Hoppus died siezing… what could have caused this?

[nadiuh]

*WARNING: In order to try and get as accurate advice as possible, I have included GRAPHIC detail of Hoppus’ death. I have no funds to get a necropsy, and my vet did not feel comfortable answering my questions without clear answers.*

It started in December when Hoppus, my three year old, single, unneutered male, came down with his first ever bout of GI stasis. As a first time rabbit owner, I was confused and scared. I came across BB and did all I could to keep him comfortable and healthy until the vet visit the next morning. Upon being looked at, he was given Critical Care, Reglan (with instructions to mix with Mylicon/infant gas drops), and Metacam for the pain.

In late January, Hoppus started showing strange signs of something wrong. A weird white line that I had at first mistaken to be a corneal scrath appeared in his eye. Hoppus was becoming lethargic, and when he did walk around he did so with a limp. After a day or two, he would simply flop over and stuggle to get up. Walking became near impossible, and he soiled himself daily. Many butt baths were given. Again, a search of BB had me calling my vet.

Upon testing, Hoppus was diagnosed with E. Cunniculi. I was given Panacur to treat that along with another round of Metacam. It took until late May, but finally Hoppus was back on his feet. He was normal again, and his vet told me that we could stop the Panacur. I was wary, but after three weeks of uneventful days I figured he was fine. All was well.

Until last week. On Friday (6/19), he became finnicky with his pellets. He’d always been picky so I thought nothing of it and tossed in a few extra treats, gave him extra hay. He ate, but not as much as I would have hoped. Not yet an emergency, I suspected gas and have him Reglan with Mylicon. After the second day (6/21) I consulted my vet and she said to re-introduce Critical Care. Through his treatment from E.C, Hoppus had lost a significant amount of weight and he had slowly been gaining it back. Now, though, he was losing it. He wasn’t actinv any different however, and my vet suggested he was suffering from a blockage and to keep him under a close eye.

By Wednesday (6/24), he was back to normal. Eating, drinking, binking as he should. However, at a wry four pounds I was concerned and still continued to feed him Critical Care. When I woke up on Thursday (6/25), my poor baby Hoppus was flopped to his side, legs twitching. Thinking it to be a result of his weight loss, I picked him up and righted him. I monitored him for two hours before leaving for lunch, and he seemed okay.

When I came home I found him once again on his side,stuck in the same position. This time, though, his back legs were paralyzed and would not bend to stand up on his own. The side of his face on the floor of his cage was wet with what I’m assuming is drool as it was wettest near his mouth. His feet were twitching but he could not stand. I grabbed the phone to call the vet and he fell over onto his side and began to sieze. I grabbed him into my arms to comfort him as he siezed. His eyes were wild and looking all around until they locked onto me. While I was on the phone he opened his mouth wide, closed it, then opened it again multiple times. It appeared as though he was trying to scream while he shook from his siezure, but no sound was coming out. He looked genuinely terrified and it broke my heart. He did this for about two minutes until he died in my arms, all while I was on the phone with his vet.

I am at a loss. I know he is better know, but losing my baby and best friend is heartbreakig beyond comprehension. I have my suspicions, but it hurts not knowing what took him from me.

I am finding that many E. Cunniculi bunnies become victims are die in a similar way, I just want to be sure. Was this his body finally giving up? How much pain was he in? How long could he have been on his side like that? I was gone two hours. Do you think he waited for me to hold him?

[Bam]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

It is reasonable to think that the e cuniculi caused the seizures. Many people who have had f ex encephalitis of some sort get seizures (epilepsy) after the acute infection/inflammation has healed and there’s been scarring on the brain. The scarring prevent the nerves from signalling as they should.

It could of course also have been a stroke. The e cuniculi can do lots of damage to the brain.

Consciousness is most often low during an epileptic seizure. It is of course not possible to say if he was in pain. I think he loved you. I’m so glad he got to go in your arms.

[BouncingBunnies42]

I’m so sorry for your loss. I don’t know anything about his illness, but I do think that he waited until you got home to pass. He sure did love you. God bless and have a wonderful day?

[nadiuh]

Thank you, both of you. I’m so grateful I got to hold him through it.

Bam, thank you for your insight. When I picked him up he had developed a head tilt so I’m going to assume it was a stroke. Whatever it was, I’m glad he wasn’t very concious. It was a terrifying thing to witness, but he’s healed now and that’s what matters.

[LBJ10]

So sorry to hear this. =(

I agree with Bam. It is very possible that the EC caused damage to the nerves or the brain itself. Of course there is no way to know for sure. We are not vets and cannot tell you one way or another. But this is consistent with the fact that he had EC not long before this happened.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I want to offer my condolences on the loss of your bun. (((((Binky Free Hoppus)))))

[tobyluv]

I’m sorry about the loss of your sweet Hoppus.

[Author]

Messages