Rabbit head tilt

[m4tty]

Hi patch,

One of our rabbits has developed head tilt and is constantly tilting his head down to the left. It's getting worse and he's rolling around the floor not being able to gain his balance to stand up properly.

We took him to the vet last week who prescribed panacur rabbit oral paste and recovery liquid feed. I didn't go into the room with the vet my mrs did so I don't really know what was said.

I don't know much but he was sneezing for a few months prior to head tilt so I think he may have an ear infection which has gone to his inner ear. Should I ask et for a radiograph to check this out as what they've prescribed is not helping the head tilt and I don't know of this particular vet specialises in rabbits.

He's gone off his food and is not pooing much but were helping him get water by squeezing the bottle to make it easier for him.

Bob the rabbit is part of our family and hate to see him suffer so any advice appreciated. Should I take him back to get tomorrow?

Cheers.

 

[Apache]

Almost certainly a parasite called E.caniculi. The Panacur kills it but even so the head tilt may remain forever or take a long time to improve. Sometimes anti-inflamatories can help. If the rabbit is not eating you MUST take it back. Rabbits die quickly if not eating. Try tempting the bunny.

Not good I'm afraid. I can't imagine you'll find anything on x-rays. You could ask to see a bunny specialist.

 

[m4tty]

Been feeding him cucumber and softening up his hard food but he's drinking ok. Gonna take him back to vet as soon as possible. Thanks

 

[m4tty]

Thanks for the advice patch. Just to let you know we took him to the vet at 1200 Sunday night and they've put him to sleep. He couldn't stand up just rolled and rolled with no balance. Just had to tell my 7 year old daughter he bunny is in rabbit heaven. Broke my heart

 

[Badger]

im sorry to jear that mate its never good when you loose part of the family

 

[NozSpark]

Thanks for the advice patch. Just to let you know we took him to the vet at 1200 Sunday night and they've put him to sleep. He couldn't stand up just rolled and rolled with no balance. Just had to tell my 7 year old daughter he bunny is in rabbit heaven. Broke my heart

I know how you feel, we lost our cat a couple of weeks ago; it's heart breaking, especially for the kids

 

[Apache]

I'm very sorry, but not especially surprised. It sounded bad.

 

[steptoe]

 

[m4tty]

Thanks guys much appreciated

 

[batty]

Very sorry Matty very hard when you loose a member of the family.

 

[tom1]

hi mate. my rabbit has developed head tilt, he was quite sick on thurs but has had baytril + Panacur, and a night off rabbit recovery and has improved. when i say improved he is eating and drinking running around a bit and seems normal in himself but his head tilt is quite bad and he is off balance. advice from vet says if he recovers from infection or parisite then he might be able to right himself to an extent.

What do u think?

is he in pain?

I am happy to give him extra care so long has he is not in prolonged pain and will have a reasonable quality of life.  He is getting on for 5 and is not the most active of rabbits

sorry to make you work christmas eve

thanks mate

 

[Apache]

Tom - will send you a PM

 

[m4tty]

Sorry to hear that Tom. I took our other rabbit in four weeks ago. He developed head tilt and it was too late. I didn't want to see him suffer and had him put down two. Lost bob in march, Dave in November and lost me dad in August. Not a good year and no more animals and can't do the heartache thing. Even when lost rabbits was still cut up bad. Have a good Xmas and hope he gets better matey

 

[tom1]

thanks matty, sorry to here about all of losses mate.

i have said no more rabbits, one died a few months back from a bloat so as usual we try and adopt one of a similar age to keep the other company but this seems to be an ongoing process.

have a good christmass mate 

 

[Marvo]

Sorry to hear about your rabbits dying, It's always sad when pets die but once in a while there's a pet who really is a family member in the true sense and it's a deep loss. I had a dog (staffie) who was with us from before our children were born and she died a couple of years ago, I still miss her very much and haven't been able to bring myself to get another dog to try and fill the space she left behind.