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Need advice on treating surviving buns - RIP Pixie :( Bunny suddenly quadriplegic

adorabun

Young Bun
Hi everyone, hoping you can offer some advice.

Came home from work today to find my foster (house) bunny, Pixie, unable to move his limbs. We took him in as a foster about a month ago, and hadn't wormed him though had planned to :( He's very bright and attentive, he's able to move his head and ears, has no head tilt or nystagmus and is pooping and peeing. The weakness is in both front and back limbs, but mainly in the front (legs splayed out in front of himself), he can pull his back legs in under himself. He can't hop or even drag himself around.

We took him straight to the emergency vet, who gave him a worm dose, steroids and antibiotics. She doesn't think it's spinal, she suspects either something neurological or a parasitic infection. She advised to take him home tonight and keep him comfortable. I'm bringing him to the rabbit vet first thing in the morning (I plan to be at the surgery as they open, regardless of not having an appointment).

I need advice on what to do for him tonight. I've set him up in his exercise pen with towels and blankets and will be sleeping down next to him. He doesn't want to eat, so I've already syringe fed him 2mls of critical care.

How often should I syringe feed him and how much? Is there anything else you can think of that I need to do for him? Anything I should be asking the vet tomorrow?

Could this be e.cuniculi even without head tilt? Is there anything else you think I should know?

Thanks so much for all your advice, I'm beside myself :'(

Pixie-600x448.jpg
 
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Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your poor bun :( yes, I think they can have EC without a head tilt. He is probably not eating as he's wondering what's the matter with him and is confused :( it's good that you'll be sleeping with him, you can stroke him to reassure him and help him if he needs anything. Keep offering him a water bowl to see if he'll drink for himself, and keep trying his favourite foods in case he fancies something. If it is EC, the wormer should help him, but it can take a few weeks so try not to panic. He should have metacam too for it's anti-inflammatory action. I'm sorry I can't be of more help, I hope he improves soon x
 
Thanks so much for your kind words and advice, much appreciated. I'm going to put a small crock of water down near him now and some fresh herbs to tempt him to eat. I asked the vet about metacam actually and she said something about not using both that and steroids together, that the steroids are best at first then metacam later. I'll definitely ask the rabbit vet about this tomorrow.
 
Make sure he has some hay next to him too as sometimes that is the only thing they will eat. I hope you both get some rest tonight x
 
Thanks again for the helpful advice. Having offered him some herbs and hay, I've discovered something disturbing - he wants to eat them but he can't chew them :( It's strange, his teeth are absolutely fine, but it's as if he can't coordinate them enough to tear the leaves/crop the hay. He's eagerly accepted a number of spoonfuls of soaked, mashed pellets and I've given him a few mls of water. Settled on the floor next to him now for a snooze. I hope the vet can do something tomorrow, but I have a horrible feeling that he won't come back from this :'(
 
It sounds like there's definitely a problem with his teeth, often it can't be seen without an anaesthetic because it's right at the back. If he wants to eat but is struggling there is definitely something wrong in there. Good luck at the vets, i'll check for an update later x
 
An really sorry to hear little Pixie is unwell.
I have experience of EC with head tilt and weak back legs. My bunny is still recovering and it is week 6 now.
Your vet is right you can't give metacam and steroids. We were told the same. :(

I think you should get pixie back to the vet after discovering her problem chewing. In the meantime I would definitely continue syringe feeding very slowly.
When my bunny stopped eating I fed him as much as he would tolerate which was about 3 mls every hour and then he looked for more of it so I just went at his pace. I also gave him bio lapsis syringes into him as he was on antibiotics and after 2 days e began eating his veg.

Paws crossed and bunny hugs sent for wee Pixie.
her pic is gorgeous!
I would def continue on the panacur (wormer)
 
Update - no feeling in hind legs, can't pee or poo

Thanks so much ripminnie and leesabuntine for your lovely replies. The support means so much.

I fed Pixie a few mls of critical care every few hours through the night and spoonfed him mushy pellets before setting off for the rabbit specialist this morning. I was there for their opening at 9 am and they took him in straight away.

