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Bunny gets acupuncture for twitching head

Veterinarians are unsure what caused the excessive head circling and twitching of Bugsy, the bunny from Durham's Museum of Life and Science. Bugsy is receiving monthly acupuncture treatments to try to treat the behavior.
/ Source: The Associated Press

A troubled bunny at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham is undergoing acupuncture to help alleviate excessive head twitching and circling.

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The gray bunny named Bugsy first began exhibiting the behavior in 2007. A veterinarian ran a battery of lab tests looking for a bacterial or fungal infection, but nothing was found to explain Bugsy's strange symptoms. Keepers then tried a medication intended for motion sickness, to no effect.

A Durham veterinarian on Tuesday performed Bugsy's third monthly acupuncture and electrotherapy treatment. For the first time, keepers noticed Bugsy stopped twitching his head. Bugsy is a Holland Lop weighing about 3.5 pounds.

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Veterinary specialist Katy Harringer said it is unclear if the treatments will provide long-term relief. Bugsy's next needling session is scheduled for later this month.