Emergency help needed! My rabbit is paralysed

[hollyjayneee]

so I was cleaning out my 2 rabbits and put them in the run as normal, they were hopping about fine so I cleaned there hutches and as I was picking up Luna (she seemed off ) she was all floppy in her back legs and couldn’t walk/stand. I took her to emergency vets and they prescribed painkillers and anti inflammatory and things to help her tummy (so she can toilet) but they don’t know what it is until Monday does anyone have a idea?

 

[JBun]

Do you happen to have any wild mushrooms growing in the area where their run is? Other possible cause that I can think of for sudden paralysis would be she somehow injured her back, especially if she is an older bun.

Keep a close eye on her eating, drinking, and urination. If she has any trouble eating/drinking, then you will likely need to start syringe feeding her recovery food. If she isn't urinating, the vet may need to show you how to express her bladder. If she is urinating, then she's likely to get it all over her bottom along with feces, which will put her at high risk of fly strike occurring, which can be very dangerous and even fatal if it occurs. So you'll need to check her several times a day and clean her off as necessary. If she is getting soiled, I would suggest having the vet trim the fur around her bottom to make it easier to keep her clean.

 

[hollyjayneee]

Do you happen to have any wild mushrooms growing in the area where their run is? Other possible cause that I can think of for sudden paralysis would be she somehow injured her back, especially if she is an older bun.

Keep a close eye on her eating, drinking, and urination. If she has any trouble eating/drinking, then you will likely need to start syringe feeding her recovery food. If she isn't urinating, the vet may need to show you how to express her bladder. If she is urinating, then she's likely to get it all over her bottom along with feces, which will put her at high risk of fly strike occurring, which can be very dangerous and even fatal if it occurs. So you'll need to check her several times a day and clean her off as necessary. If she is getting soiled, I would suggest having the vet trim the fur around her bottom to make it easier to keep her clean.

There was no wild mushrooms around I always check for dangerous plantation when I put the runs out, she’s eating and drinking fine but her legs are just wobbly, I’m cleaning her often with a paper towel and water I just have no idea how it happened and she’s only 5mo

 

[hollyjayneee]

Update:

I took her back to the vets and the vet thought it was a rdh2 parasite so we let her go.

 

[A & B]

I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[hollyjayneee]

I'm so sorry for your loss

Thank you

 

[Friskiee2]

So sorry for ur loss, I’m not sure what that parasite is but when saw post I was thinking EC which I’m wondering if is what they are talking about. If so ur other rabbit is in danger as well..... did they give u meds to treat him? Look up EC in rabbits as I know it’s a dewormer u use to treat. U may want to treat ur other bunny to be safe

 

[Friskiee2]

Update:

I took her back to the vets and the vet thought it was a rdh2 parasite so we let her go.

After my other comment I went to look up the rdh2 parasite and did find its same as EC that I mentioned. Please get meds to treat any other bunnies u have as it can be transmitted from one to another . I would hate for u to go thru this w ur other bunny because u were not told

 

[hollyjayneee]

After my other comment I went to look up the rdh2 parasite and did find its same as EC that I mentioned. Please get meds to treat any other bunnies u have as it can be transmitted from one to another . I would hate for u to go thru this w ur other bunny because u were not told

When I went to the vets this morning the first thing I said was FRS from EC or rhd2 which was more likely as its a gradual disease, I will call them in the morning to treat my other rabbit just incase. I don't think it would've been transmitted to him as they was always separated ( f and m ) to stop breeding but they were close together so I will treat him anyway.

 

[JBun]

I'm sorry for your loss. That must have been so hard to let your bun go.

Friskiee2, Rhd is not the same as EC. Rhd is a hemorrhagic viral disease, EC is a parasitic disease.

Rhd is actually a more sudden illness and is quickly fatal. I wouldn't have suspected rhd without there being other symptoms of the disease present(bleeding, convulsions, complete flaccid paralysis and lethargy), but I guess is possible. Usually with floppy rabbit syndrome, the flaccid paralysis involves the front limbs as well, while the rabbit remains alert and willing to eat. With EC the onset isn't usually so sudden. So sudden paralysis is not as likely to be caused by EC.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Floppy_Rabbit_Syndrome.htm
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Parasitic/Encephalitozoonosis.htm

If it was rhd that was the cause of death, then your other rabbit is very much in danger of contracting the illness as well because of how contagious it is even though they were separated. The disease can be transferred by you handling one rabbit than the other. If your other rabbit doesn't end up sick then it's highly unlikely that rhd was the cause of death for your first rabbit.
https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/infectious-disease/rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-health/rabbit-vhd/

If your rabbit continues to be alright and is not currently vaccinated for rhd1/myxo and rhd2(two separate vaccinations), then I would suggest talking to a rabbit savvy vet about having that done right away.

 

[hollyjayneee]

I'm sorry for your loss. That must have been so hard to let your bun go.

Friskiee2, Rhd is not the same as EC. Rhd is a hemorrhagic viral disease, EC is a parasitic disease.

Rhd is actually a more sudden illness and is quickly fatal. I wouldn't have suspected rhd without there being other symptoms of the disease present(bleeding, convulsions, complete flaccid paralysis and lethargy), but I guess is possible. Usually with floppy rabbit syndrome, the flaccid paralysis involves the front limbs as well, while the rabbit remains alert and willing to eat. With EC the onset isn't usually so sudden. So sudden paralysis is not as likely to be caused by EC.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Floppy_Rabbit_Syndrome.htm
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Parasitic/Encephalitozoonosis.htm

If it was rhd that was the cause of death, then your other rabbit is very much in danger of contracting the illness as well because of how contagious it is even though they were separated. The disease can be transferred by you handling one rabbit than the other. If your other rabbit doesn't end up sick then it's highly unlikely that rhd was the cause of death for your first rabbit.
https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/infectious-disease/rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-health/rabbit-vhd/

If your rabbit continues to be alright and is not currently vaccinated for rhd1/myxo and rhd2(two separate vaccinations), then I would suggest talking to a rabbit savvy vet about having that done right away.

My 2nd rabbit is vaccinated for both anyway but I’m starting a course of ec treatment straight away, he seems okay tho whereas Luna (my rabbit who passed) was a gradual thing. I noticed she wasn’t herself but was reassured before she had to be put to sleep.