INTRODUCTION. Rabbit syndrome is an antipsychotic-induced dyskinesia of the mouth, characterized by a fine, rapid, involuntary perioral motion that resembles the chewing motion of a rabbit.
Rabbit syndrome is a movement disorder that is associated with long-term exposure to neuroleptic medications. Of particular interest and importance is the risk of rabbit syndrome with exposure to the newer atypical antipsychotics.
What Conditions Can Cause Floppy Bunny Syndrome to Occur? Hypocalcemia (low calcium) – A condition seen in lactating rabbits. Hypoglycemia – A common condition in young rabbits recently rehomed with a change in diet and possible secondary coccidia infections. A simple blood glucose test can help to confirm this.
While rabbit syndrome is believed to be an adverse effect of treatment with typical antipsychotics, it has also been reported to follow treatment with some atypical drugs (risperidone [9-12] and clozapine [13]) and non-antipsychotic drugs such as imipramine.
But there's at least one mental malady that, while common in humans, seems to have spared all other animals: schizophrenia. Though psychotic animals may exist, psychosis has never been observed outside of our own species; whereas depression, OCD, and anxiety traits have been reported in many non-human species.
Like all mammals, rabbits experience of a range of emotions, both basic and complex. A domesticated pet rabbit will understand and mirror the emotions of their owner. If you're happy, you'll find your rabbit reflecting this joy. If you are withdrawn and depressed, a rabbit will express concern for your predicament.
Lack of an interesting environment, opportunities to exercise, appropriate company and mental stimulation can lead rabbits to display abnormal behaviours including depression, fur plucking (self harming), aggression, chewing cage bars, altered feeding, drinking or toileting habits, sitting hunched, excessive hiding, ...
For neurological, neuropsychological, neurophysiological, and metabolic abnormalities of cerebral function, in fact, there is evidence suggesting that antipsychotic medications decrease the abnormalities and return the brain to more normal function.
Amongst the many adverse effects of the first generation, or 'typical' antipsychotics, the most disturbing was Tardive Dyskinesia, which involves uncontrollable movements of face, hands and feet [2].
Rabbits suffering from floppy rabbit syndrome have an appearance of generalized weakness, which varies in severity. The rabbit is likely to be unable to move around and will lie on the ground. Some are unable to lift their heads or even move their limbs.
The prognosis for FRS is guarded to good. Many cases recover within a week with intensive nursing care, regardless of treatments administered. Unfortunately some cases can die from respiratory failure.
Hindlimb paralysis can be a devastating condition. It is essential that your rabbit is treated quickly and kept as comfortable as possible. Some rabbits will recover fully with treatment. For those that are paralysed but pain free, a specially designed cart may allow them to move around comfortably.
It can be transmitted by direct contact with an infected rabbit or by contact with an object, person, clothing, or equipment that has encountered an affected rabbit. Rabbits are also able to catch the virus through consumption of contaminated water or food.
You should do this by reducing your daily dose over a period of weeks or months. The longer you have been taking a drug for, the longer it is likely to take you to safely come off it. Avoid stopping suddenly, if possible.
Antipsychotics are often recommended life-long for people diagnosed with schizophrenia or other serious mental illnesses because they are effective at controlling psychotic symptoms in the short term and might reduce the risk of relapse.
Previous research has also shown that the use of antipsychotics may raise the risk of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia. Metabolic syndrome has, in turn, been associated with heart disease and diabetes.
Some people need to keep taking it long term. If you have only had one psychotic episode and you have recovered well, you would normally need to continue treatment for 1–2 years after recovery. If you have another psychotic episode, you may need to take antipsychotic medication for longer, up to 5 years.
Theoretically, salmonella, listeria and pseudotuberculosis can be passed from rabbits to humans, but the risk is vanishingly small and you are far more likely to catch these diseases via contaminated food.
Anti-thymocyte globulin (rabbit) injection is used together with other medicines to prevent and treat the body from rejecting a transplanted kidney.
They can get mad or frustrated, and they're not afraid to show it! Rabbits can get aggressive if they want to, swiping at you with their claws, or even trying to bite. They might even growl or grunt at you, to vocalize how upset they are. But rabbits can be more subtle and standoffish to show how mad they are too.
Rabbits explore their environment by sniffing and nudging. It may be a greeting or their first line of investigation. But nudging can also indicate a level of bossiness. Your rabbit might be telling you, “You're in my way!” They may also be trying to get your attention because you're not petting them.
If your rabbit has never bitten you before but is suddenly biting, it could be an indicator that your rabbit is in pain or is feeling unwell. Biting used as a behavior to express pain is also common in other pets and wild animals.