My 7 year old Holland Lop suddenly lost use of her fore and hind legs. On Sunday I noticed she was leaning to her side and a fecal mass was protruding from her tail. I cleaned her up and when I put her in her cage she fell over her on her side. She urinated twice (milky) and pooped (normal pellets). I was able to get her to a vet Monday and they ran multiple tests (x-ray, ultrasound, blood work, urinalysis, etc) and we are now waiting on the results. One thing that worried me was her urine sample was a thick, dark brown. She is on antibiotics, pain medication, and critical care. She is more alert but she still can’t use her limbs and is flopping over. I am constantly readjusting her to get her upright. Vet think it’s either a UTI or a uterine tumor (no evidence of tumor on the ultrasound). Any advice from owners who have experienced these symptoms?
Bunny cannot use fore or hind legs (RIP)
- Thread starter Aubchic
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Mileybun
Well-Known Member
I haven't experienced anything like this (luckily!) I'm afraid but I just wanted to offer support and best wishes. At least she is alert.
Best of luck, I hope she's on the mend soon!
Best of luck, I hope she's on the mend soon!
If she has a severe UTI infection, it's a possibility that's the cause of her inability to stand. If the clearing up of the brown urine and possible UTI doesn't improve her limb function and get her back to normal, there are some possible more common causes for ataxia or loss of limb function in rabbits.
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Urinary_tract_infection
Most common causes are an inner ear infection and the parasite Encephalitozoon_cuniculi. Hind limb paralysis and head tilt would be the common terms to look under for ataxia or loss of limb function, even though your rabbit doesn't specifically have head tilt. It has to do with ataxia and a loss of balance.
https://web.as.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html
https://web.as.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html
https://www.dvm360.com/view/diagnosing-and-treating-common-neurologic-diseases-rabbits
http://www.disabledrabbits.com/paralysis.html
Though your rabbit is on antibiotics for the UTI, if an inner ear infection is the cause of the loss of balance or ataxia, a much longer and more aggressive antibiotic treatment (with rabbit safe antibiotics) is usually necessary. 4-6 weeks, or sometimes longer, is common, with specific antibiotics being more effective than others. I've had the most success with azithromycin, but some rabbits react negatively to it.
Medirabbit: ear infection clinical signs and treatment
When it can't be pinpointed to an ear infection, and e. cuniculi is also a possibility, rabbit vets will often treat for both until either can be determined as the definitive cause. The common meds prescribed are Panacur(for the EC), a rabbit safe antibiotic, and meloxicam or sometimes a non immunosuppressive dose of corticosteroids, to help reduce the inflammation. But steroids have to be used with caution in rabbits, due to the effect on their immune system. Reducing inflammation is important, as continued inflammation can lead to permanent cell damage.
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Encephalitozoon_cuniculi
Another possibility if it's not a loss of balance but instead diminished motor function, is floppy rabbit syndrome. This is believed to possibly be due to a nutrient deficiency, but it's cause is unknown. Usually with this, though the rabbit can't move their limbs, they remain alert and responsive, and with supportive care and feeding are often back to normal in a week or two, with full motor function restored.
https://www.caldervets.co.uk/pet-help-advice/case-studies/32-marley-floppy-rabbit-syndrome
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Flop_rabbit/Floppy_rabbits.pdf
Some other possible causes for ataxia or for loss of limb function, are stroke, heart failure, head trauma, spinal trauma, spinal deterioration, spondylosis, cancer, other systemic infection, or ingestion of a toxin or toxic plant.
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Urinary_tract_infection
Most common causes are an inner ear infection and the parasite Encephalitozoon_cuniculi. Hind limb paralysis and head tilt would be the common terms to look under for ataxia or loss of limb function, even though your rabbit doesn't specifically have head tilt. It has to do with ataxia and a loss of balance.
https://web.as.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html
https://web.as.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html
https://www.dvm360.com/view/diagnosing-and-treating-common-neurologic-diseases-rabbits
http://www.disabledrabbits.com/paralysis.html
Though your rabbit is on antibiotics for the UTI, if an inner ear infection is the cause of the loss of balance or ataxia, a much longer and more aggressive antibiotic treatment (with rabbit safe antibiotics) is usually necessary. 4-6 weeks, or sometimes longer, is common, with specific antibiotics being more effective than others. I've had the most success with azithromycin, but some rabbits react negatively to it.
