Elderly rabbit, possibly having strokes, difficulty with balance

[Deleted User]

Hunnie Bunnie started having strokes (or seizures or something) about 2 years ago.  They ceased for a while, but in the last 3 months or so, she has begun having them again.  I took her to the vet when she first started having them and they offered to experiment with antibiotics.  I opted not to, knowing she was already much older that any other rabbit I have had and was concerned the antibiotics would stress her system out.  Then she seemed ok for a while.  Since she started having them again, I worry, a lot, mostly that maybe she is in pain and I wouldn’t know it or how to help her.  How do I know?  I am debating going to the vet again, but Hunnie is really old, and I worry that they are just going to tell me that.  I also worry that I’ll have to put her down soon, which breaks my heart as she is the sweetest little thing, and my best friend.  My income in limited, and the whole vet thing… costs money.  Do I continue chocking it up to her being old (10 years old) and just try to make her as comfortable as I know how, or do I break down and take her to the vet?  What would you do?

Thanks for the advice.

Anna

[Sarita]

I have a friend who has a 13 year old rabbit who was having seizures and the vet put her on phenobarbital and that has helped – they’ve had to up the dosage a few times once the seizures came back. Ask your vet about this.

As far as antibiotics on a 10 year old – it won’t really stress her system out – I have a 12 year old (and have had many senior rabbits on antibiotics with great success).

I have a very good relationship with my vet and my senior rabbit Bogie (12 years old) is having some issues as well and I rather opt to try something rather than nothing before making any decision. I do not want my rabbits to ever suffer and I always opt to euthanize sooner rather than later before my rabbits quality of life suffers greatly but it is only after trying my very best and having a very frank discussion with my vet about all possibilities and outcomes.

I guess the way I look at it is this way – is this condition treatable and is it the ONLY condition you are dealing with – if it’s multiple and you treat one but cannot treat all, would treating that one condition improve quality of life and how long do you continue to treat if that particular treatment is not successful.

That being said, I would have a heart to heart talk with the vet about possible treatments and outcomes – while she is 10 years old if there is something that can be treated with success then you should consider that.

Good luck in whatever you decide but really have a talk with the vet because they can be objective as well as subjective.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the advice, Sarita.  I can only hope my Hunnie Bunnie can live to be 12.  I have a call in to the vet, unfortunately the vet that has worked with Hunnie before is not in today, but their other exotics specialist will be returning my call (hopefully). 

Anna

[Deleted User]

So… I spoke to a vet on the phone, and she said that it sounds like seizures.  She can’t prescribe meds without a current pysical exam on file, so it looks like Hunnie is going to the vet anyway.  Maybe we’ll be able to curb the seizures some and help with any pain she might be having.  Poor little Hunnie Bunnie

[Deleted User]

The vet feels like they are seizures. We had some blood drawn to make sure her liver and kidneys are ok to handle the phenobarbital, and she is getting some tramadol for pain. They are going to flavor the meds, but last year when she broke her pelvis she wouldn’t take the honey flavored pain meds. She wouldn’t let the vet look in her mouth, either, for the teeth grinding… Any tips on how to get her to take the meds consistently?

[Deleted User]

Any tips on how to get a rabbit to take the meds? she really fights me as I try to give her the syringe. 

[Jessie1990]

Maybe try flavoring it with apple juice? I have a rabbit that will only take meds from a simethicone dropper. He likes the flavor of the anti-gas drops, so now he will take anything from that dropper. I saved one from an empty bottle. Maybe try looking up different things for flavor that are rabbit safe?

[Jessie1990]

Also, I just let my rabbits lick it out themselves rather than force feeding.

[Deleted User]

I wish.  She won’t have it.  I’m not sure what to do other than force it down until she gets used to it.  Maybe will try giving her a special treat after…  “conditioning.”  That way maybe there is something positive to look forward to afterward. 

[Foxtrotter]

I have a 9 year old rabbit who had a stroke the other day and we have not taken him to the vet yet. How much did you pay at the vet? I was also wondering did your rabbit lean to the right after her stroke?

Thank you!
Foxtrotter

[BarbaraC]

One of my bunnies hates meds. So when he needs to take something I inject it into a piece of banana and feed it to him that way.

[Bam]

Foxtrotter, this is an old thread. We ask members not to re-open old threads because it creates confusion. Please start a new thread (by clicking the Add Topic-button to the upper left in the section of your choice). That way you’ll get more answers.

You can always call vets and ask for estimates. Prices vary hugely both between clinics and regions. They should be able to tell you their basic exam fee at least. Big full-service animal hospitals are in general the priciest.

I’m locking this thread now.

Bam

[Author]

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