Bizarre Behaviour (neurological?)

[Luna]

This is something that’s been going on for a while, previous to today he has had 3 episodes, spread out over the course of a year. He has been taken to the vet, however I was told he was the picture of health for his age (6), and that my description didn’t sound like anything they could think of and they saw no signs of any issues based on their examination

Episodes where he is trying to lean/stand on hind legs (3 videos) are always preceded by 2-3 loud thumps. he shakes and you can hear him chewing (?)

Episodes where he is kind of moving weirdly (1 video) are usually preceded by noise from him running into or falling onto the side of the cage 

Starting at 4am today (now 6am), he’s had 6 weird episodes (4 on video). 

He is being taken to the vet today but would like opinions

Thanks

 – leaning/trying to stand on hind legs
https://vimeo.com/163147834

– Unusual behaviour/movement
https://vimeo.com/163147832

 – leaning/trying to stand on hind legs
https://vimeo.com/163148477

 – leaning/trying to stand on hind legs
https://vimeo.com/163148711

[jerseygirl]

What a cute little dude!

It certainly looks like something neurological is going on. It’s a good thing you have this on video to be able to show the vets.

Are you noticing any unusual movement with his eyes?

I’m wondering if he stands upright like that because his centre of balance is off?  Where up is down etc. Like having vertigo. 

The chewing motion might be because one of the cranial nerves is affected.

It’s strange. He comes out of these episodes quickly.  

I’d be suspecting EC infection or possible inner ear infection. Lionheads (Just in US?)  have been known to suffer from seizures. ETA: Blue eye white rabbits also. It doesn’t look like seizure, but perhaps this is pre-seizure behaviour??  He does appear to have mini “absences” which can happen with or without a seizure following. 

[jerseygirl]

Just a note: You may have noticed your post looks different. For some reason, it submitted with some html code, so I edited that out. I couldn’t get the video links to hyperlink, sorry. They are hyperlinks when you go into edit, but after submitting, they revert.

[Azerane]

I agree that it looks neurological. Whether it’s seizures or the result of ear infection or possibly a growth pressing on an area it shouldn’t, I don’t know. If it is a seizure it looks like quite a mild case. I also notice that in those moments he only turns to the left, not the right. Whether that’s more likely caused by a balance/ear issue than seizures, I’m not sure, but it’s probably worth mentioning to the vet.

This page on medirabbit has some info and videos of seizures in rabbits, Pancake’s partial seizures remind me a little of your bunn: http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/seizure.htm

[Bam]

It reminds me of absence epilepsy (old name: petit mal). They’re short episodes often with some unvoluntary repetetive movement and the person (most often a child) snaps right back and get on with what he/she was doing, without knowing he/she was “gone” for a moment.

[jerseygirl]

I seen rabbits owners talk about “absences” before.

Bories, can you tell us a little more about your rabbit? His age and any previous health issues?

Do let us know how you get on at the vet.

[Luna]

Unfortunately i called multiple rabbit savy vets in my town to try and find an opening, but was not able to until tomorrow morning. The videos were sent to my normal vets office today though and have not heard a reply yet.

Currently (the day after) he is acting a bit more lethargic, i see him ‘spacing out’ more often, but eating/drinking/peeing/pooping normally. HOWEVER, 1 -2hrs after these episodes i noticed 5-6 cecotropes piles, and he peed in a few unusual spots (he is litter trained, and normally does his business in 2 areas only)

He has had 0 illnesses previously, his most recent vet appt (that was made after an episode ) i was told he was healthy, no signs of a seizure or other neurological issue (though no tests were done), no signs of parasites, teeth were checked, ears were checked, eyes were checked, all were clear/clean and no issues. This vet appt was close to a month ago.

General info:
He is a 6yr old lion head/mini lop cross, purchased from a pet store 6 years ago (i was unaware of adoption options at the time). not neutered, does not chew on anything, does not eat vegetables, fruit, or hay (i have tried continuously to get him to eat these things, but he won’t and never has). He eats oxbow adult Timothy pellets. Shows no interest in other animals, (i have a cat),.

[Bam]

I think it’d be a good idea to have him tested for e cuniculi. It is a type of parasite that many bunnies have been exposed to but few get sick. It tends to affect the brain and/or the kidneys. Sonetimes vets like to treat it empirically because it doesn’t always show up in tests. Treatment is Panacur (a de wormer) for 28 consecutive days.

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