My rabbit is ill

Question
Hello dr,
want to discuss my prblm with you. I have a 8 month rabbit and today in the morning dnt know what happened to him his body all of a sudden became stiff and he fall in his cage(seemed as he got fainted) we took him 2 a vet n the doctor said he has caught some infection n also has high fever. He asked to give paracitemol in liquid drops. Bt still my rabbit is behaving very abnormally. He makes abnormal movements with his head n his behaving abnormally bt is having Grass as food in between. n seems vry weak n drowsy as has no power. Dnt knw what has happened to him .plzz help.

Answer
Dear Swapnil,

Paracitemal is a fever-reducing agent (acetominophen) that will do nothing to address your bunny's infection.  We do not use this drug on rabbits here in the U.S., so I cannot attest to its safety in this species.  

Once the paracitemal has run its course, please ask the vet to get your bunny some metacam or Banamine (flunixin meglumine) by injection.  This will help take down the fever.  If you can't get that, use ice packs wrapped in cotton toweling and allow your bunny to lie on them.  Ice cubes, or even cold water, on the ears can help, especially if you gently blow on the ears to cool.

For instructions on taking his temperature, please see:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

If your bunny has an infection, it must be treated with antibiotics.  Rabbit-safe antibiotics include the fluroquinolones, such as Baytril (enrofloxacin), ciprofloxacin, marbofloxacin (Zeniquin) and several others.  Our vets usually administer these at a dose of 20mg/kg once every 12 hours, though zeniquin is given only once every 48 hours.  

DO NOT allow any oral penicillins to be given to your rabbit, as they can be fatal, even a week later or more (it destroys the intestinal flora, which can have a delayed effect).

I hope this helps get your bunny on the road to recovery.

Dana