Rabbit limp, acute onset

stephywag · Jul 30, 2017

I'm just throwing this out there to see if I can find anyone with any advice for our rabbit.
He had been perfectly healthy and we got up Thursday morning to find him struggling to stay on his feet. By the afternoon he was on his side. We've taken him to a couple of vets and they are totally perplexed as to what is causing his illness. He does not seem to have any injury, but he is laying on his side only, but still looks to eat hay and veggies, and takes water from a syringe. We also started feeding him softened pellets with mashed banana, applesauce, or babyfood squash or carrots. We started antibiotics(SMZ suspension) and anti parasitic(Panacea) on Thursday eve and added anti-inflammatory on Friday morning. He still raises his head occasionally and as I said, eats and drinks some. They also checked his urine which showed some red blood cells, but no bacteria. He is pooping on his own, but we are having to express his bladder for him. He is very limp, but does have pain response in feet and moves his ears. Any advice you may be able to offer would be so greatly appreciated.

MightyMax · Jul 30, 2017

stephywag said:
I'm just throwing this out there to see if I can find anyone with any advice for our rabbit.
He had been perfectly healthy and we got up Thursday morning to find him struggling to stay on his feet. By the afternoon he was on his side. We've taken him to a couple of vets and they are totally perplexed as to what is causing his illness. He does not seem to have any injury, but he is laying on his side only, but still looks to eat hay and veggies, and takes water from a syringe. We also started feeding him softened pellets with mashed banana, applesauce, or babyfood squash or carrots. We started antibiotics(SMZ suspension) and anti parasitic(Panacea) on Thursday eve and added anti-inflammatory on Friday morning. He still raises his head occasionally and as I said, eats and drinks some. They also checked his urine which showed some red blood cells, but no bacteria. He is pooping on his own, but we are having to express his bladder for him. He is very limp, but does have pain response in feet and moves his ears. Any advice you may be able to offer would be so greatly appreciated.

Hi there and welcome to the Forum :wave:

I am really sorry to hear of your rabbit ...

Perhaps you can check out the following and see whether any of it rings a bell with your rabbit. Floppy Rabbit Syndrome is one thing that could be explored and not generally thought about as a 'condition' by vets.

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?93925-Floppy-Rabbit-Syndrome

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/owners/clinical-research/floppy-rabbit-syndrome-1

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/case-of-the-month/floppy-rabbit-syndrome

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

https://caldervets.co.uk/case-studies/marley-floppy-rabbit-syndrome/

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

I am going to put some more suggestions in another post for you.

Let me know if any of the above rings true - the symptoms can be so varied ...

MightyMax · Jul 30, 2017

I think your vet will have already considered these?

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/paralysis.html

http://rabbit.org/hind-limb-weakness-in-the-rabbit/

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Differentials/paresis.htm

Mileymoo · Jul 30, 2017

How horrible!
It seems he still has some fight left in him though. I hope he recovers soon!
Good luck!

daphnephoebe · Jul 30, 2017

I'm so sorry you're having to go through this.
I agree with MM that Floppy Rabbit Syndrome may be something to take into consideration.

Maybe put this forward to your rabbit savvy vet and suggest they contact Francis Harcourt-Brown if they feel it's a possible diagnosis.

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Babsie · Jul 30, 2017

You've already been given some good info/advice, but I am just wondering whether you have a good rabbit-savvy vet to look after your rabbit?

MightyMax · Jul 30, 2017

daphnephoebe said:
I'm so sorry you're having to go through this.
I agree with MM that Floppy Rabbit Syndrome may be something to take into consideration.

Maybe put this forward to your rabbit savvy vet and suggest they contact Francis Harcourt-Brown if they feel it's a possible diagnosis.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk

Not sure how much she would want to get involved in individual cases these days, as she's retired DP xx

daphnephoebe · Jul 30, 2017

MightyMax said:
Not sure how much she would want to get involved in individual cases these days, as she's retired DP xx

I completely forgot! She's still so active in the field it's easy to forget.
[emoji38] okay - maybe don't contact her then.

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MightyMax · Jul 30, 2017

daphnephoebe said:
I completely forgot! She's still so active in the field it's easy to forget.
[emoji38] okay - maybe don't contact her then.

