• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

*Sad Update* Hind leg paralysis and lumps on body

Akire

Akire

Young Bun
Hello everyone. One of my bunnies is experiencing health problems that are a total mystery. She has seen two vets and neither one has any answers. Both vets are very rabbit savvy and highly recommended, so that isn't the issue. Some quick backstory: I have a bonded pair of bunnies named Dunkin and Amber. Both are 7 years old and I've had them since they were very young. They are fixed, litter box trained and strictly indoor house bunnies. Both have been extremely healthy, up until this point.

It all started on April 4th. The bunnies were out playing and I noticed Amber wasn't doing her binkies. Then, to my horror, I noticed that she was dragging her back legs. She was still eating, drinking and popping just fine. She was even still getting into the litter box to go potty. The only problem was she was dragging her back legs when she would walk. So the next day I took her to a rabbit vet who is recommended by my local House Rabbit Society. X-rays were taken of Amber and oddly enough they just showed mild arthritis. She has some in the shoulders and her hips are showing changes. A spot in her lower spine was a bit more narrow, but my vet didn't think that was the cause. The vet did some cold laser therapy to help relieve pain and inflammation.

Here is the really scary and unusual part; it was discovered Amber has multiple lumps on her. Pretty decent sized. I never felt them before. They are round and quite hard. They are just under the skin. The vet isn't sure what they are caused by. She measured each one and in two weeks I'm returning so they can be measured again to see if they are growing or not. Also unusual, Amber's liver is enlarged.

Here are the meds she is on now:
Meloxicam - 0.47 mls orally 2x daily for 5 days then 0.24 mls daily for 3 weeks
TMS Suspension - 1.1 mls orally 2x daily for 3 weeks
Tresaderm (for inflammation in her lopped ear) - 1 to 2 drops 2x a day for 1 week

I wanted to get a second opinion after Amber's condition got much worse over the next day into full paralysis of the hind legs. She also could no longer control her bladder and her appetite drastically decreased. I took her to a bunny vet I've used before. She looked at the x-rays and came to the same conclusion, that there is nothing that is a definitive cause of the paralysis. She thinks it must be a nerve thing. She isn't sure what the lumps are, but also isn't worried about them right now. :? She discovered Amber has a cyst inside each eye; reasons unknown. She recommended to try acupuncture, so I have an appointment for that in a few days. She also showed me how to empty Amber's bladder so she doesn't pee on herself as much.

The good news: Amber's lab work came back last night. The 2 main liver enzymes are normal, the secondary one that is increased can also be elevated due to inflammation in the muscles/gi, which is the case with Amber. Kidneys are within normal and she does not have organ failure.

The bad news: I'm stuck with no answers still. Amber shows signs of being in pain despite Meloxicam 2x daily. She eats enough to keep a bird alive. I'm pretty convinced she has more lumps on her body and the ones that were there already have gotten larger. Her hair is starting to fall out on her bum as well, despite my best efforts to keep her clean and dry. To be honest her quality of life is not good at all right now and it cannot continue like this. :(

Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

Also, please take a look at this thread about Dunkin's depression due to Amber's health problems. I'm not sure if I should separate them.
 
Last edited:
Hindlimb weakness is often associated with E.cuniculi so it may be worth treating with pancur (wormer) whilst you work out what might be going on.

Has the vet stuck a needle/biopsied one of the lumps to see if they can tell what they are?
 
Akire said:
Hello everyone. One of my bunnies is experiencing health problems that are a total mystery. She has seen two vets and neither one has any answers. Both vets are very rabbit savvy and highly recommended, so that isn't the issue. Some quick backstory: I have a bonded pair of bunnies named Dunkin and Amber. Both are 7 years old and I've had them since they were very young. They are fixed, litter box trained and strictly indoor house bunnies. Both have been extremely healthy, up until this point.

It all started on April 4th. The bunnies were out playing and I noticed Amber wasn't doing her binkies. Then, to my horror, I noticed that she was dragging her back legs. She was still eating, drinking and popping just fine. She was even still getting into the litter box to go potty. The only problem was she was dragging her back legs when she would walk. So the next day I took her to a rabbit vet who is recommended by my local House Rabbit Society. X-rays were taken of Amber and oddly enough they just showed mild arthritis. She has some in the shoulders and her hips are showing changes. A spot in her lower spine was a bit more narrow, but my vet didn't think that was the cause. The vet did some cold laser therapy to help relieve pain and inflammation.

