Possible head tilt. U/D running off balance

Hi.

I know I've not been around recently but you guys know your stuff and I really hope you can advise.

Bailey was off her food last night and today. OH took her in the vets today as we know she is due a dental (her first one) and thought that was what was causing this.

However the vet wasn't sure it was her teeth (not our usual vet sadly, she's off today). She prescribed metacam 1.5mg/ml 0.7ml once a day for pain relief (I told him to ask for that) and ... Emeprid 2ml 3 times a day for gut motility.

I just got home and I noticed straight away she has a bit of head tilt which she didn't have this morning. I asked OH if the vet had seen it and he said yes. She said she might be holding her head funny if her teeth hurt?

I had a foster rabbit a couple years ago who went down the same path with EC so I am very worried. She is booked back in the vets with our usual vet on Sunday but I don't know whether to take her in again now and if I did, what they could do?

She is eating a few greens when offered but not many and is still pretty stationary. She's normally a really good eater.

Could be a middle ear infection or EC. Eye pain can also cause the Rabbit to hold their head to one side. It is possible that oral pain could be the cause, but less likely than the other things, IMO

I would get her back to the Vet ASAP as she is likely to need additional treatment.

Thanks for the reply Jane.

I've called the vet - they're calling back as in consultation. Bit unsure about taking her back in though given they ignored it earlier. Unfortunate the rabbit savvy vet is off.



How usually.



Today - not really bad but enough to be concerned.

I will ask for Panacur at least. But she is booked in with her usual vet on Sunday - should I wait? Or definitely take her back in now?

It's best to begin Panacur straight away if there's any suggestion of EC.

I have known rabbits to literally get rid of head tilt overnight if they begin Pancur immediately.

I realise EC may not be the problem, but if it's a possibility, I would go for it now.

Good luck

SamanthaJane said:

Thanks for the reply Jane.

I've called the vet - they're calling back as in consultation. Bit unsure about taking her back in though given they ignored it earlier. Unfortunate the rabbit savvy vet is off.



How usually.



Today - not really bad but enough to be concerned.

I will ask for Panacur at least. But she is booked in with her usual vet on Sunday - should I wait? Or definitely take her back in now?

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I'd take her back now. I'd mention the possibility of a middle ear infection as that is just as likely as EC

My Vet spoke with a Specialist this week and he said that there is now documented evidence that Fenbendazole (Panacur etc) is no longer effective as a treatment for EC. He said that he and other Specialists no longer prescribe it and that EC is treated symptomatically with NSAIDS, supportive nursing care and in some cases abx if bacterial infection is involved.

Sending lots of vibes xx

Jack's-Jane said:

I'd take her back now. I'd mention the possibility of a middle ear infection as that is just as likely as EC

My Vet spoke with a Specialist this week and he said that there is now documented evidence that Fenbendazole (Panacur etc) is no longer effective as a treatment for EC. He said that he and other Specialists no longer prescribe it and that EC is treated symptomatically with NSAIDS, supportive nursing care and in some cases abx if bacterial infection is involved.

Sending lots of vibes xx

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Thanks Jane. I got the Panacur but only just saw your message.

I don't know what to do now though - she is running off balance (just put her the other end of the room as OH thought she had done when they got back earlier and he's right - she's on an angle to the right.

If I take her back in now, what will they do? I will take her in of course, but not sure what action they'll take?

SamanthaJane said:

Thanks Jane. I got the Panacur but only just saw your message.

I don't know what to do now though - she is running off balance (just put her the other end of the room as OH thought she had done when they got back earlier and he's right - she's on an angle to the right.

If I take her back in now, what will they do? I will take her in of course, but not sure what action they'll take?

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Personally I would take her back in now as *if* the problem is a middle ear infection she will need abx. You cant always assume 'EC' when a Rabbit develops headtilt.

Okay thanks Jane - just as I said we went down this path before and it was awful.

I will call them - I know they looked at her ears before but I don't imagine that's something you could 'see'.

SamanthaJane said:

Okay thanks Jane - just as I said we went down this path before and it was awful.

I will call them - I know they looked at her ears before but I don't imagine that's something you could 'see'.

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Not always, sometimes it can only be confirmed by a skull Xray/CT scan.

Thanks for all the advice - taking her back in now. Will take her sister with her, just incase they admit her or something.

SamanthaJane said:

Thanks for all the advice - taking her back in now. Will take her sister with her, just incase they admit her or something.

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Good luck xx

So we just got back. Was a bit of a queue at the vets!
Vet has given her injections of ABX, painkillers and has put fluid under her skin. Also gave us some recovery feed. So fingers crossed she perks up a little after all of that. Taking her back in the morning to see how she's doing.

Thanks for all the advice. I will update.

Initially she may get worse headtilt/balance wise, but that does not mean all hope is lost. Sometimes it can take weeks of intensive treatment before any improvement occurs. Sometimes the improvement is not a total recovery, but the Rabbit is able to adjust to having a tilted head. Lots more vibes being sent xx

EDIT- She will need a full course of abx, not just the one off injection she had last night. If it is a middle ear infection abx treatment may need to continue for several weeks

Hope the medication helps and she feels better soon. Sending lots of vibes for Bailey xx

Thanks guys.

Well she has perked up a lot. We went back to see our regular vet today who examined her and said she can see a bit of discharge in her ear so suspects a middle ear infection.
She has prescribed Baytril and to keep taking the Panacur as well.

Bailey is a lot more active now and is eating better, although still far off her standard.

Unfortunately, as she is feeling under the weather, she and her sister have started scrapping - I'm talking on up on hind legs scrapping - so I've had to seperate them sadly :-(
Will reintroduce when Bailey's back to normal.

Has she got some metacam, too?

Yes - she also has metacam and gut motility drugs (forgot their name).

SamanthaJane said:

Yes - she also has metacam and gut motility drugs (forgot their name).

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:thumb: Metacam is pretty important because it's an anti-inflammatory as well as pain relief.

Sending vibes for a quick recovery.