Balance Issues

[Napoleon]

I don’t know if i’m just being an overprotective bunny mom, but I think something is wrong with my little Napoleon.

The last few days he’s been apathetic towards his veggies (lettuce, mint, and cilantro) and has been drinking a lot. He’s also not quite as active as usual, and i’ve noticed that when he gets up on his hind legs, he loses his balance. Also, when he tries to clean his face with his paws, he’s wobbly and sometimes can’t do it.

I’ve checked his ears – barely any wax, very clean. There is some wax at the base of his ear, but I don’t wanna impact any wax that might be down there. He doesn’t tilt his head, but I know it could possibly still be an ear infection without that symptom.

What do you all think? Should i bring him to the vet? I know that bringing him to the vet is always my safest bet, but I don’t want to make any unnecessary trips. Wait it out? Bring him immediately?

My poor baby.

[LittlePuffyTail]

It’s my experience that if a bunny is acting unusual, there is usually a reason. Animals don’t normally change their behavior for no reason.

A quick, unnecessary trip to the vet is much better than not going and bunny getting much worse.

Not sure where you live but the veggies/water issue may be due to the heat but I’m concerned about the loss of balance.

[Monkeybun]

Balance issues could be serious. Definitely take him in!

[littlemissflip]

Balance issues and increased water consumption can both be signs of E. cuniculi infection (among other things, of course).  Balance can be affected due to infection in the brain, and increased water consumption can be a symptom of infection in the kidneys. 

Hopefully this is “nothing”, but… if it were me, I’d take him to the vet.

[Sarita]

You won’t be able to see down his ear canal without the otoscope really and wax or no wax is not indicative of an inner ear problem. Lops are prone to ear infections – I agree that a trip to the vet could be in order.

[Napoleon]

Okay, I’ll definitely take him. The only problem is, the vet I saw for his initial check up was kind of rude, and the wait was long. I don’t really want to go back, and i’d rather get Napple better care somewhere else. The highest rated vet centers (that are rabbit knowledgeable) are either not open today (seriously, a wednesday?) or are booked. Napple seems to be doing better today, eating more veggies, a little less water, but the balance problems are still there.

Should I go to an ER vet, or can this possibly wait a day you think?

[Sarita]

I think you would be fine to wait – you may see if you can drop him off if you aren’t able to get an appointment.

[Napoleon]

The clinic that’s closed today received my message and called me back with two places that treated bunnies. So thoughtful!

I went to a pet hospital, got him checked out and I didn’t really get any answers. I loved the staff and the doc, but Napoleon didn’t show any signs of infection, so I guess it’s the waiting game for now. She said it could be early signs of a vestibular problem, or maybe Pasteurella. I hope it’s not that!

Any guesses?

[kamdynandsunshinesmom]

Its best to take him to the vet my rabbit has a similar problem a year ago and i am so glad i took him to vet he does still have balance issues but he has cancer and it isn’t going to get better we just learn how to deal with it. Hope all goes well

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