Help needed urgently U/D managed to...

[Liquorice]

My rabbit who has been diagnosed with ec has just got worse today
I can tell she's on her way to rainbow bridge but I really need a way to keep her comfortable. She keeps rolling over and when I get her in a comfortable position she stands up and falls over again any advice on how to keep her comfortable will be very appreciated xx

 

[Mackers]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I have no experience of EC so all I can say is some people place the bunny in a fairly confined space, such as a carrier, and use rolled towels placed either side of the bun so that it is held upright.

 

[Zoobec]

I'm so sorry I don't have any experience either, but wanted to send vibes xx

 

[chul]

can you get her to an emergancy vet?

 

[esupi]

I'm so sorry Liquorice. Did you ever manage to get to the vets that Bunny Buddy recommended? I can't imagine how scary it must be to see them like this.

 

[Gemmapookie]

Deep breaths. Her rolling like that doesn't necessarily mean she is on her way to the bridge just yet. My bun Mimi rolled like that continuously for weeks, she couldn't stand or walk atall, and eventually made a full recovery.

Did you see another vet and did Liquorice get some Metacam and antibiotics?

ETA. This is what I did with Mimi when she was rolling. I had to almost wedge her between 2 rolled up towels, with her head resting on one of them. It was the only thing that helped her stand without rolling, and even then she still did occasionally.



You will also need to feed Liquorice any of her uneaten caecotrophs (the soft mushy poos that they usually eat) and bring a bowl of water right to her mouth incase she cant get to it herself.

Loads of vibes and let me know if I can offer any more advice, I know how horrendous it is to see them like that x

 

[mini lop1]

the rolled up towels to help keep her proper up is a good idea, also if you think she is much worse can you get her to vets, sometimes with EC they seem worse before better, I hope your bunny can recover

 

[Liquorice]

I've been trying to give her water but she won't take any. I need to give her the antibiotics and wormer but I don't want to stress her out anymore what should I do? I put a towel down and layer her against it but how's she's got up and fallen down with her feet on it instead. I'll ask my mum about getting some towels out for her to lie on

 

[Bunny Buddy]

I have no experience just wanted to say you are still in my thoughts and EC is horrible, it can look like they are dying but she could still make a good recovery from this but need a lot if TLC and intensive nursing. There's a lot of people here with experience of nursing bunnies with this condition, you've read the 'gets worse before it gets better' - this is the worst.. it can still get better but she needs your help. You are doing a fantastic job for her

 

[Shimmer]

It seems to be fairly standard for them to get worse as they get better - it's all part of EC and she WILL get through it with support. Make sure she can't hurt herself, can get to food and water, and she is kept clean. Restricting where she can go will help until she has more control, and she may need access to a heat pad (eg snugglesafe microwaveable one) wrapped in towels or similar - but she needs to have the choice of whether to be on it or not.

Did you get any more anti-inflammatory for her? They usually only last 24 hours and she should be on it daily to prevent long term damage to the nervous system. If you haven't got any (eg metacam), I would ring or go back to the vet and ask for some as a matter of urgency. Keep up with the Panacur as well.

Several people on here have been through this. My rabbit started with it last Christmas. She improved in the first week or two, then got much, much worse for a week and then started to get better. At her worst, her head was doubled right back to her side and she wasn't able to stand or clean herself - which meant she also couldn't reach food or water, so she was syringe or spoon fed. I kept her in an indoor cage with deep hay so that she was comfortable, cleaner and could eat the hay. She is now back outside in the run with her partner.

She has had a couple of minor relapses during the year for which she has another month of panacur and almost permanent metacam - but she does have other issues as well. If you had seen her at her worst, it was really heartbreaking to watch and I considered PTS a few times. Looking back at posts on here helped, plus the fact that I was more distressed than she was and it was just a matter of more time and TLC to get through it.

I personally would not be considering PTS if she is still eating (with or without help) and weeing / pooing normally, and you are able to cope with the medication, etc. She needs lots of nursing and TLC at the moment. Ask your vet for advice if you are worried. You could still book in to Crab Lane vets for some expert advice and explain what has happened so far. They are THE rabbit specialist in Yorkshire. Your vet could also ring them for advice if they are not familiar with treating EC.

 

[Liquorice]

It seems to be fairly standard for them to get worse as they get better - it's all part of EC and she WILL get through it with support. Make sure she can't hurt herself, can get to food and water, and she is kept clean. Restricting where she can go will help until she has more control, and she may need access to a heat pad (eg snugglesafe microwaveable one) wrapped in towels or similar - but she needs to have the choice of whether to be on it or not.

Did you get any more anti-inflammatory for her? They usually only last 24 hours and she should be on it daily to prevent long term damage to the nervous system. If you haven't got any (eg metacam), I would ring or go back to the vet and ask for some as a matter of urgency. Keep up with the Panacur as well.

