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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Rabbit can’t use hind legs & not eating- HELP

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    • Furbrats' mum
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        I need some advice here. 

        My jersey wooly, was taken to the vet yesterday for routine teeth trimming (her teeth are not aligned). And also to remove abccess, which she had last month & cleared up.

        I went back to the vet to collect her in the evening and found her wheezing & her hind legs are now paralyzed. The vet immediately x-ray her hind legs+spinal cord & found no dislocation/fracture. But found 1 side of her lungs to be slightly congested. Based on his advice, i left her at the vet last night. 

        This morning, i went to visit her, situation is the same & she is not eating even though i brought her usual food for her. Vet told me that she maybe traumatized or in pain – even though pain killers were given

        She looks really ill and in pain & am wondering what I should do – vet is going to force feed some carrot juice – but am thinking for how long can we keep forcing juice down her to keep her alive. 

        I held her for about an hour & had to leave her there as i had to go to work – will be returning tonight to see how she is doing. 

        Any advice or anyone with the same scenario? Am not sure if i should bring her home where she may feel less traumatised and more comfortable. 

        HELP someone, anyone? 


      • Monkeybun
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          Carrot juice isn’t good enough, she needs Critical Care if she needs to be force fed. Is your vet rabbit savvy? You may want to get a second opinion. A tooth trim and abcess removal shouldn’t cause these issues…Either somethign went wrong, or there’s another previously undetected problem.

          Get well vibes for your poor little bun!


        • LittlePuffyTail
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            I agree with Monkey. I would get a second opinion immediately, if you can. The vet should be doing everything he can to figure out what is wrong, especially since it happened while she was in his care. Is it possible a staff member dropped her.

            Its imperative that she get Critical Care and IV fluids asap.

            I hope everything is all right. Please keep us updated.


          • Sarita
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              I agree get a second opinion and in the meantime, get the critical care and yes IV fluids would be good too.

              It is hard to know if it was a result of the care received or just another underlying condition, you may not know unless you can find someone to give you a 2nd opinion. If you aren’t able to find someone to give a 2nd opinion, take her back to the vet and have them exam her again – perhaps further tests are needed.


            • Beka27
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                I have no further advice than what was given, but I do hope you can get this figured out. Please keep us updated.


              • Deleted User
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                  Oh I am so sorry! You must be such a mess! I DID have a very similar thing happen so maybe this might help you….

                  About 4 years ago I woke up to my little Munchie looking at me helpless and confused. He couldn’t use his hind legs either. I rushed him to the vet, sobbing hysterically and scared out of my mind. They though he injured himself during a binky or some similar move, although over time (because the condition worsened instead of staying the same and he started developing weird peapod like lumps in his little ears that baffled the vet) they thought it might be some weird degenerative bunny disease.

                  Regardless, here is my point: the vet said she could put him down or I could spend $5000 on an surgery they do in California (or somewhere), OR I could let him live and do therapy and care for him. Guess what! Munch lived for four more years as the happiest, cuddliest, most spoiled bun in the world. He was able to get around pretty well with just his front hands for years! (but that slowly worsened until he could no longer move or sit up any more) and he ate ALL the time! And he went to the vet frequently and aside from the fact that he could no longer hop, he was happy and healthy. I just put him down in Feb. because this disease had progressed too far for him to live a happy life and it was the most painful thing I think I’ve ever had to do in my life. But the point is, we had four amazing years together and he adapted very well, and happily to his disability!

                  So the good news is that it is possible for a cripple bun to live a good life! The bad news is, I don’t know if it’s the same issue with your bun- Munch never had a lung congestion and he NEVER had an appetite issue- he was ALWAYS hungry. But either way, I thought it might help you to know that a cripple bun can lead a happy life if you have the love and patience and desire to attend to her.

                  I hope everything works out ok! I hope you let us know what happens. I know what a horrible, scary thing that is to go through


                • Furbrats' mum
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                    I went to the vet after work just now & her condition was the same. I suggested to the vet that I bring her home tonight since the vet was closing & there is no one around at night to monitor her anyway. I’m going to monitor her tonight & bring her back in tomorrow morning.
                    A 2nd opinion was already asked, the clinic that I bring her to has like 5-6 vets working shifts & everyone has been consulted. No one seems to know how to diagnose this (I’m beginning to suspect that from my part of the world, rabbits are not so common animals being brought to the vet, unlike cats & dogs).

                    I’m now feeding her water/carrot juice every 20-30 minutes or so & i’ve put her food bowl next to her. She’s trying to move about, but is all over the show since she has no balance.
                    Will keep you guys posted on her progress….please keep us in your prayers. Thanks for all your concern feedback/advice, really…


                  • Rachel D.
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                      I am so sorry to hear about your bunny. I had a very similar situation with our mini rex bunny. It sounds as if your bunny might have a parasite called E. Cuniculi. It is very dangerous and contagious among rabbits (from digesting contaminated feces/urine). Here is a link to a website with the best treatment options: http://www.barbibrownsbunnies.com/ecuniculi.htm. I recommend taking the information to your vet and asking him/her to treat as directed on that website. This treatment has had miraculous results when in the past this parasite often proved fatal and a mystery to veterinarians. Many vets are just discovering the wonders of this treatment. 

