Head Tilt?

[Carlie]

Last night Dandie's head was turned to the left, and it seemed as if he couldn't move it. When he hopped, he would just go in circles because his body was all tilted to the left. But then, it stopped and he was fine again. But today, it has started again, only worse. This time, along with the other symptoms, his eyes are really strange. They keep jerking to the left about once every second, so that you can see quite a bit of the white part. His eyes are really scaring me, it looks as if he can't control jerking and he hasn't stopped! I don't think he was doing this when I picked him up from his cage. It just started a while later while I was holding him on the couch. He looks so uncomfortable but I don't think he's unhappy. When I rub his nose he does the teeth-grinding thing. I'm just so scared and don't know what to do! Do you have any idea of what would have caused this? The only differences he has had in the pastcouple of days has been that I built him a two level cage instead of one (I don't think that has anything to do with it but you never know), he had a carrot a few days ago for the first time, and also had some Romaine lettuce for the first time yesterday. He is pooping, peeing, eating, and drinking normally, so there's nothing wrong with that. Any idea of what's wrong, please?:bigtears:

 

[naturestee]

Poor Dandie! Give him a nose rub for me!

He really needs to go to a vet as soon as possible. Head tilt is usually caused by either an ear infection or a parasite called E. cuniculi. Both can be treated, but the sooner they're treated the better they will recover.

Call your vet immediately. Get him there as soon as you can. When you have time, there's lots of info about head tilt here:

http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=11840&forum_id=10

 

[Carlie]

Oh no! I know something like this was going to happen before I found a rabbit vet! I don't know if the vet I take my dogs and cats to is experienced with rabbits! I haven't exactly found Dandie a vet yet... If the vet isn't experienced, should I still take him?:?

 

[Carlie]

My mom: "That rabbit is worth $15, I'm not taking it to the vet!" Wow. This is so horrible and I am so mad at her right now. I'm going to call my neighbor, who has a sister who is a vet. She might be able to help me. It's better than nothing.:cry3The poor baby.

 

[naturestee]

It would be best if you could get him in to an experienced rabbit vet, as someone who doesn't know much about rabbits might not know how to treat this. Have you checked our Rabbit-Savvy Vet Listings? Here's the one for Indiana:
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=11601&forum_id=9

If there's nobody listed near you, try calling your nearest shelter that has rabbits. Tell them you have an emergency and you need an experienced rabbit vet. You can also call around at the vets in your area, especially if there is an exotic specialist. "Exotic" doesn't always mean "rabbit-savvy," but they're more likely to know more about rabbits or they might know who to send you to.

 

[naturestee]

Carlie wrote:

My mom: "That rabbit is worth $15, I'm not taking it to the vet!" Wow. This is so horrible and I am so mad at her right now. I'm going to call my neighbor, who has a sister who is a vet. She might be able to help me. It's better than nothing.:cry3The poor baby.

That's awful! So she wouldn't take a "free to good home" kitten to a vet either?

 

[Spring]

Ughh. I have the same problem with my mom. The time Pepsi was very sick.. I had to give an arm and a leg to make her know just how seriously Pepsi needed to see a vet.. made me feel so trapped! Drove me insanse!

I'm not sure what I could suggest, but I hope your bun is ok .

 

[naturestee]

How's Dandie? Did you manage to convince your mom?

 

[m.e.]

ray:

 

[Carlie]

I meant to update earlier but I just kept forgetting. My neighbor (the bunny lady) came down and looked at Dandie. She said it wasn't that serious (yet) and not to panic. She has hada lot of experience with rabbits so I trust her. She is going to talk to another 'bunny lady'. She said the other bunny lady will need to keep Dandie over at her house so she can watch him and help him and stuff. Then, when we know exactly what's wrong, my mother is going to buy Dandie the medicine necessary. If necessary, she agreed to take him to the vet. She said she feels bad about the other night and I guess she now understands that head tilt really is a problem. Which is great! It seems that Dandie is actually getting better, since today he didn't do the eye rolling, head jerking, and hopped inpretty straight lines,but my neighbor said it might just have been one of his 'good days'. To conclude, Dandie is going to be in good hands now and will hopefully get better!Thank you for all of your concern. Dandie and I appreciate it!

 

[Spring]

Hmm. Are you sure? I think these kinds of things shouldn't be left to get worse. I read they should be treated as soon as possible to avoid complications. Do they know yet if it's an ear infection or something?

I hope she gets better!

 

[naturestee]

He really does need medication, and the type depends on the cause. There are two main causes of head tilt- ear infection (usually inner, not visible in the exterior ear) and E. cuniculi infestation. Sometimes ear mites are blamed for causing an ear infection, and those would need to be treated too. If you can't get him to a vet (which would be best because the cause could be properly diagnosed), is the "bunny lady" able to get the medicine for him? Read up on head tilt and print off some of the articles here:

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=11840&forum_id=10

This article lists the different causes of head tilt:

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/head_tilt.htm

And this is an article from a breeder who has had success in treating E. cuniculi-caused head tilt.

http://www.barbibrownsbunnies.com/ecuniculi.htm

Before giving the rabbit any medication, make sure it is safe and in the proper dosage. You'll need to be very, very careful about treating him without a vet. This site recommends appropriate doses for rabbits, based on their weight.

http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rx/drugcalc.html

Keep us updated!

urplepansy:

 

[Carlie]

It would be horrible if all of a sudden it got worse! Dandie had another good day today. I'm getting frustrated since my neighbor hasn't called yet...:?But I don't really have anything new to report on. And yes, the "bunny lady" will help get me medicine. If we find it is incurable without a vet, my mom says she will take him.

 

[Spring]

I'd get a vets opinion just incase. I'm not sure if it's the case here, but I know some medicines if used improperly can do moreharm than good.Is the 'bunny lady' just rabbit knowledgable? Or is she experienced in medicines ect?

Hope your buns alright .

 

[Spring]

How is she? Any news on treatment?

 

[Carlie]

Actually, Dandie's head isn't tilted anymore...at all! I'm kind of confused. It's been like this for the last couple of days. He looks like it never even happened. I think it's gone...?

 

[Spring]

Did he get any treatment at all? These kind of (if it is) infections I don't think go away just like that. I'd still get him checked out by a vet to be sure.

 

[Bramble Briar86]

I hope your bunny gets better and stays better!

ray:

Ellie

 

[Carlie]

m.e.'s rabbit, Peanuthad a tilt that disapeared but when she went to the vet it still had a mild infection... so maybe that will prove to my mom that we should take Dandie in just in case. He could have the same thing that Peanut did. We would have took him in right away if it weren't for the money aspect. :?I'll go ask her right away!

 

[m.e.]

Yes, please do

Peanut's head tilt did go away, but the infection cause complications that resulted in severe coordination and balance issues. It's been a week and she's still not 100% eating on her own. Head tilt, whatever the cause, is a very serious thing.

Keep us posted ray: