Advice on a rabbit that's had a stroke

Dee was bouncy and well this morning but six hours later I found her with her head turnd to the left and her eyes flicking. I took her straight to vet, unfortunately my rabbit savvy vet isn't on util Friday. Vet said she was in good condition and said she would probably recover but that was about it, apart from giving me panacur. I am keeping her in a small space as she was walking in tight circles, I'm syringe feeding her and keeping her warm. I have never experienced this before, is there any thing more I should be doing? What can I expect of her? I have an appointment to see my proper vet on Friday.

Hello, long time no see. I am sorry to hear that Dee is unwell
It sounds as though the Vet you saw thinks that EC may be involved hence the fact that the Vet has prescribed Panacur. Another possibility is a middle/inner ear infection and without a definitive diagnosis then many Vet try to cover all bases and treat for both EC (with Panacur) and for a bacterial infection (with an antibiotic, usually Baytril in the first instance). A non steroidal anti-inflammatory is also usually prescribed, eg Metacam, as it is inflammation within the CNS that causes the clinical symptoms.
Could you contact a Vet before Friday to discuss the addition of Baytril and Metacam aswell as the Panacur ?

Dee is likely to need a lot of nursing care including syringe feeds and help keeping herself clean. If her GI tract shows signs of slowing down (very small poo, lack of eating etc) then she may also require prokinetics to maintain gut motility.

She will need to be kept confined in a small safe cage with rolled up towels around the sides to prevent her from hurting herself if she rolls. Dee may seem to get a bit worse over the next day or so, BUT that does not mean that she cannot recover. With the correct medication and good nursing care some Rabbits can recover from a very severe case of head tilt/vestibular disease/EC. They may be left with a permanent tilt, but the severe disorientation can resolve. It may take several weeks of ongoing treatment though. I really hope that there is a good outcome for Dee

There is some additional information here:

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/head-tilt.html

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Otit/otitis.htm

http://www.gwexotics.com/wccms-resources/a/5/0/e/77554b90-a660-11e0-a685-0050568626ea.pdf

Yes it's been a while since I have been on here. Thanks for your reply. Whilst the vet thinks she has had a stroke he give her panacur just to be sure?! He did check her ears and said they were perfect, but I do realise they can only see so far. Can't remember if I said, my exotics vet is off until Friday. I asked him about metacam and he didn't think she needed it but I said I would prefer to give her it so he said that was fine and to give her some. So she has had panacur and metacam. She is usually an outdoor bun, but she seemed much less steady when I went out just now so I have brought her indoors so I can keep her warm.
I am now thinking this may be EC as she is now wanting to roll, so I have her in a pet carrier, and as you have advised, it's padded with vet bed.
If only my exotic vet had been on today!!!i have made an appointment to see her when she's back on Friday, but I think I might have to take Dee back tomorrow
Of all the the years I've had many rabbits I have never experienced this. It's awful.
You say she could get worse before she gets better, well at the moment she has got a bit worse, but I managed to hold her firmly from rolling to syringe feed her and she took the food. But I'm afraid she might choke with her head on one side.

I am so sorry to hear about Dee, and of course Jane has already given you excellent advice, so I will just say that hopefully patience and time will allow Dee is make a good recovery. It is heart breaking to see a bunny with EC, but I personally know of many bunnies who have made either a good partial or full recovery.

Hang on in there........and don't forget RU is a great place for support and understanding.

My bridge bunny developed these same symptoms very suddenly. It was just the worst thing ever seeing him rolling. Dee definately needs metacam twice a day for the inflammatory properties as well as pain relief. My vet who is a rabbit specialist diagnosed Pasterella in his right ear. He made a full recovery over 5 weeks, but at his worst he was on IV fluids at home, having all his meds, syringe feeding every 2 hrs, being kept clean and turned every hour around the clock, because he was collapsed and unable to move. The turning was the same as you would people to prevent pressure sores. My vet also gave him meds to help with any dizziness he might have been experiencing.

Later on in his life, Roger had a stroke which left him immobile, and paralysed down his right side. I was only able to provide him with all the ongoing care he needed and a good quality of life, because my boss agreed to me taking Roger to work with me, and setting him up an enclosure in the mess room. If that hadn't happened, I would really have had to have him pts, because his quality of life would have been extremely poor. At work, even when I was out on jobs, the whole workforce constantly doted on him and fussed him, and he was really never left unattended.

