It could just be that boston is sleepy, bunnies have bad days same as us and it’s hard as parent’s not to overthink it. I’d say give it a couple hours, if nothing gets better or if it gets worse, you can take her in…Make sure you make up your mind by end of office hours today (to avoid emergency vet trip on the weekend that might be costly)

when buns don’t act like themselves, that’s usually your first clue that something is wrong. buns can get head tilt, unfortunately i know very little about it and what it is caused by, just that it’s very bad. someone should be a long soon to give you some more info. please keep a close eye on him. you may want to call your vet and see if you can get him in this afternoon… just in case. it is friday, so most vets are not going to be available all weekend. or call your vet now and see who they refer to for emergencies so if it gets worse over the weekend, you already know where to go/who to call.

Let’s hope it’s not head tilt.  That can be very serious so you would want to see a vet ASAP if this continues today. And of course today is Friday, so you may want to give the vet a call…

i have never heard of rabbits being given yogurt.. is this a rabbit savvy vet? could well be right.. i havent really heard of it but im sure someone can help

alright. i’m glad you took her but it doesn’t seem like she know buns that well. unfortunately this is sometimes the case… i’m not sure about the yogurt. why did she recommend that? i don’t know enough about this to be of any help at all, so i messaged the community leaders (aside from K&K b/c she’s already seen this!)

i suppose you should give the meds b/c that’s what the vet recommended… but i’m not sure about the yogurt. hang tight.

yes it does seem a silly thing because i read everywhere about not giving bunnies yogurt drops and those seedy bars with yogurt in and all that crap

The reason she said to give the yogurt is to help fix an unbalanced digestive system but I don’t think she realizes that bunnies cannot have yogurt. Rabbits are vegan and cannot digest anything dairy so I don’t know why she said this other than she is not that rabbit-savvy.

I think you need to get Boston to a rabbit-savvy vet – you definitely need another opinion. She could have an inner ear infection which cannot be seen by looking into the ear – I believe only by xray? Or it could be EC. It sounds like the beginnings of head tilt, and speaking from experience (my rabbit had it a year and a half ago), early detection is critical to a full recovery.

Of course this is all just my opinion, but if it is head tilt, you need to act fast. Kisses to Boston.

Wow this vet does not sound like they know anything about rabbits.  When Edson was on antibiotics they also gave me probiotics to add the good bacteria back in his system.  Glad Becka emailed the leaders because this does not sound right at all.  I really feel for you.

My impression is that yogurt is sweet and fattening, but I haven’t heard why else it is discouraged. However, anti-biotics are definitely hard on the digestion and yogurt is always recommended for humans whenever on them. I’m thinking that if the anti-bio is what is truly important to treat whatever’s wrong, then give Boston some yogurt which may be less harmful than the effects of the meds without it. Of course, call another vet (at the HRS that’s far away?) for a phone consult to confirm the treatment since you’re worried. But see if the meds and lapping up a bit of yogurt has a beneficial effect. My 2 cents. I don’t want Boston ill. (((((((((((healing vibes and hugs to you both)))))))))))))))))

Here’s some information on head tilt.  Not to scare you but it might help you to understand a little about it.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html

yes, I am also concerned it may be head tilt, since that’s the thing most commonly associated with the tilting head and falling symptom you’re describing.  Head tilt can be caused by a number of things – but it very well may be a inner ear infection, E. cuniculi or pastuerella.  this is a very serious condition.

I know you just went to the vet today, but the fact that she wants you to give Boston yogurt raises big red flags for me too. I highly recommend getting her into the rabbit savvy vet ASAP.

here are a few places with rabbit vets, and I am hopefully there will be one a bit closer to you

Minnesota Companion Rabbit Vets List

Morfz Rabbit Vets in Minnesota (may be out of date, but could be helpful

sending LOTS of good wishes for Boston’s quick recovery

Hmm. Didn’t see Knowlton’s post about pro-biotics. More worried about your vet now. Listen to the others. Looks like gravehearted has some good help for you too.

Don’t give yogurt-you can buy probiotic but you know what I wouldn’t even worry about that tonight; I used ‘benebac” If you were closer I’d give you some because I have lots on hand.

See if you can find a better vet closer is my best advice. Your vet should have been worried that he’s not pooping. Try a tummy massage, and try hand feeding to get things moving. other then the stomach thing it sounds like it’s the e.cunn thing that BB’s bunny has….but I don’t know for sure.

Keep us posted, and good luck finding a better vet. You might even just try phoning the vets that are far away and tell them the symptoms over the phone and ask for help!

VIBES for Boston *hugs*

What kind of antibiotics did the vet give you?

Honestly you can’t wait until tomorrow! This is extremely serious! Yes call a rabbit savvy vet and explain the situation. Your other vet has no clue about rabbits and should have referred you somewhere else as they are not giving you correct advice. I know this must be tearing you apart. Please contact another vet today.

Don’t mean to bug you, but am concerned. What time did you start Boston on the anti-bios? (Will give you an idea of when to watch for an improvement if they are effective.)

Any response from the vet calls? I’m thinking try the Sioux Falls one, then one of the experts from gravehearted to compare their phone advice. She probably just needs to rest comfortably and not be stood up by her slaves if it isn’t necessary. Sounds like you’ve made her safe and comfy. Knowltons’ article is very informative and encouraging as well. (((((((healing pets for Boston)))))))

Did you see these?

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The truth is that over the phone a vet is not going to prescribe any medication unless they have actually seen and treated your rabbit for this before – that would be negligence on their part so your best bet is if you cannot get in tomorrow is to continue with the antibiotics (what are they by the way) until you can get Boston to a rabbit knowledgeable vet.

True but maybe they can offer some sort of help to get thru the night until they can see Boston. I’m not saying a new medication which obviously they could not prescribe with out seeing the bun. The antiobiotic they prescribed for Boston, what was it specifically for?

Yes, that’s what I was thinking too, knowltons. And getting an appointment made for tomorrow. If today’s vet took blood tests, she will be able to forward the results to a second vet as well.
I guess a lot of us just love Boston. (((((bunny hugs)))))))

I recommend rolling up towels and placing them along the sides of the cage to prevent injuries as well as towels on the floor. Definately take Boston to a more savvy vet for better and more immediate treatment, try and tempt with more fragrant veggies like cilantro or mint, have some canned pumpkin on hand with a syringe for force feeding. Also if you do not have a water bottle, get one now. A rabbit with head-tilt has extreme difficulty drinking from a water crock.

Just a caution, I would not feed cauliflower it can cause GI upset, gas and bloating and could be partly why your bun is having some trouble with pooing.

Oh good – so you are doing the baytril by injections – that is so much better! Keep us updated, I think at least you are starting her on some antibiotics and baytril is widely used for rabbits.

Ugh, my heart aches for you and Boston.

Do you have any critical care that you can start force feeding? The last thing you need is to add a g.i. slowdown to the mix. If you don’t, soak some pellets in water and syringe them into her.

When my bunn had head tilt, in additon to the meds he was getting, I also gave him Bonamine. I don’t know if you have it in the States, but it’s like Dramamine (we call it Gravol up here in Canada) and it is for motion-sickness. But aparently only this one product has the active ingredient needed to help with any dizziness from head tilt. This stuff helped Fluffy to feel better enough to eat.

The onset of head tilt is very confusing for a rabbit – vertigo, dizziness, lack of co-ordination. What’s happening is she feels dizzy holding her head the usual way and it makes her “tilt” her head just enough to make the dizziness stop, but this then makes them very disoriented and confused. Keep in mind though that she WILL adapt to it but it will take time. The best advice I was given was to be prepared – it gets worse before it gets better. I don’t want to scare you, but you need to know that. Be prepared for “rolling” – this is when the bunn rolls over but can’t stop and, quite literally, rolls across a room until it hits a wall.

But really, only a rabbit-savvy vet can diagnosis it as head tilt so you need to get to one ASAP. I am so sorry there isn’t a vet closer to you and I know it is so frustrating when it happens on a weekend when help is limited.

Please keep us posted. I am sure there are others who know about head tilt who can also help. Take a deep breath, try not to pick her up and carry her too much and do all you can to get to a vet. Keep your spirits up – it’s very frighteneing for Boston and if she feels the panic in you, it will only upset her more, so be strong. Head tilt is serious but there is help for it!

