Teddy's head tilt journey

Orenoko said:

Not a happy update, Teddy has started falling over again it started about a week ago, isn't getting much worse but equally isn't getting better. Sometimes he does it when he leans over too far, other times he's just standing there and falls almost as if someone has pushed him. He saw my local vet for a checkup on his teeth and I mentioned it, so he was put on antibiotics and painkillers. There are no signs of a recurrence of any ear infection, no raised temperature or anything. I've booked an appointment with the rescue centre vet as I wonder whether he needs a steroid injection as this was the only thing that worked for him before. I'm just at a loss as to why it's recurred although I know it's not beyond the realms of possibility that head tilt can recur. I just want to catch it early, whatever 'it' may be! Will update further when he's been to the vet tomorrow.

Click to expand...

Sorry to hear this. I hope you get on OK at the vet and he has some suggestions to help.

Thanks both, he hasn't had a CT scan yet. I don't know if the rescue centre vet will want to do one (they pay for the cost of his treatment) but if it doesn't clear up I could request it and pay for it myself. Other than falling over he seems bright, interested in life and in food!

Orenoko said:

Thanks both, he hasn't had a CT scan yet. I don't know if the rescue centre vet will want to do one (they pay for the cost of his treatment) but if it doesn't clear up I could request it and pay for it myself. Other than falling over he seems bright, interested in life and in food!

Click to expand...

You are clearly totally dedicated to helping Teddy. A CT scan should hopefully provide evidence of the presence or absence of middle/inner ear infection. If infection were to be confirmed then whilst using corticosteroids may bring about some relief in clinical symptoms it does risk exacerbating the actual infection. Corticosteroids have a negative effect on the immune system and Rabbits are very corticosteroid sensitive.

I am not sure what abx Teddy has had so far, or how long the courses have been. But if it were to be a middle/inner ear infection then aggressive injectable abx therapy- eg Depocillin- for several weeks may be what the Vet suggests.

You have probably already seen these links :

http://www.veterinarywebinars.com/m...oads/2016/03/Study_Notes_Ear_Nose_Rabbits.pdf

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

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

http://www.tokyovets.com/2017rabbitear3.pdf

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/me...bbit-surgery-course/2-eye-and-ear-surgery.pdf

Orenoko said:

Thanks both, he hasn't had a CT scan yet. I don't know if the rescue centre vet will want to do one (they pay for the cost of his treatment) but if it doesn't clear up I could request it and pay for it myself. Other than falling over he seems bright, interested in life and in food!

Click to expand...

I know that Parsnipbun on here has recommended a CT scan for any inner and middle ear problems.
There's a good thread here with lots of excellent advice by Parsnipbun, a very experienced rabbit owner:

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...tent-ear-infection-U-D-Smudge-amp-Harley-gone

I think a CT scan would be expensive, and often Rescues won't pay for it, but it's lovely that you are thinking along these lines to help Teddy xx

Thanks both, I just want him to be happy and healthy! Initially we tried baytril and metacam, but long term he didn't improve. I agreed to try the steroid as a last resort earlier this year, I can't remember the name of the steroid but can ask. I got him off it as soon as possible as I knew some of the risks associated but I have to be honest, it made a drastic difference at the time which is why I've considered it as a possibility this time around. I've read about the injections but I don't know if I could physically get him to the vet regularly enough to make it work, I'm just about to start a new job (and I feel guilty about it now that he's ill!).

I'll have a read of all of those links later this evening, thank you both!

I'm sorry to read that Teddy is having problems again. It does sound as thought a CT scan might be the way to go, although I can imagine that it will be expensive. Regarding Penicillin injections, once you get used to it they are very easy to give at home. Several people on here, including me, have given them to their rabbits at home. Vet nurses are usually very willing to give you a short instruction.

Omi said:

I'm sorry to read that Teddy is having problems again. It does sound as thought a CT scan might be the way to go, although I can imagine that it will be expensive. Regarding Penicillin injections, once you get used to it they are very easy to give at home. Several people on here, including me, have given them to their rabbits at home. Vet nurses are usually very willing to give you a short instruction.

Click to expand...

Yes, this is definitely an option and I too have given numerous Rabbits various medications via injection. So I would certainly raise this issue with the Vet XX

I hadn't thought of that, I'll discuss it with the vet this evening. My options are:

Continue with baytril and metacam as we are now
Steroid injection
Penicillin injection

Ironically he seemed less wobbly last night, with work and everything I didn't get to see them much yesterday though so it's hard to tell, for all I know he'd been falling over during the day. Same today, I was out at 6.30 and won't get back until about 5 this evening so won't know what they've been up to and whether he's had a good or bad day. He's still not "right" though (or as right as he ever gets lol), but he seems chirpy enough, still eating and drinking and running about so I'm not panicking (yet).

I'll update once he's seen the vet.

Orenoko said:

Thanks both, I just want him to be happy and healthy! Initially we tried baytril and metacam, but long term he didn't improve. I agreed to try the steroid as a last resort earlier this year, I can't remember the name of the steroid but can ask. I got him off it as soon as possible as I knew some of the risks associated but I have to be honest, it made a drastic difference at the time which is why I've considered it as a possibility this time around. I've read about the injections but I don't know if I could physically get him to the vet regularly enough to make it work, I'm just about to start a new job (and I feel guilty about it now that he's ill!).

I'll have a read of all of those links later this evening, thank you both!

Click to expand...

You're welcome.

Don't feel guilty, you're doing your best!
Also, you need to keep working to be able to look after him, so it's important, and also having something else to focus on is a good thing

Injections of penicillin are a doddle once you've done a few and got used to it.
You are best off getting a bottle from the vet and drawing up your own needles and syringes, as those pre-drawn tend to get a bit 'sticky' and don't work as well.

Good luck with your vet visit.

So I have a couple of updates about my furry medical mystery

We visited the rescue centre vet on Thursday evening, I saw a different vet to normal but she seemed clued up. She suggested we try a steroid injection as antibiotics hadn't made a difference, and that if that didn't work we could look at the penicillin injections. I didn't see him fall over yesterday, but I was at work most of the day, but did see him fall over this morning.

He also had a physio appointment this morning, he hasn't had one for a while but the physio thought his spine looked a little more curved than before. He's gained about 350g since she last saw him two months ago (he was really underweight) and she surmised that the rapid weight gain might have thrown his balance off and now he's over compensating by leaning more to one side. This theory could also explain his small pressure sore which he never had an issue with until he put weight on.

It's an interesting theory, I don't know who's right at the moment, but I have some new exercises to try with him to encourage him to shift his weight more equally. I'll have to monitor him over the next couple of weeks and see how he goes. In a way I'd prefer it to be linked to the weight gain rather than a medical issue but I can't be confident yet. It's good to have more than one professional opinion I think as they come at it from a different perspective. Will report back in a few days.

I realised I forgot to update this thread. Teddy was doing really well, he stopped falling over, and at a subsequent physio session the physio thought his spine looked much better.

He does however need another dental, just confirmed this morning. I'm really annoyed - not at him of course, but I just bought a new bed to try and help my chronic back pain (hasn't worked thus far), and then my car died and I had to spend £600 on it so once his dental is paid for I've basically wiped out all my savings, which is so frustrating. But it's not Teddy's fault, bless him.

He also has a slight eye infection in his down facing eye, which I'd suspected as it had got a bit red and the lubricant didn't seem to be helping. So he has antibiotics as well as lubricant for that now. He's booked in for his dental next week, fingers crossed all goes well and that it'll be his last one for a while!

Orenoko said:

I realised I forgot to update this thread. Teddy was doing really well, he stopped falling over, and at a subsequent physio session the physio thought his spine looked much better.

He does however need another dental, just confirmed this morning. I'm really annoyed - not at him of course, but I just bought a new bed to try and help my chronic back pain (hasn't worked thus far), and then my car died and I had to spend £600 on it so once his dental is paid for I've basically wiped out all my savings, which is so frustrating. But it's not Teddy's fault, bless him.

He also has a slight eye infection in his down facing eye, which I'd suspected as it had got a bit red and the lubricant didn't seem to be helping. So he has antibiotics as well as lubricant for that now. He's booked in for his dental next week, fingers crossed all goes well and that it'll be his last one for a while!

Click to expand...

Oh gosh what a time of you're having. So sorry!

I hope his dental goes well, and that his little eye clears up quickly.

Is it going to be gruel for you at Christmas time?

