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Ear infection maybe?

carolineclair

carolineclair

Warren Scout
Because of my job ive had to ask my Mum to take Maple (10 yr old Dutch) to the vets twice last week

1. Started with a gunky eye which hasnt reappeared and a slight head tilt

Vet checked her teeth and her eye, slight scratch on eyeball so thought maybe she had run into something while i was asleep?! Shes on daily metacam so vet was happy that was solved

2. Shaking of head persisted and she seems to come to me to have her ear on one side scratched

I asked my mum to get the vet to do blood tests (which didnt happen) and to do a more thorough check on her teeth.

She has lost a little weight, but the vet said no sign of ear infection, teeth issues and that putting her under an anaesthetic would likely not have a positive outcome due to her age

3. Her head only tilts when shes had a good shake of the head and clearly needs to itch or scratch, smdue to her arthritis she struggles to get her back legs up to her ears anymore so im trying to do that more her as much as i can

Shes stopped eating her mix but still eating everything else fine and drinking and pooing. I dont know if i shpuod take her back again and of i did what id even ask for. Ive soaked her mix in water this eve and she does appear to be eating it as i type so maybe it could be teeth maybe it could be inner ear?!

I just dont know what to do, i thought two trips to the vet might conclude in something positive but it hasnt



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Ear infections may not show on exam since vit can only see outer ear. Vet's view of teeth also limited on conscious exam.
Is your vet rabbit saavy?
 
carolineclair said:
Because of my job ive had to ask my Mum to take Maple (10 yr old Dutch) to the vets twice last week

1. Started with a gunky eye which hasnt reappeared and a slight head tilt

Vet checked her teeth and her eye, slight scratch on eyeball so thought maybe she had run into something while i was asleep?! Shes on daily metacam so vet was happy that was solved

2. Shaking of head persisted and she seems to come to me to have her ear on one side scratched

I asked my mum to get the vet to do blood tests (which didnt happen) and to do a more thorough check on her teeth.

She has lost a little weight, but the vet said no sign of ear infection, teeth issues and that putting her under an anaesthetic would likely not have a positive outcome due to her age

3. Her head only tilts when shes had a good shake of the head and clearly needs to itch or scratch, smdue to her arthritis she struggles to get her back legs up to her ears anymore so im trying to do that more her as much as i can

Shes stopped eating her mix but still eating everything else fine and drinking and pooing. I dont know if i shpuod take her back again and of i did what id even ask for. Ive soaked her mix in water this eve and she does appear to be eating it as i type so maybe it could be teeth maybe it could be inner ear?!

I just dont know what to do, i thought two trips to the vet might conclude in something positive but it hasnt



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Click to expand...

Certainly sounds as though her ears are bothering her. Rabbits who cannot clean their ears by scratching them often get a build up of gunk which can cause irritation. Intermittent head tild points to it being due to an itchy ear rather than actual vestibular disturbance as would occur with a middle or inner ear infection. Can you call the Vet and ask if they can prescribe/ recommend an ear cleaning solution to use. Best to try to speak with the Vet who has already examined her if possible.

As for not eating her hard food, I have seen this happen when a Rabbit has ear discomfort.

is she drinking and/or weeing more than usual ?
 
bunny momma said:
Ear infections may not show on exam since vit can only see outer ear. Vet's view of teeth also limited on conscious exam.
Is your vet rabbit saavy?
Click to expand...
Shes the same vet shes always seen though i dont think she specialises in rabbits/exotics no. Shes just always been really good with her but this maybe feels beyond her now

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InspectorMorse said:
is she drinking and/or weeing more than usual ?
Click to expand...

No id say the same amount of drinking and weeing

Shes not keen on her greens this morning though so certainly shes going to a vet today as her appetite this morning is not normal

What would you think theyd likley recommend for an inner ear infection just so i can make sure that what they suggest is correct? The head tilting has gone so i dont believe its anything like E.C. But i dont want to put her under anaesthesia, how old is too old to put a bunny under anaesthetic??



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carolineclair said:
No id say the same amount of drinking and weeing

Shes not keen on her greens this morning though so certainly shes going to a vet today as her appetite this morning is not normal

What would you think theyd likley recommend for an inner ear infection just so i can make sure that what they suggest is correct? The head tilting has gone so i dont believe its anything like E.C. But i dont want to put her under anaesthesia, how old is too old to put a bunny under anaesthetic??



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Click to expand...

Depends on the individual case. I would not want to put a 10:year old under GA unless it was absolutely essential. If the Vet you see today does suspect an ear infection then treatment is systemic antibiotics and a non steroidal anti inflammatory. Treatment is usually needed for at least 14 days, often a lot longer.Topical ear treatment is only appropriate if the tympanic membranes are intact.
 
InspectorMorse said:
Depends on the individual case. I would not want to put a 10:year old under GA unless it was absolutely essential. If the Vet you see today does suspect an ear infection then treatment is systemic antibiotics and a non steroidal anti inflammatory. Treatment is usually needed for at least 14 days, often a lot longer.Topical ear treatment is only appropriate if the tympanic membranes are intact.
Click to expand...
Thank you

Appointment made for 11am x

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