coco: runny stool and falling over

Question
My rabbit is approx 6 years old.He has been to the vets twice and they do not appear to know what is wrong with him.He has had Diarrhea for about two weeks, had two courses of antibotics which appears to have stopped it,he is eating but his back legs keep going and he falls over.  

Answer
Dear Desi,

You will need the help of a veterinarian who is very experienced with rabbits for this. I hope you can find one via the International Listings link here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

The runny stool may or may not be related to the stress of the hind limb paresis/weakness, but please read this for a more complete background of this condition and the possible causes:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html

Incorrect diet and pain from oral/dental problems are perhaps the most common causes for cecal dysbiosis (characterized by bunny stool):

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

but they are by no means the only possible triggers.  Any source of pain or stress can elicit GI slowdown and runny stool.

The hind limb paresis should be explored as a separate matter. At your bunny's age, he is at the stage where many rabbits show clinical signs of infection with a lifelong parasite passenger, Encephalitozoon cuniculi.  This can be treated with Panacur (fenbendazole) and/or ponazuril (toltrazuril sulfate), but neurological damage cannot be reversed, so it's wise to start treatment and ask about anti-inflammatory drugs (NOT corticosteroids) to get this treated ASAP.

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

Dana