You can try meclazine but this does not work in all rabbits – I would wait on this until you talk to a vet about it though.

Baytril is good, that would be for an ear infection – my guess. When my bunn had head tilt, because we didn’t know if it was an inner ear infection or e.c. and didn’t want to wait to find out, he was treated for both, so he was given baytril and panacur (for e.c.). We did a titer test which came back positive for exposure to e.c. so we still didn’t know the cause (if it had come back negative, we could rule out e.c. as the cause and focus on treating for the ear infection). His meds were changed from baytril to zithromax and he also stayed on the panacur. Six weeks later, his head tilt was gone.

So we don’t know what caused it, but Fluffy goes on panacur for 30 days once a year as a preventative.

Rolled up blankets are great. Cutting down the litter bin will help her get in and out as well. We also put baby crib bumper pads around the cage as well (Goodwill) and during the very bad times when he rolled a lot, we used an old toy box filled with pillows and rolled up blankets for him to sleep in at night. We called it his “manger”. I kept it right up against my bed and slept with my hand in there all night so he knew I was close by.

I would definitely not feed Boston cauliflower or anything in the broccoli family.  Way to gassy. Just stick to romaine lettuce, baby greens, parsley & mint for now. I’m so glad you are getting a call back.  Can you tell we all care soooo much!!!! 

When you took her to the vet what did the vet do to rule out an ear infection. Bindi just got over an ear infection and my vet said the only way to tell if it’s infected is to look under a microscope for the presence of bacteria. Did she do this? Sometimes there can be an infection with very little discharge.

Yes, my last head tilt rabbit was treated with both pen-g and panacur as well just as a precaution.

was this the one…?   binkybunny.com/Default.aspx

Gosh I wish I had something to add to this discussion more than just I will be praying for little Boston and for you. ((((((((((((((((Please get better sweet little bun!)))))))))))))))))

YAY for poop and pee! That is a huge relief! Do all you can to get her to continue to eat, even if it means hand feeding her, and give her nice wet greens so she gets some water in there too. Poor sweet Boston.

Oh I wish I could just give you a hug right through my computer screen. This all brings back scary memories for me – I know EXACTLY what you are going through. We are all here to help and lend support. Keep us posted and kisses to Boston.

Yay, so glad you talked to that vet – do keep us updated. Boston sounds like he is starting to come around too.

Good good good. At least you have another opinion. Try to not get stressed out over this. We will all be crossing our fingers tonight that everything will be ok. Take care little Boston…

P.S. Let us know what happens at the vet!!!!

Oh that’s great news! ^_^ I will keep the prayers going nonetheless. ((((((((((Boston)))))))) Isn’t this site the BEST?? I can’t tell you how indispensable it’s been for me. You guys have become my second family, truly!
Deep breaths now. Deep, calming breaths.

Wow, I am so sorry that I haven’t been able to get to this post until now. Thanks Gravehearted & Scarlet! And it’s good to know we have such awesome members who can help.

Hugs to you and Boston. I am sorry you did not have a rabbit savvy vet at your finger-tips. The vet should have treated Boston for e.cuniculi right away way s/he couldn’t find an ear infection, just in case, because the quicker you get to e.cuniculi, the better chance at recovery.

Please keep us udated,and HUGS!!

After you have Boston all nice and tucked in for the night, try to get some rest yourself.

I often took a soft exercise mat (a rolled up one that you use to work out on the floor) and set it next to Spockie’s cage with a pillow and blanket for the night. He’d look at me funny, but I didn’t want to move his cage into my bedroom, and I just wanted to be there if he needed me to wake up. It was really for me, not him. Invariably he’d wake up and say “hay, (oops, pun) you’re still here? Got some breakfast?” and the scary night would be over.

Healing vibes and calm seas for dear Boston, and for you. I know you’ll let us know tomorrow as soon as you can, but you have off line priorities! Love the sound of that HRS vet.

Small pet beds like for cats work great too, some now have rolled up sides that can prop the head and provide comfort.

{{{{ Boston }}}}

Thank goodness that you found a vet who would answer the phone and give you some advice, and yay for poops!  I have nothing to add, other than healing vibes.

