I think my bunny has been having seizures

Question
Dear Lee Meyer,


In Febuary i bought a rabbit from a pet store. She/ he has been fine since about three weeks ago, I was not home when the first one my family saw. My dad said that she had like a seizure or something like that.
Just earlier today he said that she had another but it was very little, but about five minutes ago I saw her have another. it lasted about five seconds but it was very scary, she was streched out and almost rolling. I left her alone for a little bit and then put some more bedding in her cage because my dad thought maybe she was slipping on the bottom of the cage, after i put more in she started eating it, I dont know if that is something un normal or not. But anyway i went and washed my hands then got her out to hold her and she seemed weak. While iu was holding her i notice a change in her breathing, she would breathe very lightly then i would be able to feel her breathing and she had one or two heavy breaths. When i put her back she hopped in her cage and she leaned to the side a little. Oh and before she had her seizure thing she had a couple spazims where she would just jerk around a little. She right now is shaking a little and digging.
Lately i have also noticed that her poop seems to be a little mooshy, I was wondering if I should maybe get some dritail to put in her water to help with diarreha, if that is what she is having. I don't know what to do or if there is anything i can do? So if you could please help me I would greatly appreciate it. :]

Thank you so much for your time,
Ashley

Answer
Hi Ashley, I haven't seen your rabbit firsthand, so I'm going on your descriptions.

First, are you sure they are seizures?  Are you sure it's just not your bunny doing a normal flop onto her side?  This is totally normal for a happy bunny to do.   They will flop over, sometimes it looks like they are passing out or fainting, and they may roll a bit doing it, to the point they roll onto their backs and they may appear to startle themselves out of it.  They kind of trance themselves but snap out of it.

When they are flopped and in a trance their breathing will change. Often though it may seem exaggerated slow because often before hand they are very active (running around or are doing physical things) and they get their heart rates elevated, and then flop.  You also see them breathing more when they are resting because you can see the abdomen and lungs inflating easier when they are flopped.

They also do stretch out and let the back feet stretch behind them when they are happy and secure and relaxed.

I think you are perhaps confusing a happy, flopping bunny with a bunny that is having a real medical problem.  If you are still concerned the best thing to do is take your gal to a good rabbit vet.  She should have an annual exam (at the very least) each year, just like a dog or cat.  If you've never taken her, do so now.

But it is critical to go to a good rabbit vet.  Not all are.  To find one, start here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

and find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet near you.

And as for mushy poops, reduce food pellets, eliminate any veggies or fruits (she shouldn't have any of this until she's at least 6 months old to avoid gut problems), and increase her hay.  She needs to be eating hay the most.  A good timothy hay.  Oxbow is great.

Lee