Here is the really scary and unusual part; it was discovered Amber has multiple lumps on her. Pretty decent sized. I never felt them before. They are round and quite hard. They are just under the skin. The vet isn't sure what they are caused by. She measured each one and in two weeks I'm returning so they can be measured again to see if they are growing or not. Also unusual, Amber's liver is enlarged.

Here are the meds she is on now:
Meloxicam - 0.47 mls orally 2x daily for 5 days then 0.24 mls daily for 3 weeks
TMS Suspension - 1.1 mls orally 2x daily for 3 weeks
Tresaderm (for inflammation in her lopped ear) - 1 to 2 drops 2x a day for 1 week

I wanted to get a second opinion after Amber's condition got much worse over the next day into full paralysis of the hind legs. She also could no longer control her bladder and her appetite drastically decreased. I took her to a bunny vet I've used before. She looked at the x-rays and came to the same conclusion, that there is nothing that is a definitive cause of the paralysis. She thinks it must be a nerve thing. She isn't sure what the lumps are, but also isn't worried about them right now. :? She discovered Amber has a cyst inside each eye; reasons unknown. She recommended to try acupuncture, so I have an appointment for that in a few days. She also showed me how to empty Amber's bladder so she doesn't pee on herself as much.

The good news: Amber's lab work came back last night. The 2 main liver enzymes are normal, the secondary one that is increased can also be elevated due to inflammation in the muscles/gi, which is the case with Amber. Kidneys are within normal and she does not have organ failure.

The bad news: I'm stuck with no answers still. Amber shows signs of being in pain despite Meloxicam 2x daily. She eats enough to keep a bird alive. I'm pretty convinced she has more lumps on her body and the ones that were there already have gotten larger. Her hair is starting to fall out on her bum as well, despite my best efforts to keep her clean and dry. To be honest her quality of life is not good at all right now and it cannot continue like this. :(

Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

Also, please take a look at this thread about Dunkin's depression due to Amber's health problems. I'm not sure if I should separate them.
Click to expand...


I'm really sorry to read this. You must be very worried.

I see you are a bit mystified by the fact that the vet isn't worried about the lumps, and I have to say I would be mystified too. I would definitely want to know what those lumps were, and if they can't take a fine needle aspiration, could they excise one under sedation and send off for biopsy?

The enlarged liver also rang alarm bells with me, but I don't know enough about how malignancies would affect liver values to be of any use to you there.

Could the liver be pressing onto the bladder and causing her to pee on herself? I think something (one of those lumps?) pressing on a nerve may explain the dragging her legs. Either that or it's neurological - stroke perhaps.

It doesn't ring as E.C. to me, but worth covering for it, I suppose.

Good luck xx
 
Sorry to hear that Amber is poorly.

I don't think I can add much. In the UK we would suspect EC as a possible cause of hind leg weakness if there is no obvious injury (eg by examination or x-ray). The treatment is a 28 day course of Panacur (fenbendazole wormer), anti-inflammatories to deal with the side effects caused by the parasites in the nervous system, and possibly an antibiotic to deal with eg ear infection causing balance problems. This also covers for other possible causes of similar symptoms until their is either a definite diagnosis or a significant improvement in health. You seem to have these covered anyway.

You don't say how much she weighs. There may be scope to ask your vet about increasing the dose of Meloxicam - even as a temporary measure - as you may notice an improvement fairly quickly. Rabbits can tolerate higher doses as they metabolise it quickly.

The only other thing I can think of is either myxomatosis (I don't know if you have it where you live), or insect bites causing the lumps. Ivermectin (spot on or by injection) treats external parasites - it is a series of 3 treatments over several weeks. Again, you would need to check with your vet that it it is appropriate, and OK along with the other medication and her liver results.

Recovery may take some weeks. I would keep her comfortable, eating well (or provide top up syringe feeds), and check her poo / wee is normal.
 
I agree with Tamsin and Shimmer in that it may be worth asking the Vet about covering for the possibility of EC involvement by giving a 28 day course of Fenbendazole. EC can flare up at times of stress, including during a separate illness.

Do run this by the Vet first though as Fenbendazole can effect liver function and as your Rabbit has evidence of hepatomegaly the Vet may feel it not to be appropriate in your Rabbit's specific case.