The specialist is very concerned. His teeth are absolutely fine and she doesn't think it's head tilt, the symptoms don't match. His condition has progressed, he can no longer pull his back legs under him and can't pee or poo. She had to express his bladder as it was so full. He has no feeling in his back paws (tested by pinching them) and some feeling in his front paws, though he can't move them. She thinks it's something neurological, but doesn't know what and she's not very hopeful. He's been admitted to the hospital until at least Monday for x-rays and blood tests.

I'd been staying stong and holding it together for Pixie. I checked my email just as I was about to drive home. There was an email from one of those positivity websites I'd signed up to where they send you a daily message of hope (TUT A Note from the Universe if any of you know it). I don't normally pay much heed to it, but opened it anyway. It read "The real reason animals don't talk, Kat, is because they understand so much."

Well that just pushed me over the edge and I bawled in the car with the whole street watching :'( He's such a sweet, gentle, friendly, happy rabbit and even in the short time I've had him I've come to love him so much. I'm not a religious woman, but I'm praying hard that he'll make it somehow.
 
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Poor poor you I know how you feel as I lost my bun a few weeks ago to something similar.

He is at the best place, a vet who knows whats what and you have done your best for him, I know this does not help you one little bit:cry: but you have done your best.

Lots of :love::love::love:
 
Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for the vibes and thoughts for Pixie. I just called the vets there and his x-rays came back negative for fractures/breaks. Though apparently that doesn't rule out trauma. They're doing blood tests to check for infection, parasites etc. and providing him with supportive treatment (antibiotics, panacur, anti-inflammatories, expressing his bladder and helping him poop) in the meantime. There's no change in his condition, but he's bright and eating.

She's still not very hopeful for his prognosis, but going to give him every chance. She said it's a very unusual case, and she's been working with rabbits for a long time. Going to try go in and see him tomorrow morning, bring him some blankets that smell like home etc.

Please keep sending vibes for Pixie! He's such an outgoing, adventurous bunny, I hope he'll keep strong and fighting.
 
Adorabun, sorry to hear Pixies condition has progressed :(
Sending loads of get well vibes and we have all finger and paws crossed here (and thats alot!)
I really hope the vet works out whats going on with your bunny.

Hope the wee soul keeps fighting...he sounds like hes a very loved bunny....and def lucky to have you fighting along with him.
I was in the same position as you ( not same problem with bunnies ) we thought there was no hope for our bunny George and I was heart broken...hes still fragile and we still take one day at a time and dnt take anything for granted with him.

If you need to talk pm me. I have received amazing support from members on this forum and George certainly wouldn't be here without it!
I am also not a religous person but when George got ill 6 weeks ago i have prayed everyday from him. Pixie is def in my prayers too!

As hard as it is, try and get some rest....and lots of positive and healing vibes (and a prayer) for Pixie. X
 
Leesa, I cannot thank you enough for your kind words and for sharing your experience. It makes me feel so much better, though I can't shake the wretchedness.

I called for an update this morning and he's bright and eating, but is still quadriplegic and can't pee or poo. There's no feeling in his hind legs, there's feeling in his front paws and the vet said there's some movement in his tail and front right paw, but it's only "motor". I think what she means by this is that he still can't move them voluntarily. She said that he's not showing the improvement she had hoped for with aggressive treatment and that I should prepare myself for the worst.

Pixie's not the only one that needs help now, I'm in an awful state myself. I haven't stopped crying since leaving him at the vets on Friday. I feel constantly ill and can't eat anything. I've been trying to study (big assignment coming up) or read or watch TV to take my mind off it, but I can't concentrate on anything. My mind just keeps going over and over what happened and what I could do to prevent it, how we could look after him as long as he's still eating regardless of him being quadriplegic. I've been imagining keeping him with me in a baby sling, in his carrier under my desk in work - anything to avoid putting him to sleep. He's such a wonderful bunny, the nicest I've ever had the pleasure of sharing my life with. Even the vet said "He's a lovely rabbit". He doesn't deserve this, and I can't shake the guilt that this might never have happened to him if he had never met me. I don't know what to do with myself :'(

Sorry for the outburst, I'm just totally wretched right now. You guys are the only ones who can really understand what I'm going through.
 
