My 8 1/2 year old male rex is experiencing health problems. We are taking him to a vet, but so far nothing has really worked.
For the last couple of years, it appeared that his hind legs were getting stiffer, and he stretched more and more before leaving his cage.
Last December, he began falling over while stretching.
By January, it became clear that his left rear leg was weak, and he was falling over to that side. The vet prescribed nsaids and that has given him some improvement.
He has been treated with antibiotic, baytril twice. First time was for his runny eye. No cloudy discharge, but frequently wet fur beneath the eye. We tried vet prescribed eye drops and baytril, but not improvement. Coincidentally, its the same side as he had the weak leg on.
Now the last couple of months, his left rear leg is getting weaker. He started having seizures, that last a minute or two. Last week he had a seizure that made him cry out loud.
The vet has examined his leg and spine, and cannot find a source of pain.
For the last two weeks he has been on panacur and baytril. We have two more weeks worth of panacur. We are trying this in case it is E. Cuniculi.
His ears and teeth have been examined, and appear normal. He does have some abnormal sensitivity to the base of his ears. When touched, he cranes his head and neck back in a most unusual manner. That started around the same time as he began falling over. Like something is wrong with his inner ears or top of his head near his ears.
He has the odd lump under his skin, but none that have continued to grow. They have been there for a year or two, and the largest is smaller than a pea.
He has had two seizures over the last three days. They last a couple of minutes. He stiffens up, rolls in a ball, and shakes a little, often crying or moaning. After the seizures, he is just fine. Stands right up, eats, seems alert. Like nothing happened.
He still has great quality of life. Has a great appetite, is observant, loves to spend time with me. He doesn't run around like he used to, and can no longer hop up onto couches, etc.
Any suggestions? If he was suffering, I would consider putting him down, but he still has great quality of life. I would like as best to heal him, if possible.
He goes back to the vet in two weeks after finishing the panacur.
For the last couple of years, it appeared that his hind legs were getting stiffer, and he stretched more and more before leaving his cage.
Last December, he began falling over while stretching.
By January, it became clear that his left rear leg was weak, and he was falling over to that side. The vet prescribed nsaids and that has given him some improvement.
He has been treated with antibiotic, baytril twice. First time was for his runny eye. No cloudy discharge, but frequently wet fur beneath the eye. We tried vet prescribed eye drops and baytril, but not improvement. Coincidentally, its the same side as he had the weak leg on.
Now the last couple of months, his left rear leg is getting weaker. He started having seizures, that last a minute or two. Last week he had a seizure that made him cry out loud.
The vet has examined his leg and spine, and cannot find a source of pain.
For the last two weeks he has been on panacur and baytril. We have two more weeks worth of panacur. We are trying this in case it is E. Cuniculi.
His ears and teeth have been examined, and appear normal. He does have some abnormal sensitivity to the base of his ears. When touched, he cranes his head and neck back in a most unusual manner. That started around the same time as he began falling over. Like something is wrong with his inner ears or top of his head near his ears.
He has the odd lump under his skin, but none that have continued to grow. They have been there for a year or two, and the largest is smaller than a pea.
He has had two seizures over the last three days. They last a couple of minutes. He stiffens up, rolls in a ball, and shakes a little, often crying or moaning. After the seizures, he is just fine. Stands right up, eats, seems alert. Like nothing happened.
He still has great quality of life. Has a great appetite, is observant, loves to spend time with me. He doesn't run around like he used to, and can no longer hop up onto couches, etc.
Any suggestions? If he was suffering, I would consider putting him down, but he still has great quality of life. I would like as best to heal him, if possible.
He goes back to the vet in two weeks after finishing the panacur.
Last edited:
is your vet experienced with treating rabbits? If not then I would ask if you could be referred to an exotic specialist to get a second opinion. 