(((((((((((((((((((((more healing vibes going your way!))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I’m always the last to reply because of the time difference, but thinking of you and Boston.
Get better lil bun!

(((((((((boston)))))))))  sending lots of healing vibes your way!

i have to work until 1:30 pm (eastern). i hope everything was okay thru the night, i’ll check back in when i get home about 2.

I think if she is drinking her water you won’t need the pedialyte. I think you should put her in a contained place only because if she does get the notion to hop off somewhere and hide while you are out then you would be worried about finding her and you want to keep an eye on her – if you have a box or something she can hide in our under in her pen that would be good. Unless of course you are going to put her in her cage when you are gone, then that’s a different story.

I’m glad she’s eating her hay. I know she doesn’t like the critical care but I urge you to keep trying that. Also get some canned organic pumpkin to try.

More healing vibes to little Boston.

What other medication did the vet recommend for you?

I’m so relieved to read your posts about how she did last night and today. I checked it the first thing when I got home just now. Drinking the water and eating hay is such an improvement. Maybe if she’s comfortable under the coffee table, you could surround it with NIC cubes? Stuff pillows into the openings so she can’t get out on 3 sides? She sounds so snug under there.

Glad to hear your friends came to your place, rather than you having to go out and leave her. It’s especially nice for you to have friends around when she’s not well. Maybe one of them can make a fast run to the store for some organic pumpkin to try.

aw i am glad its picking up for you, i am keeping you all in my thoughts (((vibes)))
and just to comment on what scarlet_rose said about the pet beds, i have made my own pet beds basically i picked up a pillow from the pound store and created my own with an old bed sheet (im sure u noticed the tacky floral stuff my buns are always sitting on it the photos hehe) but they are much cheaper and i can wash them and make them into any shape to fit anywhere – you could create one to go under your table.

What type of syringe are you using? If it’s that big mumbo jumbo one I advise putting the mixture into smaller syringes – just take the mixture from the big syringe, take out the plungers from the small syringes and fill them from the back and put the syringes back. It may take more time but you will find it will be alot more successful and Boston can eat in between syringes. You’ll need quite a few smaller syringes to do this – the 5.0 cc’s work good for this. Got this advice from a vet and I think it’s good advice.

there are two of you trying right? what has worked for us for giving meds is having her wrapped up on the coffee table and then my husband sort of gently lays his upper body on top of her so she cannot squirm. i stick the syringe in the side right behind teeth. we can only do this for about 30 seconds but it’s usually enough time to do it.

Is there any food she just couldn’t resisit? Maybe you could mush up some banana or something and she’ll eat that?

Here is a recommended dosage chart from Oxbow

http://www.oxbowhay.com/download

i’m glad to hear she’s getting something in her!

I have just read this thread. I am glad she is doing better now!!! Healing vibes for her anyway!!!!! (((((((((((((((((((((((Boston))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Have you taken Boston to the new vet? I’m worried about her eating!

How is she doiing now overall?
Is she still tilting/falling?

You were thinking of going to the vet again, or trying another one, what is happening there? It sounds like you’re seeing some benefit from the meds so far – they ought to be working by now if they’re going to. Improvement?
And I’m a “stick it in the side of the mouth” syringe feeder too. Even if you make a sloppy mess, if she’s capable of wiping her face she will get it off with her paws and a wee bit in her mouth.)

So what is causing the head tilt?

Oh, that is so nice that the vet called and agreed to get a consultant in on it. That says to me that your first vet is concerned and very willing to learn. Bailey’s progress is terrific! That sounds like the anti-biotic was the correct one. {{{{{{{{{{nose-kisses }}}}}}}}}}}

Wonderful news!! ***VIBES***for continued improvement and vet care

(I don’t have any good questions for you, but I”m sure someone will!)

I would ask the doctor what signs should you look for if the dosage of the wormer is too strong – just in case they get the mixture wrong.

The wormer is likely panacur, not sure about the dosing though since it’s been awhile since I’ve done the panacur thing.

I am glad our boyfriend took things down a notch. We really do care about rabbits and are genuinely concerend. We just want your fur baby to get the best care possible and as fast as possible.

That is so wonderful your vet did a telephone consult! That is absolutly fantastic and that’s a great vet you have for doing that!

