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Teddy's head tilt journey

i am strictly amateur but i think Max has nailed it.

reading his history, my personal opinion would be that the procedure is worth the risk. he's had such a journey & is only getting older, so anything that has a reasonable chance of success is worth trying. looking at his pic he looks a dear boy.
tbh the main thing that would worry me is if the worst happened with Henry that Lilac would be OK & prepare for that situation.
Yeah that's always a worry as they're pretty close, altthey do spend time apart doing their own thing. I guess that's a challenge all rabbit owners have to face sooner or later!

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Time for an update on my boy and his nine lives...

So after the referral to the specialist I started doing some research into the operation they were proposing (thanks MightyMax for sending that article to me!). It looked like results were pretty mixed, so I decided to give the steroid injection one last try to see if it helped at all. I figured we had nothing to lose by giving it one last try and it would give me a better idea of whether surgery was our only viable option. I took him to the rescue centre vet two weeks ago today, they gave him the injection and we had a chat about the op. The vet's exact words were "if he was my rabbit I wouldn't do it" (eek!). My local vet also said he's one of the healthiest head tilt buns they've treated. This really got me thinking about whether such major surgery was the right thing to do.

Anyway, about 48 hours later, he was back to normal old Ted, barely falling over, sploofing again, and generally MUCH happier and more active. Since then it's been steady improvement and I can tell he's feeling better.

He did have a bit of a hiccup with a bout of stasis which we found out was dental-related, so he had another dental this week. We don't think his teeth issues are linked to his head tilt, so we're still trying to get to the bottom of that. He is fussy with his hay which doesn't help but we'll keep plugging away!

This morning he's been back to the rescue centre vet for a checkup, we agreed to give him another steroid injection and then leave him to see how he goes. I expect at some stage in the future he'll have another relapse, and if and when it does happen I think I'll go down the steroid route first as it seems to work for him. I know steroids aren't good for rabbits long term, but I don't think at this stage that he needs to be maintained by steroids, just on an as and when basis. Fingers crossed that is the case, I just want him to be happy and to have as normal a life as he can. He's definitely a trooper and a tough little cookie and I just want the best for him.
 
Time for an update on my boy and his nine lives...

So after the referral to the specialist I started doing some research into the operation they were proposing (thanks MightyMax for sending that article to me!). It looked like results were pretty mixed, so I decided to give the steroid injection one last try to see if it helped at all. I figured we had nothing to lose by giving it one last try and it would give me a better idea of whether surgery was our only viable option. I took him to the rescue centre vet two weeks ago today, they gave him the injection and we had a chat about the op. The vet's exact words were "if he was my rabbit I wouldn't do it" (eek!). My local vet also said he's one of the healthiest head tilt buns they've treated. This really got me thinking about whether such major surgery was the right thing to do.

Anyway, about 48 hours later, he was back to normal old Ted, barely falling over, sploofing again, and generally MUCH happier and more active. Since then it's been steady improvement and I can tell he's feeling better.

He did have a bit of a hiccup with a bout of stasis which we found out was dental-related, so he had another dental this week. We don't think his teeth issues are linked to his head tilt, so we're still trying to get to the bottom of that. He is fussy with his hay which doesn't help but we'll keep plugging away!

This morning he's been back to the rescue centre vet for a checkup, we agreed to give him another steroid injection and then leave him to see how he goes. I expect at some stage in the future he'll have another relapse, and if and when it does happen I think I'll go down the steroid route first as it seems to work for him. I know steroids aren't good for rabbits long term, but I don't think at this stage that he needs to be maintained by steroids, just on an as and when basis. Fingers crossed that is the case, I just want him to be happy and to have as normal a life as he can. He's definitely a trooper and a tough little cookie and I just want the best for him.



You were very welcome for the article, and I think we were both relieved that the photos didn't transfer on email :lol:

It sounds to me that Teddy is one of those cases where the steroids work well and are absolutely indicated for the problem. I totally agree with the vet who said they wouldn't do the operation. You can always reverse that decision in the future if things change, but for now I think you are managing things in the same way I would.

I am so pleased that the old Ted is back and enjoying life. That's what it's about after all! His lovely quality of life.

