Very Sick Bunny

[DayJRuggir]

My little girl, Meatball, just turned four months old. Three days ago I noticed she stopped using her hind legs. She is only held by me and when she went to bed the night before she was fine. When I woke up the next morning she was not. I rushed her to the vet where they took an xray. There are no broken bones and her spine is fine. She was eating and was in no sign of pain. The vets kept her over night and I picked her up on Friday afternoon. She has been on a pain killer every since. She has been home and I have had to clean her bottom every couple of hours. As of yesterday her eating slowed considerably. Today her nose is runny and one eye is crusting. This little bunny has stolen my heart and I am so attached. I feel she is in too much pain and doesnt have much ahead of her. Has anyone ever heard of anything like this?? I have been doing so much research and cannot find anything. The vet believes she is too young to have most of the rabbit viruses. I contacted the breeder and she does not know either. I feel helpless….. anyone have any experience like this? thank you to all!

[TARM]

I don’t have any answers, I just want to say I hope you find a cause for her lameness and resp symptoms. Healing vibes your way!

[jerseygirl]

I would say you need to update your vet on the developments. Is the vet very experienced with rabbits? If you feel he/she is not, I’m sure some people here can direct you to a rabbit vet in your area. I will try alert the community leaders to assist you as you need to get on top of any illness in a rabbit asap! Hope all turns out well for you and Meatball…I will try rally up some knowledgable people now.

[jerseygirl]

I sent an alert but don’t know if I was successful yet. I just re-read your post. She was eating and in no sign of pain at the vets? Then the vet gave you pain meds? Am I reading that wrong? If you could post what type of med it is that might be useful too for when others see this post. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. I’ve not experienced this problem before.

[osprey]

Hind end instability and incontinence sound like a neurological problem. I cannot offer any advice other than to say I really hope your baby comes through this OK. {{{{Meat Ball}}}}

[MooBunnay]

Hello there DayJRuggir! I’m so sorry to hear that your bunny is sick.

The first thing I am wondering is if you know how “rabbit savvy” your vet is. Some vets (even exotic) vets are not as familiar with rabbits as the more specialized rabbit vets, and so they can’t diagnose the more complex illnesses.

A good listing of rabbit savvy vets is at the house rabbit society, here is the link: http://www.rabbit.org

I am not very familiar with the disease E Cuniculli, but the symptoms sound very familiar to one of the situations another forum leader went through. I am going to try to contact her to see if she can respond to you.

[DayJRuggir]

They gave her the pain medication because they assumed it was some type of swelling and thought that the pain medication could reduce that and get her mobility back.  The medication is an oral injection that she injests.  It is called Metacam Oral (dispense per 0.1ml) Give one syringe by mouth daily for pain.  They gave us 12.

Thanks for all of your help.

[MooBunnay]

Have you been force feeding Meatball at all? You can give bunny’s critical care, which vets usually carry or instead of that, you can mix pellets in water until you get a slurry and try to feed that. It is very important to keep Meatball eating and drinking water.

[DayJRuggir]

We have been hand feeding her for the past few days.  She is just too lame to make it to her food and water bowls regularly by herself.  We are just hoping someone has heard of this before and knows of a possible treatment.

[rabbitsmba]

I am thinking e. cunniculi as well.  E.C. affects the brain and one of the symptoms is paralysis.  The crusty eye and runny nose sounds like pasteurella as well.

I am not too sure your vet is rabbit-savvy enough to deal with this.  Metacam is for pain but do we even know if there is pain?  Is Meatball grinding her teeth loudly?

I really don’t want to say anymore as I am not a vet, but having had a rabbit go through head tilt caused by e.c. I did a lot of research.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-2/e-cuniculi.html

Hope this helps. 

Whereabouts are you located?  Perhaps we can help you find a great vet……

[RabbitPam]

http://www.rabbit.org/care/medical-leads.html

Here is the link to the House Rabbit Society’s page on emergency contacting a vet.

If you click their link to find a vet near you, it will give you a selection of vets to call.

Also, they list numbers of vets your vet can call on the phone to get a consultation, though it does say to leave the consultations between vets.

Hang in there.

[BinkyBunny]

This is very important – Talk to your vet about e.cuniculi. Because IF your bunny is suffering from e.cuniculi, she needs to have meds specifically for this ASAP to stop it from getting worse. In some cases, the treatment can help reverse part of it, but it’s important to act fast so permanent damage is not done.

There is an e.cuniculi test they can do to see if she tests positive or not. IF she tests positive, it doesn’t necessarily mean that this is the problem since some rabbits can test positive and not show symptoms. But if she tests negative at least you know that is ruled out.  In the meantime, most vets will offer the treatment right away while waiting for the results because of how imperative it is to start treatment.

My bunny Bailey had e.cuniculi and had hind leg weakness, and did improve with treatment and physical therapy. My vet taught me how to help do home PT for her. So if you have to go down the route, I can help you with that. But in the meantime, please talk to your vet asap about this, or find a rabbit savvy vet. (it concerns me that your current vet AND the breeder didn’t automatically think of this as it is very common in rabbits)  If you find that there are no nearby recommended vets from the the site that MooBunnay gave you, then when you call around to your local vets, try to find one that specializes in exotics.  Amazingly – even though rabbits are common, they are considered exotics in the vet world because of the specialized treatment and care that they need.

I am soooo sorry you are having to deal with this.  It is heartbreaking to watch our bunnies go through this.  Sending out healing vibes your way.

[Binkles]

I second (or third or fourth or fifth) the E.C. Sounds like a textbook case to me.

(Of course, it may not be, but it does sound VERY indicative.)

