Help - How do I decide whether or not to euthanise?

[Aliena]

My rabbit has had numerous health problems in the two years she has been alive. Her name is Alaska and you may possibly remember me posting on here when she was younger as first she had enteritis and then the tips of her ears died and fell off which was a huge mystery to the vets. After that her back legs were slightly paralysed although she still moved about quite happily.

She was fine for a year and then got an eye infection that couldn't be cured but got to the point where it wasn't getting worse or causing her any pain.

Last week the eye flared up a bit but the vet said it didn't look too bad and she was other wise fine. Then a few days later she got an ear infection. So now she is walking around with her head tipped quite far on one side and she occassionally falls over and struggles to get up again.

The vet said its possible she has an abscess in her brain. She is on oral Baytril and my instructions were if it gets worse to get her put down. Well that was on Tuesday and so far she hasn't gotten any worse but she hasn't gotten any better either. I don't know what to do. She looks terrible but is still eating, drinking and moving around. I can't tell if she's in pain or not. She lives with two other rabbits, one of which has started pushing her around a bit and the other who is by her side almost all the time.

I would really like to hear what other people have to say in this case. I had decided after her eye trouble that the next time something happened I wouldn't keep her alive as she's already been through so much but now that the situation has arisen I can't bring myself to make that call.

 

[Luvr of Wabbits and Polar Bears]

I can't offer much help except baytril wont help with the head-tilt.
My vet says if the bunny is still eating/drinking, pooping/peeing they still have the will to survive.
Is there another vet you can see? As Head-Tilt is treatable if treated properly. I have a bunny that has recovered from head-tilt.
ray: I'll keep your bunny in my thoughts and hope your bunny gets better!

 

[Aliena]

If a rabbit recovers from head tilt does its head straighten up again? I've seen a rabbit that had head tilt before and even though the ear infection cleared up it stayed tilted.

 

[Luvr of Wabbits and Polar Bears]

Some rabbits head remain tilted, some don't. My boy can hold his head up pretty good but once you pick him up is falls over a bit.

Ringo and his Ongoing Story of Hope <-- this story is by one of our mods. She has a boy who has head-tilt.

 

[aurora369]

My first reaction is that Alaska is going to need much better antibiotics than Baytril.

I have read (on this forum) that most people treating head tilt go for something like injectable pen-g, bicillin, Chloropalm or several other antibiotics. Baytril is not very effective at clearing up ear infections or abscesses and is greatly over used.

I would do some research on what antibiotics are commonly used for head tilt and go back to your vet and discuss these options.

I also think you want to look into an "anti-dizzy" medication.

--Dawn

 

[ra7751]

Hi,

Couple of things. First, head tilt is not a reason to euthanize any animal (and don't take this comment wrong...no reflection on your situation) as it is usually treatable. And next, I would suggest finding a rabbit savvy vet.

In most cases of torticollis (aka head tilt or wry neck) itis most often caused by a bacterial infection in the middle and/or inner ear. I have dealt with this numerous times. Baytril is not very effective these days and especially when administered orally. I gave up on Baytril and Sulfa drugs years ago. I would suggest getting a culture to see what is in those ears. The "down" side is always the worst infection. That will isolate the exact pathogen so it will be treated correctly. Pasteurella is the most cultured bacteria but we have also seen staph and pseudomonas as well as yeast. The most effective drug against these pathogens is Chloramphenicol. I have also use Zithromax, Zeniquin (related to Baytril but with no reports of resistance as of yet), Penicillin and Convenia (the latter two drugs are safe only as injectables).....all depends on identification of the pathogen.

Tilt is a long term deal and I have treated for as long as eight months. I also have a full protocol of husbandry and medical support for this condition. The degree of resolution depends on the damage to the inner workings of the ear which is responsible for balance. Improperly treated, the infection can move into the brain stem and/or brain. I have quitea few tilters here with various degrees of correction in their tilt from barely seen to full twist. And I have one that did not receive proper treatment and has brain stem damage.

Time is everything in dealing with this. The longer the infection is in those ears, the less likely to get a full resolution. Most vets are far too conservative in treating ear infections in rabbits. It is much more serious than similar infections in dogs or cats. I attack ear infections with the "big guns"....I don't play since it is so close to the brain. Get aggressive and do it quickly.

Randy

 

[Aliena]

I did get the feeling when the vet prescribed Baytril that it was sort of a half-hearted attempt to treat the situation, I don't think the vet is very hopeful. I have an appointment again on Tuesday so I will ask about trying another anti-biotic. My concern is that I don't want to put Alaska through aggressive treatments given what she's already been through. I just keep going round in circles with my decisions!

 

[Luvr of Wabbits and Polar Bears]

I think you should give Alaska the chance to get better. I understand that she's been threw a lot but, I think you owe her a fighting chance to get better.

 

[Amy27]

I think this is a decision only you can make. Does she seem happy? Does she seem to still be enjoying life.

I think I would get a second opinion. A new vet with new ideas could make a world of difference. I would try that and give it a few weeks and then re-evaluate the situation. Are there really good rabbit vets in your area? Even if you had to drive a little farther it might be worth it.

But I am not in your situation so I can't say exactly what I would do, but I think that is what I would do.

I wish you the best of luck. This has to be very stressful and frustrating. It is a hard decision to make. Keep us updated.