It could be that the lumps are a separate issue to the hind leg paresis

Re the lumps, has the Vet considered Shope Fibroma Virus ? Especially if you have Cottontails in your area

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/viral/Shope_fibroma_virus_Inf.htm
 
Thank you very much for the responses.

My bunnies are strictly indoors, so bug bites or a disease from wild rabbits can be ruled out. Some of the lumps are so hard they feel like bone. Others are more squishy. It's very strange. Neither vet thought EC was likely. I'm not sure why they don't want to do treatment as a precautionary. They haven't suggested biopsy on the lumps either. It's very frustrating! :|

I notice lately that Amber's stomach gurgles really loudly and I can actually feel like a popping sensation when I give her belly massages. I'm guessing it is due to gas?
 
Akire said:
Thank you very much for the responses.

My bunnies are strictly indoors, so bug bites or a disease from wild rabbits can be ruled out. Some of the lumps are so hard they feel like bone. Others are more squishy. It's very strange. Neither vet thought EC was likely. I'm not sure why they don't want to do treatment as a precautionary. They haven't suggested biopsy on the lumps either. It's very frustrating! :|

I notice lately that Amber's stomach gurgles really loudly and I can actually feel like a popping sensation when I give her belly massages. I'm guessing it is due to gas?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately that is not the case. Shope Fibroma can be spread by flying blood sucking insects such as fleas or mosquitoes. Indoor Rabbits are still at risk from viruses that can be transmitted in this way unless you have a hermetically sealed home.
 
Akire said:
Thank you very much for the responses.

My bunnies are strictly indoors, so bug bites or a disease from wild rabbits can be ruled out. Some of the lumps are so hard they feel like bone. Others are more squishy. It's very strange. Neither vet thought EC was likely. I'm not sure why they don't want to do treatment as a precautionary. They haven't suggested biopsy on the lumps either. It's very frustrating! :|

I notice lately that Amber's stomach gurgles really loudly and I can actually feel like a popping sensation when I give her belly massages. I'm guessing it is due to gas?
Click to expand...

Can you suggest a biopsy on the lumps? They don't sound to me like bug bites, I must say. And you have them pretty well protected from getting *so many* of them.

Yes it can be gas that you're hearing popping in her tummy. Is she eating well?
 
That's a good point about the Shope Fibroma, we don't see it here really but it's a possibility if you are in the US. Like Jane say's it's transmitted by biting insects so being indoors isn't a guarantee just reduces risk.

The other possibility would be cutaneous lymphoma - a sort of skin cancer that causes lumps, again you'd need a biopsy to tell you if it was this.
 
Jack's-Jane said:
Unfortunately that is not the case. Shope Fibroma can be spread by flying blood sucking insects such as fleas or mosquitoes. Indoor Rabbits are still at risk from viruses that can be transmitted in this way unless you have a hermetically sealed home.
Click to expand...

My bunnies have never had fleas and I've never seen one cottontail where I live (which has been my residence for 20 years). There are far too many predators around and I live in a condo, so lots of people and cars constantly. I don't believe Shope Fibroma is a possibility, mostly because the symptoms don't sound very similar and it's rare for domestic rabbits. I appreciate the help though!

Clinical Signs: Discrete tumors occur on the legs or feet, on the muzzle, and around the eyes. Size depends on location of the tumor. The tumors are dermal and not attached to subcutaneous tissue. There is alopecia and rare skin ulceration over the tumors. The infected adult rabbit remains clinically normal otherwise. Tumors will typically regress after a period of about 6 months. Generalized disease and death may rarely be seen in young rabbits.

MightyMax said:
Can you suggest a biopsy on the lumps? They don't sound to me like bug bites, I must say. And you have them pretty well protected from getting *so many* of them.

Yes it can be gas that you're hearing popping in her tummy. Is she eating well?
Click to expand...

That is what I'm going to have to do, request a biopsy. Guess I need to do my vet's job for them :rolleyes: I've been doing tons of research trying to figure out what this could be. Posted in three different rabbit groups. I always thought the vet was the one who was supposed to give recommendations as to what steps should be taken or what tests should be given priority. These vets seem to just do the bare minimum. Maybe people aren't typically willing to do more. :?

I will do whatever it takes, even though I'm on disability and running out of money. You do what you have to.

She isn't eating well at all. Very limited and she can't do it on her own really. I have to syringe feed her critical care.

Tamsin said:
That's a good point about the Shope Fibroma, we don't see it here really but it's a possibility if you are in the US. Like Jane say's it's transmitted by biting insects so being indoors isn't a guarantee just reduces risk.

