Has my rabbit got epilesy?

Question
Dear Dana,

I have a 10 month old angora crossed lionhead that I rehomed from a rabbit shelter a few months ago. Although she seems to be in good health (eats, poos, behaves normal) she has had a few fits. The fosterparent who was looking after her before said she once hit her head quite hard when she was looking after her but she was fine. In last 5 months she has probably had 4 fits. She starts by running around frantic, bashing into the walls of her hutch and pen and then fits of the floor, stretched out. Each time I pick her up to comfort her and put her on her front so she can breath properly. This always brings her round though she feels limp for a few minutes after. After a few more minutes she is completely fine and carries on as normal, playing as normal and eating and drinking fine. I took her to the vets about this about a month ago and they told me it was stress. I tried to elimate all stress factors (little to no noise where she lives, etc) but she has still had one yesterday. She lives with her littermate, another female and they are so close and get along with no problems. Her littermate shows no signs of stress and is a completely happy rabbit. I am so worried that she will damage her head the way she runs frantic before the fits. I have booked another vet appointment but I would like some advise while I am waiting to see him. Each time I have seen him (for worming tables and jabs) he has said she is completely healthy it is just stress, which I find hard to believe, given they are spoilt rotten. Could this be epilesy?

Answer
Dear Kelli,

These could be panic attacks of some type.  I have heard of only a few rabbits who do this, and no one can really figure out why.  The problem is the unpredictability of the attacks.  You don't want to keep her on Valium for the rest of her life.

I don't think I'd call it "stress" exactly.  But some rabbits can be very easily startled and they go into what Richard Adams called "tharn" mode. They just become insane, and there is no comforting them.

This also could have a medical basis, of course.  What are the circumstances under which she has these attacks?  Is she eating?  Is it possible that she aspirates a bit of food or water, can't breathe, and has a panic attack?

If so, what is the cause of the obstructive problem?  Might she have molar spurs that make her prone to this type of problem that causes her to panic?

A lot of detective work still to be done here, starting with noticing exactly what she was doing when she initiates these "fits". That could tell you a lot about why they are happening.

Hope this helps get you started.

Dana