Seizures and their various causes

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True seizures are rare in rabbits. When observed, they show a swift onset and last a few minutes. Recovery is generally complete. In rare cases, seizures leave the rabbit in a comatose state or can be accompanied by blindness. Seizure-like behavior is often related to intense pain, with the rabbit throwing itself on its side; eyes rolling in their socket.

Idiopathic epilepsy has been observed in white furred, blue-eyed rabbits.

Two types of seizures are observed in rabbits: partial seizures with awareness of the environment, and generalized seizure with loss of conscience of the environment.

Pancake suffering from a partial seizure episode with muscle tremor in his body and rapid eye twitching.

Videos courtesy of Delia Canas.

It is important to determine the cause of the seizure must be determined, before starting medication. The treatment of seizures in rabbits is commonly attempted with diazepam or midazolam, and short-term administration of glucocorticoids, in order to reduce the inflammation. In some cases, antiepileptic drugs are administrated to rabbits; unfortunately, their efficiency decreases with time.

Flora going through an episode of generalized seizure, with sudden throwing on its side and body stretching and contracting.

Differential diagnosis for seizure in rabbits

Viral infection	Herpes simplex virus (HSV) related encephalitis
	Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD), terminal stage

Parasitic infestation	Presence of burrowing (rodent) mites
	Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the brain, accompanied by an inflammatory response of brain cells
	Toxoplasmosis
	Presence of the parasite Baylisascaris procyonis

Central nervous system (CNS)	Trauma or disease of the CNS or head
	Cerebrovascular disorder, after e.g. head trauma
	Pasteurella multocida related encephalitis or otitis interna
	Toxoplasmosis

Organ failure	Renal failure
	Hypothyroidism

Systemic causes	Gastro-intestinal stasis, accompanied by severe pain
	Terminal hepatic lipidosis and ketosis
	Azotemia (excess of nitrogen in the blood), eventually accompanied by renal failure
	Hyper- or hypoglycemia
	Hyper- or hypocalcemia
	Hyper- or hyponatremia
	Magnesium deficiency
	Cardiac disease
	Gestation toxemia

“Mechanical” causes	Arteriosclerosis and mineralization of main blood vessels
	Mineralization of the brain blood vessels/arteriosclerosis
	Tumor, neoplasia, abscess, or lesion that invades a sensitive part of brain tissue, or the nervous system
	Surface irritation, e.g. rubbing fur, piece of hay trapped in anal gland
	Agonal phenomenon

Medication	Administration of high dosages of antibiotics, like quinolones (e.g. Baytril), penicillins
	Lidocaine

Toxicity	Toxic plants
	Insecticide
	Fertilizer
	Lead

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