Leg Paralysis After CaliciVirus Vaccination

[peppercorn_factory]

Hi all,

My little Pepper had her vaccination yesterday, and for the second year running she has gotten paralysis in her front left paw

When it happened last year it really freaked me out and I was straight back down to the vet the next day, but they had never heard of it happening before! After doing some research I found that in Australia we only have one brand of this vaccine, Cylap, and on some forums I found some other cases of this lame paw happening. 

That combined with the lethargy/not interested in food really panicked me last year, but this time I am just keeping a close eye on her and making sure she gets some food into her.

I just thought I would post this in case anyone else had this happen and freaked out like I did

Last time she came good in about 2 days. It doesn’t seem to cause major pain, she just holds that paw up when she hops around. It’s actually quite adorable and means she gets extra cuddle haha.

I’m curious to know if anyone else on here has had this reaction with their bun and this vaccine?

[LBJ10]

Sorry, no experience here since we don’t have vaccines in the US. I do believe I have heard of reactions to this type of vaccine though. I’m not sure how common it is. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for posting your experience. It will surely be helpful for others in the future, even if they happen upon this page via a Google search.

[Azerane]

I’m sorry to hear that it’s happened a second time, but at least you are more prepared for it. I’ll thank you as well for sharing your experience as it’s not something I’d heard of happening before either so it’s great to learn from other people’s experiences. Keep us updated with how she progresses

[jerseygirl]

Hope she has a quick recovery!

It’s a pity we are limited to only the Cylap vaccine here. There are a couple others that don’t cause the type of reactions that cylap does.

[peppercorn_factory]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone Pepper is moving much better this morning thank goodness. I’m sure the extra treats greatly helped her recovery haha.

[Azerane]

Nothing like a few bonus treats to get a bunny moving So glad that she’s improved some

[peppercorn_factory]

Hmmm she’s actually still limping now, and it’s day 3. I hope it goes away soon! She seemed better the other day but now she is still holding the paw up when she moves around. Poor little bun

[Azerane]

Aww, I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps she strained it while it still wasn’t quite right? In any case I hope it improves again.

[Bam]

I’m sorry to hear she’s still limping/holding her paw up. I hope it goes away soon. (((((Pepper)))))

[Love4Bunny]

Wishing Pepper a speedy recovery – I’m glad she’s getting back to normal.

[Jen-Xen]

Hi, I know this is an old post but, it hit a nerve with me. Firstly, i truly hope you & Pepper are well & happy ? Next, i just wanted to thank you for your post. From what I read in the forum, no one else seems to have had the same problem.. (then again – i may have missed it in my distress.
My bun Rosie had her Calicivirus vaccine injection last Tues (11/11/2018) She is about 20 weeks old & has had (since i originally picked her up) a problem with her right back leg. After alot of research i came to the conclusion she has a form of Splay Leg – apparently not uncommon in Netherland Dwarfs. I asked the vet while i was there what she thought, but she admitted she doesn’t specialize in Rabbits so is looking into it & im waiting on her call.
Back to the point (sorry for rambling, lol!)
Anyway, after her vaccination which was administered up near her right front leg joint on her back…well shes been limping & seems to be getting worse (today is thurs) I took her back to the Vets on Wed, they seemed to imply she must of hurt herself after we got home from the vet.. .
The thing is, she lives in my room (shes a free-range bun lol! ) & i know for a fact that wasnt it.
Finally, did you ever find out if the vaccine cam cause these types of symptoms? Id be grateful to hear back if you have – or havnt.
Again, i just wanted to thank you for offering me hope in regards to my darln Rosie getting back to her usual happy self…i cant wait to see her once again binkying & running over, coming for cuddles ?
I hope you Pepper have a lovely Xmas & New Years
Kindest regards,
Jen

[Bam]

This is an old thread, but because it relates to the calici vaccine, a topic that’s just come up in another forum section, I think we can keep this open. peppercorn_factory is an active member, so I hope they’ll see this thread. You can otherwise pm them by clicking on the screen name underneath their avatar.

Front leg paralysis seems to be a common side-effect of the Cylap vaccine, but I dont know by what mechanism this temporary paralysis occur or if it can cause a problem with the hind legs as well.

Thre is a slight risk of encephalitis after any type of vaccination. http://n.neurology.org/content/78/1_Supplement/P03.151
This mostly happens in individuals that have recieved multiple vaccines within a very short time.

There is also a slight possibility that a vaccination can occupy the immune defense so that other latent problems manifest. I’m primarily thinking of e cuniculi, a microscopic, intra-cellular parasite that many rabbits (50-80% in some studies) are carriers of. Transmission often occurs while the bun is still in its mother’s womb. Most buns never become ill from this parasite, but some do and hind leg paralysis is a classic sign. It’s treatable with a dewormer (Panacur) and sometimes Baytril plus other additional meds, for example anti-inflammatories.

[Jen-Xen]

Thanks for the information. The good news is her front leg issues did heal. The bad – i took her to a specialist re her splay leg & not only has been confirmed but she also has Scoliosis & Kyphosis. They’re recommending amputation ? Whatever her needs…i adore her ?

[jerseygirl]

Ah, Im sorry to hear that. She’s young, do they think some of the back deformities are from the splay leg or she’d likely had from birth? Would it be worth getting a 2nd opinion?
If she does need to go ahead and have amputation, take heart, rabbits can do really well on just 3 legs.

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