Sparky's Humum

How is Sparky with her fits now?

This is something that's been on my mind for a while. She's not had a fit since the big one when she first fell out with Theo, and the little one soon after when they had another little scuffle. She still does the 'squirm' but only when her head has been turned down towards her right flank, never on the left. The eye-rolling that accompanied the fits appears to be nystagmus, and at the RWAF conference Richard Saunders said this would normally be related to a balance problem. She has never eye-rolled other than when she was fitting and hyperventiliating. Hudad has seen her stumble a couple of times when she gets up.

I don't really know where to go from here, and my current thinking is that I consider it most likely to be a pasteurella lesion in the brain. She shows no signs of ear infection or EC, and it would not surprise me if she did test positive for EC but it is not active and we could go down the wrong path.

We'd not seen her flop right onto her side for ages and I wondered if that is because if she lays on her side she feels giddy - she always seemed to sit / lay / sleep with her head upright. And the day I mentioned that to her Hudad, she DBF'ed so completely that she almost gave him a heart attack

She seems quite normal, she eats and poops fine and binkies around the bedroom (at 4am, usually ) and does not do anything which causes us any concern. She spends a good part of the night out on the landing in front of Theo's baby gate, although she doesn't like us to know it  but still throws a right strop if there's nothing between them.

The only thing that seems to trigger any problems is stress, and I'm not willing to cause her any just to generate symptoms.

Our best vet is still out on maternity leave, as is one of the other good rabbit vets. If Richard Saunders was more local I would take her to him as he did impress me at the conference, but I am not willing to put her through loads of stress and tests just to find out that it's not something we can do anything about.

It's come down to quality of life, really - it is just fine at the moment, I think if we tried to diagnose the problem* we'd risk causing others such as a flare-up of the pasteurella, we're aware that she might deteriorate very quickly or suddenly and we just make the most of all the time she is happy, healthy and cheeky.



*although I would love to have it diagnosed, and would kick myself if it turned out to be something easily treated.

I think you are doing absolutely the right thing.

She is a sensitive little girl and stress is just so dangerous in buns.

Sending her a great big nose rub.

I agree with Katie. And sending lots of nose rubs too.

Nose rubs for Sparky and I will bring her some of that green hay we have as a treat when we come to you Saturday. "Sparky do not tell the other buns" 

I cannot wait to meet her and the other wood buns.

You do brilliant with her , you have fantastic Huparents Sparky.  

Hi Sparky, have you ever considered Bach rescue Remedy? I treat all of my animals wheever they are poorly. It works brilliantly on kids and animals. They come as stock bottles and need to be diluted for small creatures. I can provide you with a ready to use solution if you want. I wonder whether I want to post something on the Firmary side-thinking of little Thomas and his friends. Certainly any stress wants to be avoided.

I agree with Katie I think you are doing the best that you can for her but then I don't doubt you never do  

You do such a good job with Sparky!  Excellent vet care provided.  A rich environment for her to stay entertained and perfect her nortiness videos and correspondence courses.  You've at least tried to provide her with a companion and her with Theo the special rare lop-eared tiger.  Sparky does really seem to be a people bunny.  She is the princess of the Wood Warren and seems to be most content with that! 

Well, thanks a lot you lot - my nose is rubbed quite raw now  

Seriously, Humum says thanks, it can be difficult in a situation like this trying to decide what to do for the best, especially when what you decide to do is nothing. It's nice that people whose knowledge and opinions she holds in high esteem agree  

BugsBunny wrote:Nose rubs for Sparky and I will bring her some of that green hay we have as a treat when we come to you Saturday. "Sparky do not tell the other buns" 

Thank you very much, that is very kind. Don't let Humum give it to me though or I will glare at it in horror, run off and eye it warily from the far corner. If you give it to me I'll nom it all up  

c.bolduan wrote:Hi Sparky, have you ever considered Bach rescue Remedy? I treat all of my animals wheever they are poorly. It works brilliantly on kids and animals. They come as stock bottles and need to be diluted for small creatures. I can provide you with a ready to use solution if you want. I wonder whether I want to post something on the Firmary side-thinking of little Thomas and his friends. Certainly any stress wants to be avoided.

I have Echinacea - dried always available and a liquid in my water if I seem stressy. I've also tried Zylkene but it didn't seem to make much difference. I'm not all that stressed at the moment (my tea was on time  ) but we'll bear it in mind if I get another pasteurella flare-up. Thank you

Do not worry Sparky I will give it straight to you special girl. I wont let your Humum touch it   , it is all yours and we would not want you to be stressed since you are calm atm  . I also have that bag of excel herbage for you and the Theo, yes you have you have to share it and be kind, I think you may be able to spare Theo some of the Timothy too, just don't go hopping over his baby gate at night and duffing him up   .

I think you're making the right decision

I'm glad she seems fine at the moment

Sending vibes for Sparky

I am sending lots of love and warm cuddles.

Hugs

Jo xx