Seizures and their various
causes
|
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 pocket. Idiopathic epilepsy
has been observed in white furred, blue-eyed rabbits. 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. |
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 |
|
Central nervous
system (CNS) |
Trauma or disease of
the CNS |
|
Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the brain, accompanied by an inflammatory response of brain cells |
|
|
Pasteurella multocida related encephalitis or otitis interna |
|
|
Toxoplasmosis |
|
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 |
|
|
Magnesium deficiency |
|
|
Cardiac disease |
|
|
Pregnancy 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 fluoroquinolone antibiotics (e.g. Baytril) |
|
Toxicity |
Toxic plants |
|
Insecticide |
|
|
Fertilizer |
|
|
Lead |
Home | Bone diseases | Dental diseases | Cardiology and cardiac diseases | Gastro-intestinal diseases | Hematology | Neurological diseases | Ophthalmologic diseases | Respiratory diseases | Skin diseases | Urogenital diseases |
Preparation for surgery | Various surgical procedures
e-mail: info@medirabbit.com
________________________
Copyright ©
2003-2008 MediRabbit.com
The information on this page may not be
reproduced, or republished on another webpage, website, or elsewhere.
20
APRIL 2003