Have you tried him on readigrass? It's just as good for the teeth as hay, but is a little (tiny bit) more fattening and more tasty so my buns tell me :) And I know you're pursuing the conscious dental idea so what more could you be doing for your little hoodlum? Nothing, I think you're brilliant and Teddy couldn't be in better hands :)
 
You were very welcome for the article, and I think we were both relieved that the photos didn't transfer on email [emoji38]

It sounds to me that Teddy is one of those cases where the steroids work well and are absolutely indicated for the problem. I totally agree with the vet who said they wouldn't do the operation. You can always reverse that decision in the future if things change, but for now I think you are managing things in the same way I would.

I am so pleased that the old Ted is back and enjoying life. That's what it's about after all! His lovely quality of life.

Have you tried him on readigrass? It's just as good for the teeth as hay, but is a little (tiny bit) more fattening and more tasty so my buns tell me :) And I know you're pursuing the conscious dental idea so what more could you be doing for your little hoodlum? Nothing, I think you're brilliant and Teddy couldn't be in better hands :)
Thank you [emoji846] I've got readigrass, he used to really like it but now he turns his nose up [emoji849] he'll only eat green oat hay and hay cookies, he's a right fuss pot. He would literally sit and eat nuggets all day if he could, I'm sure if he was a human he'd eat nothing but chocolate [emoji23]. The vet suggested I try a little bit of haylage, I'm going to steal a handful from my share horse later today and see what he makes of it. Also going to buy a roll of turf if I can find a smallish one as I know they were outdoor buns before I had them so I'm sure they both like grass.

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Thank you [emoji846] I've got readigrass, he used to really like it but now he turns his nose up [emoji849] he'll only eat green oat hay and hay cookies, he's a right fuss pot. He would literally sit and eat nuggets all day if he could, I'm sure if he was a human he'd eat nothing but chocolate [emoji23]. The vet suggested I try a little bit of haylage, I'm going to steal a handful from my share horse later today and see what he makes of it. Also going to buy a roll of turf if I can find a smallish one as I know they were outdoor buns before I had them so I'm sure they both like grass.

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There's an oat variety of readigrass? Mine like that, and if he's into oat hay he may well like it as an alternative :)

But even eating the green oat hay, I am guessing that's pretty stalky? And good for teeth!

Have you anywhere nearby that you can cut some grass from? I bring it in from nearby when my garden is depleted. Though I still have quite a bit growing there for the moment.
 
There's an oat variety of readigrass? Mine like that, and if he's into oat hay he may well like it as an alternative :)

But even eating the green oat hay, I am guessing that's pretty stalky? And good for teeth!

Have you anywhere nearby that you can cut some grass from? I bring it in from nearby when my garden is depleted. Though I still have quite a bit growing there for the moment.
I think I have the 'original' readigrass, could try the oat one next time. He just doesn't eat enough hay compared to Lilac, although he has got slightly better. I got some haylage just now and he is not interested at all [emoji23] typical!

Our garden is all stony and horrible, no grass unfortunately, and it's a shared garden so I can't turf it much as I wish I could! I put some grass seeds in a pot as none of my local garden centres had any turf today.

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Thank you [emoji846] I've got readigrass, he used to really like it but now he turns his nose up [emoji849] he'll only eat green oat hay and hay cookies, he's a right fuss pot. He would literally sit and eat nuggets all day if he could, I'm sure if he was a human he'd eat nothing but chocolate [emoji23]. The vet suggested I try a little bit of haylage, I'm going to steal a handful from my share horse later today and see what he makes of it. Also going to buy a roll of turf if I can find a smallish one as I know they were outdoor buns before I had them so I'm sure they both like grass.

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Oh gosh, I wouldn't give horse haylage (the fermented type) to a Bunny. Whilst it is fine for Horses it can cause serious bloat in Rabbits :cry: Hope that Teddy continues to do well.
 
Oh gosh, I wouldn't give horse haylage (the fermented type) to a Bunny. Whilst it is fine for Horses it can cause serious bloat in Rabbits :cry: Hope that Teddy continues to do well.
I wasn't sure if it would be too rich for them, guess it's a good thing they didn't like it!

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I think I have the 'original' readigrass, could try the oat one next time. He just doesn't eat enough hay compared to Lilac, although he has got slightly better. I got some haylage just now and he is not interested at all [emoji23] typical!

Our garden is all stony and horrible, no grass unfortunately, and it's a shared garden so I can't turf it much as I wish I could! I put some grass seeds in a pot as none of my local garden centres had any turf today.

