Another poorly bun - Harley has head tilt

[suzibunbun]

I hope your bunny gets better so much

Thank you x

 

[Neleh]

How is he today. Been sending good vibes all day xx

 

[suzibunbun]

How is he today. Been sending good vibes all day xx

Thank you for asking I took Harley to the vets first thing - he still has a slight head tilt and is wobbly on his legs, he has been given antibiotics and panacur was prescribed which I had already started him with yesterday - vet said his ears seem fine so more than likely EC. She seems to think that Izzy's symptoms were not EC related and she probably died of something else. Rozie is still bright and happy and Harley's pals are taking good care of him. I have scrubbed and disinfected their hutch today and added another hayrack - they are all snuggled upstairs at the moment - bless them - Harley has been really affectionate which is not like him I have been online and ordered a 'shed load' of panacur and a few other meds as advised - for the first time ever I will have a bunny medicine cabinet just in case.

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Has the Vet also prescribed an anti-inflammatory ? This is an essential part of the treatment of EC. It is inflammation within the CNS as a result of erupting EC spores that causes the clinical symptoms and long term cellular damage.

 

[suzibunbun]

No anti-inflammatory was prescribed - I will get on to the vets about this. Just spoken to the vet now - the practice manager who is a vet and their team were discussing this exact issue today as there are another 2 cases of EC at the vets. They don't believe this is an effective part of the EC treatment

 

[Neleh]

It is! That's what helped Malteser, when he finally got some! I have some leftover so if the vet won't give you any pop over and I will give you what I have! It reduces the inflammation and swelling in the brain which is a major reason for the symptoms you see and the brain damage that can be left xx

 

[Jack's-Jane]

No anti-inflammatory was prescribed - I will get on to the vets about this. Just spoken to the vet now - the practice manager who is a vet and their team were discussing this exact issue today as there are another 2 cases of EC at the vets. They don't believe this is an effective part of the EC treatment

I personally would want to ask them why ?

This is a very good article written by an Exotics Specialist. The whole aim of treatment is to reduce EC spores (with Fenbendazole-AKA Panacur) and reduce inflammation. I cant see how the latter is going to happen without an anti-inflammatory :?

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...N3ISKU&sig=AHIEtbR1V0Bkgl46nxoM3IZVX7iM5Uaz_Q

 

[Neleh]

Oh, his meds to begin with were panacur and baytril, only when the metacam began didvhe show signs of walking again!

 

[suzibunbun]

Rabbiting On magazine has an article about head tilt - it says that
'short courses of corticosteroids are sometimes used to reduce inflammation or swelling in the CNS in severe cases. The use of corticosteroids is very controversial and often only used as a last resort treatment when other treatments have failed to bring an improvement.'

Harley's head tilt is quite mild - has anyone else any experience of head tilt and treatments used or advised - it would be interesting to hear what others have been told by their vets

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Rabbiting On magazine has an article about head tilt - it says that '
short courses of corticosteroids are sometimes used to reduce inflammation or swelling in the CNS in severe cases. The use of corticosteroids is very controversial and often only used as a last resort treatment when other treatments have failed to bring an improvement.'

Harley's head tilt is quite mild - has anyone else any experience of head tilt and treatments used or advised - it would be interesting to hear what others have been told by their vets

If you do a search on here for 'Head Tilt' you will find numerous threads detailing specific cases. Each and every one included treatment with anti-inflammatories.

Yes, corticosteroids are only every advisable as a last resort or in acute severe cases. BUT a NON STEROIDAL anti-inflammatory such as Metacam is no doubt one of the 'other treatments' referred to in the RO article. In other words it Metacam is not having any effect then a corticosteroid may be considered.

 

[suzibunbun]

I always have problems finding specific threads on here relating to something I want to learn about but will have another try - thanks for all your information and help ladies - I am certainly keen to learn all I can and ensure that my bunnies get the very best treatment and help when poorly. I will be discussing this again with my vets.

 

[cpayne]

Rogerrabbit999 rabbit's had head tilt due to a stroke and he did a combination of a few things and helped it back into place and it was the worst case they had seen. I know he's a paramedic and did massage but maybe PM him and he will be able to offer advice.

He spoke about it on a recent thread, it's the one which Marion started about Hazel, sadly she died, but it says about the effects of GA.

Good luck. xx

 

[suzibunbun]

I have managed to find those threads and have had lots of chats with other bunny pals - thank you Jane and Helen - seems like the general consensus is that metacam should have been included in harley's treatment - I will discuss again with vets tomorrow

 

[Neleh]

My vet gave me zantac to counteract any tummy issues from the metacam. It may have been done as a precation as she new I had a distance to see her should the meds have upset him. Its an option if you observe any tummy issues
Good luck, hop he is sorted soon. I believe that at some point during treatment hutches and litter trays need cleaning to remove the spores so that they don't get reinfected. Also, that mouse in the shed could be to blame so maybe mouse proof bun stuff. Xx

 

[Jack's-Jane]

I have managed to find those threads and have had lots of chats with other bunny pals - thank you Jane and Helen - seems like the general consensus is that metacam should have been included in harley's treatment - I will discuss again with vets tomorrow

Maybe you could print off this article to show them

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...N3ISKU&sig=AHIEtbR1V0Bkgl46nxoM3IZVX7iM5Uaz_Q

As I said previously, it was written by a Rabbit Specialist, Elizibetta Mancinelli. She now works here
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departm...mal-and-wildlife/ourteam/elisabettamancinelli

Perhaps your Vet could call her to request some telephone advice, either from her or maybe from Anna Meredith

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departm...otic-animal-and-wildlife/ourteam/annameredith

 

[suzibunbun]

I will do just that, thanks Jane! Harley is the same this morning and he has been pottering round the frosty garden with his 2 pals quite lively and happy complete with slightly wonky head just going to give him his meds now. What's the concern about mice in the shed???

 

[suzibunbun]

I have sussed out how to use the search options for threads now and have just read this about mice - my shed is a new one but I have seen a couple of tiny mice in there - my hay is bought in bales - one is kept in a horse bag whilst one is 'open' for everyday use - another worry now that I need to deal with



"E-Cuniculi and Humans
It can affect some humans too, more commonly people with compromised immune systems such as people suffering from aids, young children and the elderly. Human sufferers liken the symptoms to a severe hangover.

How is it transferred?
There are 4 ways E-Cuniculi can be passed:
1. Spores in the urine
2. Orally - an animal eats contaminated material (ie hay)
3. Parent to child - via the placenta or milk
4. Inhaled - the organism can become airborne

Mice are a major carrier of E-Cuniculi, be extra careful if keeping food/hay etc. in a garage or shed where mice may have access.

E-Cuniculi in the Environment
There is no definitive way to kill e-cuniculi spores in the environment but a strong disinfectant containing ammonia - Virkon, ARK Cleanse or 1/30 bleach solution is recommended.
Also extremes of heat or cold may kill spores.
One school of thought is that the spores may last longer if the rabbit lives indoors as the environment is more favourable for the organism. A longer treatment time for Panacur is often recommended because of this."

 

[Jack's-Jane]

I have sussed out how to use the search options for threads now and have just read this about mice - my shed is a new one but I have seen a couple of tiny mice in there - my hay is bought in bales - one is kept in a horse bag whilst one is 'open' for everyday use - another worry now that I need to deal with



"E-Cuniculi and Humans
It can affect some humans too, more commonly people with compromised immune systems such as people suffering from aids, young children and the elderly. Human sufferers liken the symptoms to a severe hangover.

How is it transferred?
There are 4 ways E-Cuniculi can be passed:
1. Spores in the urine
2. Orally - an animal eats contaminated material (ie hay)
3. Parent to child - via the placenta or milk
4. Inhaled - the organism can become airborne

Mice are a major carrier of E-Cuniculi, be extra careful if keeping food/hay etc. in a garage or shed where mice may have access.

E-Cuniculi in the Environment
There is no definitive way to kill e-cuniculi spores in the environment but a strong disinfectant containing ammonia - Virkon, ARK Cleanse or 1/30 bleach solution is recommended.
Also extremes of heat or cold may kill spores.
One school of thought is that the spores may last longer if the rabbit lives indoors as the environment is more favourable for the organism. A longer treatment time for Panacur is often recommended because of this."

Not sure what you are asking here :?

 

[natsusakura]

I think the op is saying that she has to worry about the mice contaminating the hay with e.c.
I would just ensure the hay is kept away so the mice can't get to it.
And if you treat him for the ec with the panacur and follow the decontamination hopefully everything should be ok xxxx

 

[suzibunbun]

Oh sorry I wasn't asking anything - just wanted to share the article I found on here about mice being a possible cause of EC - I have found a few in my new shed where I store my hay bales - I will be clearing out and cleaning the shed today and sorting this problem as best as I can just in case. I know a lot of RU members know these facts but I am sure many don't and if it can help someone else then that's a good thing. As I have mentioned before I have many rescue bunnies but not had a poorly one in nearly 3 years - following Izzy's death last week and Harley with his sudden head tilt, I am keen to learn all I can in order to try and prevent any more of my bunnies getting sick