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Forum DIET & CARE Sick bunny- seizures after surgery

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    • Irina
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        Help! Butterscotch is my 3 month old bun who was fixed two days ago. After surgery, he was lethargic and would not eat it drink. He went back to the vet yesterday to be fed with Oxbow critical care formula. He started having seizures, and had boos work which showed he was really dehydrated resulting in kidney failure, and some abnormal liver enzymes. He is going yo be treated for E. canaliculi (sp?)- medivine striving tomorriw. he us also on a sulfa drug fir ? coccidium?. He came home last night, and had 10-12 seizures in 3-4 hours. He was really agitated in between, walking back and forth in his cage, and GE kept bumping into the cage- like he could not judge the distance properly. I fed him overnight with the Oxbow for mails and Gatorade by syringe. He kept trying to poop- but nothing would come out. Overnight he settled down, took his feed, and by morning had lots if poops in his cage. He was kind of stunned all day- just sitting in his cage, not really responding to much. When I took him out to feed him, he took the feed and even a piece if apple and carrot. He was still pretty motionless in between feelings and has not touched his hay, pellets, or the water in his cage. He had two seizures tonight that I saw. My vet says this is really uncommon in rabbits, and though he is the rabbit expert here, he has never really dealt with this in a bun before.he has contacted other vets with bunny know how as well- but there aren’t really any other things to do. He told me that if Butterscotch dies not improve once he has finished the 5 day treatment for EC, his prognosis is poor, and he may not recover. I am pretty upset, as there is no way to really know what is wrong with him, or if we are missing something. Has anybody had any experiences like this? Any suggestions? Butterscotch was perfectly healthy prior to surgery, other than being stressed out when Tofu ( his brother), tried to mount him. They were separated as soon as I noticed this… So it was not a longstanding stressor. Can anybody help?


      • Deleted User
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          I’m so sorry, for you and Butterscotch!

          The link below is to a list of vets, biologists and chemists, all Rabbit oriented. May I suggest you go there, sign up and copy your post to them? There are people on it who may be able to help you.

          http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/etherbun.html#otps

          You are both in my prayers, please let us know what happens!


        • MoveDiagonally
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            From what I understand E. cuniculi is a parasite that is transmitted via spores in urine. It likely came from his mother or one of your other rabbits. Something like 52% (some people say 80%) of rabbits have E. cuniculi but only a small percentage (6%) ever show symptoms or have issues. It can cause lesions on the brain, liver, and kidneys causing a variety of issues. Info and descriptions of the usual treatments in links below:

            http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/treatment.shtml
            http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/cuniculi/pyrimethamine.htm
            http://www.vets-now.com/pet-owners/rabbit-care-advice/e-cuniculi-in-rabbits/

            Sending good thoughts to Butterscotch.
            (( Butterscotch ))


          • Irina
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              Thank you. I will look into those links. Another question- Butterscotch never liked to be held for a long period of time. Since he has been sick- he will sit on my lap for as long as I can hold him. I don’t know if it is because he likes it or is too sick/tired to protest. I don’t want to stress him by holding him too much- but at the same time want him to know I am there, and maybe he gets some comfort from the cuddling. Should I keep holding him, or just give him more peace and quiet on his own?


            • Deleted User
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                In my experience even a Very Sick rabbit will let you know when it’s time to put him down. Closeness and attention help a sick animal a lot, can improve their recovery time noticeably. If he is staying with you then I’d say keep him for as long as you can, he needs the contact, wants the reassurance and will let you know when he wants a rest.

                Rabbits that aren’t well also get cool or cold very quickly or easily. One of the safest simplest ways of making sure he stays comfortably warm is holding him, combining your body heat with his.

                I’m sure that his eating is a positive sign, … hang in there, and please keep us posted.


              • Irina
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                  So Butterscotch is not doing so well. Has refused food/water all night. He is still pooping but almost no urine. My vet has recommended subcutaneous injections of saline. Has anybody ever done that? I know how to do it, as u have done it in humans, but how do I hold him so he won’t struggle and get hurt? Also, perhaps I need to be more forceful when I feed him. Had anybody five fed their rabbit? Usually I put the food/water just inside his mouth with the syringe and he gobbles it up. Past 12 hours, he gets upset and struggles to get off my lap. (If I am just petting him, he will stay there) I am afraid to restrain him and cause him pain/more stress.., but I also do not know how to do it. My vet could show me, but it is a 45 minute drive each way, and Butterscotch gets really stressed in the car, and then is downright shaking while at the vet, where he hears all the digs barking. My vet and I both think bringing Butterscotch there would really stress him. Any suggestions?
                  BTW, was I supposed to start a new thread here? I will put in a new topic just in case.


                • LittlePuffyTail
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                    I’m so very sorry your bunny is so unwell.

                    Sub Q fluids can do wonders for a bunny that is feeling poorly. I’ve done it at home here but only after my vet showed me how. It’s a two person job. I would hold the bunny on a towel on the table and my husband would do the needle part. Do you have the supplies at home? You need to make sure the solution is not cold. The method we use is to put the bag in a bowl of warm water until it’s warm (make sure it’s not cold or hot as this can really be bad for bunny). I would really be hesitant to do Sub Q without having someone actually show you how, however.

                    As for force feeding, the best way I found to do it is with a syringe that I cut the tip off with a pair of scissors, but leaving it big enough so the tip can go far enough in his mouth so he doesn’t spit it out. Always be super careful bunny does not aspirate.

                    ((((((Butterscotch- Feel Better Bunny)))))


                  • Irina
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                      Thank you little puffy tail! I have watched a few videos on line. The videos show the bun just sitting on the table without heing restrained?! i thought they would jump- at keast when the needle was inserted. they say the scruff if the neck is nit that sensitive so they don’t feel much. Is that your experience? Of course, i will talk to my vet too.

                      Grey dove- I subscribed to the site you listed- but cannot seem to post my question. It is asking for a yahoo id, which I Do not have, but also do not know where to go to get one. Any ideas?


                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                        We never really had a problem giving Bindi the Sub Q. We just lifted up a bit of skin at the scruff of the neck and inserted the catheter needle. He was not happy about it, but he didn’t try to run away or anything.


                      • Irina
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                          Great news! Butterscotch started nibbling on hay, spirea and dandelion greens. He is even drinking water out if his bowl. All great progress, but he fought me when it came to syringe feeding the Oxbow and Gatorade. I don’t think he is eating/drinking enough on his own yet, but I am afraid he will get hurt if I force him. (Perhaps he is getting his strength back and voicing his opinion!) my question is, how much do I insist? I don’t want to add any stress, but don’t want him to get dehydrated again either. Ideas?

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                      Forum DIET & CARE Sick bunny- seizures after surgery