Rabbits And Strokes: What You Need To Know

Rabbits can suffer from both vascular strokes and heat strokes. Heat stroke can be fatal and is characterised by symptoms such as reddening of the ears and weakness or slow movement. To prevent heat stroke, rabbits should be kept out of direct sunlight and provided with shade, cool surfaces to lie on, and plenty of water. Vascular strokes are uncommon in rabbits, but they do occur, particularly in older rabbits. Symptoms of a vascular stroke include a loss of motor function on one side of the body, involuntary eye movements, and hind leg paralysis. If you suspect your rabbit is having a stroke, you should take them to the vet immediately.

Rabbits can suffer from heat stroke

Rabbits can also suffer from strokes, or cerebrovascular accidents. If your rabbit exhibits odd neurological behaviour, get them to the vet immediately. Death is sometimes the only symptom of a stroke in rabbits, but other symptoms include a loss of motor function on one side of the body, involuntary eye movements (nystagmus), and hind leg paralysis. If your rabbit is suffering from a stroke, your vet may give them a corticosteroid injection to reduce pain and inflammation, along with blood thinners if a clot is suspected. However, supportive care is the only real treatment, which may include manually expressing your rabbit's bladder, hand-feeding, and intravenous fluid therapy.

Symptoms of a stroke in rabbits

Rabbits can suffer from two types of strokes: vascular strokes and heat strokes. While vascular strokes are uncommon in rabbits, heat strokes are more common as rabbits are more susceptible to heat stroke than humans.

Symptoms of a vascular stroke in rabbits can include a sudden loss of motor function on one side of the body. This can manifest as a head tilt, known as torticollis, which can result in the rabbit being unable to walk and spending most of its time lying on its side. The rabbit may also experience involuntary, side-to-side eye movements, known as nystagmus, and hind leg paralysis. In some cases, the rabbit may exhibit odd neurological behaviour, such as muscle twitching or spasms, which may indicate a stroke if they are prolonged and accompanied by impaired neurological function. Unfortunately, death can sometimes be the only symptom of a stroke in rabbits.

Symptoms of a heat stroke in rabbits include reddening of the ears and weakness or slow movement. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to begin misting their ears with cool water and immediately call your veterinarian.

Diagnosing strokes in rabbits

Recognising Symptoms

It is important to be vigilant and observe your rabbit for any unusual behavioural or neurological changes. Some common signs of a stroke in rabbits include:

• Sudden loss of motor function on one side of the body
• Head tilt (torticollis)
• Involuntary eye movements (nystagmus)
• Hind leg paralysis
• Muscle twitching or spasms
• Seizures

Veterinary Examination

If you notice any of the above symptoms or suspect your rabbit is having a stroke, it is crucial to seek veterinary assistance immediately. During the examination, the veterinarian will perform a thorough physical and neurological evaluation, including checking for neurological deficits and assessing the rabbit's reflexes, coordination, and muscle strength. They will also review the rabbit's medical history and rule out other potential causes of the symptoms, such as gastrointestinal obstruction or middle-ear infection.

Diagnostic Tests

To confirm a stroke diagnosis, the veterinarian may recommend advanced imaging techniques:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This technique provides detailed images of the rabbit's brain and can detect signs of stroke, such as lesions or bleeding.
• Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT scan): This tool creates cross-sectional images of the rabbit's brain, helping to identify any abnormalities or blockages in blood flow.

These advanced imaging techniques are considered the most definitive methods for diagnosing strokes in rabbits. However, not all veterinary clinics may have access to these specialised tools.

Additional Tests

In some cases, the veterinarian may recommend additional tests to rule out other conditions or identify underlying causes:

• Blood tests: These can help evaluate overall health, identify infections, and assess for conditions such as lead poisoning.
• X-rays: X-rays can reveal bone fractures, gastrointestinal obstructions, or signs of infection.
• Bacterial culture and antimicrobial sensitivity testing: These tests can identify specific bacterial infections and guide antibiotic treatment.
• Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation: Analysing the cerebrospinal fluid can help detect infections or inflammation in the central nervous system.

Differential Diagnoses

It is important to consider other conditions that may present with similar symptoms to a stroke. These can include:

• Encephalitozoonosis: Caused by the parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi, this condition can lead to neurological signs such as head tilt, nystagmus, and seizures.
• Pasteurellosis: An infection caused by Pasteurella multocida bacteria, which can result in head tilt, nystagmus, and torticollis.
• Vertebral fracture or luxation: Trauma to the spine can lead to posterior paralysis and loss of motor control.
• Cerebrospinal nematodiasis: Infection by Baylisascaris procyonis or Baylisascaris columnaris roundworms, resulting in severe neurological signs.

Treating rabbits with strokes

If you suspect your rabbit is having a stroke, get them to a vet immediately. While strokes are uncommon in rabbits, the symptoms can resemble less serious afflictions. A vet will be able to rule out other potential causes of your rabbit's symptoms, such as gastrointestinal obstruction, a middle-ear infection, or E. cuniculi (a microscopic parasite that invades tissues with high blood supply).

To diagnose a stroke, a vet will likely perform blood tests and X-rays, and may also use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans. If your rabbit has had a stroke, the vet may give them a corticosteroid injection to reduce pain and inflammation, and blood thinners if they suspect a clot. However, supportive care is the only real treatment. This may include manually expressing your rabbit's bladder several times a day, hand-feeding them, and providing intravenous fluid therapy.

In the case of heat stroke, which rabbits are particularly susceptible to, it is important to act quickly. Move the rabbit to a cool space, offer them water to drink, and start cooling them down by spritzing their coat with cool water or standing them in a few inches of tepid water. Avoid using ice water, as this can cause shock. If the rabbit is not showing signs of improvement, get emergency veterinary treatment.

How to prevent rabbits from getting strokes

Rabbits can get strokes, and it can be scary to witness your pet in this condition. While strokes are uncommon in rabbits, they are more likely to occur in older bunnies. It's important to be able to identify the symptoms of a stroke and know how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

To prevent your rabbit from getting a stroke, it's crucial to keep them cool, especially in hot weather. Rabbits are more susceptible to heat stroke than humans, so take extra care when the temperature rises. Provide shade, access to cool surfaces like stone or ceramic tiles, and ensure there is a constant supply of cool, fresh water. You can even add ice cubes to their water or freeze water bottles for them to lie next to. Grooming your rabbit to remove excess fur can also help keep them cool.

Additionally, be aware of the symptoms of a potential stroke. If your rabbit exhibits odd neurological behavior, such as a sudden loss of motor function on one side of their body or involuntary eye movements (known as nystagmus), get them to the vet immediately. A rabbit's head tilting to one side, or torticollis, can also be a sign of a stroke or another underlying condition, so don't panic, but do seek veterinary advice promptly.

While strokes in rabbits can be scary, taking preventive measures and recognizing the signs can help ensure your bunny gets the care they need. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, your furry friend has a good chance of recovering and getting back to their playful self.

Frequently asked questions