Advice about seizures on our much loved Smokey

[smokeymac]

Hi,

Been reading for a while, but first post, looking for some info regarding our 5 year old Dwarf rabbit Smokey.

He is housed indoors but is out most of the day and night.

4 weeks ago after a trouble free life he started having a fit(not pleasant to watch), then again next day lasting about 30 secs-1 minute,(noticed as he was in his hutch as banged against it very loudly).Afterwards he was back to normal within 2-3 minutes being his usual loving and cheeky self.A day later he seemed sluggish, so looked on this forum as well as took him to the vet.
Seemed to suggest that he had EC, and suggested a 9 day course of Panacur which worked and he has been great for 3 weeks, then on Saturday and Sunday the same again, fitting again.
Took him back to the vet and we are trying him on a 28 day course of Panacur again, as he reacted well to it the first time.2 days into the course(after 2 days of good health)he had another fit today(but again back to normal after 2-3 mins).
There are no other symptons, no head tilt, eating well(dried and his normal veg)pooping his usual self, bit of weakness in his back paw, but he seems to have damaged a claw in one fit so think thats the reason for that.
Bought him a new hutch, and will be bleaching as recommended.

Is there anything more we can do ?, am I missing something?.

Any comments suggestions would be greatly received, as this website has helped me massively already.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Is he also on a daily non steroidal anti inflammatory such as Metacam ?

NSAIDs are an essential part of the treatment of EC as it is the inflammatory response to erupting EC spores that causes clinical symptoms and longterm cellular damage

There is some useful information about EC here:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...N3ISKU&sig=AHIEtbR1V0Bkgl46nxoM3IZVX7iM5Uaz_Q

You say that he is 'out most of the day and night'

Do you mean outdoors unsupervised ? Or do you mean 'out of his hutch' ?

Is there any chance he could be ingesting a toxin - eg chewing wood painted with a lead based paint ?

This link has some more information about Seizures in Rabbits

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

 

[smokeymac]

Thanks for info

Is he also on a daily non steroidal anti inflammatory such as Metacam ?

NSAIDs are an essential part of the treatment of EC as it is the inflammatory response to erupting EC spores that causes clinical symptoms and longterm cellular damage

There is some useful information about EC here:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...N3ISKU&sig=AHIEtbR1V0Bkgl46nxoM3IZVX7iM5Uaz_Q

You say that he is 'out most of the day and night'

Do you mean outdoors unsupervised ? Or do you mean 'out of his hutch' ?

Is there any chance he could be ingesting a toxin - eg chewing wood painted with a lead based paint ?

This link has some more information about Seizures in Rabbits

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

Thanks for that.

Smokey is just out of his hutch indoors, and is just on Panacur from the vet and nothing else.
Was unsure at the vets a couple of days ago whether to ask for any other medicine for him, as Metacam has been mentioned on the forum along with other meds in the treatment of EC.

They think it may be EC, but I am beginning to wonder whether its a possible other cause.
Just learning about this, and want to to the best for our wee pal, as he brings a great deal of happiness to us all.

Do you think if fits/seizures continue would be wise to take him back and ask for differnet meds on top of the Panacur, or other potential causes if it isnt EC?.

Many thanks.

PS On other notes does can anyone recommend rabbit experts in Dunfermline/Fife/Falkirk area??

 

[smokeymac]

More info reg smokey and seizures

Just a few more notes and questions ref to our 5 year old smokey.

He was suffering from seizures last time posted.

Vet suspected was EC, no other symptons than the seizures, he went on 9 day panacure, and was great for 3 whole weeks, then had 3 seizures in 4 hours, we took him back for 1 nights observation, where he had Diazapam inj, and then 1 night B+B while they waited for some extra advice from Edinburgh Vet School, he came out with further 28 days Panacure and Loxicam(anti infalm I believe), and again was great for 10 days with no further problems.

Then last night he had another seizure, stressed up to the max I stayed up with him all night, and he was well up until another 2 seizures 12 hours after the original one.Enough was enough and I took him back where he is stayin in tonight again for observation at the vets.
The vet has been good and explained a lot about doses and various meds not being leisenced(sp) in rabbits, they have also consulted with other vets and they concur with the diagnosis.
Just wondering whether any others have had symptoms of just seizures and nothing else in conjunction with EC ?, as generally after the seizures he is still running about and doing more or less normal things. Though it takes him a day or so to get back to his full self.
The frustration with this is that his initial reaction to the meds always seems good, so we all think he is going to be fine.
I am worried about where to go after this if, A-- he has had more seizures or, B--has none in the vets and then gets home and has some here at home.
Sorry for the long winded -ness of this but trying to get full story together .

cheers