How do I care for bun with severe head tilt? U/D: My beautiful girl is gone.

Hello,

I would greatly appreciate any/all advice regarding caring for a bun with a severe head tilt.

There is another thread about my Cookie and what's happening with her, so I won't go into too much detail here.

Her tilt has, this evening, become what I would classify as severe. I have no idea how to safely and comfortably syringe feed her for example. She is eating greens by herself, but she needs critical care too.

I have taken her out of the "sick bed" I made out of a ferplast cage as her rolling around looked horrifying - I'm worried she'll put her face in the water bowl. I have made a soft, padded smaller area in her carrier, but it seems awful too.

Please help - I don't know what to do. She's scared, I'm scared and I don't know how to handle what's happening to my beautiful girl...

Beau Belle said:

Hello,

I would greatly appreciate any/all advice regarding caring for a bun with a severe head tilt.

There is another thread about my Cookie and what's happening with her, so I won't go into too much detail here.

Her tilt has, this evening, become what I would classify as severe. I have no idea how to safely and comfortably syringe feed her for example.

I have taken her out of the "sick bed" I made out of a ferplast cage as her rolling around looked horrifying - I'm worried she'll put her face in the water bowl. I have made a soft, padded smaller area in her carrier, but it seems awful too.

Please help - I don't know what to do. She's scared, I'm scared and I don't know how to handle what's happening to my beautiful girl...

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Really sorry BB, I am seldom online in the evenings now so I have only just seen this thread. Did you take a look at that FB group I gave you the link to, or perhaps you are not on FB. I's just that I know of one of the Admins on the group and I would trust her to run a supportive Forum to obtain help and advice about caring for a HT Rabbit.

I think keeping Cookie confined to a small safe cage that is well padded to prevent her injuring herself is essential. If she is rolling alot and/or still has nystagmus I'd keep the light to a minimum and keep all visual stimuli such as TV screens etc out of sight. The less visual stimulation her brain receives the better if her rolling/nystagmus is ongoing.

Whilst the use of corticosteroids in Rabbits should usually be avoided due to Rabbit's being very sensitive to the potential adverse side-effects, (suppression of the immune system, gastric ulceration, liver damage), in some severe cases of vestibular disease the risk of giving a corticosteroid is one that a Vet may feel has to be taken, perhaps as a 'last resort' so-to-speak. Corticosteroids cannot be given at the same time as Metacam, they are given instead of it. Usually the corticosteroid is a long acting injection so is not needed every day. Personally I'd give the Vet a call and discuss this with him/her. Also, the Vet may consider giving Cookie a different antibiotic eg an Injectable Penicillin. This can be a lot more effective in the treatment of middle ear infections, as I think you said the Vet felt that a middle ear infection may be what is causing Cookie's symptoms ? IME Baytril alone is seldom of any benefit at all in treating ear infections. Although it can be given aswell as an injectable Penicillin.

Of course it may be that Cookie is just not able to endure the acute stage of her illness, or it may be that it is not a stage that will improve.Only time would tell on the latter and Cookie may be far too distressed by the situation to keep fighting. Whilst I have had a couple of severe head tilt Rabbits who did eventually make a partial recovery and were able to continue to enjoy a good quality of life I did have one Rabbit, Patrick, who became far too ill and terrified and we had to let him go. Each Rabbit's situation is unique, there is no universal 'right' or 'wrong' as to whether to continue treatment or not and you have my complete support in whatever you feel you need to do for Cookie.

Here are a few more links, if you feel up to taking a look at them:

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/head-tilt.html

http://lafeber.com/vet/presenting-problem-head-tilt-rolling-rabbits/

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Otit/otitis.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/BacterialOtitisMediaInterna.htm

http://www.gwexotics.com/wccms-resources/a/5/0/e/77554b90-a660-11e0-a685-0050568626ea.pdf

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Parasitic/Encephalitozoonosis.htm

Is Cookie eating at all for herself ? As you have probably discovered, syringe feeding a head tilt Rabbit can be very difficult as it often causes them to roll even more. It is usually better to try to devise a way to syringe feed them whilst not having to pick them up. This may be a two person task, one to hold the Rabbit securely wrapped in a towel whilst still on the floor and the other to have two hands free to do the feeding.

