long term prognosis for EC

One of my rabbits has suspected EC. His symptoms first manifested 10 days ago when he needed another dental. He has a pronounced head tilt, the eye on that side is closed. He also has problems with depth perception and falls over and convulses/flips from side to side. When he is outside in his run he is almost normal, in that he is able to scamper about, eat grass, chill out with wifey bun. He does fall over a now and again, but usually just lies still until he feels able to get up. Most of his balance problems arise when he is in his crate. He cannot seem to judge the distance of the bars around him. He flips/ rolls/ convulses a lot. I have padded his crate with vet bed, but still worried that he is going to hurt himself when I am not there to help him.

He went for a check up on his teeth last week and the vet we saw was not very positive and wanted to call it a day then. She said I was fighting a losing battle and that he must have severe lesions on his brain because of his head tilt and the fact he was very contorted at the vets, unable to even stand up ( most likely due to the car journey to get there ). She said he also has an enlarged liver and possibly renal damage too. I said I wanted to try for a little longer, because, as just stated when he is outside he is totally different.

We have another appointment to see the small animal specialist tonight to discuss options. I am going to request a blood test to confirm diagnosis and also talk about trying some other drugs if needed. He is currently on Panacur, Metacam and Baytril.

My question is ; what kind of prognosis can I hope for ? Is he likely to get worse after current treatment is completed ? At present I feel its worth perservering with him because he so obviously enjoys being outside and is determined to fight his disabilities. I am not aiming for a cure, just to manage his condition and maintain his quality of life. I am open to positive suggetions for further treatments.
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Im afraid I dont know much about EC but I did want to say that im sending get well vibes to your little boy.

Fingers crossed there is something that can be done.

read my topic, see my vids and hope hope!!

here

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here

Have you considered tryng an anti-vertigo drug on him alongside the other medications?

Also, in very serious cases steroids can be indicated to try and reduce the inflammation associated with the lesions which cause the neurological symptoms.

Sooz wrote:Have you considered tryng an anti-vertigo drug on him alongside the other medications?

Also, in very serious cases steroids can be indicated to try and reduce the inflammation associated with the lesions which cause the neurological symptoms.

Which anti - vertigo drug could I use and what is the dose, please ? I did ask about this, mentioned benzodiazepine and drammamine. I was told that it would be something to consider if he got worse, but maybe I could go back and ask for some anyway.

I discussed using steroids, but both vet and I agreed that the result would only be temporary. His immune system is already compromised and steroid treatment would just compromise it even more. Its something to keep in reserve as a last ditch attempt, though.


We saw a different vet tonight, who is a small animal specialist. He is always open to trying new things and I did go prepared with some stuff I printed off from a couple of US sites. He looked it up for me and I had a read. I was thinking about trying an anti - malaria drug coupled with a sulfa drug and a non- steroidal anti -inflammatry drug. What I read on these US websites sounded quite promising. However, Ian has access to a larger data base than I do and he showed me some stuff written by one of the top US rabbit vets, who says the studies conducted on this ' cocktail ' are really not effective. Ian also showed me the results of tests done over here in a lab using cultures. A variety of treatments were tested, including this ' cocktail ' and the most effective result was obtained from the treatment Theo is already on, ie, the standard EC treatment.

I will keep trying, but I am not very hopeful. I can see defeat looming on the horizon . I am worried that he is losing weight, despite eating plenty of grass, veggies and me syringing Critical Care into him. He doesn't seem to be able to co-ordinate eating rabbit nuggets, although he will nibble on one or 2 and will nibble on barley rings and fenugreek crunchies. I don't think he can manage hay.

So sorry to hear about this. I can't give you any advice but send lots of healing vibes.

Sorry I am no help at all with advice but am sending lots of healing vibes. x

Stemetil is an anti-vertigo drug that can be used in rabbits.

If your bun is struggling to eat pellets you can soften them with boiled water and syringe feed. Chopped hay can be fed this way too.

Sending loads of vibes for you both xx

Sixer wrote:Stemetil is an anti-vertigo drug that can be used in rabbits.

If your bun is struggling to eat pellets you can soften them with boiled water and syringe feed. Chopped hay can be fed this way too.

Sending loads of vibes for you both xx

Thanks for that , I will contact my vet about using it.

He is being syringe fed critical care and he can eat barley rings, crunchies, etc.

Sorry I have no knowledge about this, but best of luck and many vibes that he is OK.

Does anyone know the doseage for Stemitil,please ?

Bigwig, I had to inject cortisone intramuscular for 3 days, after that I had to switch to Metacam (orally)
You should ask the vet for the doseage, surely we are not the people that may tell you!
Did you try feeding him carrot puree with a syringe? Do you try giving him herbs like parsley, mint, basil....? Rufus is not eating pellets, I buy new veg every day to get him going.
Could you videotape him, so I can see whether is like Rufus or worse?
How much does he weigh? Rufus is 3 kg and he gets 0.6 ml of Panacur, 0.6 ml Metacam Cat and 0.3 ml Baytril (injections)
Keep us updated please!

bigwig wrote:Does anyone know the doseage for Stemitil,please ?

Am trying to find out. All I know is that it will be based on the weight of the rabbit.