                      I took these instructions to my vet and asked her to treat as indicated and my rabbit made a complete recovery. She seemed on death’s door prior to treatment. A few months later, she started to exhibit symptoms again, so I took her to the vet and asked for more medicine. Also, I used twist-ties to fasten the wire top to the litter box so my bunny could no longer eat out of the litter box. I believe the infection was mostly eradicated by the treatment but when she continued to eat her feces/urine from the litter box, she continually reinfected herself. I also started cleaning the litter box with bleach solution every other day. It’s been about 3 months and so far she seems 100% fine.

                      Time is of the essence, however, so I would get the treatment as quickly as possible. Also, at my vet, the test to determine for certain whether my bunny had the parasite cost more than the drug to treat it. So, my vet allowed my her to have the treatment without the test (at this point she didn’t know what else to try anyhow and the bunny looked to be a lost cause). So, it all worked out and my bunny was saved with the cost of the medicine only (which was about $25 each time).

                      Good luck!


                    • Sarita
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                        It certainly is possible that it could be E. Cuniculi and that would be something that a blood titer could tell your vet – discuss this with them.


                      • Rachel D.
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                          Please see my previous post about E. Cuniculi. The more I hear of your bunny’s symptoms, the more convinced I am that it is the parasite. And, in my experience here in Kansas (US), veterinarians are NOT familiar with treatments for rabbits. You must be your bunny’s advocate and insist on treatment that you believe to be best for your bunny. The website I referenced in my previous post does a good job of explaining how and why the proposed treatment works, but it is likely that your vet is unfamiliar with the treatment and you may have to be insistent. Please keep us posted on your bunny’s progress.


                        • Furbrats' mum
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                            Thanks Rachel….I will bring her to the vet tomorrow and insist he reads up about this ecuniculi and give her the treatment – Now i’m more worried that my other healthy bun will be infected too… …Gosh!!!! from what i have read, it can be spread to other rabbits! THank you again, will keep you posted.


                          • Rachel D.
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                              Try not to worry too much. If your sick bunny responds to the treatment, you can treat your other bunny even without him showing symptoms. As you probably read on the website I recommended, even bunnies who are very far gone and have paralyzed hind limbs have made miraculous recoveries. My bunny could barely stand and had terrible balance and wasn’t eating. Within two days of taking medicine, she was markedly improved. Now she is robust and healthy and you would never know she’d been so sick. Also, at first my vet insisted that my bunny did not have E. Cuniculi because she did not exhibit the concomitant head tilt or wry neck. However, I knew in my gut that she had this parasite and insisted the vet treat her accordingly. My vet was pleased and surprised at my bunny’s recovery and I am certain that she is better educated about bunny treatment because of it. I literally printed out all of the information, took it to the vet and discussed it with her. I’ll be thinking of you and your bunny and hoping all turns out well. I’ll try to check in here often if you have any questions.


                            • bunnnnnnie!
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                                Can I ask where you’re located (you don’t have to answer)? Maybe we can find a rabbit savvy vet for you.

                                You should really try to find Critical Care if you’re needing to force feed. Carrot juice is not going to offer the correct nutrition. Or if Critical Care isn’t available, you can make a slurry of your bun’s pellets and water. Blend it up in a blender. That would be much more nourishing than carrot juice.

                                Is the bun still on pain meds? Pain will often cause them to not eat.


                              • Furbrats' mum
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                                  I’m located in Kuala Lumpur. 

                                  Its past midnight now & there isn’t any 24 hour vet anywhere I life. Tomorrow morning is only the best bet (it’s 1am here)

                                  I know that carrot juice isnt enough- but considering she refused to drink even water today, at least after i brought her home, she is willing to take water+carrot juice. 

                                  Have just put her back into her cage with her partner next to her for the night- she seems calmer & more active suddenly. I’ve put her favourite Vitakraft pellet/hay in with her- fingers crossed she will try to eat some. 

                                  And yes, she is on pain meds, 2 kinds of antibiotic, some kind of nerve supplement + multi vits. 


                                • Sarita
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                                    Are you close to this vet:

                                    Dr. Jenny Ling
                                    HAND “N” PAWS
                                    C-17G, Jalan PJU 1/45,
                                    Aman Suria Damansara,
                                    47301 PJ
                                    Tel: 03-7804 6539

                                    Apparently she treats all kinds of exotics.


