It would still be a good idea to have a vet see him if he’s fallen and hurt himself. Bunnies in pain can go into shock and die. Please take him to the vet, perhaps see if they will allow you to make payments.

Oh no! How scary! I absolutely agree with MimzMum. If he did break his back (and there is no way for us know know from here), depending on where the break would be, there is a possibility he could still walk, but just be in pain. And that pain alone can cause him to go into shock I have been in the situation where we had to fork out so much $$ all at once for an emergency with our cat, but thank goodness the emergency vet clinic allowed us to make payment. So I would call them and let them know you feel he may have broken his back, you don’t know, but you need to get him in to make sure he is okay and work on a payment plan with them.

Otherwise do you have a credit card or ???

Oh No! I’m sorry to hear this. Get him to a rabbit vet if possible. What you describe sounds like a seizure and they can be pretty flat after one of those.  If he was in pain now though, I’m sure he’d be grinding his teeth loudly or being more vocal.   ((((((BUDDY!)))))  

Oh goodness! What a turn around. I guess if he has another, just watch he can’t throw himself against anything and keep him warm afterwards (??)

Wow… that must have been scary! I’d still suggest you talk to your rabbit vet about this issue, I agree w Jersey, it sounded to me like it might have been a seizure…. Anyway, it sounds like you’re going to go to the vet soon anyway, so good for you – Monday if possible! Keep an eye on him for any signs of pain (screaming, teeth grinding, changes in eating/pooping, changes in usual behavior….)

I do remember another member that experienced something like this and the bunny turned out the have Encephalitozoon Cuniculi (E.C.). Its common for them to have this and be symptomless. Then sometimes, the symptoms present, like head tilt. I don’t like to say this is what is going on with Buddy. Just that something you might want to test for soon. With EC, early intervention is best.

 Having said this, seizures can happen for other reasons too – if in fact it was a seizure. Could a bug or something hve bothered him maybe – got into his ear?

Well one word…WHEW!! I am happy to hear he’s feeling better now. He certainly wouldn’t be happily munching away if he was in severe pain.

What a scare. For the future, you should check out Carecredit. It’s a credit card with lower interest rates that is meant just for medical or vet care (that way we can’t “accidentally” spend it on other things.) It also gives a few months free and clear of added rates if paid within that time period. Some of us have VPI pet insurance, and that can help reinburse some expenses. I normally put it on a card IF I can’t afford paying for something upfront, then I get reinbursed by the insurance and put that towards the payment of the card.

I know times have been tight for many people, especially during the holidays is rough, but even if you can start saving a few hundred dollars over time for emergencies, you will have more peace of mind.

Hugs to you and hopefully this was just a one time fluke freak out. Someone else might have even more experience about what this is, but Jersey’s comments about the seizure are definitely a good thing to keep alert about and talk to a rabbit-savvy vet. 

I can imagine it would have been scary!!! How was he behaving before this?

be careful with the snugglesafes- they are only OK to use when they are well padded and a bunny is able to move off the heat source if needed- I have seen an animal sustain burns that appeared about 10 days later from incorrect use of one of these discs.

Posted By Kay Skvorc on 12/19/2009 11:11 PM
Before this, all was status quo, better than status quo actually. I had just set up the Christmas tree

Huh….ya know, maybe the Christmas tree freaked him out.  Yes, you set it up, and you were both relaxing, but sometimes bunnies get used to things, and even if it had been up for a short time already, doesn’t mean he didn’t forget about it and when he went over to do his regular thing of munching on the cilantro, the tree scared him, and he freaked – like you said racing through the tunnel, but then he might have tripped or whatever – just all around a freaked out response. 

My bunny Rucy once freaked out when I was getting bonding help from an HRS chapter.  They had a friendly cat that would visit the bunnies and the cat jumped into the xpen that Rucy was in.  It startled us both.  Well Rucy FREAKED – raced around like a nut case – zero direction just in a complete state of panic. I grabbed her and held her which helped her settle down.  Just wondering if the tree caused a panic for a moment

Just a thought. 

