Urgent Seizures/Fits/Muscle Spasms

Our bun Smudge had a stroke a month ago - we noticed as on half of her face started drooping and it was confirmed by our vet. She has recovered well with a strong appetite, good levels of energy and regular toilet.
The only thing she'd gone off was pellets.

A few weeks ago she started eating them again but stopped a few days ago which worried us. Then this morning I heard a sound looked over and she did a weird 360 degree roll, on her side, which I had never seen her do ever. Then tonight my girlfriend saw her have fit as if electricity had caused her body to full extension, rigid and taught.

We took her to the 24hr vet immediately - he gave her a pain relief/anti inflammatory and said she shouldn't have anymore tonight. However upon getting her home she did about 8 spasms of various intensities over the last hour often after eating Chudley's from her bowl - which made us wonder if she was fitting because her head was down - we took the bowl away and two since then, but none for the last 30 mins. She's very keen on her hay and to come out of her hutch/run.

We'd appreciate any thoughts or wisdom on the matter

Thank you

Nicole and Alex

I haven't personally got much of an idea but there could be a range of possible reasons. There's a chance it could be caused by something as simple as an electrolyte imbalance or low blood sugar, for instance, and so I think it's quite vital that she gets specialist care asap. It could also be something more serious such as a cyst/abscess/mass pushing on blood vessels or nerves. If your vet isn't 'rabbit savvy' and an exotics specialist I would definitely recommend getting her to an exotic specialist vet asap. Even if you just ring the exotics specialist and explain the situation that you've had those medicines administered and asking whether you should bring her in as an emergency tonight or whether it's best to wait until the morning when they can hopefully freely give whatever medicine may be necessary. You can make a thread in rabbit chat asking for a rabbit savvy vet near whatever town you're in and hopefully people will have some suggestions. Alternatively just searching for exotic specialist vets near you is often helpful, although personal recommendations by other owners with complex problems is often a good route.

It's great that painkillers have been given but if at all possible I think I'd want her seen in the morning at the latest, preferably tonight. Rabbits are unable to be sick so that's not a worry, but they could bite their tongue or otherwise injure themselves while seizing, and repeated seizures could cause more serious problems too.

Fingers crossed for Smudge, really hope you can get some answers soon

Thanks Yraetzi,

going to spend the night next to her and take her to our vets in the morning, whose is pretty rabbit experienced.
Thanks for your advice and for responding

Alex

Did they look into what caused the seizure? I had a bun who had a seizure and it was due to E.C.

We propped him up in his litter tray packed him around with hay so that he didnt roll over and stayed with him until he got some awareness back.

Sorry cannot offer any more advise I hope you see some improvement soon x

Putting the head down to eat will probably exacerbate any dizziness issues.

I personally would suspect EC (or inner ear infection) - did the vet suggest a titre to check for this?

Did they check her eyes? (flickering or ulceration related to EC/neurological issues) and her ears? (way down in)

Is she on Panacur and Meloxivet and an antibiotic?

You can also ask for something like valium for the fits.

Do ensure the temperature is kept low during/immediately after the fits as the blood rushes round and overheating then causes more fits.

They do tend to come in waves.

PS I would suggest exotics/rabbit savvy vet is the way to go. Were you given Panacur/Lapizole at the initial consultation - which would be pretty much standard.