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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Facial Paralysis

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    • jerseygirl
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        I’m due to take Gooseman to the vet later today for a recheck. Some of you know what’s been going on with him but for those who don’t, here’s a history.

        He developed a facial abscess in January. X rays revealed he has some bone loss involving ear and jaw, He had surgery to clean out the abscess and we kept it open as long as possible to keep flushing it out.

        Around March, he got some facial paralysis on the RH side. It’s like a spasm rather then palsy, his muscles are permanently contracted so his mouth looks crooked. 

        My concern at the moment is he now always has drool at the corner of his mouth on the affected side. This is new.

        He was making some odd sounds when eating his pellets the other day, similar to what I heard after he had the surgery. I’m not always hearing this, however. I’m also not convinced he’s eating as much hay as usual. 

        There’s a patch of fur on his cheek that hasn’t grown back also. The other fur where he was shaved for surgery has grown back. 

        I’m wondering if he’s not using that side of his mouth and some spurs are starting. Or if he’s even getting good blood flow to this side of his face.  Also, could food get trapped on that side and cause issues?

        What other things do you think I should be aware of with facial paralysis? Anything I should specifically ask the vet about?


      • Q8bunny
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          ((((((vibes for Goosey)))))) JG.


        • Azerane
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            I wish I had some good advice, will be just be sending lots of well wishes for Gooseman.

            How did the vet trip go?


          • Kiahak
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              So, he has tetanic muscles (contracted/spastic muscles) on the right side of his face, but is that the same side he had the abscess and bone loss on?

              There is a nerve called Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve) that runs inside the tympanic bullae (a bone attached to the ear structure). Damage to that nerve can lead to one-sided facial paralysis. The Facial nerve is responsible for muscles of facial expression, but not chewing or tongue movement. Can he still chew (use muscles of mastication) or use his tongue on that side (probably hard to tell on a bunny!)?.

              I know in dogs with very severe ear infections, they can get facial paralysis by damage to that nerve, which can end up in them drooling on one side (if you couldn’t close one side of your mouth, you’d probably drool too), which is probably what your bun is experiencing. He might be making weird sounds because of the facial paralysis.

              The one thing I would suggest is to bring up your concerns with the vet and also ask if your bun is getting adequate tear production on the side of the facial paralysis (the lacrimal gland that feeds tears to the eye is also controlled by the Facial Nerve). You wouldn’t want your buns eyes getting dry (since they don’t blink enough anywho).

              Let us know how it goes! I’m quite interested. Hope all is well.


            • MimzMum
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                Just seeing this, Jerz. I hope Gooseman is doing better.
                I would be concerned that if his face is drooping on that side, that perhaps sensation isn’t great inside his mouth. He could aspirate stuff easily if it gets trapped where he can’t feel it. Is he having any respiratory issues due to the drooping?

                Not much else I can think of. I do hope he is okay. Thinking of you. xxxx


              • kmurphy
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                  Poor Gooseman!
                  Kraken had a facial abscess under his chin near his jaw but luckily it didn’t reach his bone. When they removed it, they removed the entire thing and then stitched it back up. He now has some sort of paralysis on that side. It looks like his cheek is a little pulled back. We thought at first it was because one side of his face was shaved but he still has in now, nine months later. I’m also concerned that Kraken only really uses half of his mouth to chew.

                  I hope Gooseman gets better! Let us know how everything goes.

                  I hope Kraken doesn’t develop any teeth issues too. It sounds like he’s doing well since the abscess. 

                  So far, so good for Gooseman also. 


                • Gina.Jenny
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                    Vibes for you and (((Gooseman)))


                  • jerseygirl
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                      Thanks for your input and vibes everyone!

                      The vet visit was quick but he had a look in the mouth and isn’t seeing anything concerning. He thinks the affected muscle is contracted more but he does have a normal blink reflex, which is an improvement. It’s mostly his lip on that side and lower cheek.
                      The plan to do a more thorough exam under GA if his eating habits decline. He is having a big moult at the moment and been ingesting some cardboard, so this may be why I seen him not quite himself. I’ll need to take that away. He still shows enthusiasm for pellets, greens and I do see him eating hay. I’m not certain how much. If he goes under GA, we’ll take another set of x rays and see whats happening with the bone. On the end of his jaw, the vet feels like he has had some bone growth.

                      One thing I had stopped doing was daily meloxicam. Lately, I’d been giving every other day, because he seemed to be doing so well. It’s only this past week that I have seen the drool and he had an “off day” on Tuesday. The vet said for me to do the daily dose again. If there is pressure affecting the nerve, this may help. If not pressure, it’s more likely damaged.


                    • jerseygirl
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                        Posted By Kiahak on 5/05/2016 4:00 AM

                        So, he has tetanic muscles (contracted/spastic muscles) on the right side of his face, but is that the same side he had the abscess and bone loss on?

                        There is a nerve called Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve) that runs inside the tympanic bullae (a bone attached to the ear structure). Damage to that nerve can lead to one-sided facial paralysis. The Facial nerve is responsible for muscles of facial expression, but not chewing or tongue movement. Can he still chew (use muscles of mastication) or use his tongue on that side (probably hard to tell on a bunny!)?.

                        I know in dogs with very severe ear infections, they can get facial paralysis by damage to that nerve, which can end up in them drooling on one side (if you couldn’t close one side of your mouth, you’d probably drool too), which is probably what your bun is experiencing. He might be making weird sounds because of the facial paralysis.

                        The one thing I would suggest is to bring up your concerns with the vet and also ask if your bun is getting adequate tear production on the side of the facial paralysis (the lacrimal gland that feeds tears to the eye is also controlled by the Facial Nerve). You wouldn’t want your buns eyes getting dry (since they don’t blink enough anywho).