Oxibendazole is a horse worming paste and the dosage is 10 mg/kg per day for 6-12 months for symptomatic rabbits, however the dosage is different for asymtomatic rabbits and you will need to ask your vet which course you are going. Which exact (name) worming paste or meds besides Baytril were you given?

O.K. sounds good! Keep us updated!

Panacur and Baytril is what my little guy was on when he had head tilt. He fully recovered six weeks later.

Help Boston by giving her plenty of love and support. Good luck – we are all thinking of her, and you!

allenj1,
Can’t answer your questions above, but want to discourage you from any thoughts about Boston being worse due to “waiting” until tomorrow. You took immediate action on Friday, and got online here, and by Saturday your vet had put in a call to a specialist to help. You administered anti-bio immediately and results are already quite evident. So you clearly arrested it so it didn’t get worse. Now you will administer additional meds that will effect a cure like rabbitsmba described. (Boston, you listening? Full cure – your mommy has worried enough.) Focus on being careful now, as Markusdark said, watch for adverse changes, and know that you are doing your absolute best.

Fluffy was started on the baytril and panacur immediately as we didn’t know if the cause was an ear infection or e.c. We also did a titer test for e.c. but it took weeks for the results to come back – my vet didn’t want to chance waiting before treating so we treated for it anyway. The test came back positive for exposure to e.c. which didn’t eliminate it as a cause. Fluffy was later switched from Baytil to zithromax and stayed on the panacur.

The rolling was the most horrible part – it made me want to vomit watching my little boy roll uncontrollably. I was warned that it would get worse before it got better and it did. You need to be prepared for that. But it WILL get better. Slowly, Boston will adjust to the head tilt and get better in dealing with it and moving around. Eventually my little guy learned to make big wide turns to get to where he needed to go – we called him our Little Trucker.

It also really helped me to understand what was going on. Boston gets dizzy when she holds her head up the usual way, so she has begun to tilt it at an angle until the dizziness stops. But this now makes it confusing for her to move around. Imagine tilting your head to one side and attempting to walk around your house. It’s hard – but over time, you would figure out how to do it. This is what Boston is experiencing. The next day, she may feel the need to tilt her head even more to get the dizziness to go away, thus increasing her confusion. But eventually, the head tilt will plateau and she will reach a degree of tilt and stay there long enough to fully adapt, then she will learn how to live with it. And with the right treatments, she will start to feel better and slowly her head will return to normal.

But I do have to warn you that in some cases the head tilt is permanent. The cause of the head tilt can be taken care of but the head may not return to it’s normal position. But you need to know that MANY rabbits live long, happy and healthy lives with their heads tilted this way. It’s often harder for the owner to look at than the bunny to live with.

And stay positive. It’s hard, but you need to be strong for Boston. She’s stressed and confused and if she senses anxiety and saddnes from you, and she will, it will scare her. So when you are around her, be happy and sweet, give her lots of pets to reassure her. You are doing all the right things to get her well.

Keep us updated – kisses to Boston.

Yes stay positive and strong! You are doing everything you can. I feel for you and Boston. You’ll get through this. Rabbitsma has some very good advice since she’s been through this. Thanks for keeping us updated. It’s actually a relief to let it out here so feel free!

so then what causes this… E.C.? or can different thigns cause this?

i am so happy Boston is on a course of treatment. i’m positive that she will recover… and the rest of us are all better now knowing the little bit we do about this problem.

(((((((((((((((((((stay strong Boston!)))))))))))))))))))))

and you too (big hug!!)

****VIBES FOR BOSTON******

Hang in there Boston, we’re all pulling for you!

{{{Boston}}}

(((((((((big big hugs))))))))) to you & boston with lots of get well soon vibes!

Awwww poor Boston. Do you have a big box she can rest in? I used an old toy box, filled it with pillows and rolled up blankets to pad the perimeter. Fluffy slept there at night.

ANother thing you can do is massage her neck. Even though you should limit picking her up, when Fluffy was sick, I would cuddle him and rub his neck. Fluffy was never a cuddler but when he had head tilt, he LOVED his massages. Just use your thumb and index finger to rub both sides of her neck. It will help relax the muscles on the side that is stretched out because the head is tilted and it will also help the muscles on the side that is squished and stimulate blood flow. I got this from a Bunny Massage Book.

