Falling Concern

[KeltonB]

Hello,

I keep three Netherland Dwarfs. Poodsie (dad), Jelly & Bean(daughters). Sadly, the mom, Meadow, passed away recently. Poodsie is 6and Jelly & Bean are 5.

I allow the rabbits to run around the home office for exercise andplay. I've noticeda couple of times in the past few weeksthat Bean has slipped while running on the chair mat (it is slick) andfell over. She tries to right herself, but only with her front legs,she doesn't use her back legs at all. She will just scratch away withher front legs until I set her rear back up and then off she goes. Thissame type of thing has happended when Bean tried to jump into the cageonce and fell over on her back, this time on the carpet.

Bean seems to run just fine (especially when being chased by Jelly!)and her balance seems perfect when she is sat back on her hind legsgrooming her face.

I have an appointment with the vet late next week, but I'd like someopinions first so I can do some research and be armed with goodinformation for the vet.

Thanks for any insights,

Kelton

 

[Carolyn]

Hello Kelton and Welcome, :sunshine:

I'm sorry about your recent loss. It's so hard when they pass over. Youshould check out a thread here called "Rainbow Bridge". It's got a verymoving poem in it that has brought comfort to many. It is a memorial toour loved ones that have passed over. It should be on this page or the2nd one.

As to Bean, poor little thing. I was first just wondering if theslippery floor was the issue, but seeing that she's done it on thecarpet, it's puzzling. How often does this happen? Does she struggleevery time she goes down or just once in a while?

I'd ask the vet to check her back and her range of motion. I wonder ifshe's got some arthritis that causes her not to bend certain ways dueto pain. I'd have the vet test her balance while you're in there. Doesshe topple over? When she's in this mode, is she paniced or veryexcited? Any other behaviors that you've seen that could indicateneurological issues?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get a bit of history. We'll certainly try to help if we can.

She'll be in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad you made an appointmentwith the vet. It's best that she get checked out, and I admire yourwillingness to go in there having done your homework.

-Carolyn

 

[KeltonB]

Hi Carolyn,

Thank you for the welcome, and the kind words for Meadow. I did readRainbow Bridge and was very moved...I miss Meadow very much.

As for Bean, this has happened three times over the past week...twiceon the chair mat while Jelly was chasing her, and once when she triedto jump into the cage. These are the only times I've seen hergo over, and I've waited 10 to 15 seconds each time to see if she willright herself, but she just scratches wildly with her front legs anddoesn't use her rear legs at all. Her rear legs are out to the side, asif she is laying down, and they do not move at all, almost like sheforgot she has them. I can stand her up and she's off like a rocket.

She doesn't just topple for no reason...she's either slipped whilerunning or fallen off of something each time. Her balance while runningor grooming seems very good. I haven't noticed any other symptoms orbehaviors that would indicate (to me) a neurological problem. Our firstbunny, Doodles (my avatar) was lost to Pasteurella and she had severalneurological problems while she was fighting it, so I kinda know whatto look for, and it breaks my heart to think Bean may be about toexperience the same thing.

Thank you again for the kind words and help.

Kelton

 

[Carolyn]

Gosh, that's really odd, Kelton. I don't know what to say to that behavior.

It sounds as if her back legs become temporarily paralyzed during these times. Is that an accurate description?

-Carolyn

 

Hi Kelton ,Welcome to the Forum , Sorry so longin the wait ,

Sounds like your little friendhas either pinched a nerve or might evenhave slipped a disk , and bysetting her right side up youmay be relieving the pressure on eithercondition , It definately sounds like thereis cause for an xray to be sure itisnt either . please keep us posted .

 

[Carolyn]

Hi Kelton,

Went to my books and binder and I would have the vet look intoE-cuniculi. It could be that Bean is in the early stages of it, as therear end starts to go. There are two drugs in particular that I'd haveto look up that have helped other rabbits. Don't know if your vet wouldbe familiar with them or not. Will get you the names if you wish.

What does this mean? It's serious. The sooner the rabbit is treated,the better. That said, this is somewhat like MS. Beans could have thisoccur 3x this week and then not have another symptom again for a while.Or, he could be unable to get up in the morning - or anything inbetween. Every rabbit reacts differently.

Some breeders who don't particularly care to go to vets have treatedtheir rabbits with Ivermectin, but the correct dosages must be given. Iwill have to do some homework to find those contacts if you wish tospeak to them and choose that route.

ray:

-Carolyn

 

[KeltonB]

Thank you gypsy and Carolyn for the replies.

I will certainly request an x-ray. Also, is there a test forE-cuniculi? I will mention the Ivermectin to the vet as well.I would really appreciate the name of the other drug as well.

I had done some checking on E-cuniculi when Meadow passed as the vethad suspected that or Pasteurella as the cause. I suppose its verylikely if itwas one of those diseases that it was passed onto Bean and the other bunnies. The vet prescribed .25 mls of Baytil 2xper day to kind of "innoculate" them, even though no one was showingany real signs after Meadow's passing.

