Stroke/temporary blindness. Experiences? (note: already seen a vet)

[MMK]

Hi guys, 

I haven’t been on here much lately, but you have always been a great resource since I rescued my other rabbit last year. We have a second 5 month old female. She is caged separate from my neutered male (he is free in the house), but they do get supervised time out together and do GREAT.

Last night I gave Elli a last snack and went to bed. She was fine. This morning I go in and she doesn’t come charging out as usual…and will not leave her wood hut. I pick it up to check on her and get no response. She will not move. When I get her moving she is totally wobbly, trips, fall and looks to have the SLIGHTEST head tilt. I think inner ear infection/head tilt and get a morning vet appointment.

 Upon examination the vet feels her symptoms do not REALLY match an inner ear infection and find no evidence of one. He does a thorough eye exam and thinks that she is blind. No response to movement around her environment or close up to the face. She only responds when you touch her whiskers and than she happily licks you as usual. She also walks really low to the ground and has difficulty navigating..although I haven’t seen her run into anything. Will look fine than suddenly wobble a bunch.

He diagnosed it as a stroke, but that is very unusual at her age. He pretty much ruled out parasite and bacterial infection based on her coming from a good breeder and having clean living conditions. He also checked her heart for anything congenital and it seems fine.

She is always supervised when out. The only thing I can think about is she jumped off my couch funny 3 days ago and landed hard but was up and about right away. He says a slow bleed is possible. She is on an anti-inflammatory for now and if we get no response will go on an anti-biotic.  He thinks her vision should come back if it is trauma.

Anyway, not sure what I am looking for, but just wondering about any similar experiences? Any thoughts or advice would be great.

She certainly will not be allowed on the couch until she is older, although it is her favourite hang out!

[JackRabbit]

Wow. I have no advice but wanted to send vibes for the little girl. {{{{{Elli}}}}}

[MMK]

Well good news is she seems to be feeling a little better tonight. She is being a very good patient and she sucks the end of the dropper as she gets her anti-inflammatory.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Still kind of sounds like head tilt…I’m not sure about ruling out bacterial or fungal based on where she came from. The inner ear infections are not visible and have no warning ahead (i.e. no head shaking or itching).

My vet usually checks for EC and inner ear with an xray-did your vet do any testing? Why not try a course of antibiotics (a long course) anyways?

{{Vibes}} I hope you have an answer soon!

[Bam]

What your vet says about slow bleed etc makes sense, I mean it would be possible, but EC seems somewhat more plausible. http://www.vets-now.com/pet-owners/rabbit-care-advice/e-cuniculi-in-rabbits/

[MMK]

Thanks for the responses. Sorry if I was not clear…the vet rules out a bacterial infection or parasite in the brain based on where she came from…not an ear infection. He did check for that although not with xray.

He felt strongly that it is a stroke because she appears to be blind which would indicate the cranial nerves are affected. That is why he gave the anti-inflammatories and if they don’t work we will try anti-biotics (I guess to treat an ear infection).

Thanks Bam for the link about EC, he did mention this but pretty much wrote it off. I am a little creeped out about this though. All I need is parasites in the house! I am guessing that anti-inflammatories alone would not cure this and that when we ween her off them everything would come back because she still has the parasite. I guess that will be telling. I may discuss this with my vet again. I really hope this is not the case.

Other than the blindness, her eyes look perfect. No Uveitis (I have seen it in horses), which would seem to indicate EC. Bam, do you think it would be sudden onset like this presented? As an aside we are in Canada.

She seems much better this morning. Ran up to the front of the cage as normal, which almost seems like her sight is back, but she could have just heard me. She does seem happier though.

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