The other possibility would be cutaneous lymphoma - a sort of skin cancer that causes lumps, again you'd need a biopsy to tell you if it was this.
Click to expand...

I've read about lymphoma and it scares me a lot, because the symptoms sound similar. I'm going to need to get a biopsy done.
 
Akire said:
My bunnies have never had fleas and I've never seen one cottontail where I live (which has been my residence for 20 years). There are far too many predators around and I live in a condo, so lots of people and cars constantly. I don't believe Shope Fibroma is a possibility, mostly because the symptoms don't sound very similar and it's rare for domestic rabbits. I appreciate the help though!

Clinical Signs: Discrete tumors occur on the legs or feet, on the muzzle, and around the eyes. Size depends on location of the tumor. The tumors are dermal and not attached to subcutaneous tissue. There is alopecia and rare skin ulceration over the tumors. The infected adult rabbit remains clinically normal otherwise. Tumors will typically regress after a period of about 6 months. Generalized disease and death may rarely be seen in young rabbits.



That is what I'm going to have to do, request a biopsy. Guess I need to do my vet's job for them :rolleyes: I've been doing tons of research trying to figure out what this could be. Posted in three different rabbit groups. I always thought the vet was the one who was supposed to give recommendations as to what steps should be taken or what tests should be given priority. These vets seem to just do the bare minimum. Maybe people aren't typically willing to do more. :?

I will do whatever it takes, even though I'm on disability and running out of money. You do what you have to.

She isn't eating well at all. Very limited and she can't do it on her own really. I have to syringe feed her critical care.



I've read about lymphoma and it scares me a lot, because the symptoms sound similar. I'm going to need to get a biopsy done.
Click to expand...

I've often found I have to go to my vet knowing what my plan is, even if it changes sometimes when I get there. The better the vet though, the less you should need to be the one making the decisions of course. I have had rabbits with cancer, and the specialist vet (not my 'normal' vet) that I've seen has recognised it such by the symptoms and it hasn't always needed a biopsy.

I really hope this becomes manageable for you. It's awful to have financial constraints, which is what most of us have when facing these dilemmas.

I'm sorry she's not eating on her own. Yes, a lot of work for you to keep her strength up. I can see now why you say her tummy is rumbling and making noises. That happens in those situations, where they are syringe fed.

Wishing you loads of luck and good vibes xx
 
Akire said:
My bunnies have never had fleas and I've never seen one cottontail where I live (which has been my residence for 20 years). There are far too many predators around and I live in a condo, so lots of people and cars constantly. I don't believe Shope Fibroma is a possibility, mostly because the symptoms don't sound very similar and it's rare for domestic rabbits. I appreciate the help though!

Clinical Signs: Discrete tumors occur on the legs or feet, on the muzzle, and around the eyes. Size depends on location of the tumor. The tumors are dermal and not attached to subcutaneous tissue. There is alopecia and rare skin ulceration over the tumors. The infected adult rabbit remains clinically normal otherwise. Tumors will typically regress after a period of about 6 months. Generalized disease and death may rarely be seen in young rabbits.



That is what I'm going to have to do, request a biopsy. Guess I need to do my vet's job for them :rolleyes: I've been doing tons of research trying to figure out what this could be. Posted in three different rabbit groups. I always thought the vet was the one who was supposed to give recommendations as to what steps should be taken or what tests should be given priority. These vets seem to just do the bare minimum. Maybe people aren't typically willing to do more. :?

I will do whatever it takes, even though I'm on disability and running out of money. You do what you have to.

She isn't eating well at all. Very limited and she can't do it on her own really. I have to syringe feed her critical care.



I've read about lymphoma and it scares me a lot, because the symptoms sound similar. I'm going to need to get a biopsy done.
Click to expand...

I hope that the Vet will be able to offer further suggestions and possible options re diagnostics. If the Vet is aware of your finacial constraints she may be trying to be conservative with regards to carrying out a battery of expensive diagnostics. If you have a frank and open discussion with the Vet about it all I think it will help. I would not automatically assume the Vet is just not that interested, she could well be trying her best to help your Rabbit and you. Some Vets may just press on and on with endless costly diagnostics that the owner simply cannot afford. The diagnostics may not even provide any useful information. By the sounds of it the Vet you have consulted is being very proactive so far. She may simply be being mindful that many clients do not have a bottomless pit of funds to cover ever increasing Vet bills.

Good luck, I do feel that the Vet you have seen so far may be very willing to discuss all possible options with you. Your account of their input so far does not read as 'not Rabbit Savvy' to me.
 
Jack's-Jane said:
I hope that the Vet will be able to offer further suggestions and possible options re diagnostics. If the Vet is aware of your finacial constraints she may be trying to be conservative with regards to carrying out a battery of expensive diagnostics. If you have a frank and open discussion with the Vet about it all I think it will help. I would not automatically assume the Vet is just not that interested, she could well be trying her best to help your Rabbit and you. Some Vets may just press on and on with endless costly diagnostics that the owner simply cannot afford. The diagnostics may not even provide any useful information. By the sounds of it the Vet you have consulted is being very proactive so far. She may simply be being mindful that many clients do not have a bottomless pit of funds to cover ever increasing Vet bills.

Good luck, I do feel that the Vet you have seen so far may be very willing to discuss all possible options with you. Your account of their input so far does not read as 'not Rabbit Savvy' to me.
Click to expand...

I agree with Jane. My vet will often tell me that it could cost me thousands of dollars to have cat scans or MRIs that still may not give a diagnosis; or may not change the treatment plan even if we did have a diagnosis.
 
Yesterday I had to make the incredibly heartbreaking decision to end Amber's suffering. :cry:

She was very bad in the morning and hadn't pooped since the previous night. Her paralysis was actually worse; the muscles in her anus were not contracting anymore. I could actually see inside her bum and that there was some poop there that was unable to come out because she couldn't contract the muscles. Then I noticed one of her lumps felt weird. I looked with a flashlight and saw the skin tearing. Amber was just sitting with her eyes closed tight in obvious pain. My stomach dropped and I knew it was going to be a very sad day.

I called one of the vets who was seeing her and explained the situation, but they didn't have time to see her. I tried calling the second vet, but they couldn't either. Amber had that appointment with another vet for acupuncture in less than an hour, so I kept that appointment and told them that she was very bad. The vet felt like there was definitely something going on that was very serious. Her opinion was either the lumps all over her were abscesses from a very serious infection and that one was inside her pressing on the spine. Since there was never a biopsy done we could have been using antibiotics that it was resistant to. Her other thought was that they were tumors (cancer) and one was pressing on the spine. Either way she agreed prognosis was poor and that she was suffering.

I really didn't know what to do... but then I looked at Amber sitting on the table. Her ears were cold, she was trembling from pain and her eyes weren't even open. I knew the kindest thing I could do for her was to take that pain away. I stayed by her side, petting and kissing her until she fell asleep and passed on. The vet asked if I wanted her to take a needle to one of the lumps and see what she could find out about it. I said it was okay because I wanted to know what illness could appear out of the blue and be so aggressive. As she looked at the lumps more closely she realized they were starting to ulcerate. She said when they did it would cause excruciating pain. That gave me even more peace of mind in my decision.

It was incredibly difficult to do emotionally, but I brought Amber's body home for Dunkin to say his goodbyes. He actually went up to the body and started kissing her face. I totally lost it and started crying uncontrollably. It will forever be stuck in my mind. Dunkin doesn't seem upset by Amber's passing. Actually, he is much happier than he was when she was still here. I truly feel that he could tell she was suffering and he is happy that she is no longer in pain. Me on the other hand... This is almost too much. Just late last year I had to euthanize my cat who I had for 18 years due to a brain tumor. Now Amber is gone. It feels like a dream. She never had a health problem for 6 years. It all happened way too quickly. I don't even think I have fully processed all of this.

Thank you all for the help. I'm sorry for such a sad update.

Rest in peace my sweet Amber
DSCF0006.jpg
 
I am sorry for your loss :cry: I am sure that you made the right decision for Amber, even though doing so must have been heartbreaking for you.

RIP Amber xx
 
I am so sorry you have lost your gorgeous, precious Amber :cry: She was a beautiful rabbit.
 
I'm so sorry :cry: I'm sure you made the best decision for Amber, even though it was the hardest one for you :cry:

Binky free Amber

Sending hugs xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Hind leg weakness
Replies
2
Views
263
InspectorMorse
InspectorMorse
M
Rabbit arthritis with rear leg paralysis.
Replies
3
Views
289
morton2000
M
B
Abcess or possible tumour - UPDATE
Replies
16
Views
309
tonibun
T
Back
Top