I’m sorry he went through that, though clearly that particular episode has passed. I agree that it could be more than fear, and you definitely need to bring him in to the vet. Why does it always happen on a weekend? But with the holiday coming up this week, please get him seen before Wednesday so if he needs care he can be settled and not have to wait again.

While you are waiting today, may I suggest you hit the yellow pages and look up other animal hospitals and vets? It may mean driving a few more miles, but you need another option besides the one that won’t take a partial payment. Call and ask several listings if they take rabbits on emergency (all vets have basic training for emergencies even if they specialize in dogs and cats) and if they take partial payments. I would continue until I find one that you can save as an emergency number to call. (Personally, I’d have put him in the car and shown up, then let them watch him suffer while saying no. It’s hard for them to do that way.) You can also call your local animal control, or humane society or shelter to ask where you can take him in case of emergency. They may know of someone that’s not listed in your book. Sometimes vets have an emergency number. Your own vet could give you a backup number of someone she recommends you call if she isn’t available. Depending on the problem, some vets give you their cell privately in case you need them if it’s a long term issue that is likely to need them. So explore your options while you wait and get help lined up.

Definitely explore the credit card option and VPI insurance online as well. Don’t tell VPI he had a seizure today so you can apply now with no preexisting condition and then start the process. They may not accept you, or make you wait for 3 months, but it’s worth a try. If you can get that in place I would urge you to do so, in case he has something chronic that will need treating but is not terminal.

If you have an account at a Credit Union, they often are good about giving a small loan, like a Christmas loan or personal loan, for things like this. Check it out. You could have a small savings set aside just for bunny.

Kay,

I’m sorry for the ordeal you and Buddie have been through and he seems to have settled down. My son suffers gran mal seizures and I can attest to how horrifying and helpless it is to watch. And depending on the severity they can have a wide range of motions that go from the wildly convulsing to milder jerking and twisting. Our neurologist says the brain gets overloaded and reboots itself. Triggers can be stress, sounds, in my son’s case – flickering lights, lots of things. And after a vet checks him out, it could just be a one time thing.

The seizure itself is like running a marathon, those muscles are working hard and need rest afterwards. My son will sometimes sleep 12 hours after one and wake up sore, unless he was unlucky enough to have fallen on or hit something during the seizure. I know with rabbits you have the additional worry of them breaking their own bones and back though.

What I wanted to tell you is that my son says he is unaware during the seizure itself, coming to after the convulsions stop. During it, my son can talk, scream, his eyes are open and looks like he’s awake, but he’s not and won’t remember it. It’s possible that as agonizing as it looks that Buddie was unaware of what was happening. (which I know isn’t much comfort, but it’s something)

Let us know how it goes, Kathy

Is Buddy a lionhead? He looks like he is in your avatar. I believe lionheads have an increased risk of seizures, I don’t know exactly why… but I have heard this. Because of this being a common occurrence in lionheads, be aware that it’s possible it may not be covered by pet insurance. Usually if a particular breed is predisposed to a condition, it is ruled “genetic” and it is excluded from what they will cover. This will also happen in some dwarf breeds regarding teeth malocclusions.

I am so glad he seems to be better. I agree that it’s imperative he get a full check-up ASAP. I would also make sure the vet does extensive testing before he goes in for his neuter. You need to be absolutely sure it is going to be safe for him to be put under anesthesia.

I have heard of lionheads and seizures too.     I read somewhere when they seize to wrap them in a towel to try to keep them from hurting themselves with the strong twitching they have.    May prevent back injuries.

Wow I would have panicked and gone crazy if my buns had an episode like what you described.   I can imagine how terrified it was for you seeing your sweetie in this situation.   How frightening.

I know you love your bunny sweetie and will get him to a vet ASAP to find out what happened.    Unfortunately those ER vets are very expensive and usually like all the $ right away.

I really hope you will all be ok.

I was just going to say what Beka did. What your describing sounds exactly like a seizure, and sadly they can be common in lionheads, especially the european lionheads, though not unheard of in NA lionheads.