Thank you again for the opinions and suggestions.

Kelton

 

[Carolyn]

Hi Kelton,

The tests for e.c. usually takes a couple of weeks for the results.

The following is from notes that I've taken from Kathy Smith. (authorof Rabbit Health in the 21st Century 1st and 2nd Editions. (Istrongly recommend the 2nd edition to every rabbit owner out there.)

Drugs that rabbit savvy vets have used for treating E.C. are

-Oxibendazole (used a lot in the midwest).

-Fenbendazole (Penacur - scientific papers on this. Used a lot on the east coast.)

-Albendazole (used to treat tapeworms in humans. Used on the west coast.)

Kathy's vet has used a mixture of Baytril and Oxibendazole with luck.That combination helped prolong the life of a few of her rabbits.

If you want to go the route of Ivermectin, would suggest you visit http://www.barbibrownsbunnies.com/ecuniculi.htm

urplepansy:

-Carolyn

 

[Carolyn]

For Meadow:

Kelton,

You don't know the very Gentle Man that I post as my avatar. His forumname was Buck Jones. I'll revive the post "Who is Buck Jones" for you.

He will tenderly, lovingly, and patiently care for Meadow until it'stime for Meadow to greet you and lead you "Over the Rainbow".

Until you and Meadow are reunited, I would ask you to look at this: http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

With Sympathy,
-Carolyn

 

[KeltonB]

Thanks again for all your help Carolyn.

I wish I could have had the privilege to have met Buck. He obviouslywas a super person. I am fortunate he will be looking over Meadow untilI see her again.

Thank you,

Kelton

 

[Carolyn]

Buck is one of us when it comes to how we adoreour babies. You'll get to know him by seeing some of the posts he'swritten. A very warm, intelligent, wise Mentor to all of us he willalways be.

I can't get you and Bean out of my thoughts. Do keep us posted as to what happens at the vet's.

ray:

-Carolyn

 

[cheryl]

ohh,poor little guy,i really hope he will be ok.

please let us know what happens at the vets.

 

[Carolyn]

Hi Kelton,

How's Bean been?

-Carolyn

 

[KeltonB]

Hi Carolyn,

Bean seems to be doing well. She continues to eat and drink fine andappears to move about okay. There haven't been any more fallingepisodes, especially as I've tried to keep Jelly from chasing her(Jelly is just playing but I don't want Bean to get hurt).

Since I've been having to administer the Baytril (orally with asyringe), I have noticed that Bean isn't as plump as Poodsie or Jelly.She isn't sickly looking, but I can feel her spine whereas I can't onthe other two bunnies, so she's probably under weight even though sheappears to be eating well. She's also the least social of the bunch,preferring a quiet corner to romping around playing chase or pokinginto anything and everything.

I continue to be very concerned about her. Hopefully we can have a good vet visit this week.

I'll certainly keep everyone here up to date with how its all going.

Take care,

Kelton

 

[Carolyn]

Hi Kelton,

Do you need help finding a rabbit savvy vet in your area,Kelton? You can always look on the HRS listing for theirvets, but if you have no luck in there, let me know and I'll see what Ican do to help.

Thanks for the update. I continue to be concerned as welluntil we find out what's going on with her.

ray:

-Carolyn

 

[KeltonB]

Hi Carolyn,

Our appointment this week is with the vet we have been using forseveral years. However, she does not have many rabbit clients, onlythree total including our lot.

I found a vet listing athttp://www.capefearrabbits.org/vet.htmlandam scheduling a second opinion with one of those vets for as soon aspossible. While I really like our current vet, I want to make sure ourbunnies are afforded the best treatment and care possible.

Thank you again for your help,

Kelton

 

[Carolyn]

Well, consider the option open in case you can't find someone.

I'm so glad you're being so diligent about the health and welfare ofBean. What a lucky little babe to have you as aparent. People like you make pet rabbit owners have a goodname.



-Carolyn

 

[bluebird]

Hi i rause N Dwarfs .I dont have any advice but i hope your bunny gets better soon.bluebird

 

[KeltonB]

Thanks everyone. Dropped all the bunnies off atthe vet this morning for the follow-up. I have an appointment scheduledfor tomorrow at the rabbit specialist. Between the two I hope to makesome sense of Bean's symptoms.

I did find something interesting athttp://www.capefearrabbits.org/adoptables.htmlandthe information for "Checkers." It sounds as if this bunny has somevery similar issues that Bean is having.

Will update when I have some more info.

Thanks!!

Kelton

 

[Carolyn]

Hi Kelton,

I'm very anxious to hear what the vet's take on the little one is. I think it's wise to get two opinions.

It was a good summary about Checkers. I felt the story wasencouraging. I can't look at shelter sites. I gettoo bummed out knowing that I can't take them home.

Please let us know what the vet says. My thoughts and prayers go out to Bean and you.

-Carolyn