Of course the Rabbit is also likely to need a lot of help cleaning themselves. Using towels/Vetbed/Puppy Training pads as bedding enables you to change soiled bedding several times a day.

I do hope that Cookie is able to pull through, but as I have said, I know that you will do whatever is best for her xx

Thanks Jane!

I'm on FB and sent a request to join group.

She's eating greens by herself, but I'm aware she needs more. I'm worried about having a pile of hay in there, in case she scratches her "down" eye. I've asked OH to get fresh grass for her instead (there are really long ones nearby - too tall for dogs/cats to pee on (the top).

We're syringing water and small amounts of Ella's Kitchen organic fruit. The liquids seem to go down more easily.

I have puppy pads for her - I don't think she'd be able to get in/out of a tray.

I have padded with soft blankets and vet bed-style material that can be changed easily. I put her back in the ferplast cage as the carrier seemed to make her feel worse - too small to move around with all the padding.

She's wet under the chin after trying to syringe her - we're wiping with lukewarm water and trying to dry with kitchen towels. I don't want to put her through too much, but I don't want her to clean herself too much either - she loses balance and starts rolling.

Another question: the "up" eye is dry and she's not blinking much. I told the vet that I have eye drops for Cookie and will use those - but now I'm thinking that maybe I need something specially lubricating? Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you for links - I will read.

I'm sorry if I'm rambling a bit - I haven't had more than two consecutive hours of sleep since Sunday, so I'm not at my sharpest, and I'm second-guessing myself.

Again, thank you x

I have no experience with head tilt buns Beau but just want to say I'm so sorry for what you & Cookie are going through. I can't imagine how tough it is, I would really struggle myself and be a nervous mess. You are doing a fab job of caring for her and I really hope poor bun recovers xXx

Beau Belle said:

Thanks Jane!

I'm on FB and sent a request to join group.

She's eating greens by herself, but I'm aware she needs more. I'm worried about having a pile of hay in there, in case she scratches her "down" eye. I've asked OH to get fresh grass for her instead (there are really long ones nearby - too tall for dogs/cats to pee on (the top).

We're syringing water and small amounts of Ella's Kitchen organic fruit. The liquids seem to go down more easily.

I have puppy pads for her - I don't think she'd be able to get in/out of a tray.

I have padded with soft blankets and vet bed-style material that can be changed easily. I put her back in the ferplast cage as the carrier seemed to make her feel worse - too small to move around with all the padding.

She's wet under the chin after trying to syringe her - we're wiping with lukewarm water and trying to dry with kitchen towels. I don't want to put her through too much, but I don't want her to clean herself too much either - she loses balance and starts rolling.

Another question: the "up" eye is dry and she's not blinking much. I told the vet that I have eye drops for Cookie and will use those - but now I'm thinking that maybe I need something specially lubricating? Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you for links - I will read.

I'm sorry if I'm rambling a bit - I haven't had more than two consecutive hours of sleep since Sunday, so I'm not at my sharpest, and I'm second-guessing myself.

Again, thank you x

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http://www.pharmacyfirst.co.uk//med...Rgw_gUlMrbQhWjsNDs-csEvMaAgI18P8HAQ#fullDescr

Beau Belle said:

Another question: the "up" eye is dry and she's not blinking much. I told the vet that I have eye drops for Cookie and will use those - but now I'm thinking that maybe I need something specially lubricating? Do you have any suggestions?

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Personally I've found hyaluronic acid type dry-eye preparations more soothing and better (not to mention easier to give) than the traditional artificial tears. They don't look as if they're going to work as well because they're drops rather then gloop, but they do have this amazing way of dissipating and sticking to the surface of the eye. When I had a bunny with severe dry eye several years ago I was prescribed hyabak by an ophthalmic specialist vet, which is a preservative-free eye drop. There is now a veterinary equivalent called remend. It is definitely something worth discussing with your vet as it may well be that just a few drops a day can make your little one much more comfy.

Best of luck with nursing her through this x

I went through all of this with Sweep, I can't post a detailed reply now but a couple of things that worked for him:

I had him in a large carrier when he was at his worst with the rolling - I lined the edge with towels to stop him rolling. Puppy pads underneath.

The first thing he started to eat voluntarily was grass, so I picked him huge bundles of it multiple times a day. He had a small hay rack full of hay but didn't start eating it until a good few weeks into his recovery. He couldn't drink out of a bowl so I put a bottle on the front of the carrier which he drank out of well, then eventually swapped him back to a bowl when he got better on his feet.

I didn't really have a problem with his 'up' eye being dry, hope the drops can work for Cookie

Lots of vibes being sent, it's not easy, but it's so rewarding slowly seeing them get better each day/week.

Sweep had his episode 3 years ago now, he still has a severe head tilt but he is a very happy, health bunny in all other respects.

Thank you so much for all replies

She's resting on my tummy at the moment, and OH has been sent off to get eye drops and small water bottle xx

Sending you all vibes and hugs - you must all be exhausted. I keep checking in to see how Cookie is doing and have everything crossed for her recovery. I feel for you because I know how stressful and exhausting have a poorly bun is. Keep on doing what you're doing - we are all routing for her on RU. xxx

Sending love and vibes also. I've nursed several rolling bunnies, and it's truly exhausting xx

Thank you xxx

I'm so tired I could vomit, but as long as she's willing to fight, so am I

ive seen many roll towels up to help support head tilt bunnies heads

Yes, I'm trying to do that but she's a very independent bun and she's not sure she's liking it...

I thought we'd lost her 30mins ago, but she woke up and we're now sitting outside and I'm looking forward to her peeing all over my dressing gown

Sending many vibes. I have experience of how stressful this is & heartbreaking to see. My bunny continued to fight too & although it took a while, she was back on her feet & enjoying life after loads of TLC

joey&boo said:

Sending many vibes. I have experience of how stressful this is & heartbreaking to see. My bunny continued to fight too & although it took a while, she was back on her feet & enjoying life after loads of TLC

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How long did it take until you saw an improvement? And did it get worse before it got better?

Beau Belle said:

How long did it take until you saw an improvement? And did it get worse before it got better?

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it couldn't have got any worse to be honest - my bunnies was EC related. She was a tiny one eyed poppet & her one eye was the one practically next to floor. We couldn't make eye contact for about 4 weeks, she started having little periods of improvement 4-6 weeks. After 6 weeks she got loads better, always a tad wonky with a tendency to run in circles but clearly enjoyed life. She had one little relapse of rolling about 8 weeks in which lasted a few days & wasn't so severe. She was always a really loving bunny but our bond got amazingly strong after this

Sending Cookie overnight healing vibes, you keep fighting beautiful girl. I hope you manage to get some sleep too. I'll check back in the morning to see how she is doing. Xxx

joey&boo said:

it couldn't have got any worse to be honest - my bunnies was EC related. She was a tiny one eyed poppet & her one eye was the one practically next to floor. We couldn't make eye contact for about 4 weeks, she started having little periods of improvement 4-6 weeks. After 6 weeks she got loads better, always a tad wonky with a tendency to run in circles but clearly enjoyed life. She had one little relapse of rolling about 8 weeks in which lasted a few days & wasn't so severe. She was always a really loving bunny but our bond got amazingly strong after this

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Poor little bun... It's so distressing to watch - I can't imagine what goes through their little heads, it must be so confusing. I'm trying to teach her that it's ok to rest/sleep on her side - she panicks a bit.

How are you and Cookie doing this morning BB ?