Head-tilt Question...

[Jenk]

Can anyone tell me how quickly the symptoms of head tilt typically make themselves apparent? I've long been curious about this and know that several members here have vast experience when it comes to buns with head tilt.

Thank you,

Jenk

 

[Ivory]

It can take a long time, or a short time, it depends on the cause of the head tilt.

Head-tilt caused by trauma, for instance, will generally show up quickly. Head-tilt caused by an infection depends on the progress and severity of the infection. Basically when the damage to the semi-circular canals is severe enough to cause the animal to compensate for its newly found lack of balance, the head will begin to tilt.

As to a specific answer or timeline....it's largely case-dependent.

 

[Jenk]

Ahhh...That makes sense. Thank you, Ivory.

 

[JadeIcing]

I saw that Ringo was acting slightly off. I told my husband that I was calling the vet in the morning. About 20-30mins later. His head was tilted and he was rolling.

 

[Jenk]

JadeIcing wrote:

I saw that Ringo was acting slightly off. I told my husband that I was calling the vet in the morning. About 20-30mins later. His head was tilted and he was rolling.

Wow. In his case, it was quick--and didn't result from a sudden head injury. I take it that Ringo's issue wasn't caused by an ear infection, then?

 

[JadeIcing]

Sneezing with discharge that he was being treated for. His is a long story that I need to get in gear and write up. I may have to with the post I will be making soon. :?

 

[Jenk]

JadeIcing wrote:

Sneezing with discharge that he was being treated for. His is a long story that I need to get in gear and write up. I may have to with the post I will be making soon. :?

:hug2: ray: :hug2:

 

[JadeIcing]

Jenk wrote:

JadeIcing wrote:

Sneezing with discharge that he was being treated for. His is a long story that I need to get in gear and write up. I may have to with the post I will be making soon. :?

:hug2: ray: :hug2:

Thanks. I need it.

 

[Pet_Bunny]

The last time Pebbles had Head tilt (June), it was a Saturday when head started to tilt left slightly.I knew something was wrong when she didn't finish her pellets andhid under her stoolthat night. Sunday, the head tilt was more evident. So I took Pebbles to the Vet on Monday morning at the first available appointment.

We treated her with antibioticsand within 24 hrs,her Head tilt dramatically improved and was successfully healed within 2 weeks.

I believe it was stress related that caused it, but the sooner you treat Head tilt, the better the chance for recovery.

 

[Jenk]

Pet_Bunny wrote:

We treated (Pebbles) with antibioticsand within 24 hrs,her Head tilt dramatically improved and was successfully healed within 2 weeks.

I believe it was stress related that caused it, but the sooner you treat Head tilt, the better the chance for recovery.

I'm curious: What test(s) was/were performed in order to determine which antibiotic was best to use?

 

[Maureen Las]

Usually head tilt is the result of a spreading ear infection so any matter found within the ear canal would be cultured.

it also could be the result of another infection spreading to the ear canal
some cases of headtilt are neurological in nature and the effects of e-cuniculi

 

[Jenk]

angieluv wrote:

Usually head tilt is the result of a spreading ear infectionso any matter found within the ear canal would be cultured.

it also could be the result of another infection spreading to the ear canal
some cases of headtilt are neurological in nature and the effects of e-cuniculi

Does that mean that if any ear matter doesn't culture anything, the rabbit is usually treated automatically for e. cuniculi? To me, if one test has negative results, it makes little sense to pay for an e. cuniculi test if it'sthe remaining option.

If wondering how contageous these issues (ear infection and e. cuniculi) are. If I'm not mistaken, it's thought that many, if not most, rabbits carry e. cuniculi, yes?

 

[JadeIcing]

I believe so.

For Pasteruella which is what Ringo has in him. It is something they all carry. When there immune system is compromised they get sick.

 

[Jenk]

JadeIcing wrote:

I believe so.

Which of my questions are you answering?

For Pasteruella which is what Ringo has in him. It is something they all carry. When there immune system is compromised they get sick.

So I shouldn't worry about Pasteruella being passed between rabbits, if they all carry it, yes? (I'm looking to adopt a new boy either today or tomorrow. But I still worry about various pathogens being passed back-and-forth between my girls and the new guy.)

What about the bacteria that causes an ear infection (and then head tilt): Is it contageous?

Is e. cuniculi contageous, or do most buns carry it (and only have a reaction to it when the immune system is down)?

 

[JadeIcing]

Jenk wrote:

JadeIcing wrote:

I believe so.

Which of my questions are you answering?

The ec being in them.

For Pasteruella which is what Ringo has in him. It is something they all carry. When there immune system is compromised they get sick.

So I shouldn't worry about Pasteruella being passed between rabbits, if they all carry it, yes? (I'm looking to adopt a new boy either today or tomorrow. But I still worry about various pathogens being passed back-and-forth between my girls and the new guy.)

What about the bacteria that causes an ear infection (and then head tilt): Is it contageous?

Is e. cuniculi contageous, or do most buns carry it (and only have a reaction to it when the immune system is down)?

It is one of those these things that you can't predict. I can tell you that Ringo has been around 8 fosters 8 of my own, 2 of my moms buns, and 2 I sat for a few weeks. Not one has become ill being around him. A matter of fact Connor was ill with his own thing at the same time as Ringo and never once did he come down with the same thing as Ringo.

The pasteurella is what causes the head-tilt or should I say to much of it is sometime produced when they are sick.

 

[Pet_Bunny]

Jenk wrote:

Pet_Bunny wrote:

We treated with antibioticsand within 24 hrs,her Head tilt dramatically improved. I believe it was stress related that weakened her immume system.

I'm curious: What test(s) was/were performed in order to determine which antibiotic was best to use?

It is the pasteurella strain that Pebbles will always have which causes her to sneeze and have a wet nose too. It does not affect any other rabbits that she has come in contact with.

The antibiotics was determined from a previous culture test, and I used the same medicine for treatment as I did before.

So for you, it will be a hit and miss in the type of antibiotics the vet would prescribe to you. Only a culture test would determine the right medication.