Our rabbit is still falling over. He has been on enroflaxicin for 3 weeks, vet/blood test says it is not Pasteurella.

Question
QUESTION: Our beloved (indoor) Red Satin rabbit started falling over occasionally and it gradually increased.  When he fell over he would lay there for a few seconds and then get up.  He has a little trouble getting up but always does.

We took him to the vet and the blood test said it isn't Pasteurella.  The vet thinks it is an ear infection, but she noted that his ears are clean.  She put him on ear drops (Tresaderm 1x per day) and Enroflaxicin 2x per day.  He started falling over less.  He was on the ear drops for the first week and is still on the Enroflaxicin.  

The vet's office called to check on him and I told her about him falling over again even after being on the meds for almost 3 weeks.  She has extended the Enroflaxicin for another 2 weeks and he is still on it.

He fell over again yesterday morning and again this afternoon.  It seemed like he couldn't get up, but finally he did.  He seems to still have strength in his legs.  When I put him on the patio to run around (weather permitting), he is able to.

He is still eating, drinking, pooping etc.  His behavior seems normal (except the falling over).  He has lost about 1/2 pound (he was 8 pounds), but is still eating all the food I give him (as well as the little extra to help him gain his weight back).

I was reading an article about E.cuniculi and this is the only part that seems to fit what he is doing.  "Frequently there are signs preceding a head tilt caused by E.cuniculi such as tripping, dragging of feet, tipping over".  The vet did not mention this as a possibility.  Should we ask the vet to test him for E.cuniculi?  How do they test for this?  Will the Enroflaxicin help if he has this?  Do we have to worry about our other rabbit (in another cage) getting this and how can I reduce the risks?

Does it sound like an ear infection and does it take 3 weeks (or more) to get over it?  Should the Enroflaxicin eventually heal him?  What else could it be?  What else can I do to help him?

We hate to see him falling over and are worried that he is not getting better.  We love him and it hurts to see this happening to him.  

Thanks so much for your help!

ANSWER: Dear Beth,

I would suggest you use the list linked here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to find a vet who is a bit more experienced with rabbits.  If there is no sign of ear infection, this really could be incipient E. cuniculi signs, and these must be treated promptly to avoid further damage.  Our vets have had excellent results combining both Panacur (fenbendazole) with Marquis (ponazuril), the former at 20mg/kg once a day, and the latter at 50mg/kg once per day for 30 days total.

I hope this helps.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We are in a small remote community and their office is the only one around that even deals with rabbits.  There are a few vets in the office but other than that, they are only choice we have.  

I checked the list and there is nothing remotely near us.  It would be about a 2 1/2 hour drive to the nearest big city.  Would the long drive be too stressful for him?  Should I ask his current vet to test for this or should we take the long drive to see a new vet?  I just don't know what is best to do for him.

Thanks for your help..

ANSWER: Dear Beth,

Ask the vet if he would be willing to treat your bunny for E. cuniculi, even without the titer (which won't necessarily tell you much, anyway).  We often do this, since the tests are expensive and inconclusive.

The ponazuril is expensive, but the Panacur is not.  I would hope you could at least ask your vet about trying this.  Please refer him to this article:

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

but *especially* the linked article by Dr. Susan Brown, an expert rabbit vet.

I hope it will help.  If the condition continues to deteriorate and your vet won't try the Panacur, it would be worth a long drive to try and get help.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dana,

We took our bun to a different vet today.  She gave him a more thorough exam and thinks it may be E.Cuniculi.  He will be on on .65cc of fenbendazole (daily)for 30 days.  She is hestitant to use ponazuril because it is for horses.  She said if the fenbendazole doesn't work, then she would be willing to try the ponazuril at that point.

Thanks so much for your help!  I will try to update you again after he is on this med for a while.  I sure hope it helps him!

Beth

Answer
Dear Beth,

While ponazuril was developed for horses, we have been using it with excellent results for rabbits, cottontails and hares.  Many rabbit vets are now using it to treat coccidiosis and E. cuniculi in rabbits, so your vet might want to ask about this on some of the professional listserves if the Panacur doesn't work.  We have actually had very good results when combining the two drugs.

I hope your bunny will be fine soon.

Dana