Rabbit moving head back and forth

[cmelton392]

Rabbit head back forth
I bought a few rabbits about a week ago. When I brought them home this white one was a little bit calmer than the others and just kind of said in the corner. At that time she was not shaking her head. The cage I put her in previously had a rabbit that had a head tilt. I was told by the previous owner that the head tilt was caused from a fall out of its cage when it was little.

I read that moving their head back and forth could be what happens before they get head till. If that's the case I wonder if the previous rabbit that already has had till has something else and has now given it to the new rabbit. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mileybun]

I believe this is called scanning. I think it's quite common in red eyed whites? Although this does seem to be to the extreme!

 

[Catlyn]

That doesn't look like common scanning. Watching the movements gave me an icky feeling. Especially as it looks to be rhythmic. It looks more like the rabbit struggles with controlling her head?
I would get her to a vet for a proper check though.

 

[Mileybun]

Hence why I said it seems to be extreme

 

[JBun]

To me that looks like the typical scanning that many REW rabbits will do because of difficulty with their vision. Maybe your rabbit is doing it now because of smelling or hearing something putting her on alert. My REW bun would especially do it whenever somewhere new, or when hearing or smelling something strange. She particularly hated it when I cooked, and would sit there scanning back and forth, and thumping at me.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Eyes
http://vgr1.com/vision/
Though if your rabbit is doing it excessively, having other medical symptoms occur, or if in doubt about something being a potential medical issue, it's always best to consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

If the cage wasn't disinfected after the head tilt rabbit, with the proper rabbit safe disinfectant, that is something that should probably still be done. As well as discussing with an experienced rabbit vet, possibly doing an e. cuniculi prophylaxis treatment, if there is any possibility the previous rabbit with head tilt could have had EC.

https://rabbit.org/veterinarians/