~ILoveMyBunny~
Alpha Buck
Hey all,
Unfortunately following on from my previous thread where our young Harley was improving well (original thread: http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...h-head-tilt-balance-issues-(-U-d-37-Improving!) Harley suddenly relapsed last week. Thursday he was showing a minor tilt, whereas he had barely any trace of one on Tusday at his appointment with the exotic vet (at that time he was removed from metacam but kept on co-trim and fenbendazole) and was about 95% back to himself.
Friday a real tilt developed and we went back to the exotics vet this Tuesday who increased his fenbendazole and changed to small animal sulfatrim (instead of paediatric co-trim that he was on), again at an increased dose. He also put him back on the metacam. Harley's gained 40% of his weight since his initial appointment (and is not in any way overweight, just growing fast!)
Unfortunately the tilt has continued to get worse. Yesterday it got so bad his head is nearly upside down at times. This morning more of the same.
The nystagmus is back in his eye and on Tuesday the vet noted his pupil was giving a poor response to light.
He seems to be managing his balance a bit better this time though is still having some issues. Mainly when he's picked up, putting him back down he always flips on his back and rolls, it's quite horrific to see. He had some balance issues earlier in the week but seems relatively stable now considering his head is flopped so far to one side.
In himself otherwise Harley is completely normal. He still wants to play and run and doesn't understand that he can't have the normal freedom he so desperately wants. He is eating non-stop and loving a fuss, albeit for short periods as he's too eager to get back to play and can't sit still for long.
I don't know what to think or do but seeing him with his head so very severe now is starting to scare me. I just can't believe it, he seemed to be almost over it!
The vet said if he hadn't improved by the next visit (Tuesday) that he'd think about wanting x-rays and bloods. I'm toying with the idea of taking him in sooner to get them done so the exotics vet can review them (the exotics vet do a clinic at our surgery but only do Tuesdays, usually only every two weeks - not sure why there was an extra one this week) but I'm kind of scared to put him under sedation in his state.
I just don't know what to do for the best. It's awful seeing him like this, he's worse now than he was before. The medication isn't doing anything to help him now it seems.
He's fighting this in every way he can, his strength and determination are amazing. If it wasn't for seeing him physically so wrong you'd never know anything had changed. He's a whirlwind of energy, a cheeky, bossy little thing who never stops eating (and I do mean never!).
I just don't know how best to help him
Unfortunately following on from my previous thread where our young Harley was improving well (original thread: http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...h-head-tilt-balance-issues-(-U-d-37-Improving!) Harley suddenly relapsed last week. Thursday he was showing a minor tilt, whereas he had barely any trace of one on Tusday at his appointment with the exotic vet (at that time he was removed from metacam but kept on co-trim and fenbendazole) and was about 95% back to himself.
Friday a real tilt developed and we went back to the exotics vet this Tuesday who increased his fenbendazole and changed to small animal sulfatrim (instead of paediatric co-trim that he was on), again at an increased dose. He also put him back on the metacam. Harley's gained 40% of his weight since his initial appointment (and is not in any way overweight, just growing fast!)
Unfortunately the tilt has continued to get worse. Yesterday it got so bad his head is nearly upside down at times. This morning more of the same.
The nystagmus is back in his eye and on Tuesday the vet noted his pupil was giving a poor response to light.
He seems to be managing his balance a bit better this time though is still having some issues. Mainly when he's picked up, putting him back down he always flips on his back and rolls, it's quite horrific to see. He had some balance issues earlier in the week but seems relatively stable now considering his head is flopped so far to one side.
In himself otherwise Harley is completely normal. He still wants to play and run and doesn't understand that he can't have the normal freedom he so desperately wants. He is eating non-stop and loving a fuss, albeit for short periods as he's too eager to get back to play and can't sit still for long.
I don't know what to think or do but seeing him with his head so very severe now is starting to scare me. I just can't believe it, he seemed to be almost over it!
The vet said if he hadn't improved by the next visit (Tuesday) that he'd think about wanting x-rays and bloods. I'm toying with the idea of taking him in sooner to get them done so the exotics vet can review them (the exotics vet do a clinic at our surgery but only do Tuesdays, usually only every two weeks - not sure why there was an extra one this week) but I'm kind of scared to put him under sedation in his state.
I just don't know what to do for the best. It's awful seeing him like this, he's worse now than he was before. The medication isn't doing anything to help him now it seems.
He's fighting this in every way he can, his strength and determination are amazing. If it wasn't for seeing him physically so wrong you'd never know anything had changed. He's a whirlwind of energy, a cheeky, bossy little thing who never stops eating (and I do mean never!).
I just don't know how best to help him