                        Let us know how it goes! I’m quite interested. Hope all is well.

                        Hi Kiahak 

                        Thanks for your input!

                        Yes, the affected muscles are on the side where he had the abscess. The abscess was below the ear behind the end of the mandible. It’s very likely it is the VII nerve affected. He has a partial loss of the tympanic bullae. (I’ve added the original x-ray below, if you’re interested). The muscles started to look like this about a month after he had the abscess excised. During that time I was flushing the wound and he was getting penicillin shots. 

                        The Facial nerve is responsible for muscles of facial expression, but not chewing or tongue movement.

                        That is a real relief to know!

                        Can he still chew (use muscles of mastication) or use his tongue on that side (probably hard to tell on a bunny!)?.

                        It appears he can, thank goodness. The vet thinks there is even wear of the molars also. 

                        I think you’re right about the sound when eating. He might hold a bit more saliva on that side of the mouth also and make a squelching sound. 

                         photo 299a9cfa-be25-4023-bed5-89a4ad82792e_zpsgqosayl7.jpg


                      • jerseygirl
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                          Posted By MimzMum on 5/05/2016 4:21 AM

                          Just seeing this, Jerz. I hope Gooseman is doing better.
                          I would be concerned that if his face is drooping on that side, that perhaps sensation isn’t great inside his mouth. He could aspirate stuff easily if it gets trapped where he can’t feel it. Is he having any respiratory issues due to the drooping?

                          Not much else I can think of. I do hope he is okay. Thinking of you. xxxx

                          Thanks MM.

                          It’s more contracted muscle then drooping. So it pulls the “lip’ on that one side upward. And cheek back. When I do that to my own cheek, it does leave corner of mouth a bit open. 

                          He does have some congestion. He was a sneezer before all this, and I have found a bit goop some days lately. His respiratory issues were present before, not due to the paralysis. His swallowing is not affected, thank goodness.  I hover a bit when I give them pellets and he doesn’t seem to have trouble with them. I do occasionally hear a gag/cough. (Not while eating)  I’ve wondered if he has some of the mucous running into his throat. Bit like a post-nasal drip. 


                        • jerseygirl
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                            Posted By kmurphy on 5/05/2016 8:07 AM

                            Poor Gooseman!
                            Kraken had a facial abscess under his chin near his jaw but luckily it didn’t reach his bone. When they removed it, they removed the entire thing and then stitched it back up. He now has some sort of paralysis on that side. It looks like his cheek is a little pulled back. We thought at first it was because one side of his face was shaved but he still has in now, nine months later. I’m also concerned that Kraken only really uses half of his mouth to chew.

                            I hope Gooseman gets better! Let us know how everything goes.

                            I hope Kraken doesn’t develop any teeth issues too. It sounds like he’s doing well since the abscess. 

                            So far, so good for Gooseman also. 

                            I hope Kraken doesn’t develop any teeth issues too. It sounds like he’s doing well since the abscess. 

                            So far, so good for Gooseman also. 


                          • Q8bunny
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                              Thanks for the update Jersey. I think we’re all relieved.


                            • jerseygirl
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                              • LittlePuffyTail
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                                  I’m glad the vet visit went well. Sending lots of love to you and Gooseman!!!!


                                • LBJ10
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                                    There could be some swelling going on. Even if there is permanent damage, buns often show improvement when the swelling subsides. Perhaps you need to go back to giving him his meds every day for awhile to see if that helps.


                                  • Deleted User
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                                      Hug’s and Kisses…..


                                    • jerseygirl
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                                        Yes, that’s what the vet recommended, to go back to the daily meloxicam. is that what you meant LBJ? Or antibiotics also?
                                        I was reading something about pain in rabbits yesterday too. I feel a bit bad about not having kept up his meloxicam.


                                      • LBJ10
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                                          I meant the Meloxicam. Not only does it relieve pain, it reduces swelling. Like I said, there could be some swelling again that’s putting pressure on the nerve.


                                        • Bam
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                                            Sending him vibes! I absolutely second LBJ, Meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory drug, so it’s useful for reducing swelling. A human would get corticosteroids but (as I know you know) corticosteroids shouldn’t be used on buns if it can be avoided.


                                          • BB & Tiny
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                                              Princess has that also, from the ruptured encapsulation and resulting ear infection. It has gotten better over time, she still can’t move her ear, though I think I saw that lately ? Her eye closes almost completely now and if I stroke her cheek her ear moves. The only issue I’ve noticed since this occurred is crusty stuff in the corner of that eye. This was taken awhile ago.

                                              I hope Gooseman is doing well otherwise


                                            • BinkyBunny
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                                                Sorry I am so late on this. I don’t have much to add at this point as you got Gooseman’s teeth checked, and you are back to giving him the anti-inflammatory meds daily. Let us know if that ends up helping. And thank you Kiahak for your input. That was educational. Actually this whole thread has been very educational. I am just sorry that you and Gooseman are going through this.

                                                Keep us updated.


                                              • jerseygirl
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                                                  Posted By BunLuv on 5/07/2016 10:44 PM

                                                  Princess has that also, from the ruptured encapsulation and resulting ear infection. It has gotten better over time, she still can’t move her ear, though I think I saw that lately ? Her eye closes almost completely now and if I stroke her cheek her ear moves. The only issue I’ve noticed since this occurred is crusty stuff in the corner of that eye. This was taken awhile ago.

                                                  I hope Gooseman is doing well otherwise

                                                  What a sweetie! She looks good BunLuv.

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                                              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Facial Paralysis