How is little Pixie doing? I hope he's improved a bit, it's so so awful seeing them poorly :( give him a stroke from me xxx
 
Floppy Rabbit Syndrome?

Thanks for checking in again ripminnie, your thoughts mean a lot to me :love:

He's not with me at all, he's still in the vet hospital. They don't take phonecalls or visits on Sundays (but said they would ring if his condition changed for the worse) so I'm at a loose end. I have lots to do but can't concentrate on anything, and that awful feeling of agitation and helplessness. I know he's in the best place, and the vet said all the staff think he's lovely, so I hope he's getting lots of rubs and attention.

I've been researching quadriplegia, and came across "Floppy Rabbit Syndrome". From what I've read, it does seem to match his symptoms, and most rabbits recover from it within a few days/weeks. I'm really hoping that's what he has. Does anyone know anything about FRS?
 
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I have cut and paste the following post I put on another forum when he fell ill as it explains everything in detail......Sorry its long!

This was about one of my previous bunnies, Monty. PLEASE do NOT give up on Pixie . hope this helps
:D:D:D

I have had probably one of the most exhausting weeks of my life. Luckily I was off work, using up my holiday time. Then Monty fell ill Monday night....

I'll have to explain what happened to him when he was a baby for those of you who can't remember or don't know.
I went to feed in him one morning when he was around 6 months old and to my horror found him collapsed in his hutch. Still in my PJ's!!!!?? I rang the vets, said I'm coming now and bolted out the door. Of course when we got there my vet had a million and one questions,

Had he hurt his back? (She concluded he hadn't)
Had he eaten any plants?
Had he got cold in the night?
Had we freshly painted anyway?
Did he have contact with other rabbits?
Had he been frightened by a fox?

But I could tell her nothing. I said "I just found him like this. He was out in his run the day before, it was sunny but not hot. He got brought in at around 9pm, put in his hutch and covered up. He can't get to plants in his run, we never use stuff on our garden anyway, nothing painted and no contact with other rabbits, plus he'll happily chase of cats." My vet said that he was so ill the best form of action was to work out what we did know -

His temperature was 97'C !!!! (A normal rabbit is 103-104'C)
He was unconscious.
He had no feeling in his body anywhere. If she pinced his feet he did nothing. If she pinched his toes he did move a little though but that was all.

My vet said the best theory was shock...Maybe from being in a sunny run and then because it was early summer the temperature had dropped quite a bit in the night. This seemed to be the most logical answer.
Of course he was admitted and had intensive care of force feeding, warmth, and was given steriods and baytril injections plus fluids every day. He couldn't even urinate on his own. The nurses were having to press on his bladder daily. Nothing happened for FOUR days...

Everytime I rang the vet and they said "no change" I felt my heart sink. You can imagine I felt very cruel and was contemplating putting him to sleep to end this but then something stopped me. Rabbits as we all know succumb to disease pretty quickly and don't tend to fight it. The fact he was hanging on made me talk myself out of this idea. Rightly or wrongly I refused to put him to sleep until I was 100% sure there was no chance of recovery. On the fifth day I rang the vets to see how he was, with heart in my mouth. The nurse replied "Hes sat up this morning. Hes urinating on his own." I nearly fell over. I was so shocked I asked her to double check we were talking about the same rabbit. I said "Monty, a blue rex?" And she said "Yes. He literally just suddenly got the feeling back in his legs. " His recovery was fast. I rang the next day and he was pooing and weeing on his own, feeding himself and generally back to normal. They said he was well enough for me to take him home but to watch out for some "little fits" he'd had. On the way home in the car he had one of these fits. He didn't loose his balance or become spaced out. He just shook, like a shiver and that was it. I never saw it happen again....

