Some advice please!

[PruenPiper]

Hello everyone and sorry for the long post. I need some advice. We’ve just completed day five’s dose Bayril, Metacam, and Panazuril. We are treating her for a possible ear infection and E.C. The E.C. test came back and stated in one time in her life she was exposed to it, but it’s not active now. Our vet wants to cover all bases. We are giving her 100ml of S.C fluids every morning. The reason we took her to the vet was for a full cataract in her one eye and a smaller one on her other. The smaller mark in her other eye was supposed to be a calcium deposit. In two months time she went completely blind. We coped with that and she seemed okay. A week ago we woke up to Prue with her head turned back trying to look behind her, and endless spinning in circles. Her eyes have nystagmus and move from left to right very fast. She still has her forceful spirit and my god fights us on every dose and picking up. We haven’t given up hope yet, but the spinning is getting worse and she keeps hitting her head on a lot of things that we cannot move. She will not lay down in rolled towels we’ve tried. She is still very active and fiesty. If she wasn’t we would of had to make that decision last week to put her down. Has anyone had any luck with this illness? I’ve been reading posts here, and blogs on all websites. There are a lot about paralysis and E.C. Ear infections that are similar to mine that miraculously get cured in three days. The buns treated with E.C. were never the same but they lived. What did you see when this happened to your bun? How long did you treat? Prue had a sister Piper who passed two years ago. I held out hope and made her suffer a little to long until there was nothing left of her. I cannot do that Prue, but just like all of us here, we struggle with the right decision of when is it time. I’m tired of crying everyday knowing that we are torturing her, I just don’t want her to give me the middle fur finger when we meet one day. She’s 11.5 years old and I don’t know how much more she can take. Anyone have any advice? Thank you friends.

[Asriel and Bombur]

I have a boy with chronic EC, not just acute flare-ups. It’s not in neurological symptoms, but his are urinary and gut related. Something triggers him and he’ll need two rounds of EC meds back to back. So 48 days total. EC can never truly be cured because it is a parasite.

In my year of dealing with Bombur’s EC, I can tell you patience is key. Sometimes it does take multiple rounds of the drug for it to work, but eventually you’ll see progress maybe at week 5 or 6, and you’ll know that you’re doing the right thing. You might ask to go on a stronger EC medicine such as Oxibendazole (Bombur takes this and sees good results). Oxibendazole is actually able to pass through the blood brain barrier making it a little more effective. If he’s on Oxibendazole he will need to be blood tested every 2 weeks to ensure his white blood cell count remains stable. I’m confused about the Ponazuril, because from what I know of it, it is used to treat Coccida. I’ve never heard of it being used to treat EC.

All this being said, you’d never know Bombur had an active chronic disease. He still runs around, pigs out on food, and flops contently. He’s a bit on the dopey side, but aside from that he’s still the same as ever. I think even for buns with neurological symptoms, if they remain with a head tilt, most of them still have a good quality of life and are very happy and seemingly healthy bunnies.

[PruenPiper]

Hey!
Thank you for the reply. I’m glad the Bombur is hanging in there! It seems that after the doses she is doing better, maybe just wishful thinking. How old is Bombur? I will ask my vet why he put her on Panazuril. I did look it up and it is associated with treating some for of E.C. but I will def. ask about Oxibendazole. Thank you!

[Asriel and Bombur]

That’s good to hear! Fingers and paws crossed she only gets better. Quite a feisty old lady Bombur just turned 2 last weekend! He was diagnosed just before 1, and at the time I was pretty distraught because I had only ever heard negative stories associated with EC. There’s a bunny on instagram (if you have it and I forget her name) but she lived quite a long time with a head tilt and was a very happy bunny. So I think you really have to look at their overall quality of life. If she’s feeling good despite her symptoms, definitely not her time. She seems quite spunky and a fighter to me

[PruenPiper]

Awww I miss my girls at that age!!  I loved when they just threw themselves down without a care and tranced themselves.  We are doing everything we can.  Thank you again for all your info, waiting to talk to the vet!   Sean.

[Asriel and Bombur]

hahaha my boys do it frequently,,, then freak out after they realized what they did xD Let me know what happens with Prue and the vets advice!

[PruenPiper]

So we just finished day ten of meds. We will continue all until the end but it seems that the nystagmus has stopped, her eyes are not moving much at all. Still the head turn and her appetite is what is scaring us. She has been eating so many greens and a little timothy hay here and there. I’m about to do a pellet and carrot mash with bit of apple juice to make sure the weight is staying on. So there has been some improvement for my battle bun. She’s been so good in dealing with all of this. I just hope she pulls through. Wish us luck!

[PruenPiper]

So we just finished day ten of meds. We will continue all until the end but it seems that the nystagmus has stopped, her eyes are not moving much at all. Still the head turn and her appetite is what is scaring us. She has been eating so many greens and a little timothy hay here and there. I’m about to do a pellet and carrot mash with bit of apple juice to make sure the weight is staying on. So there has been some improvement for my battle bun. She’s been so good in dealing with all of this. I just hope she pulls through. Wish us luck!

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