PLEASE HELP! Emergency!

ctomosky · #1 06/27/09, 09:13 AM

Ok, here's the story.
I went out to the rabbitry today to do some stuff, and one of our Holland Lops, Dylan, was flipping around, like he couldn't get back up, and his neck was off to the right, and the rest of his body was like it was trying to right itself up, but like he couldn't use his feet. His right paw is tucked under his body, and he just keeps falling over, and can't stand up. Please hurry, because I am really worried. Could it be a heart attack or siezures or something? HELP!

rabbithappy · #2 06/27/09, 09:25 AM

I'm not an expert on rabbits, but I am a nurse & it sounds like either a seizure or a stroke. If a seizure, he will get over it fairly quickly & should be able to stand & hop within 1/2 hour or so. If a stroke, you will see a more permanant effect. I hope it is neither of these things, but thats what it sounds like to me.

MaggieJ · #3 06/27/09, 09:35 AM

Seizure, stroke or injury. He could have panicked at a sudden noise etc. and bashed himself on the side of the cage. Keep him quiet and give him the opportunity to drink some water - you could add some electrolytes if you have them - to keep him hydrated. There may be some tips in the current thread about the paralysed rabbit. Sorry I'm not more knowledgeable about this kind of situation.

Backfourty,MI. · #4 06/27/09, 09:53 AM

I have a recipe for homemade electrolyte water that we use for our goats when needed it is:

1 liter water
2 TBSP honey or sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Baking soda

I know this makes up a big batch for bunnies & don't know how long it will keep. Our goats drink it right up that day usually when I make it after kidding, etc.

How about too much sun/heat for your bun? I know it has been a heat wave here & have been making sure all the bun's have frozen water/milk jugs. Even the 2 week old popples like the frozen water bottles.
I have read where too much heat or sun exsposure can make them seem drunk acting, etc.?

Has he snapped out of it or doing any better yet?

ctomosky · #5 06/27/09, 10:22 AM

Well, no change in him so far... And I don't think that it's heat or sun, because even though it has been hot, I have fans out there, and they are in a shed, and it was kinda chilly this morning. We'll try the solution that you have, Backfourty, and if he gets better, can the other rabbits have it to, or is it not good for them? Thank you all so much, I hope he lives.

ctomosky · #6 06/27/09, 10:54 AM

Ok, I held the bottle close to his mouth and he started drinking the solution for a little bit. But once I thought he got the idea I hung it on his cage, but he just ignored it again. He is also lying on his side with his neck still off to the right. And every-so-often he would jump or twist for a second then lie still again. It's been 1/2 hour to an hour now. Is it probably a stroke? Thanks

trinityoaks · #7 06/27/09, 11:32 AM

Is it possible he injued himself? That's kinda the theory I'm operating under with my rabbit right now (see my paralyzed rabbit thread).

Bamboorabbit · #8 06/27/09, 01:29 PM

The bun was 100% normal before? It sounds a bit like wry neck but as a rule you get off behavior before hand.

bbkaren · #9 06/27/09, 01:29 PM

I dont' know anything about it, but isn't there a rabbit illness called "wry neck" that causes this sort of behavior?

ctomosky · #10 06/27/09, 01:42 PM

Is there any way to cure the 'wry neck'? He was acting perfectly fine before, then for a day or so, stopped drinking. Then this...
ETA, I looked it up online, and his symptoms sound a lot like wry neck.

MaggieJ · #11 06/27/09, 02:09 PM

This is the best site I know of for info on wry neck and its treatment:

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

That said, if I had a rabbit with a severe problem of any type, I'd be more likely to put it down, rather than treat it.

crickett · #12 06/27/09, 02:19 PM

Could it have been a snake or spider bite?

ctomosky · #13 06/27/09, 02:36 PM

MaggieJ - that's the site that google came up with, and the rabbit in the picture, top left, is pretty much what he looks like, in terms of the head. If that is the case, then we probably should put it down, but it is one of our pets. :'(
crickett - there was a large spider in the rabbitry about yesterday or the day before, but I don't know what kind it was. Big, black, with big pinchers and fat, hairy legs. And I don't think that a snake could've gotten up to him, because he is at the top of a three-cage stack. From the website that Maggie has, it seems nearly identical.

Bamboorabbit · #14 06/27/09, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctomosky

Is there any way to cure the 'wry neck'? He was acting perfectly fine before, then for a day or so, stopped drinking. Then this...
ETA, I looked it up online, and his symptoms sound a lot like wry neck.

Sadly dehydration seems linked to wry neck..if it is causative or reactionary relationship I just don't know.

Sorry about the bun.....I would put it down if it was mine, an act of kindness.

Backfourty,MI. · #15 06/27/09, 09:08 PM

ctomosky, I would think you can give the electrolyte water solution to the other buns if they need it. I use it for the goats after kiddling mostly. It gives them a little pick me up, some energy & it must taste good so they drink it right up.

I would probly put the poor bun down too, it is too bad but you hate to see them suffer.

I'll have to check out the website maggie put up for you & see what wry neck is & how they can get it too.

trinityoaks · #16 06/27/09, 09:46 PM

That Web site seems to think that wry neck can be successfully treated in many cases. I have no experience with it, but her results seem promising and at least worth a try.

ctomosky · #17 06/28/09, 09:42 AM

Well, trinity oaks, I saw that it could be treated too, but the treatment that he used once took 10 1/2 weeks. By then, it would be too late to figure out whatever it was. I'll go check on him again in a minute.

ctomosky · #18 06/28/09, 09:54 AM

Ok, I checked him, and no change.

I dunno what to do.

Jesse L · #19 06/28/09, 10:51 AM

Somtimes its hard to say what to do.

If he seems like he is done, or looks really bad, you could put him down.

Or - you could try the treatment. But there is not garentee that the treatment will work.

I know I cant sit and watch a rabbit suffer unless I can see the rabbit getting better in the near future.

SheriM · #20 06/28/09, 11:25 AM

Been there, done that. I had a rabbit with exactly the same symptoms you're describing. Get a small amount of Ivermectin into him ASAP. This is an inner ear infection resulting from ear mites. The mites can actually penetrate into the brain and cause brain damage and by then, it's too late. We used, I believe, 1/10 cc injectable ivermectin administered under the skin. Keep him hydrated. Hold the water bottle where he can reach it several times a day. If he stays interested in drinking, you have a chance.