Until Monday....
I'd got him out for his usual run round the yard and remember thinking he felt a bit floppy but put it down to me being paranoid. Well thank god for paranoia. I checked on his regularly and found he was not really using a back leg. Not dragging it, just not using it. I assumed he'd probably sprained it, while playing with his new friend, my new lionhead. I'd just managed to bond them and this was their first day out together actually interacting with each other. Up until then Monty had been very coy. So I put him back in his hutch to rest it. He happily jumped in his litter tray so this confirmed what I thought. Just a sprain. I went out to check on him around 4 times that evening and he was fine.

At half 6 I went to check on him again, for the millionth time and found him on his side, awake but limp. He was rushed to the emergency vet. Luckily my vet, Fiona was still there. I said "this has happened before. " She agreed whatever it was was the same thing happening again, but that I'd caught it early this time. This time his temperature was 100'C. He was able to sit up if aided. This time she let me bring him home and care for him and just like before there wasn't really much change for 4 days. However, he was eating, drinking and pooing on his own without problems. He could urinate on his own but the vet showed me how to help him out and told me to just press lightly every few hours just to check he wasn't in any discomfort. Again, on day five I pinched his legs and he'd got the feeling back. Later that night he sat up. I watched in amazement as like a new born foal he just regained use of his legs. Then yesterday, day 5 he had regained all feeling his body. He was a little unstable, almost drunk but it did not faze him. Throughtout the week he has had these little fits the vet nurse described last time. I would not describe them as fits but more as spasms. His body jolts but he doesn't fall on his side or roll over or anything like that. He doesn't space out either. His heart races before, so loud I can hear it but then onces hes had the fit it regains normal speed. In my opinion I feel its caused by the muscles "waking up " again. First he could lift his head up again, then his neck, then his back legs and then last to come back was his front paws. All within the space of a few hours. Today he is absolutely fine. My vet is stumped. I really thought the first time would be a one off.

This is taken from my book of Rabbit Textbook Medicine by Frances Harcourt-Brown...

Quote:
"Floppy Rabbit Syndrome" is the colloqiual term for an idiopathic condition that affects pet rabbits causing generalized muscular weakness. The cause is not known, although several possibilities exist. These include, hypokalaemia and plant toxicity, or neurological, metabolic or muscular causes, which could be infectious, metabolic, congenital or nutritional in origin. A feature of this condition is the recovery that can take place. It is important to recognize the good prognosis and not euthanase rabbits in the initial stages. Interestingly, recovery usually takes place within 2-3 days, whatever treatment is perscribed. Supportive care, especially assisted feeding is required.

This is his condition down to the last T.
The vet had seen ten or so previous cases of FRS and basically knew all what I knew. Hes perscribed Baytril, dexadesren, steriods and Panacur (in case related to E.Cuniculi) but this time he did not need fluids.


I know hes going to be ok but am still upset as expected. I hate going through this especially watching him come round during the fits stage.

Please send healing vibes for my trooper. Hes going to come out of it I know (I didn't even panick when I found him and I am sure that helps him) but its still exhausting worrying, caring, fussing....
 
I've nursed a rabbit with Floppy Rabbit Syndrome, one of the bunnies at the rescue where I volunteer.

Pixie sounds very similar to the bunny I looked after. She was paralysed from the neck down, so couldn't move at all. It happened overnight, she was fine the day before, but Celia who runs the rescue found her the following morning completely unable to move. The bunny could eat, but had to be hand/syringe fed. I fed her, gave her liquids and kept her bottom end clean and over the following 5 days or so she gradually regained the use of her body. She made a complete recovery.

If it is Floppy Rabbit Syndrome, then it is mainly a case of supportive care and patience while the bunny slowly recovers.

It is very distressing to see, so I can imagine just how you are feeling.

I hope Pixie makes a full recovery, just like the bunny that I looked after did.
 
Lea-Anne, thank you SO MUCH for posting with your experience of Floppy Rabbit Syndrome. I'm going to mention this to the vet on Monday in the hopes that they'll recommend continuing supportive treatment.

Tracy, thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience too. You're right, it is very upsetting, and not knowing why it happened makes it much worse.

I beg for vibes and prayers that this is what Pixie has and that he'll recover like Lea-Anne's Monty and Tracy's rescue bun!
 
Sending zillions a get well vibes for little pixie you can do it bunny 
 
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