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You are trying everything possible! The oat readigrass and oat hay will help his little teethies :)

Sometimes with the best will in the world, even hay doesn't help grind the teeth down - it's down to the layout of the dentition.
 
I’m glad that he’s doing better :love: I agree with Jane, I wouldn’t feed haylage to bunnies myself. I can’t remember, have you tried him with Timothy hay from Timothy hay.co.uk? They send samples :thumb: also the hay experts do a sample pack of hay. My bunnies favourite hays are the Timothy one, and sweet green hay from natures own. I can send you a sample of the sweet green hay if you want, if you PM me your address? It tends to be a short cut hay which Frosty seemed to find easier to eat when his mouth was sore after his last dental :thumb:
 
I’m glad that he’s doing better :love: I agree with Jane, I wouldn’t feed haylage to bunnies myself. I can’t remember, have you tried him with Timothy hay from Timothy hay.co.uk? They send samples :thumb: also the hay experts do a sample pack of hay. My bunnies favourite hays are the Timothy one, and sweet green hay from natures own. I can send you a sample of the sweet green hay if you want, if you PM me your address? It tends to be a short cut hay which Frosty seemed to find easier to eat when his mouth was sore after his last dental :thumb:
Hi Zoobec, we have done various samples, that's how I found out the oat hay was his fave. Thank you for the offer though it's very kind. I'm not sure why he's fussy with hay, he's not fussy with anything else! I guess he just likes to be different [emoji849]

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Hi Zoobec, we have done various samples, that's how I found out the oat hay was his fave. Thank you for the offer though it's very kind. I'm not sure why he's fussy with hay, he's not fussy with anything else! I guess he just likes to be different [emoji849]

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He has to keep you on your toes. That way he knows you'll remember him forever :love:
 
A wee update for my boy, we went to the vet for a checkup this evening, his back teeth are starting to become slightly slanted again, although the front ones are okay and there are no spurs or anything. The vet now thinks that perhaps his facial paralysis has worsened and that this has changes the way he chews and is resulting in his dental issues. There's not an awful lot I can do to prevent it, I have grown him some grass to help wear the teeth down more (thanks Loobers for the seeds!), he loves eating it but only if I pull it out and feed it to him by hand [emoji849] so high maintenance! The vet said she'd be worried about him long term if he needs anaesthetic on a regular basis, but for the moment he's happy and full of beans. He has lost some weight which I feel is a side effect of the steroid as it's happened before, this is wearing off now so I'm hoping he will gain weight again (if he doesn't then will investigate further). I know some people have considered molar removal, I'm not sure if that's something worth considering further down the line but I don't want to research it just yet as I'll just scare myself! On the plus side he's not falling over and just seems REALLY happy in himself in general and very active, just need to fatten him up and keep him happy!

Here they are eating their grass [emoji7]
e472dc9250bd2a2f8c45c08b5d73332e.jpg


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Last edited:
A wee update for my boy, we went to the vet for a checkup this evening, his back teeth are starting to become slightly slanted again, although the front ones are okay and there are no spurs or anything. The vet now thinks that perhaps his facial paralysis has worsened and that this has changes the way he chews and is resulting in his dental issues. There's not an awful lot I can do to prevent it, I have grown him some grass to help wear the teeth down more (thanks Loobers for the seeds!), he loves eating it but only if I pull it out and feed it to him by hand [emoji849] so high maintenance! The vet said she'd be worried about him long term if he needs anaesthetic on a regular basis, but for the moment he's happy and full of beans. He has lost some weight which I feel is a side effect of the steroid as it's happened before, this is wearing off now so I'm hoping he will gain weight again (if he doesn't then will investigate further). I know some people have considered molar removal, I'm not sure if that's something worth considering further down the line but I don't want to research it just yet as I'll just scare myself! On the plus side he's not falling over and just seems REALLY happy in himself in general and very active, just need to fatten him up and keep him happy!

Here they are eating their grass [emoji7]
e472dc9250bd2a2f8c45c08b5d73332e.jpg


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Thank you for the update and the lovely photo :love:

Yes, molar removal should be a last resort, if absolutely necessary for your little Prince Charming.
I am so glad to hear he's happy in himself still, and I hope you can get a little more weight on him.
Hugs xx
 
I’m glad he is enjoying the grass :love: lovely photo :love: it’s great to hear he is feeling so happy :love:
 
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