Head tilt

I walk 2 dogs and occasionally i will have to walk them from the owners parents house just beside me. Recently moiras (the owners mum) grand-son got a rabbit but wasnt looking after it so moira offered to look after it to safe it going to a rescue. Even though she is older she has owned animals all her life so is definitely capable of looking after her. The rabbit came in a tiny hutch (about 3ft double tier) Moira says she often leaves the door open to let her run around but she says she normally doesnt come out the hutch. What worried me though was that the rabbits head was completely tilted to the side. I asked if she had an ear infection before and she just said that its been like that since she was a baby. I didnt want to ask any further questions because i dont have much info on head tilt. Is it normal that the rabbits head goes to one side? :? Could she be living with head tilt without it affecting her? I go back on tuesday so any info grateful, im kind of worried about this bunny x

neenee said:

I walk 2 dogs and occasionally i will have to walk them from the owners parents house just beside me. Recently moiras (the owners mum) grand-son got a rabbit but wasnt looking after it so moira offered to look after it to safe it going to a rescue. Even though she is older she has owned animals all her life so is definitely capable of looking after her. The rabbit came in a tiny hutch (about 3ft double tier) Moira says she often leaves the door open to let her run around but she says she normally doesnt come out the hutch. What worried me though was that the rabbits head was completely tilted to the side. I asked if she had an ear infection before and she just said that its been like that since she was a baby. I didnt want to ask any further questions because i dont have much info on head tilt. Is it normal that the rabbits head goes to one side? :? Could she be living with head tilt without it affecting her? I go back on tuesday so any info grateful, im kind of worried about this bunny x

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That sounds worrying

I think (again, no experience, jsut reading) that EC can cause head tilt, but you say she's had it since she was a baby?

Im sure an expert will pop along some time soon to help

I've personally never heard of head tilt being something that occurs from birth but I'm by no means an expert. Head tilt normally occurs as a result of illness, like an ear infection or often the parasite Encephalitozoon Cuniculi (EC) which Graham mentioned.

Often a head tilt which occurs during these illnesses does not disappear once the original infection is gone, and the animal is left with the tilt for life. Rabbits tend to cope well and don't need much specialist help, apart from lubricating the eye facing the floor with drops if the tilt is particularly severe, and ensuring lifting and change of environment is kept to a minimum as change can be distressing for them. Sometimes padding the area where they live and avoiding anything which may move by itself (tunnels etc) can help.

It's possible that the bun has had some infection when very young and recovered by herself, so has been left with the tilt. She may not come out of her hutch as it is unfamiliar territory to her, and she will probably need a wide ramp from her hutch to the floor so that she can feel more stable. Head tilt runs can 'roll' and this can be very stressful and disorientating for the bun, another reason why they are reluctant to leave their surroundings.

Ec can cause head tilt. Unfortunately if the bunny has been like this for a considerable amount of time it could have permanent brain damage and still have head tilt after treatment.

I've personally never heard of head tilt being something that occurs from birth but I'm by no means an expert. Head tilt normally occurs as a result of illness, like an ear infection or often the parasite Encephalitozoon Cuniculi (EC) which Graham mentioned.

Often a head tilt which occurs during these illnesses does not disappear once the original infection is gone, and the animal is left with the tilt for life. Rabbits tend to cope well and don't need much specialist help, apart from lubricating the eye facing the floor with drops if the tilt is particularly severe, and ensuring lifting and change of environment is kept to a minimum as change can be distressing for them.

It's possible that the bun has had some infection when very young and recovered by herself, so has been left with the tilt. She may not come out of her hutch as it is unfamiliar territory to her, and she will probably need a wide ramp from her hutch to the floor so that she can feel more stable. Head tilt runs can 'roll' and this can be very stressful and disorientating for the bun, another reason why they are reluctant to leave their surroundings.
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You worded that so much better than i did.

Sorry, I think I am distracted clock-watching.

Amy104 said:

You worded that so much better than i did.

Sorry, I think I am distracted clock-watching.

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Or I have far too much time on my hands (and a rabbit nibbling my trousers) :lol:

I agree with Coineach that the head tilt was probably caused by ec or an ear infection whilst she was a baby and has never righted itself. These buns can live normal happy lives, although the stress of the move might have disorientated her.
Im concerned that its a new occurance though, is there any chance the previous owner could have lied? If so then i think a vet visit in order.
Poor bun xxxx

What do you think i should do about it? Should i reccomend a vet check or would it seem cheeky? :?

Yeh id try and politely suggest that she needs a vet visit jst to check shes not poorly xxx

I'd recommend a vet check and mention your concerns about EC. It's a killer and needs treatment asap. You could try slipping it into the conversation, depending on how well you know the person, just say 'I knew someone with a bun who had a head tilt from this infection, EC' It's not a lie either, you do - me! :lol:

Is the hutch raised off the ground? It's just that head tilt bunnies can't balance enough to jump on and off things, so the reason for her not coming out of the hutch may be that she doesn't feel confident jumping down.

I have a rabbit with head tilt from inner ear infection

Again, I agree head tilt can often be the result of EC. Although, in my experience a bunny can recover from this sometimes. However, it does sound as if the bun needs to be checked by the vet as it may need medication.