I’m glad to hear that it sounds like Buddy is feeling better, hopefully a vet will help you get to the root of the matter quickly, that must have been really scary! I wonder if it was something that scared him – I have had my bunnies freak out twice, once was in the middle of the night and my blind bunny panicked from some shadow and she started dashing around her cage in a full out panic. Also, one of my bunnies got scared by something that fell out of my closet, and he dashed around the room in a full out panic. Both times though, they acted very ticked off afterwards, and thumped for quite awhile. The fact that Buddy seemed sleepy, and not on “alert” afterwards, makes me think that it is probably something other than just getting scared by something.

Please keep us updated 

thats what BBers are here for  to help and support each other.  Great group here  they have helped me a lot too.

Bless you and your bunny too

Oh good Whew – I’m glad that you have a vet that will be on top of this. Keeping my fingers crossed that this does not happen again though.

Regarding the links, I’m sorry if that was not made clear in the email – it’s not that you can’t share links ever again.  We do have stricter rules for new members especially in regards to what alerts us.  If many products are suggested, promoted and/or linked within a small amount posts (eg: 10 products/links within 30 posts)  then it does alert us.  We have it set up this way to protect our forum members and our site livelyhood from backdoor advertisers, (where people come in, pretend to be friends and start promoting products, links in a “casual” way).  So over the last two years, we have tried to set a precedent (that we are actually rather lenient about in general) to prevent that from happening.  It’s okay to post about products as you will see others doing so.  It’s just that when we feel it is excessive (and we are more alert to new members) then we will send you an email about it. 

ETA:  I also don’t want your well-intentions to feel picked on. I will email you with further clarification on this.

Did your vet suggest treating for possible parasite – before or after the neuter? Just curious.
Isofluorene is the commonly used anesthetic for rabbit “speuters”. One thing I would check with the vet is their procedure when bringing a rabbit out of anesthesia. They should have somebody there to support the rabbit incase it kicks etc. Some do this and can injure themselves. With Buddy having had that seizure, I’d want close attendance to him when they bring him round.
It’s really great you’ve had this blood panel done now, before the op.

I’m glad you got the results of the tests and your vet has outlined her plan for his neuter. In the meantime you will be able to see if he continues to be fine. Jersey, it sounds like she’s going to be watching for the seizures, so I expect they will be attentive when he comes out of it.

You may want to ask if they will keep him overnight, just to make sure he’s totally fine. Ask to be sent home with the painkillers as well so you can keep him comfortable. The pre-neuter weeks are the hardest.

All of that (chicken scratchings aside) sounds great.  Your vet is aware of the possible issues and has a plan in place to address the most likely complications.  That’s about as prepared as I’d want my doctor to be if I was having surgery!  I know you’re nervous but it sounds like you and your bun are in great hands.

The Elizabethan collars are typically not necessary with rabbits, unless they are insistent on chewing at their stitches. That all sounds good to me… keep us posted on how he does!

Aw, thanks! That pic was actually taken towards the end of their bonding process. Can you believe that those two lovebuns were circling with fur flying and growling a mere 2 weeks before that?! They are living, breathing proof that even difficult bonds can work. They’ve been inseparable ever since.

You’ll want to take out anything he can jump up onto for at least a few days, and restrict him to his pen.  He’s going to be bored and mad, but you have to do it to make sure he doesn’t injure the area.  Is your vet giving any pain meds?  They are not absolutely necessary with boys (with girls they are!) but if the vet gives them, it might help to take the edge off so he does not starting chewing at the stitches.

Has the date been set yet?

I know this makes most everyone nervous! But try your best to relax and just picture in your mind that everything will be just fine. I think I remember you saying you have a trusted rabbit-savvy vet so just try to think positive thoughts. Plus, if your relaxed, that will help your bunny too. I know it is much easier said then done though.

Regarding the snuggle safe, that little cloth cover that comes with it is not enough protection from the heat. What I’ve done before is wrap it several times in a yard of soft fabric and then I put it under their bed. Now that that their beds are very thick (many layers of towels I would just put in at the bottom underneath it, on one side so that they good move if they got too hot there.

If your bunny is a digger and likes to move around stuff, then a determined bunny could uncover it, but I’ve never had that happen with any of my bunnies.

Maybe some others who have used snuggles safe discs will have some additional options.