Several people on here have been through this. My rabbit started with it last Christmas. She improved in the first week or two, then got much, much worse for a week and then started to get better. At her worst, her head was doubled right back to her side and she wasn't able to stand or clean herself - which meant she also couldn't reach food or water, so she was syringe or spoon fed. I kept her in an indoor cage with deep hay so that she was comfortable, cleaner and could eat the hay. She is now back outside in the run with her partner.

She has had a couple of minor relapses during the year for which she has another month of panacur and almost permanent metacam - but she does have other issues as well. If you had seen her at her worst, it was really heartbreaking to watch and I considered PTS a few times. Looking back at posts on here helped, plus the fact that I was more distressed than she was and it was just a matter of more time and TLC to get through it.

I personally would not be considering PTS if she is still eating (with or without help) and weeing / pooing normally, and you are able to cope with the medication, etc. She needs lots of nursing and TLC at the moment. Ask your vet for advice if you are worried. You could still book in to Crab Lane vets for some expert advice and explain what has happened so far. They are THE rabbit specialist in Yorkshire. Your vet could also ring them for advice if they are not familiar with treating EC.

She won't take any water or food though and I'm scared giving her the medication will stress her out even more. She has eaten a little earlier but not enough and drank a couple of sips but not enough and she might go into stasis if we don't get her to eat it's such a heartbreaking situation. If I try to syringe feed her anything she kicks me and yanks her head away and she might hurt herself if I'm not careful

 

[MimzMum]

I'm sorry that your bun is feeling so poorly, Liquorice. Head tilt is terrible but don't give up yet. Mimzy was seriously ill and rolling for weeks before he stabilised but with round the clock nursing we brought him through. Believe me, I was so alarmed by his symptoms after the first week that I seriously considered euthanizing him. I'm so glad now that I didn't!
I don't know how much vet care you've received so far but I will add that metacam is not only good for any pain relief but to also reduce any swelling around the areas where e.c. spores have affected tissues. We also used meclizine for Mimzy's balance issues which really seemed to help him stay upright (it's a motion sickness drug for people, you'd have to get a prescription for it.)

Getting them to eat and drink is tricky. I soaked hay cakes and pellets for extra fluid for him but I also learned how to administer sub q fluids to keep him hydrated. Mimzy's appetite waxed and waned those first few months and he did lose some weight but we made it up as he got better. Tempt your bun with just about any herb or green you can. I understand not wanting to stress her and if she won't take something right now wait a little while and try again. It really is a 24/7 nursing job and you can imagine if your bunny doesn't know which way is up she's probably feeling queasy too so eating and drinking may be sparse.

This is the thread I started when Mimzy became ill. I realize it's a long read but it chronicles his journey through tilt and all we did to help him. I hope there will be something in there to help you with your bun. Sending vibes and prayers for her complete recovery and hugs for you. xxxx

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...pected-Joy-post-221&highlight=mimzy+head+tilt

 

[Liquorice]

I put a couple of towels in with her and she absolutely loves them. Instead of leaning against them she decided to become more energetic and play with them and lick them. After that she drank some water out of her bowl whilst we gently held her head up for her. Then she snatched food out of our hands. She's had a little bit of lettuce to help with the liquids but not that much, parsley, some big pieces of carrot and a bit of cabbage. She suddenly decided to gain her appetite back. Sometimes I can't tell if she genuinely can't eat a food or she's just being picky. She's managing perfectly fine to eat huge chunks of carrot but won't eat her dried food. We've managed to give her wormer And baytril but most of it went down her chin that she helpfully licked. After reading mimzmums thread about head tilt I decided to check Liquorices chin for sores from dribbled medicine and water. It looks a bit red and a little scabby so I've managed to clean and dry her chin gently with the towel.
In the past hour her falling over and rolling has come down a little and she managed to stand and clean her paws by herself. I really can't decide if she's going to make a turn for the worst or the best. My mum is ringing up Crab lane vets tomorrow to book an appointment! Hopefully they will be able to give us a bit more advice than the vets we are currently at.

Thanks for all the vibes they are greatly appreciated!

At the moment she is lying in her cage with her head resting in the towel. She seems to be lying in a more normal sleeping position than before but we just have to pray for her during the night

 

[esupi]

That sounds really positive!

Sometimes I think it's more stressful for us watching them than it is for them. Cleaning is brilliant.

 

[Shimmer]

So glad that she is doing a bit better. Just keep going and be prepared for a few more ups and downs.

Eating and drinking when you are twisted at a funny angle and don't know which way is up is difficult and distressing. It can also get very messy if you are feeding her. It's probably better all round if she can eat for herself, as long as she is getting enough (check her poos).

I used to leave little saucers (actually jam jar lids) of wet food where she could get to them. Try moistened pellets, veg based baby food, grated apple & carrot. She may be struggling to pick up and chew her pellets at the moment. Just make it easier for her. If you try syringe or spoon feeding, you may need to hold her at an angle that she is comfortable with, or wrap her in a towel to keep her still.