My rabbit is paralised!

Question
Hi Pam, twice now my un-spayed female rabbit has gone paralised for no apparent reason. The first time this happened(about a year ago)she had babies that were 4 weeks old and I went to feed them, and Polly was lying on the floor of the hutch unable to move at all! I did not really know what to do so I kept her inside and hand fed/watered her for about a week, and she gradually got better until she was back to normal again as if nothing had ever happened at all! This happened again 3 days ago(this time without the babies) , and I think I will do the same thing as last time, as she got better. You may be wondering why I asked this question. I asked this question because I have no idea what is going on! I have owned and bred rabbits for 5 years, so I know that it is not normal for a rabbit to randomly get paralised for no reason. I did not go to a vet the first time because there were no vets nearby that I trusted and knew enough about rabbits to tell me what is wrong.I would really love to know why this is happening to my rabbit.
From Alison Meyer

Answer
Hi Alison

That is definitely a baffling question.  I found some information on E. Cuniculi where rabbits who have had paralysis have recovered but it was with the use of antibiotics.  

This is what it says
Because E. cuniculi are protozoa, they do not respond to antibiotics in the same way as bacteria. At the present time there is no drug therapy in the United States that can destroy E. cuniculi. That is the job of the immune system. However, some animals appear to be improved or stabilized when treated with Tetracycline or Chloramphenicol.

I have no idea what is happening to your rabbit but you should really take her in for lab work.  They might be able to determine the cause before it becomes irreversible.

I am attaching a website that might help you.  I have never encountered this but it seems to be a neurological problem of some sort.  I really hope that she recovers fully like she did before but again she should be examined.

Good luck and please let me know what you find out or how she makes out.

Pam  

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-2/e-cuniculi.html