I think Fiona's head is tilting!
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tonyshuman
Well-Known Member
Oh no! Here's hoping it's something easy to treat...
ra7751
Well-Known Member
Hi,
Torticollis....aka as wry neck or head tilt....is almost always caused by a bacterial infection in the middle and/or inner ear. About the only other thing that definitely causes tilt is obvious head trauma. Contrary to popular belief, E Cuniculi does notprimarily cause head tilt (as has been the general belief for years). EC compromises the immune system and that can allow bacterial infections to invade. Ear infections are much more serious in rabbits than in dogs or cats. Most vets treat ear infections far too conservatively. Ear infections have produced the highest body temps of any infection I have even seen....and I have seen a lot of infections. Sometimes the body temp will reach near 106F and that is dangerous. Keep in mind that the ear infection may be a stand alone infection....or could be secondary to a dental problem as well as EC. Around here, I fire all the big guns against ear infections. The treatment should also include lots of support in the form of pain management, hydration and nutritional support.
And in hoping it's an easy fix....we have had ear mites cause slight tilting. It is also much easier to treat an ear infection when it's caught early....and that seems to be the case here. Keep us posted.
Randy
Torticollis....aka as wry neck or head tilt....is almost always caused by a bacterial infection in the middle and/or inner ear. About the only other thing that definitely causes tilt is obvious head trauma. Contrary to popular belief, E Cuniculi does notprimarily cause head tilt (as has been the general belief for years). EC compromises the immune system and that can allow bacterial infections to invade. Ear infections are much more serious in rabbits than in dogs or cats. Most vets treat ear infections far too conservatively. Ear infections have produced the highest body temps of any infection I have even seen....and I have seen a lot of infections. Sometimes the body temp will reach near 106F and that is dangerous. Keep in mind that the ear infection may be a stand alone infection....or could be secondary to a dental problem as well as EC. Around here, I fire all the big guns against ear infections. The treatment should also include lots of support in the form of pain management, hydration and nutritional support.
And in hoping it's an easy fix....we have had ear mites cause slight tilting. It is also much easier to treat an ear infection when it's caught early....and that seems to be the case here. Keep us posted.
Randy
Well, Randy, you are right. It IS ear mites!! She also does have a slight upper respiratory infection but he said she does not have "head tilt" but did have ear mites. So, he gave me some kind of antibiotic and I already have ear mite meds so hopefully she'll respond well to those treatments and be just fine.
I'll keep you all posted!
I'll keep you all posted!
ra7751
Well-Known Member
That's about as good as it gets. Make sure you stay up on the mite treatment. I usually treat once a week for four weeks....that is a bit different that most vets but it is very effective. What antibiotic were you given? The mites can cause infection in the ears....so again, stay on top of it. This is one of those rare opportunities to do a pre-emptive strike against an infection and keep it in check before it becomes a problem.
Randy
Randy
Thanks so much for the great advice. The antibiotic is a sulpha drug (so my friend said) and all it says on the bottle is SMZ-TMP. .15 ml twice a day. How does that sound? Oh, he wants to re-check her in 3 weeks for the ears and resp. problem.
ra7751
Well-Known Member
Umm....that wouldn't be my first choice for a drug....in my non-professional opinion. I haven't used it in years. Not trying to contradict your vet. I've found it to be ineffective....but I treat really sick animals. It can be very rough on the gut. I would suggest using a probiotic such as Bene-Bac to support the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Lots of hay and water. Sulfanomides have been linked to a condition known as Tyzzer's Disease. Watch the gut closely. A proper diet should prevent this condition from happening. I will say that I have used this drug in years past with no adverse effects others than a slightly upset GI which was managed by probiotics and proper diet.
Randy
Randy
Rabbits are lactose intolerant and cannot eat dairy products although some vets will still "prescribe " yogurt in leiu of a probiotic like benebac.
best to go with benebac or you can use probios which is sold at farm stores like farm and fleet for horses. You are looking for a probiotic containing lactobacillus casei as this is the microrganism that will help establish and keep the gut balanced in a rabbit
and , of course, my source of information for the above is Randy
best to go with benebac or you can use probios which is sold at farm stores like farm and fleet for horses. You are looking for a probiotic containing lactobacillus casei as this is the microrganism that will help establish and keep the gut balanced in a rabbit
and , of course, my source of information for the above is Randy
Pipp
Well-Known Member
Bijou wrote:
Rabbits shouldn't eat yogurt, even the plain stuff is very high in sugar, and some rabbits become lactose intolerant as they age.
Glad this was something minor!
sas :bunnydance:
Rabbits shouldn't eat yogurt, even the plain stuff is very high in sugar, and some rabbits become lactose intolerant as they age.
Glad this was something minor!
sas :bunnydance:
