Random stumbles

[Christine Ann]

Hi everyone.

Pepper has something going on with him.
On Monday, he seemed extra sleepy and was cuddling his sister Willow for a long while.
He stood up suddenly and stumbled over, almost like what happens when you trip or roll an ankle.
I immediately took him into a secluded room to watch him.
He hopped up and down off the bed completely normally.
My boyfriend noticed he was favoring one side.

Yesterday I brought him into the bigger space of the living room.
He is acting totally normal, binkies and 500s- eating drinking pooping, etc.
We have a “trick” we do with him- where we take one of his oxbow multivitamin “cookies” and have him stand up on his back legs, he will usually twirl if you move the cookie around in a circle. He won’t do it, he doesn’t seem to like balancing on his back legs.

This morning he is acting normally once again- zooming around the living room.
The only times he stumbles is when he does his shake- the one like a dog shaking off water.
He seems to lose his footing and stumbles. This last time he fell over to the left and then quickly got back up and did a 500 run.

I picked him up to look at his feet. When applying a little bit of pressure to his left hind leg/foot, he pulls it back quickly.
It’s hard to know if this is because it hurts, or just because he hates having his feet touched (which he does)
I checked his nails and he does have one nail that is oddly turned sideways, sort of twisted. I should note he is young, he’s just about to be 4 years.

I’ve called the vet and they can get me in on Sunday.
His ears are clear, he has no discharge from his nose or eyes..
He isn’t tilting his head (thank goodness) and just seems like his normal self. As I write this he is loafed and purring.
I’ve been reading some scary things on the internet— so I’ve come to you all for your ideas before I get the professional opinion on Sunday.
I’m watching him very closely today.
His stumble literally only seems to happen after he does his full body shake, it just seems like he loses balance and falls over to one side, then quickly oucka himself up and frolicks along.

Any ideas?

Thank you so much.

[Wick & Fable]

It’s good you’re seeing a vet, who will consider the usual suspects for off-balance symptoms. It’s also good you have checked and relayed some information to help the community rule out easily visible causes, like ear infections, though it will be something the vet can properly assess.

Weird angle to this, but has he gained/loss a significant amount of weight? Or has he gone through a growth spurt? When Wick’s testicles descended, he hopped weird for the week because the extra momentum from them threw off his groove…. hilarious.

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.

[Christine Ann]

How funny!
His weight is totally normal! I’m super cautious of checking any tummy issues since we lost one of our bunny loves from stasis before.
His belly feels normal and he’s the same 2.5lbs he’s always been

Trying not to be an over anxious mama but I’m terrified it could be neurological.
But then, it could also be a sprained foot or leg..
thank you for your response!!

[Christine Ann]

UPDATE:

It has happened about 4 times since this morning – literally only when he does his shake. Every time he falls to the left. Always to the left

[Wick & Fable]

Until the vet appt, maybe try and limit him getting on taller objects without fences/barriers, just in case the balance issue worsens in a particular bad situation (falling off a window sill or the bed).

Continuing to monitor his health behaviors, like pooping, eating, and energy levels will give a good idea of whether you need to shorten the time before seeing a vet. I’d also keep checking his ears, eyes, etc.. for signs of anything abnormal, just in case something is developing and is not yet visible.

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.

[Christine Ann]

Update on Pepper!

We got a blood test done- she did find a change in white blood cells that is most often found when exposed to a parasite. Since Pepper never goes outside and is always only inside, we are starting first with a 6 week treatment of Revolution, since he is constantly shaking his ears/head. I’ll be bringing in a fecal sample to rule anything else out, then we will have a checkup in 6 weeks!
Otherwise his blood work looked good- she noticed a little change in the liver, but she said that could be nothing to worry about unless it continues in the future.

[Sirius&Luna]

What’s the revolution for?
I would’ve thought possible antibiotics for an ear infection, or Panacur for EC. Were his ears checked? Rabbits can be born with EC, and it can suddenly flare up from nowhere, so him not being outside doesn’t necessarily mean that he doesn’t have it.

It’s great that his bloodwork looked good, I’m just a bit worried that other causes might have been overlooked that could get worse in the 6 weeks.

[jerseygirl]

Some {{{vibes}}} for Pepper !

How often would he be having the Revolution?

Was the vet able to get a good look in his ears?

What you’re describing sounds more like vestibular condition. Perhaps a little vertigo when he does his shake.

Im curious, what side does he have the nail that was at an odd angle? Was this on a hind foot? It had me thinking perhaps he had been is bearing his weight more on one side for a while.

ETA: That is too funny about Wick. :p

[Christine Ann]

Oh I’m so sorry I left out the most important part.
He’s on 7 days of antibiotics and pain meds currently. Then revolution to clear him of any mites. His ears were ok when she checked them, but she wanted to be safe with the revolution just in case- he does have some skin issues since he was a baby.
Poor love came from a hoarder group where he was constantly urinated on. When I adopted him he had urine scald and had to have so many baby powder cornstarch baths. As a result his skin has always been dry and easily irritated.

He’s on an antibiotic SMZ-TMP for possible ear infection, an NSAIS for possible strain in his back leg. Trying to just cover all the bases.

[Christine Ann]

Thank you jerseygirl!
She did take a good look in his ears and there was nothing visibly wrong there
He would have one dose of revolution every two weeks, for six weeks.
Tomorrow I’m going to pick up the doses tomorrow and bring in a fecal sample for them to test.
And yes! The nail is on the back foot. On the right “pinky” toe. Oddly twisted sideways and looks worn.

This morning he got super happy for food, I usually rile him up just by talking to him in an excited voice.
He got so excited and did a bunch of head shakes and mini binkies, and he did have a little vertigo from them.
Otherwise he is 100% normal, acting like his sweet mischievous self.

[Author]

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