a Potassium deficiency.

If the condition is due to a dietary deficiency, then correcting this will speedily resolve the issue. You can give Vitamin E squeezed from a capsule. For the other minerals it's important you keep those levels topped up via her food.

The key to treating and preventing this form of FRS is keeping the vitamin and mineral levels maintained in her body.

I hope this helps xx Many mega vibes for Steve's ongoing progress xx
Click to expand...
:)

Thank you for your advise. We have fed her supplement powder mixed with water. A few kibbles, water, banana and a teaspoon of all natural fruit smoothie. At this stage I prepared to try everything as long as she is happy.
 
Just wondering how bunny savvy your vet is - it's a bit out of the ordinary so an experienced rabbit vet might be needed. If you post your location someone might be able to suggest one.
 
Tamsin said:
Just wondering how bunny savvy your vet is - it's a bit out of the ordinary so an experienced rabbit vet might be needed. If you post your location someone might be able to suggest one.
Click to expand...

I'm based in the city centre of Manchester. The vet I went to a vet I have never been to before. I do believe they tried very hard to keep her going but I don't know if they specialised in rabbits.
 
I have nursed a rabbit through FRS, she made a complete and full recovery, so try and stay positive. She was temporarily paralysed from the neck down, she could only move her head. Her appetite remained very good throughout and for me it was a matter of feeding her, keeping her hydrated and keeping her bum clean and dry. It took about a week for her to recover and her movement came back gradually.

I will keep everything crossed for your bunny and hope she makes a complete recovery.
 
sending lots of vibes for you rabbit, have you heard of Ashleigh vets in Manchester they are very rabbit savvy :wave:
 
try posting another thread asking for recommendation for rabbit savvy vet in Manchester - it may make the world of difference for your bun! Good luck
 
Ive got everything crossed for your bun. Keep us updated im going to follow this thread. Come on bunny! X
 
:bunny::bunny::bunny:;):bunny::bunny::rabbit2:
el1983 said:
Ive got everything crossed for your bun. Keep us updated im going to follow this thread. Come on bunny! X
Click to expand...

Thank you for your kind words and wishes. It's given us some relief from everyone's advise and prayers. We will keep you posted on how she gets on. :)
 
Jack's-Jane said:
How is Steve doing today ?
Click to expand...

Well it's day 2 and Steve's condition hasn't improved much. This morning she ate a large portion of her crushed kibbles mixed with water. But since then she hasn't taken much by mouth. Her eagerness to eat seems to have subside and isn't taking much water. Her breathing seems shallow and to look at it is still very upsetting. My OT and I are in limbo about what to do. Especially now her appetite hasn't stayed the same. It's all very sad and stressful :(
 
ash_white2014 said:
Well it's day 2 and Steve's condition hasn't improved much. This morning she ate a large portion of her crushed kibbles mixed with water. But since then she hasn't taken much by mouth. Her eagerness to eat seems to have subside and isn't taking much water. Her breathing seems shallow and to look at it is still very upsetting. My OT and I are in limbo about what to do. Especially now her appetite hasn't stayed the same. It's all very sad and stressful :(
Click to expand...

I wonder if asking the Vet to get her back up on a drip may be a good idea tonight. It may be that she cannot recover, but it may be worth giving her another 24 hours. She may need some medication to keep her GI tract functioning too.

I am sorry to hear that she is not doing so well now
 
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