If anything positive came from Fluffy’s head tilt, it was that we really bonded with each other. I would massage his neck and he would lick my hand. I would sleep with his “manger” (toybox) right next to my bed, with my hand inside so he knew I was nearby, and he would lick my hand at night too. Stay positive. Things are scary for both of you right now. Head tilt is rarely a quick fix so it may be some weeks before you see improvement, but you WILL! Keep that in mind.

I’m so sorry! I do know what that stress feels like. It’s hard. The massage advice from rabbitsmba was great, and it can really help bunnies with head tilt. Even ones who have had it for years, can get better with regular massage work.

rabbitsma,
Is Bunny Massage Book the actual name? Who is the author? That sounds like one to have on the bookshelf.
I’m learning a lot from your posts, too. I’ve found that, human or animal, knowledge brings comfort.

sending lots of healing thought your way, i really hope Boston will be ok

Here is a link to the book on amazon….

http://www.amazon.com/Relaxed-Rabbit-Massage-Your-Bunny/dp/0595310621/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209518465&sr=8-1

I haven’t had a chance to really try all the massages, but when Fluffy got sick, I checked this book and was happy to find a section on massages for head tilt….

Well, this is a bit weird, though to be honest not for me.
On page 4 (4/28) I sent you well wishes for Bailey, not Boston. I meant to write Boston, but have been thinking Bailey for 2 days.
Now I know why. I am so sad.
Well, Boston knows she’s been in my prayers properly, and that I wish her a full recovery. I’m sure she is helped by the massage.
The anti-bio should be helping, but a call to your vet(s) is definitely in order now that it’s daytime.
Keep us posted. (((((((((((((((((((Healing vibes for BOSTON))))))))))))))))))))))

I have just read this thread. I am so sorry it must be so painful to watch her like that. Sending (((((((((((((healing vibes))))))))))

I really have no idea but I wonder if its blood sort of pooling at the bottom because of the tilted position? A call to the vet would be in order.  Boston!  Please get better!!!!!

It’s not unusual for the “down” eye to become an issue. Ask your vet for some drops or a cream to help her out and keep an eye on it. Some bunns with head tilt naturally just keep this eye closed, others don’t so it is good that you noticed it.

What part is red? Is it the skin around the eye? Or the part of the eye that is usually white? I’d have a vet take a look to make sure it’s nothing more than irritation.

You are doing really well with Boston. Head tilt is very scary but you are taking it one step at a time, that is all you can do. Be supportive to Boston, kisses, cuddles, sweet talk, they all comfort her. And we are all here to give you moral support! You are not alone!

I think of you and Boston every day. Kisses to her from me!

(((((((((((((((((((healing vibes for boston))))))))))))))))))))))  this must be very scarey for you both… i’m so glad you have support here from members who’ve been in your shoes.   (((hugs)))

Oh I really wish you a swift recovery Allenj1! It’s great that she is munching hay!! I will keep you and Boston in my prayers!!! (((((((((((((((( BOSTON ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

It’s really great that she still has her appetite. Try hand feeding her greens and pellets and as much hay as you can get in her – then you will have to force feed less.

Also, when you apply the cream to her eye, try to see if you can encourage her to close it a little, this will help keep it safe and less irritated.

Have you been giving her anything for dizziness?

This is a big adjustment period for her but she is learning.

Just wanted to say best of luck with Boston. It’s not easy caring for an invalid bunster – esp having to deal with other stresses in life. Hang in there.

Keeping my prayers going for Boston and for you! ((((((((((((((((hugs & healing vibes)))))))))))))))))
I remember having a BAD inner ear flu when I was about 19-20 years old. It was so nasty, I couldn’t even roll over in bed or move my head from side to side without the entire room doing cartwheels. Took me what seemed like forever to get over it. I was afraid to sleep by myself, thinking I’d roll out of bed and hit something. And I never thought I’d walk again. I think it took me two weeks of serious meds and a full months bed rest to adjust my balance before I recovered. But I love to go boating and I haven’t been able to sail since without feeling extremely sick. So somehow I must’ve damaged my inner ear.
I feel so sorry for you having to see your little furbaby in such distress. I hope Boston will improve quickly!

