Ongoing Problems - Continual Deterioration

Question
Dear Dana

Many thanks for your quick response.  She has not had any blood samples taken as my vet advised she would have to sedate her to do so and wouldnt advise this due to her state of health.  I will however speak to the vet to see if this is something that she is able to do.

Thanks again

Fiona
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-----Question-----
Hi

I have a 3 year old female mixed breed lop.  I have been attending the vet with her weekly since mid October.  In October she slowly started having problems with her legs, this then led to one day her having no balance and her head being tilted to the right hand side, very floppy to hold.  Vet diagnosed possible e-cuniculi and she was put on course of panacur and baytril.  Vet didn't expect her to get through the next couple of days (when we were on daily vet visits).  However she did seem to pick up remarkably.  Treatment over next few weeks has consisted of different steroid injections (inclusive of anabolics), vitbee shots.  Approx a fortnight ago she seemed to have significantly improved.  Since then she has however had a continual weight loss of approx 0.1kg per week (she was a big bunny originally 3.6kg, now weighing in at 2.5kg due to muscle wastage from her legs).  Her legs have continually got worse.  We have somebody looking after her 24/7 to ensure she is ok.  The last few days she has taken a downward turn from, which, if I am honest, I am trying to come to terms with whether or not this should continue for her sake.  She looks very distant when you see her eyes, she does not try to walk.  She is still keeping herself relatively clean although we do give her baths (which she loves) to make sure she is always comfortable.  She has still been eating and drinking (although yesterday had to be prompted to do both).  The vet is now advising that she doesn't think it was e-cuniculi but is definitely neurological.  Is there anything you can suggest that may help?  She does still seem to be relatively happy and being a house rabbit we are making lots of time for her to stretch her legs and to enable her to relax downstairs.  She can still support herself in a sitting position (although head back tilted to the right) and shuffle forwards/backwards a little bit.  I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.  

Many thanks

Fiona
-----Answer-----
Dear Fiona,

The fact that the Panacur worked does suggest that the problem might have been at least partly to do with E. cuniculi.  And that parasite can not only cause permanent nervous system damage, but also kidney damage.  Renal disease/failure is often associated with muscle wasting and weight loss, plus general lethargy and malaise as toxins build up in the bloodstream, making the bunny feel miserable.  Subcutaneous fluid therapy can help bunny feel better, but if this is a chronic renal problem it will go only so far.

Has the bunny had any bloodwork done to check her liver values and B.U.N. and creatine?  A full blood count would also reveal whether there is an infection going on--or an anemia also often associated with late stage renal failure.

Blood values will help tell the vet whether this is something treatable or not, and that would be the first step I'd take for this bunny.

You might also be interested in the information in these articles:

www.rabbit.org/health/tilt.html (written by a very well respected rabbit vet, Dr. Susan Brown)

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

I hope this helps.

Dana

Answer
Dear Fiona,

?!?

I've *never* heard of a vet who felt it necessary to put a bunny under anesthesia for a simple blood draw.  I would suggest you use this list:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to find a vet who is more familiar with rabbit procedures who can do this with confidence.  There's really no reason at all that a bunny can't have a blood draw (e.g., from the lateral saphenous vein on the outside of the hind leg) while fully conscious, if she's being held by a competent tech.

Hope this helps.

Dana