I will post all the links I have on E. Cunniculi and its known treatments, and remember, DON’T stop reading something just because it starts talking about something like head tilt or inner-ear things since your bunny doesn’t have them; E.C. can affect a LOT of things in a bunny, including, but not limited to, neurological problems.

https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=2&postid=38158&view=topic

http://www.barbibrownsbunnies.com/ecuniculi.htm

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-2/e-cuniculi.html

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/RabbitVet/message/9326

Also, my own bit of advice is this -don’t hesitate to ask anyone and EVERYONE you can about their opinions/ experiences with bunny illnesses!! Especially if it does turn out to be E.C. (There are a lot of varying takes on how to treat it and such.) So I must urge you to post your particular situation on AllExperts:

http://www.allexperts.com/el/703-9/Rabbits/

(Do note that I don’t believe ANY of the replies you get from anyone here should be taken at face-value; it is more or less just a REALLY good way to gather information about your particular case to present to your vet.)

I researched a LOT about E.C. when Little-Bit had her ear infection. Turns out it was not linked to E.C., thank God, but since it is a relatively under-studied disease, I learned an incredible amount by posting on AllExperts and just listening to what all the different ‘experts’ (and by ‘experts’, in this case, they mean they are experts in lagomorph medicine, not E.C.) had to say.

ALSO!!: Please, someone correct me if I am off, but my understanding of E.C. is that while it is often mistakenly labelled as a neurological problem, it is actually is a parasite that attacks the immune system and overwhelms it, thereby opening the door for other parasites and bacteria to overpopulate in various places, hence why the symptoms of E.C. are so varied.

(This theory is one of the many that I recieved from asking AllExperts, and the one that I’ve personally taken to be true just based on facts and logic.)

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

^^ Ditto all of that!!

{{ MEATBALL }}

Please keep us posted

[rabbitsmba]

Yes, E.C. is a parasite that can manifest itself in many ways and affect a rabbit in many ways as well. Many rabbits have been exposed to E.C. but can live their entire lives never showing any symptoms. Some rabbits immune systems are compromised, so when they get the snuffles or something relatively minor, it can trigger the e.c. and result in more extensive issues. At least that is how I understand it.

[Beka27]

thank goodness she has you looking out for her. i do not have experience with this particular subject, but i do agree that you need to do some further research on the topic, and try to find another vet to either consult with yours, or to start seeing for this issue.

[BinkyBunny]

Binkles – I ditto Rabbtsmba. Yes, E.C. is a parasite.

[Binkles]

Well, my main point being that the overall immune system needs to be VERY well-monitored because new problems could arise at any time.

Anyway, do you have any updates for us, Day?

[DayJRuggir]

Thank you for all the help from everyone!!! It was all very informative. Unfortunately the following day after my initial post Meatball gave up her fight. I am still heartbroken and cannot bare to cleanout any of her cages. She was also a classroom pet for my students (although I never let them hold her because I was scared she would get hurt, turns out even that was not enough to protect her from EC). She was my first bunny ever and although my students have all bounced back and are ready for me to bring in a new one (ahhh to be able to have the mind of a child), I still do not know if I can do it again. I’m scared something might happen….

But thank you to all of you!!! You really did help alot!!

[Sarita]

Oh so sorry to hear this.

Rabbits are very fragile creatures and the possible stress of a classroom is probably not the best place for them.

[Beka27]

i’m so sorry to hear this. Binky Free Meatball!

[Lightchick]

Oh, no! Poor Meatball! Poor you! My sincerest condolences…

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’m so sorry for your loss. It truly is heartbreaking. You gave Meatball a goodlife and she was happy for it.

Binky Free Meatball

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

[osprey]

Binky Free, Meatball, and hugs to you DayJRuggir. I hope you find it in your heart to take another bunny into your home one day soon.

[MimzMum]

Oh DayJ I am so sorry to hear this! My heartfelt prayers for you and Meatball, may she be happily jumping through green fields and warm sunshine on the other side of the Bridge. (((((((((Meatball)))))))))
Yes, a classroom is a stressful place for an animal of any kind, but especially rabbits. Children simply do not have the depth of understanding when it comes to loss like this. It is a good opportunity to educate them on death, loss, grief and recovery as well as responsibility. If another animal were to come into the classroom right away, perhaps they would not see how important it is to value the life that has passed before committing to caring for a new one.

Whatever your decision, I wish you the best.

[jerseygirl]

DayJRuggir, I’m saddened to read that you lost Meatball. You probably know that rabbits are susceptible to all sorts of things and can go very quickly but it is still hard however. Even though she was very young, they endear themselves to you very quickly don’t they!  Perhaps in time, you may like to share a little about Meatballs character in the Support section as a Memorial.  So sorry for your loss.

[TARM]

Oh, I’m sorry for you and your students. Binky free Meatball.

[RabbitPam]

My condolences to you, and to the children, for Meatball.
It’s so hard to lose someone so fragile and dear.

[Binkles]

Oh, My prayers are with you and your students, Day. D: Bunnies are indeed very fraile creatures…but it is still extremely painful to lose them..

Just remember, Meatball is in a pain-free place now. Maybe she’ll even meet Binkles. I know some here may not agree with me, but it is my strong belief that you will see Meatball again. We just have to be patient and wait a little while.

[BinkyBunny]

I’m so sorry. I know this hurts! We all know how special bunnies are and that losing them can really be so hard! It will take time.

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Aw, man. Don’t let your bad situation make you miss out on how great rabbits can be in the future. BTW, I loved the name Meatball. I forsee a pet in my near future with that name in honor of your little bun.

[Author]

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