I really do hope you feel a lot more positive after seeing your usual vet, and I hope Dee goes on to make a full recovery. It's probably best with bunnies in such a compromised position, to just take one day at a time, and make sure you take good care of yourself as well, because Dee MAY require intensive round the clock nursing like Roger, and everything else such as housework etc, may well have to take a back seat. You need to be realistic about what you can do each day, and bear in mind you may need to nurse Dee for some weeks.

rabbitapril said:

Dee was bouncy and well this morning but six hours later I found her with her head turnd to the left and her eyes flicking. I took her straight to vet, unfortunately my rabbit savvy vet isn't on util Friday. Vet said she was in good condition and said she would probably recover but that was about it, apart from giving me panacur. I am keeping her in a small space as she was walking in tight circles, I'm syringe feeding her and keeping her warm. I have never experienced this before, is there any thing more I should be doing? What can I expect of her? I have an appointment to see my proper vet on Friday.

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I'm so sorry to hear about Dee, and also that you haven't been able to see your normal vet. I think you have done the right thing getting and giving Panacur and Metcam. This covers EC and also any associated inflammation in the brain. Your vet on Friday may prescribe Baytril to cover a suspected ear infection, but may also want to ascertain for as sure as possible if it is an ear infection.

As RogerRabbit has said, recovery can be prolonged. But not necessarily so. I had one rabbit who suddenly presented as severely head tilted. Started immediately on Panacur and Metcam, within 24 hours she was feeling better and has never looked back. I have also had another bun run in small circles as you described.

The main thing is to keep going with the treatment. Things could get worse before they get better, but they could also just begin to get better.

I wish you all the good wishes in the world for Dee to get well. I know only too well how distressing it is to have a head tilt bunny xx

I'm sorry to hear Dee is unwell. I can't give any other advice as you've already received the best, but I would like to say that my Holland Lop, Mimzy, came down with these same symptoms three years ago and although I spent the remainder of the year nursing him he pulled through it and is still going today. My vet had thought he had a tumor at first, but he responded well to the medications and recovered and she still is amazed to see how much better he is each time we visit her. Mimzy is 8 years old this year.

Thinking of you and sending healing vibes for your bun. xxxx

Thanks for your replies. Rogerrabbit999 that was especially helpfull.
Poor Dee is now on her side and rolls and thrashes when I move her to feed her. I will be back to vet first thing tomorrow.

rabbitapril said:

Thanks for your replies. Rogerrabbit999 that was especially helpfull.
Poor Dee is now on her side and rolls and thrashes when I move her to feed her. I will be back to vet first thing tomorrow.

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Poor girl I do hope that she can pull through. It really is an awful condition to witness. But some Rabbits do pull back from the brink. But of course sadly some do not. I hope the Vet can help her today. Do tell the Vet the last time you gave a dose of Metacam. The Vet may feel that it is now necessary to administer a corticosteroid injection. The use of corticosteroids in Rabbits is controversial, but many Rabbit savvy Vets will use them in very specific circumstances. Rapid onset severe vestibular symptoms being one of them. But corticosteroids cannot be used at the same time as non steroidal anti-inflammatories hence the need for the Vet to know the time the last dose of Metacam was given.

Syringe feeding a Rabbit in Dee's condition is likely to be a two person job. One to hold her securely to prevent rolling and the other to very carefully administer the feeds. You are correct to be mindful of the risk of a rolling Rabbit aspirating syringe feeds.

Millions more vibes being sent for Dee xx

Jack's-Jane said:

Millions more vibes being sent for Dee xx

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I have no words of wisdom but wanted to send some of these too.

I have managed to track down my rabbit savvy vet, Deborah at a far flung branch so I am off to see her soon with Dee and get her proper care. Thanks for the steroid information jacksjane. At least Dee is attempting to eat some parsley and has passed some poops.

rabbitapril said:

I have managed to track down my rabbit savvy vet, Deborah at a far flung branch so I am off to see her soon with Dee and get her proper care. Thanks for the steroid information jacksjane. At least Dee is attempting to eat some parsley and has passed some poops.

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I am thinking of both Dee and you. I really hope that Deborah can help xx

I have no advice to add, but just wanted to say that I am thinking of you both and hope that Dee can recover. Sending lots of vibes. xx

rabbitapril said:

I have managed to track down my rabbit savvy vet, Deborah at a far flung branch so I am off to see her soon with Dee and get her proper care. Thanks for the steroid information jacksjane. At least Dee is attempting to eat some parsley and has passed some poops.

