Hello – this is could very likely be head tilt – was the vet you were at a rabbit savvy vet? This is definitely an emergency situation as it could be many different sickness’s, all of which need to be treated in a timely manner. The website http://www.rabbit.org has a list of vets on it that are rabbit friendly. If the vet that you went too couldn’t do anything – I would tend to think they are not rabbit savvy as a rabbit savvy vet would definitely consider this an emergency. In the case of Wordmonkey, I don’t think it was quite as severe as the bunny was not tipping over. When they loose their balance like that it is a very serious condition. I will make sure other members of the board get back to you ASAP – but please try to find a rabbit savvy vet as soon as you can. If you can tell us what area you are in, we might be able to help with some vet names.

Here is some advice for caring for the bunny at the moment from http://www.rabbit.org – we had a bunny that developed head tilt at the rescue, and the sooner you get the rabbit treated the more likely it is that the head tilt will be mild (I am not able to 100% diagnose this is what the bunny has, but it sounds likely)

Lack of balance is what causes rabbits to "roll" and be unable to stand, so I try to pick them up as little as possible. When you must pick your rabbit up, hold him securely against your own body, to help him feel as stable as possible. Depending upon the size of your rabbit you can usually figure out how to confine him to a smaller space (perhaps a sweater box with the higher sides). Place one of the synthetic sheepskin rugs (that allows urine to pass through but will keep the bun dry) on the floor of the cage or box, and then place rolled towels or small blankets to help prop him up, so that he will be less likely to roll when he loses his balance. A stuffed toy bunny friend also helps.

If your rabbit decides to decline food, you will have to be ready to syringe feed him. There are many recipes for syringe feeding and you can be fairly creative. The primary point is to get food into his stomach so that his gut doesn’t stop moving, which would add further complications to the process of getting him well. A sample recipe might be pellets mixed with 2 parts water, mixed garden baby food, some banana, some powdered acidophilus, some apple sauce (some of whatever he usually likes that has a strong taste). Feed him as frequently as possible throughout the day, and as much as you can get down him at each feeding. When he clenches his teeth and won’t swallow, stop for awhile and try more later.

How is she when she is not on her hind legs? Is her head tilted, is her body tilted in anyway? Is there any nystagmus of the eyes? Is she eating, is she drinking.

Did the vet look in her ears? Did she take x-rays, draw blood? Prescribe any meds?

Just FYI – WordMonkey’s bunny was diagnosed wih e.cuniculi, and though head tilt can be caused by several things, the fast you get a rabbit savvy vet the better, because if it is e.cuniculi, permanent damage can be done if not treated quickly. Hopefully the rabbit.org site was able to supply you with a name of a vet near you. Otherwise, you could seek out rabbit rescues or rabbit clubs in your area and contact them for a recommended vet.

Please keep us updated. I am sending out healing, healthy and rabbit savvy vet VIBES your way!

I’m sorry you and your bunny are dealing with this.

Here is the link to the thread your were looking for – https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=3&tpage=1&view=topic&postid=9982#9999  (I think you said you found it, but just in case)   If you read down to my responses, you will see many other symptoms that can be included into head tilt.

A problem with balance can also be a symptom of ecuniculi.   My bunny does not have head tilt, but because of weakness in her back legs, and some balancing issues, she will fall over, and she can no longer stand on her hind legs.   She has e.cuniculi.

It sounds like your bunny might be dealing with a ear infection from what you said, but the fact that she is around other bunnies, and e.cuniculi spores can live for a long time around the area, then I would double with a blood test and get her "titer" levels.  

But here’s the catch – if her titer levels are low, it doesn’t mean she has it, just that she’s been exposed, or that she has it, but the levels are still very low.  And so she may have an ear infection that is causing it, but still test positive to e.cuniculi but not actually have symptoms from that.  HOWEVER, if her titer levels are high, then at least  you would have a better idea of what you are actually dealing with.  It still won’t tell you if she’s in the contagious stage or not.  Unfortunately there is no test for that right now.

So why bother testing?  Because IF she tests positive at least you can cover all bases and get her quickly treated with meds that are supposed to help hinder the development of the disease, which may help prevent permanent damage.   Also, just a good thing to be aware of especially since you have otgher rabbits.

I know sometimes the REW are known to scan. I’m not at all familiar with cerebellar congenital disorder either.

Sneezing isn’t always due to illness either sometimes that’s just a change in environment that causes that or just something that causes you to sneeze is in the environment.

I really don’t understand either what Wordmonkey means by “drunk to the point that he sometimes falls over and catches himself when he stands up” – that makes me think this rabbit has a balance problem but I don’t think that rabbits are meant to always stand on their hind legs – I do see rabbits however stand on their hindlegs and periscope or scan the room.

I do have a rabbit too that “snores” when he is resting.

I’d love to know if you discover your rabbit has a medical condition because now I’m extremely curious about it.

Here are some good articles on e. cunniculi.

homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabrefs.html#ec

Hello again!

I forgot to say Welcome to BinkyBunny before

I’m glad to hear you have a rabbit savvy vet – they tend to be difficult to find so I had assumed it was a regular vet, but I’m glad its someone familiar with rabbits. I don’t know an extensive amount of information about rabbit diseases, so I am not much help beyond this point, but I did want to say that I hope your bunny feels better, and me and my bunny friends are sending healing vibes your bunny’s way!

It sounds like you’ve gotten some excellent advice, I just wanted to say welcome as well! I’d highly encourage you to have her titer and blood checked, especially since you mentioned having other rabbits in the house. I do hope she will be ok, and am glad to hear you’ve got a bunny knowledgeable vet.

I want to welcome you too, but am sorry about what brought your first post.  I would definately get a second opinion from another vet just to be sure.  If it is e. cuniculi, stress can bring on an episode of it and since your bun was brought into a new home, it may have triggered something.  I hope your rabbit feels better soon, please keep us updated.