Head turning

[Julia M]

Anyone seen a rabbit turn its head repeatedly to one side over and over? Not up and down - from straight to one side and back.

This guy is a 6.5 year old dwarf rabbit who is starting to lose control of his back end. One side is worse than the other. Vet says it is often seen with elderly dwarf breeds and will slowly get worse. Rabbit's spirits are good and still game to eat and hop around... albiet a little lop-sided.

Insight into head turning?

 

[JBun]

Do you mean head tilt? If it is head tilt, you need to get into your vet immediately. It can be caused by an inner ear infection or e. cuniculi, a parasite, and needs to be treated immediately and aggressively, to have the greatest chance of saving your rabbit. Definitely talk to your vet right away.

 

[Julia M]

No, it is not head tilt. It is like he turning his head to look at something behind him. Over and over. But not the typical tilt often seen in rabbits. Just finished a dose of antibiotics for bladder infection. This rabbit is not stranger to the vet! Unfortunately vet is closed for the weekend.

 

[Ape337]

Is he looking back at the one side that is worse than the other? Maybe he's looking back because he knows something is going on back there? Unless you think it looks like a compulsive tic?:?

 

[Nancy McClelland]

No idea on the turning, but you may need anti-inflamatories or treat with a steroid--not too terribly old, but not a youngster either.