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I know she'd be interested in the case, per se. Not sure about diagnosing and treating though :thumb:

jerseygirl · Jul 31, 2017

How worrisome for you. Still, Im glad to read he has an appetite.

How old is he?

If you want to consult with other vets, Im sure folks here can recommend some!

MightyMax has given some good links above. :thumb:

Sending many healing {{{vibes}}} !

ETA: Not sure what region of the world you live. Has he been checked over for ticks?

stephywag · Jul 31, 2017

Thank you!

MightyMax said:
Hi there and welcome to the Forum :wave:

I am really sorry to hear of your rabbit ...

Perhaps you can check out the following and see whether any of it rings a bell with your rabbit. Floppy Rabbit Syndrome is one thing that could be explored and not generally thought about as a 'condition' by vets.

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?93925-Floppy-Rabbit-Syndrome

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/owners/clinical-research/floppy-rabbit-syndrome-1

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/case-of-the-month/floppy-rabbit-syndrome

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

https://caldervets.co.uk/case-studies/marley-floppy-rabbit-syndrome/

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

I am going to put some more suggestions in another post for you.

Let me know if any of the above rings true - the symptoms can be so varied ...

Thanks so much for this! It really does sound likely. I will get him back to the vet tomorrow and share this information. Also, I read that Vitamin E drops would be helpful? He is around a year old.

stephywag · Jul 31, 2017

Thank you! This really does sound like a possibility. I will get him back to the vet in the morning with this information. I also read that vitamin E drops could be helpful?

stephywag · Jul 31, 2017

Thank you!

stephywag · Jul 31, 2017

Thank you! He's only around a year old. We don't know exactly since he was a good size already when we got him. We live in the high desert area of Idaho so we don't have many ticks. In fact, since moving here last year none of has had a tick or mosquito bite. That's a good thought, though and I appreciate it.

MightyMax · Jul 31, 2017

stephywag said:
Thank you! This really does sound like a possibility. I will get him back to the vet in the morning with this information. I also read that vitamin E drops could be helpful?

You're really welcome

Yes, they could help. Sunflower seed kernels contain Vit E, if you grind them and add a little to food. (They don't need to be ground, I only say that because of your rabbit's condition and because the seeds are small = choking)

Or break open a Vit E capsule. Take your vet's advice on that, and I hope you can get some help xx

daphnephoebe · Jul 31, 2017

Worth taking note of the bottom paragraph. There is a email address your vet will be able to use for information/guidance for treating your rabbit.

(MM I think this is why I was thinking to contact FHB as I'd seen this paragraph before).

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stephywag · Jul 31, 2017

Thank you all

Thanks to you all for your responses. I thought I had replied, but I must not know what I'm doing on here yet.

My bunny is about a year old. Floppy rabbit syndrome sounds possible. Got vet appt. at 9:15 a.m. to discuss further with vet. We don't have many ticks as we live in the high desert region of Idaho.

MightyMax · Jul 31, 2017

stephywag said:
Thanks to you all for your responses. I thought I had replied, but I must not know what I'm doing on here yet.
My bunny is about a year old. Floppy rabbit syndrome sounds possible. Got vet appt. at 9:15 a.m. to discuss further with vet. We don't have many ticks as we live in the high desert region of Idaho.

You're welcome.
I hope the vet visit proves fruitful and that something in those links will help him with treatment

stephywag · Aug 1, 2017

Thanks All. We lost our bunny today.

Thanks for your input. The vet was unable to save our bunny today. Went for bloodwork and fluids. Bunny wasn't holding own temp and didn't warm with assistance. Bloodwork show low creatinine and some other off but not telling results. The vet felt he was showing signs of being in pain and was also no longer able to pass urine. I didn't want to give up, but she felt there was nothing she could find to treat and he was suffering. We're heartbroken. He was a great pet. Necropsy also did not yield much. Most notable was that his blood was bright red.
Thanks,
Stephanie

jerseygirl · Aug 1, 2017

Oh, Im so sorry.

He was lucky to have such a caring owner.
Binky Free, Little One.

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