My Bunny Having Seizures?

[Dally]

Hi, I recently got a lionhead i named clover. She was doing great until one day, she stopped playing and running and started shaking. She completely lost her balance, and couldn’t even move. I Found her waterbowl completely full, when i had filled it up the night before. We got a dropper and got some water into her, and then she was fine. We thought it was a one time thing, so we forgot about it. Then, this morning, she had another one. we found her stuck on her side, unable to get up, and not struggling at all. She has always been a little unsteady on her feet, and occasionally fell over, but she always got back up again. Then she started twitching and shivering. We did the same thing as last time, and eventually it worked, and she’s fine now. But has anyone ever had a bunny do this? THe two seizures were almost a month apart, so i don’t know if they’re connected or not. Is she actually having seizures, or something else?

[DanaNM]

You should definitely take her to the vet. It does sound like a seizure. I don’t recommend trying to syringe her anything during one of these episodes, as she could aspirate. They can be caused by E cuniculi, which can cause progressive damage to the nervous system and kidneys if left untreated. So yes, please have her seen by a rabbit savvy vet ASAP.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Dally]

Ok thank you! i will go to the vet asap

[Wick & Fable]

Agreed that this merits vet assessment at this point. There is no way for us to diagnose the seizures, but an experienced rabbit veterinarian will have access to resources and tests that can better inform your rabbit’s health status and any potential explanations for the things you have been observing.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[LBJ10]

What you’re describing sounds like a seizure. Unfortunately, seizures can be caused by a number of different things. Your best bet is to have a vet do an assessment to determine what is causing the seizures. EC is a common cause, but not the only one.

[Dally]

Hi, So we went to the vet, and they think that she had some sort of parasite (that we treated) but the side affects stay with her for the rest of her life. The seizures were mostly because of dehydration, because she can’t get to her water bowl (the parasite affected her brain, so she can no longer walk). Thanks for all your help!

[Bam]

Thank you for the update!

I’m very sorry your bun is struggling. The parasite is (most likely) encephalitozoon cuniculi, commonly called EC or E Cuniculi. It is an intracellular parasite, so its very, very small (microscopic). Many buns carry this parasite, they can even get it from their mum before they are born. Treatment is Panacur (fenbendazole) for 28 days, plus antiinflammatory meds (meloxicam). The damage the parasite does to the bun can, as you say, result in  permanent disability. It’s very sad.

The website Disabled Rabbits has many good tips on how to care for a disabled rabbit: http://www.disabledrabbits.com/

[Dally]

Yes, we have treated her, but i think we caught the parasite too late 🙁 Thank you so much for the link, its really helpful.

[Author]

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