Possible stroke

[rabbitfor4life]

My rabbit began exhibiting stroke symptoms. However it has continued eating, drinking, and grooming itself. It has a minor case of head tilt. It is very distressing to see the bunny so depressed. It's partner has been assisting it to groom. I've been giving it a lot of TLC, and feel very depressed and upset =/ Is there any chance it's going to survive. My whole family is upset my mum is watching the partner grooming her and she says "Having pets is heart breaking, his trying to keep her alive by grooming her." So I really am not sure about the outcome just yet, but loosing rabbits is just heart breaking its like loosing a human, and I am already crying like a baby.
Any support would be appreciative I know that all I can do has been done the high-quality diet, patting and compassionate behaviour, and even prayer.

 

[JBun]

How do you know it was a stroke? Did a vet confirm this? If not, head tilt can be caused by several things. A stroke usually isn't a common cause of it. Head tilt isn't always fatal and many rabbits survive it, especially if they receive the correct treatment for it. If your rabbit has head tilt, not due to a stroke occurring, your rabbit will need the appropriate medications to treat it, depending on what the cause is. But treatment needs to be started asap.

 

[whiskylollipop]

What sort of symptoms exactly? I would take your bunny and her partner (for moral support) to a rabbit vet asap. Head tilt could be caused by infections that can be treated if caught early.

 

[squidpop]

Head tilt can be caused by several things, one of them is an inner ear infection and another is a protozoan parasite called e. cuniculi -- both can be treated.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html

The protozoan parasite that causes head tilt is fairly common, it is believed that as many as 80% of all rabbits carry it with only 10% developing symptoms. It can be treated with an over the counter medication called Panacur which is very safe. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J4RGF9K/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

If its an ear infection then a vet will have to prescribe antibiotics.

If you can't afford a vet...
If it were me, I would go ahead and give your rabbit the Panacur because it is a very safe drug, many people use it as a routine wormer (as much as 4 times a year) and it can't hurt to try it and it could cure your rabbit if it has e. cuniculi. I've read a drug fact sheet on it and it says no known interactions with other drugs. (I'm of course not a vet, so you should research yourself if you want to use it).

But really, you should probably go to the vet because he might also need a anti-inflammatory, pain meds or an antibiotic if its an ear infection.

 

[rabbitfor4life]

I rang the vet and they said they're coming tomorrow. They told me he wants to come personally as he doesn't want to stress it. And wants to see it in their own environment. The rabbit is still eating, drinking, urinating, feaces look normal, her eye wheeping a little bit. He has minor head tilt not sever like others I've seen. She is walking sometime falls over but hopefully vet fix things up.

 

[rabbitfor4life]

The vet gave her an injection yesterday and some medication to
Give her 2 times a day. He looked at her faeces, felt her, listened to her heart. Looked into the rabbits eyes. First attempt successful at night got most of it to her but ended up with big bite mark. The discharge is leaving the eye and I see a little bit of improvement the rabbit eats all the time good faeces. She can walk short distances of about 6 metres some times tumbles briefly. She's eating lots of grains and variety of greens. Is grooming herself getting groomed. So being positive. Can antibiotics really be effective so soon

 

[rabbitfor4life]

She has a good appetite eating carrot tops, carrots, parsely, and lettuce. Drinking water. I seen her walk onto the grass from viranda, which is about 4-5 metres to pee and poop. She walked up to the door when she seen me for food. She's walking a little bit better, but shes not exactly how she was a couple of weeks ago happy and running around the backyard. I have one more dose of the baytril tomorrow. Do I get more from vet tomorrow? Her eye weeping is starting to clear up. Opinions guys?

 

[squidpop]

I think you should probably call your vet and ask if you should get more Baytril- because I'm not sure but most antibiotics are given for 10 days or more, and its not good to stop too early because that gives the bacteria a chance to build resistance to the drug. But I am not a vet and not sure what was in the injection so you need to ask your vet.

Also, you asked "Can antibiotics really be effective so soon?" and I think if you saw a great improvement the very next day, it might have been whatever was in the injection- especially if it was an anti-inflammatory or pain killer, if its a spinal injury that could make her feel way better in a short amount of time. The Baytril would probably take a little longer.

I'm really happy to hear she is feeling better

 

[rabbitfor4life]

Okay yesterday got more baytril. Was worried as I didn't see rabbit eat but then I seen her eat a lot if spinach and a bit of parsley water and grains the baytril
Maybe decreases appetite? I found her 50m away in backyard she's been mobile so confused

 

[rabbitfor4life]

Rabbit starting to have splay leg so going to begin panaur treatement, which one is better ivermectic or panacur and dosage? Btw shes still eating and drinking and pooping and she can be mobile for 50m.

 

[squidpop]

Panacur (fenbendazole) is the accepted treatment. If you get the rabbit panacur from the pet store the dosage is on the package. If you get a more generic solution through a farm store it would be better to ask a moderator on here what the dosage is because it depends on the percentage of fenbendazole in the particular solution and what it says on the label.

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/ecuniculi.htm
This article says the dosage of fenbendazole is
20 mg/kg body weight daily for 28days for rabbits.

 

[rabbitfor4life]

In australia so can't get the rabbit panacur but cant get farm panacur

 

[rabbitfor4life]

I am so upset right now I am crying I hope its not too late taking her to vet to change treatement plan going first thing in morning to get the fendabendazole

 

[JBun]

If your vet hasn't already prescribed an anti inflammatory like Metacam, you should be asking about giving that as well. E. cuniculi spores cause inflammation in the cells, which contributes to the symptoms a rabbit has. Prolonged inflammation can lead to permanent cell damage, so it's important to try and reduce this inflammation with meds.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/cuniculi/pyrimethamine.htm
http://www.gwexotics.com/wccms-resources/a/5/0/e/77554b90-a660-11e0-a685-0050568626ea.pdf

 

[rabbitfor4life]

Okay vets giving me metacam and panacur. He said it might give liver damage?

 

[rabbitfor4life]

Okay vet prescribe meloxicam its a cat suspension it says on packet 5ml per kg and my rabbit is about 2kg and vet said use 8ml? I am getting the panacur later today. shes eating hay and her grains and some greens. Been cleaning her with a warm towel. Hopefully meloxicam anti inflammatory makes a difference. Please reply guys

 

[JBun]

That dosing for the metacam doesn't sound right. Is the metacam a liquid suspension that says 0.5mg/ml? Are you sure that the vets instructions aren't to give 0.8ml, NOT 8 ml? 8 ml is FAR too much and could make your bun sick with an overdose.

 

[rabbitfor4life]

Its says 0.5ml and is a suspension

 

[JBun]

I would guess the dosage is 0.8ml, definitely NOT 8 ml. But if there is any confusion, then probably best to not give it until you can talk to your vet and find out the correct dosage.

 

[rebeccalyn7]

I give my rabbit 0.3 ml
She's on metacam at the moment, same as you,
So please only give 0.3ml