                                  • bunnnnnnie!
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                                      Posted By Sarita on 05/17/2012 10:38 AM
                                      Are you close to this vet:

                                      Dr. Jenny Ling
                                      HAND “N” PAWS
                                      C-17G, Jalan PJU 1/45,
                                      Aman Suria Damansara,
                                      47301 PJ
                                      Tel: 03-7804 6539

                                      Apparently she treats all kinds of exotics.

                                      Yay Sarita.  Call this vet ASAP.

                                      I still suggest making the bun’s pellets into a slurry and feeding that instead.


                                    • BinkyBunny
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                                        The lung congestion makes me concerned too. I know fluid can develop in the lungs due to organ weakness and/or failures, so IF there was a problem with a major organ, like her heart, liver etc, prior to going under, then it could have caused problems, or if she aspirated anything during her tooth cleaning, that could cause issues too. It also could be e.cuniculi and stress can cause the immune system to weaken which would allow the parasite to take over. So really, that is why it is important to find a rabbit-savvy vet who can figure it all out.

                                         I am just so sorry. This is just so unfair, especially since the symptoms seemed to happen AT the vets office. Doesn’t prove anyone is at fault, but it is does make one feel less secure.

                                        HUGS TO YOU! I know this is rough time. Healing vibes for your bunny.

                                        Hang in there.


                                      • Furbrats' mum
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                                          I sent her back to the vet this morning, another doctor was on duty, so had a long chat with him, spoke to him about the possibility of e-cuniculi, but he said it could be something else…he told me he has some contact at the Zoo here, so he’s gonna give them a call – but i’ve insisted that he gives her the Fenbendazole for e-cuniculi since he also said that there would be no side effects in giving her that medication & we can simultaneously look at what other cures there is. Will be going back tonight to pick her up since the vet agreed that home care at night would be beneficial to her.


                                        • BinkyBunny
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                                            Good for you! You are so right that having Fenbendazole as a precaution, at the very least, shouldn’t cause any serious side effects. And until they can establish for sure what is going on, better to be safe than sorry. My heart goes out to you. Keep us updated.


                                          • Roberta
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                                              Think of me and my buns as the cheer squad. You’ve got really excellent advice from some incredible people and it sounds like you’re in there swinging. Keep going you are your buns voice So stomp, shout, kick, scream and demand. The Vet is taking your money for these treatments and you have every right to expect them to earn it. Don’t give up.


                                            • Rachel D.
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                                                I couldn’t wait to check on your bunny’s progress this morning. I am glad that your vet is exploring all avenues and also giving the Fenbendazole. Your bunny is fortunate to have such a dedicated and loving mom. I will be thinking of you both today. Keep up the good work!


                                              • Furbrats' mum
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                                                  Dear All,
                                                  My bun passed away early this morning; i brought her home from the vet last night at 10pm, fed her some mashed up pellet & gave her some carrot juice which she took quite willingly. She passed away at some time between 3am – 6am.

                                                  The vet did give her Fenbendazole. But he keeps telling me its not e-cuniculi. We’re beginning to suspect that something did happen at the vet which they will not tell me. But I guess its no use pointing fingers nor screaming at them will give me back my bun. A lesson learn; I’m never leaving my bun at the vet for a procedure without insisting being present.

                                                  We buried her at 7am at our backyard.

                                                  Thank you all so much for your support & advice.


                                                • Roberta
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                                                    So sorry to hear this sad news. You tried your hardest. At least your bun got to be at home with family and not alone in the vets.


                                                  • Furbrats' mum
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                                                      Yes…she actually waited until my husband who was away the whole week came back last night & she died facing her partner who was in the next cage…the poor boy is now confused and depressed, he was sitting by the backyard door the whole morning giving me weird looks.


                                                    • Monkeybun
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                                                        So sorry

                                                        Binky free little bun! Watch over your family from the other side of the Bridge.


                                                      • BinkyBunny
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                                                          Oh, I am so sorry. How devastating. I know this just hurts. At least she was able to pass in the comforts of her own surroundings.. If I were that vet, I would want to do a necropsy to see if that would tell me anything. But at this point, I understand the pain,and the need to move on. I am just soo sorry. She is now at peace though — no more suffering. She was lucky to have such caring human companionship and so the life she lived must have been filled with great care and lots of love and that is a wonderful thing.

                                                          For the bunny left behind — each bunny is different, some move on quickly, some look for their partner, wait around, show deep depression and refuse to eat, show aggression, etc. I have experienced quite the diversity of reactions. Just be sure to give her partner extra attention – as much as you can give. I found this helped quite a bit. It sounds like they were not a bonded pair?? If not, then it may be easier. 

                                                          Big hugs to you.


                                                        • RabbitPam
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                                                            I am so sorry to read this. I have started a post in the Rainbow Bridge section where others can reply without you having to re-read this post over and over again.

                                                             https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/120387/Default.aspx

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                                                        Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Rabbit can’t use hind legs & not eating- HELP