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Good luck for you and Deborah, that she will be able to really help little Dee.

Thinking of you both today with a million good vibes x

Basically - what JJ said.

I had exactly the same happen to a rabbit over a year ago. She hopped through the lounge OK. By the time she had been inside for 10 mins she was unable to stand, eyes flickering, head started to tilt. She was on panacur, baytril and metacam for about 2 months. She got really bad - unable to stand, head totally twisted round to her side, unable to groom or feed herself due to the head tilt - she improved over the first couple of weeks, then badly relapsed for a week and then recovered again. She was syringe fed, kept warm and had her bum cleaned daily for a few weeks. Once she was able to reach a food bowl and water, syringe feeding eased off. She eventually got her balance back, went back outside daily in the run and was left with a slight head tilt. She never looked like she had had enough but sometimes I nearly called it a day, gave her another few days on the basis she was no worse than she had been, and she would improve.

Hang on in there.

Dee is being treated for possible ear infection/and or EC. She is now on highest dose of baytril, metronidazole, metaclop, panacur and metacam. She has another appointment tomorrow if nessesary then depending on how things go she will have an X-ray on Monday for possible ear infection. Also the possibility of a ct scan. Atm Dee is eating a little on her own. I'm pleased that she is keeping her body upright now instead of lying on her side, but any movement causes her to roll. Her head is very tilted. Thanks for your post shimmer, I appreciate and need every ones input and experiences to help me help Dee to get through this.

rabbitapril said:

Dee is being treated for possible ear infection/and or EC. She is now on highest dose of baytril, metronidazole, metaclop, panacur and metacam. She has another appointment tomorrow if nessesary then depending on how things go she will have an X-ray on Monday for possible ear infection. Also the possibility of a ct scan. Atm Dee is eating a little on her own. I'm pleased that she is keeping her body upright now instead of lying on her side, but any movement causes her to roll. Her head is very tilted. Thanks for your post shimmer, I appreciate and need every ones input and experiences to help me help Dee to get through this.

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This is a really good update re the vet's treatment.

I think you are doing marvellously well. Keep going ... I know what it's like to have a rolling bunny. You may soon have an improvement, given the meds she is on.

Sending millions more vibes that she pulls through soon, and gets much better. Glad she is eating a little on her own. Every bit of determination on behalf of the bunny is good :thumb:

rabbitapril said:

Dee is being treated for possible ear infection/and or EC. She is now on highest dose of baytril, metronidazole, metaclop, panacur and metacam. She has another appointment tomorrow if nessesary then depending on how things go she will have an X-ray on Monday for possible ear infection. Also the possibility of a ct scan. Atm Dee is eating a little on her own. I'm pleased that she is keeping her body upright now instead of lying on her side, but any movement causes her to roll. Her head is very tilted. Thanks for your post shimmer, I appreciate and need every ones input and experiences to help me help Dee to get through this.

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I am glad to hear that Deborah has prescribed all relevant medication to cover all bases. Personally I would not want to risk giving Dee a GA for Xrays/CT scans on Monday. But of course I am not a Vet. I just feel that it might be better to give the medication a lot more time to take effect.

Lots more vibes being sent xx

rabbitapril said:

Dee is being treated for possible ear infection/and or EC. She is now on highest dose of baytril, metronidazole, metaclop, panacur and metacam. She has another appointment tomorrow if nessesary then depending on how things go she will have an X-ray on Monday for possible ear infection. Also the possibility of a ct scan. Atm Dee is eating a little on her own. I'm pleased that she is keeping her body upright now instead of lying on her side, but any movement causes her to roll. Her head is very tilted. Thanks for your post shimmer, I appreciate and need every ones input and experiences to help me help Dee to get through this.

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Dear April,

Dee is lucky to have you taking such good care of her. In the many years I had bunnies, I have seen this at least six times. Most of the time, the bunny recovered within a week or so and lived a full life with just a slight head tilt. You have received some wonderful advice and I would like to add one more suggestion if she is unable to move out of her pee/poo. When my 13 year old bunny was disabled for an extended period her fur would become soaked with pee. I changed her bedding (which I padded with cotton quilt batting) several times a day, and she got at least one bath per day (and often an extra rear rinse or two). In time, she still got some irritation from the pee/poo. Since she was unable to lick it off, my vet told me I could use some baby diaper rash cream (not the ointment).

Just wondering how Dee is doing now ?