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episodes

22 11:12:22

Question
My best bunny friend Joey is 8 years old. During the past three or so months he has been experiencing strange episodes that appeared to me to be mini strokes, but after many vet examinations it seems that is not the diagnosis.  What happens is that there have been three times now when I have heard banging in his area, and have arrived to find him fallen over to one side (so far all times on the left side) and struggling but unable to get up.  Each of these times he is somewhat stiff in the left side for up to (usually less than) one hour.  After the hour has past he is sitting back up without that lopsidedness, and seems to able to utilize all limbs.  Vets have prescribed anti-inflamatories for him suspecting he slipped and suffered a minor trama.  However, this morning the episode (making this the third) happened again.

Other factors:
1)Hock foot on back right foot which is regularly proffessionally cleaned and wrapped
2)Bunny has lost weight (60 grams since July so his food has been switched to a better quality and higher fat content)
3)since taking the anti-inflamatories his heart rate has noticably decreased

So far all vets have not been able to diagnose this issue.  Do you have any idea what may be causing these episodes?  Could it be siezures?

Thank you so much for your help!

Aundraya Rivera  

Answer
Dear Aundraya,

These episodes could be strokes or some other neurological problem, but because they are chronic and on one side, I would also consider it a possibility that he's showing signs consistent with what could develop into head tilt.

Please read:

www.rabbit.org/health/tilt.html

and

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

for complete information.

It doesn't sound as if the vet you're seeing is familiar with rabbits if s/he thinks the bunny "slipped and hurt himself," which is not something rabbits do.  So please find a more rabbit-savvy vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I hope this helps.

Dana