Medirabbit: ear infection clinical signs and treatment
When it can't be pinpointed to an ear infection, and e. cuniculi is also a possibility, rabbit vets will often treat for both until either can be determined as the definitive cause. The common meds prescribed are Panacur(for the EC), a rabbit safe antibiotic, and meloxicam or sometimes a non immunosuppressive dose of corticosteroids, to help reduce the inflammation. But steroids have to be used with caution in rabbits, due to the effect on their immune system. Reducing inflammation is important, as continued inflammation can lead to permanent cell damage.
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Encephalitozoon_cuniculi
Another possibility if it's not a loss of balance but instead diminished motor function, is floppy rabbit syndrome. This is believed to possibly be due to a nutrient deficiency, but it's cause is unknown. Usually with this, though the rabbit can't move their limbs, they remain alert and responsive, and with supportive care and feeding are often back to normal in a week or two, with full motor function restored.
https://www.caldervets.co.uk/pet-help-advice/case-studies/32-marley-floppy-rabbit-syndrome
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Flop_rabbit/Floppy_rabbits.pdf
Some other possible causes for ataxia or for loss of limb function, are stroke, heart failure, head trauma, spinal trauma, spinal deterioration, spondylosis, cancer, other systemic infection, or ingestion of a toxin or toxic plant.
Thank you!I haven't experienced anything like this (luckily!) I'm afraid but I just wanted to offer support and best wishes. At least she is alert.
Best of luck, I hope she's on the mend soon!
Wow! Thank you so much for the information and links. I’m going to read them now.
Just wanted to update that we had to put our Goldie Girl down today. After a week of antibiotics and pain meds, there was zero improvement. She was paralyzed and I was syringe feeding her food and water. She could not lay down without us propping her up
. I tried doing physical therapy with her several times a day to get her limbs moving with no success. The urinalysis came back negative so she was not fighting an infection. At the end she was refusing food and water, stopped grooming, and was having trouble breathing. We had to make to humane choice. Thank you for your kindness and helpful advice.
. I tried doing physical therapy with her several times a day to get her limbs moving with no success. The urinalysis came back negative so she was not fighting an infection. At the end she was refusing food and water, stopped grooming, and was having trouble breathing. We had to make to humane choice. Thank you for your kindness and helpful advice.
Oh no. I’m so sorry to hear you lost your sweet bun. Sending you love as well.I’m so sorry for your loss. My bunny just passed after having some sort of paralysis as well (I think). Sending love and hugs
Thank you! They’re both in a better placeOh no. I’m so sorry to hear you lost your sweet bun. Sending you love as well.
Mileybun
Well-Known Member
Oh no, poor bunbun. How sad for you, I'm so sorry. You did everything you could. She is no longer suffering.
RIP Goldie Girl, over the Rainbow Bridge!
RIP Goldie Girl, over the Rainbow Bridge!
jeff38002
Active Member
It's always so horrible when we have to choose to hurt so that they can stop hurting
I'm so sorry. You did your best to help your bun, and in the end made the kindest decision you could for her.
TreasuredFriend
Well-Known Member
My empathy and condolences wrt the gentle PTS of Goldie.
In the past two decades we did specialty care for hind-limb paresis buns, however never a bun who was splayed on all four or unable to use/stand with front legs.
Sending hugs for your PTS decision of Goldie.
In the past two decades we did specialty care for hind-limb paresis buns, however never a bun who was splayed on all four or unable to use/stand with front legs.
Sending hugs for your PTS decision of Goldie.
So sorry for your loss--sometimes, no matter how we strive, we have to let them go--never easy, but it was the right choice. I try to remember all the love and good times, but, it still shreds your heart.
