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Rabbit is rolling and dragging?

WelshieBun

Young Bun
George is really not right.

Usually when we feed him, he's ravenous - he'll jump into his hutch right away and start clawing at the food bowl to get every last scrap. But tonight, he completely ignored his food. He was lying on the ground outside the hutch when I went down, something he rarely does at night. He jumped into the hutch but showed no interest in his fresh hay, water or pellets, and he began to flop and roll on the floor of the hutch. His breathing looked faster than normal and he flinched when I touched him. What's going on? I'm really distressed right now as no-one in the family is particularly worried and I can't take him to the vet without my parents. This is just a repeat of what happened to Nibbles, and I don't want George to end up like his brother at his age.
 
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Does anyone have an idea of what's wrong? Anything I can do in the meantime?

Edit: I went down to see him again and he seems better. He's eaten almost all his food and was munching away at his hay when I went down. He gave me his usual grumpy sniff and carried on with his eating. We're still taking him to the vet tomorrow, though, just in case.
 
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George is really not right.

Usually when we feed him, he's ravenous - he'll jump into his hutch right away and start clawing at the food bowl to get every last scrap. But tonight, he completely ignored his food. He was lying on the ground outside the hutch when I went down, something he rarely does at night. He jumped into the hutch but showed no interest in his fresh hay, water or pellets, and he began to flop and roll on the floor of the hutch. His breathing looked faster than normal and he flinched when I touched him. What's going on? I'm really distressed right now as no-one in the family is particularly worried and I can't take him to the vet without my parents. This is just a repeat of what happened to Nibbles, and I don't want George to end up like his brother at his age.

It could be that he's had a seizure. Make sure he's warm and comfortable and can't hurt himself.

Yes, do take him to the vet, but be aware that even my 'rabbit savvy' vet had never encountered a rabbit who had had a seizure and so didn't know how to treat him. Your vet may not have any suggestions and you may have to watch like a hawk for any other symptoms.

Your vet may suggest a course of Panacur for E.C. There is some info about diagnosing and treating it here:

http://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/diagnosing-encephalitozoon-cuniculi-infection-in-rabbits/

http://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/treatment-of-encephalitozoon-cuniculi-infection-in-rabbits/

Other diagnoses could be an inner ear infection or a stroke.

I hope your vet can shed some light on it, and that George isn't suffering :D
 
@MightyMax

I just had a discussion with my sister who also helps care for George. Apparently, he's done this a few times over the past day or two. She says he's been off-balance, shaking his head, etc. so I'm thinking it's an ear infection. However, I am certainly no vet and it's still unusual behaviour from him, especially with his bright - albeit grumpy - personality. We're getting him to the vet as soon as we can, which will likely be early tomorrow morning. I hope he does fine overnight; he was eating, drinking and hopping fine when we checked on him the last few times.

Edit: George is acting normally this morning, eating and hopping about fine. We're going to the vets at 2pm today as that's the earliest we can be fitted in. I'll be keeping a close eye on him.
 
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@MightyMax

I just had a discussion with my sister who also helps care for George. Apparently, he's done this a few times over the past day or two. She says he's been off-balance, shaking his head, etc. so I'm thinking it's an ear infection. However, I am certainly no vet and it's still unusual behaviour from him, especially with his bright - albeit grumpy - personality. We're getting him to the vet as soon as we can, which will likely be early tomorrow morning. I hope he does fine overnight; he was eating, drinking and hopping fine when we checked on him the last few times.

Edit: George is acting normally this morning, eating and hopping about fine. We're going to the vets at 2pm today as that's the earliest we can be fitted in. I'll be keeping a close eye on him.

You're doing absolutely the right thing.

Sending loads of vibes for George xx and strength for yourself :)
 
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