Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum DIET & CARE Head Cocked to Side?

Viewing 19 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • Hokankai
      Participant
      252 posts Send Private Message

        At first I thought he was just being adorable, but this morning my Holland lop had his head cocked to the side and it was a little more noticeable. I have found him several times with his head slightly sideways, and it’s always when he’s looking at me from the cage. I haven’t noticed it since this morning, his ears are nice and white (not inflamed) where I can see, he isn’t scratching at his head or anything. What causes this? Is it head tilt? Do I need to be worried? What do I do from here?

        Here are some pics from this morning.

         photo photo1_zps4d0205bc.jpg

         photo 2_zps06f82783.jpg


      • bunnylova123
        Participant
        255 posts Send Private Message

          Went on the resources page and found the on the wonk site. It might help. http://www.onthewonk.com How much does he hold his head to one side? You might have to just get him checked up, do you know how much it might cost?


        • Beka27
          Participant
          16016 posts Send Private Message

            Head tilt can come on very suddenly and needs to be addressed right away. I would call the vet and get him in today or tomorrow. The sooner he can be seen and given meds, the better the prognosis will be.

            This is an article by rabbit expert, Dana Krempels. It explains “what causes this” (and treatment options) very well…. http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html


          • LittlePuffyTail
            Moderator
            18092 posts Send Private Message

              I ditto, Beka. If it’s something unusual for him to do, it’s probably best to get him checked out.


            • Sarita
              Participant
              18851 posts Send Private Message

                I would definitely get him to a vet – it does look like the onset of head tilt which could be from so many things and the sooner you get him in to the vet, the better.


              • jerseygirl
                Moderator
                22338 posts Send Private Message

                  Some {{{vibes}}} for Theodore.


                • Hokankai
                  Participant
                  252 posts Send Private Message

                    Haha I made an appointment this morning before I checked these replies. He’s holding it a little more pronounced today, and when I flipped him onto his back his head and shoulders rotated so I called our Exotics vet. He has an appointment tomorrow at 4pm. Hoping it’s not too serious! He has had ear mites before, but his ears were red when that was going on but they’re eating baled hay from a feed store so I wouldn’t be surprised if he got them again…


                  • LittlePuffyTail
                    Moderator
                    18092 posts Send Private Message

                      Best of luck at the vet! Let us know.


                    • Sarita
                      Participant
                      18851 posts Send Private Message

                        Many times a rabbit who gets mites often is because they have a lower immunity system and are more susceptible because of this – there body cannot fight off the mites. I don’t think anyway that a mite can actually live in a bale of hay for very long – they have to have a host and a bale of hay is not going to be a host for very long for a mite.


                      • Hokankai
                        Participant
                        252 posts Send Private Message

                          This was fresh cut hay. Considering I got a bale of straw from the same place and have been fighting red mites with my chickens ever since…I wouldn’t be surprised if they were there too at some point.

                          Thankfully he hasn’t started flopping over, rolling, or spinning. He just has a constant confused look with his head like this haha.


                        • Hokankai
                          Participant
                          252 posts Send Private Message

                            Well we went to the vet and he was very perplexed at how mild his symptoms were. No balance issues, rapid eye movement, scratching at his head, decrease in appetite…just the mild tilt. He started him on Baytril for 3 weeks to see I that takes care of it since bacteria are the #1 cause. Other than that he’s as healthy as can be! He also said no more cabbage family veggies so no broccoli, kale, or Brussels sprouts (their fave of course). He’s supposed have just pellets and hay…maybe some lettuce…during this course of antibiotics.


                          • Hokankai
                            Participant
                            252 posts Send Private Message

                              Not only did Theodore take his meds like a champ, but he also took the chunk of Acidophilus like a treat! You are making this too easy buddy .

                              It’s weird, I don’t see his head tilt at night it seems, and in the morning it’s the most pronounced?


                            • Sarita
                              Participant
                              18851 posts Send Private Message

                                Why no cabbage family stuff? I’ve never heard that before. I’ve given baytril from my vet numerous times and none of my vets have ever mentioned this before.

                                My rabbits love the acidophilus tablets – I give them as treats.


                              • LittlePuffyTail
                                Moderator
                                18092 posts Send Private Message

                                  ((((Speedy Recovery Vibes))))))

                                  Never heard that about cabbage either.


                                • Hokankai
                                  Participant
                                  252 posts Send Private Message

                                    The cabbage thing was just in general rather than in regards to the meds. He said they are high risk bloat inducing foods since they cause a lot of gas naturally. He’s a very knowledgable exotics specialist so I trust his opinion. I plan on giving them maybe kale or Brussels sprouts every once in awhile, but since there are so many other options its not really worth the risk. He mentioned that since Theodore is 3 yo he’s at a higher risk for GI troubles so its best to do what I can in terms of preventative care.


                                  • LittlePuffyTail
                                    Moderator
                                    18092 posts Send Private Message

                                      How is Theodore doing re: the tilt?


                                    • Hokankai
                                      Participant
                                      252 posts Send Private Message

                                        No change but he’s still upright and isn’t flopping around. He’s been on his meds for a few days now so I don’t expect too much at this point. I’m just happy he’s on all 4’s and still has an enthusiastic appetite.


                                      • Hokankai
                                        Participant
                                        252 posts Send Private Message

                                          I guess I should update! Theodore was on a 3 week course of meds and his tilt has corrected dramatically! I don’t even notice it anymore


                                        • Roberta
                                          Participant
                                          4355 posts Send Private Message

                                            That’s wonderful news….Binky On, Theodore !!!


                                          • LittlePuffyTail
                                            Moderator
                                            18092 posts Send Private Message

                                              So glad to hear it!!!!

                                          Viewing 19 reply threads
                                          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                                          Forum DIET & CARE Head Cocked to Side?