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

my wife and iadopted a havannarabbit with head tilt (infection via dog bite),.we were blessed with her for one and a half years,she lived in a large laundry basket,except for when she got exercises,.she did most of the care for herself,but required assisstance with some things like walking,we miss her very much,but she sucome to her illnesswhen complications set in,.ie high fever,etc..i felt the need to let you know that she loved life and deserved some time,,..sincerely james waller:cry1:

 

[TinysMom]

When I had GingerSpice and she had ongoing health issues - I was a member of a disabled rabbits list. One thing they talked about was the "Three A's" when it came to deciding to euthanize a rabbit.

The three a's are...

Appetite - is the rabbit still eating and enjoying their food?

Alertness - is the rabbit still alert and enjoying life?

Affection - is the rabbit affectionate either with another rabbit or with a person?

If the rabbit had all three A's - it wasn't recommended to euthanize the rabbit.

I've had rabbits that were ill and they all told me when it was time to let them go....you could see it in their eyes - that they were giving up and wanted to pass.

Consider these three A's and watch your rabbit...you'll know when it is time to make that final act of love....

 

[Dev2C]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Alaska Poor girl. I agree that she needs to be treated with stronger medication, and I think waiting until Tuesday is too long. She needs to see a rabbit savvy vet as soon as possible. Also, don't think of aggressive treatments as being harder on Alaska, they aren't any harder on her and could actually help her feel better, unlike the Baytril.

Edit: Oops, this is SnowyShiloh! I didn't realize my boyfriend had logged in!

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

Hugs to you and to Alaska, it is so hard to make that decision, i just recently had to make it and it was heart wrenching. I think it comes down to quality and not quanity, how is she acting, eating, just like Peg said the three A's. But in the end it is only a decision, as crappy as it is, that you will be able to make you know your rabbit the best.

 

[DeniseJP]

TinysMom wrote:

When I had GingerSpice and she had ongoing health issues - I was a member of a disabled rabbits list. One thing they talked about was the "Three A's" when it came to deciding to euthanize a rabbit.

The three a's are...

Appetite - is the rabbit still eating and enjoying their food?

Alertness - is the rabbit still alert and enjoying life?

Affection - is the rabbit affectionate either with another rabbit or with a person?

If the rabbit had all three A's - it wasn't recommended to euthanize the rabbit.

I've had rabbits that were ill and they all told me when it was time to let them go....you could see it in their eyes - that they were giving up and wanted to pass.

Consider these three A's and watch your rabbit...you'll know when it is time to make that final act of love....

Excellent advice - I have used that when I had to decide whether my elderly dogs and cat had to be put down...it is a good barometer of how they are doing.

Hopefully you can get another opinion from a rabbit-savvy veterinarian and that Alaska will continue to fight.

Denise

 

[JadeIcing]

I remember Alaska very well. I can only tell you to follow your heart. Only you know what is right for her. I do feel she may still have a chance but I am not there to see. Ringo has had ALOT of different things go on with him but he always has had the will to fight. So as long as he fights I fight. ray::hug:

 

[Flashy]

I too remember Alaska.

I have a bun with head tilt. She has been left with a tilt after her treatment, but she is perfectly happy, fine and VERY feisty, to be honest.

I think you need to listen to what Alaska wants. Follow her lead and you won't go wrong. Trust your gut instinct.

 

[Flash]

I had a bunny with head-tilt that was back in the mid 70's and they diagnosed it as inner ear infection. He was on an antibiotic and his head was tilted only about 10% and lived a long life.

 

[Aliena]

Thanks for all your advice, the three A's is a great idea and I think she is good in all those categories at the moment although I find it hard to tell if she's enjoying life or not.

My vets are really good for NZ vets, we don't exactly have rabbit-savvy vets. I have heard that there is another vet a little way from me that specialises in exotics so I will try taking her there for a second opinion. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do until Tuesday as I have work.

She seemed better yesterday afternoon so I think I will try a course of better antibiotics and then go from there although I don't hold out a lot of hope. As sad as it sounds, money does factor in to the situation as well. So far I have spent quite a lot on her and my family get quite angry with me when I do that as I'm a university student and don't have a lot of money. Plus the more money and time I spend on her the less there is for my other rabbits so its not very fair on them.

She is quite special to me though, especially after every thing she's been through. I don't want to give up on her yet but I also don't want to be keeping her alive simply for my sakes, I just want to do the best by her.

 

[pla725]

I remember Alaskafrom before. I know she had problems early on and you didn't think she was going to make then.

I understand about the financial part of it. I've had arguments with my parents about it, and I'm live on my own. It doesn't help that I've out of work for four months. Smitten's medical issues have cost me around $3000. She has a will to live. Getting back to your situation as long as Alaska has the will to live and fight I say do everything you can.

 

[anneq]

Here's a very good web-site with some good information on Wry neck (head-tilt)..I wish I would've seen this when I had my Netherland Dwarf...he did recover from his condition and had a moderate tilt to him...but he was a very happy, active bunny that didn't seem to notice he was a bit 'off', lol - I think as long as the bunny has the will to live, and appears not to be in a lot of pain and distress, I'd say treat it as Randy stated, 'aggressively'.
G'luck with her treatment!

Web-site: http://www.barbibrownsbunnies.com/ecuniculi.htm

actually this is over-all just a good site for a lot of rabbit issues - I'm thinking of ordering some of her hay and feed.