Orenoko said:

I realised I forgot to update this thread. Teddy was doing really well, he stopped falling over, and at a subsequent physio session the physio thought his spine looked much better.

He does however need another dental, just confirmed this morning. I'm really annoyed - not at him of course, but I just bought a new bed to try and help my chronic back pain (hasn't worked thus far), and then my car died and I had to spend £600 on it so once his dental is paid for I've basically wiped out all my savings, which is so frustrating. But it's not Teddy's fault, bless him.

He also has a slight eye infection in his down facing eye, which I'd suspected as it had got a bit red and the lubricant didn't seem to be helping. So he has antibiotics as well as lubricant for that now. He's booked in for his dental next week, fingers crossed all goes well and that it'll be his last one for a while!

Click to expand...

I am sorry that Teddy needs another Dental. This can often be an issue for head tilt Bunnies, as can eye problems. Not sure what eye lubricant you are using, but those containing a preservative can actually cause a reaction in some Rabbits. Might be worth flagging this up with the Vet. There are preservative free eye lubricants that can be prescribed.

It's really bad luck that you have had so many additional expenses to cover recently too. I empathise with you re your back problems. Chronic back pain is extremely draining.

Sending lots of vibes for Teddy Bun

Jack's-Jane said:

I am sorry that Teddy needs another Dental. This can often be an issue for head tilt Bunnies, as can eye problems. Not sure what eye lubricant you are using, but those containing a preservative can actually cause a reaction in some Rabbits. Might be worth flagging this up with the Vet. There are preservative free eye lubricants that can be prescribed.

It's really bad luck that you have had so many additional expenses to cover recently too. I empathise with you re your back problems. Chronic back pain is extremely draining.

Sending lots of vibes for Teddy Bun

Click to expand...

Thank you! He's a hardy little guy and he doesn't complain about being pulled and prodded bless him. Ironically I was going to start saving for a dental fund in January [emoji23] guess he didn't want to hang on that long lol.

Sent from my G3121 using Tapatalk

Oh no, sorry everything has happened at once I hope your back improves. Mine has never been better since we bought a new bed and mattress, from ikea! Sometimes it takes a while for you to get used to a bed, so I hope it helps soon.

Sending lots of vibes for teddybun xx

Orenoko said:

Thank you! He's a hardy little guy and he doesn't complain about being pulled and prodded bless him. Ironically I was going to start saving for a dental fund in January [emoji23] guess he didn't want to hang on that long lol.

Sent from my G3121 using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

When do Bunnies ever want to have to wait for anything !! :lol:

Orenoko said:

Thank you! He's a hardy little guy and he doesn't complain about being pulled and prodded bless him. Ironically I was going to start saving for a dental fund in January [emoji23] guess he didn't want to hang on that long lol.

Sent from my G3121 using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

He sounds like an angel bless

Bit like us with the dentist ... hard to wait that long, I guess.

@zoobec that's where my bed is from, hopefully I'll adjust!

With Teddy I don't really understand why he started having teeth problems. He's had his tilt since December last year and only started having dental issues in August, so I don't know what happened to start it. The vet suggested that he might favour one side because one side of his face is partially paralysed, but it's been like that since he became tilty so I just don't know. Wish I could ask him, he's a bit of a medical mystery!

Sent from my G3121 using Tapatalk

So we've had all sorts of fun and games with Teddy this week as some of you may know. He came through his dental absolutely fine but has had a relapse of his tilt. I asked the vet to take x rays of his head and they've been sent off to a specialist. In the meantime we had to stick with baytril and metacam following the dental but he was losing his balance and falling over more and more, so we stopped the metacam and yesterday he had a short acting steroid injection. He's slightly better, but I could hear him grinding his teeth again this morning so back to the vet we went for a painkiller injection. I've been given some emeprid in case his gut slows down, he is drowsy but I was warned that might happen. On the plus side he hasn't fallen over since we got back so at least he gets a chance to have a decent rest.

Unfortunately I'm away from tomorrow afternoon so his timing couldn't be worse! He's being looked after by a pet sitter who is very good but I'm just worried about him. His steroid should wear off by Monday so he can have metacam if he needs it, we've got emeprid if he needs that too. Just keeping everything crossed that he perks up overnight.

Sent from my G3121 using Tapatalk

Sending lots more vibes for Teddy. I hope he doesn't give any cause for concern while you are away.