I think head tilt is one of the hardest things in the world to watch. I believe it can be harder for us humans than it actually is for the bunnies. It sounds like Boston is a strong-willed bunny who is working through it. Some bunnies just give up, but the very fact she munches away on hay means she has the will to live and fight it. There are many bunnies who improve and some bunnies who do live happy lives even with the tilt. Usually what happens, like someone else said, is the ones that do adapt – their brain learns to work with the new view and the dizzyness and rolling stops. Their view becomes stable, and their brain adapts to it. I’ve seen bunnies running around, up and down ramps happy as can be.

I am sending healing happy vibes both your and Boston’s way.

Though Bailey didn’t have head tilt, she had hind leg weakness due to e.cuniculi, and she learned to adapt and found new ways to work through some of her daily routines.

Rabbitpam – That is strange.

Beka – E.C (e.cuniculi) is actually a very common parasitic disease in rabbits. Estimated 1 in 4 of every rabbit in the U.S is positive, however, just because a rabbit is tested positive doesn’t mean they will get the symptoms. At this time it is not a “For sure” thing about how it is passed, but they are are almost certain that it is passed via the urine WHEN the disease has traveled to the kidneys. It is not always in the kidneys, but usually it’s the first place it hits before it migrates to other parts to do more serious damage.

A rabbit then will pass it via urine and the spores can last for up to a year and some have said even two years. My understanding is the only way to kill EC spores is with a 10% bleach/water mixture that is left on for 2 minutes. Now that bleach solution isn’t always convenient to use on things like rugs, and fabrics.

I do plan on asking around though if there are ANY other possible safer cleaners to use on fabrics that could kill the spores. I”ll let you know.

The other way the disease is spread is just from mother to kits. So a baby bunny will just have it from the beginning.

Some rabbits never show symptoms, some show right away, some only show symptoms when their immune system becomes weakened due to age or stress.  For example, Bailey never showed symptoms until she reached six or seven years old, but I knew she had always had it. (she was tested)

Thanks for the great info BB!!

It sounds like Boston is coping well. I hope you are too!! You are both in my thoughts ***HEALING VIBES FOR BOSTON***

hmmmm. I don’t even know what grenedine is. What is it?

Ohhh, well, I have never heard of using grenedine. I do know that my vet gives baytril with a flavored mix, and I honestly don’t know what how sugary that flavored mix is, but the grenedine doesn’t sit well with me. It seems as if it would be extremely sweet. (concentrated?) I think it may be better if you water the grenedine down first.

or better yet, what I used to do with straight baytril is give Rucy something to munch on right after. She hated Baytril and would try actually use her paws to help get rid of it as she spit it out, so I would offer her a tiny sliver of fresh fruit right after and she would then eat that. and not spit the baytril out.     Now fruit is sugary too, of course, but at least it may have some nutritional value too. Plus, I didn’t have to offer much. Even half of dime size of an apple or one tiny shredded string of carrot was plenty for her to be happy with.

You could try mixing the baytril with babyfood.  The only thing to remember is when you mix meds with anything, you have to make sure that Boston is getting every drop of her dose – no leftovers!  But it sounds like she loves the babyfood anyway.  You could also try pure apple juice or pure pumpkin – not the pumpkin pie filling (too sugary) but pure pumpkin.

For dizziness, you can give her Bonamine.  I don’t know if you have it in the States – I think you might.  In Canada we have Gravol which is your equivalent to Dramamine.  But only the Bonamine has the active ingredient that Boston would need.  I believe the ingredient you need to look for is “meclizine”.  This is what it looks like…

(((BOSTON))))

You might be able to find a low calorie grenadine, depending what’s close to you. I punched it into google and they do exist!
http://www.naturesflavors.com/product_info.php/cPath/60/products_id/3315

Grenadine actually comes from the pomegranate originally. (I was a hard core Shirley Temple drinker as a kid.) I wonder if something from the POM product line could be mixed with the Baytril to make it taste better? Or just mushing up pomegranate seeds for the juice?
Someone else should check up on this. I am not sure what else POM has in it, so there could be something in it that’s not for bunnies. :-/

Do you have a Walgreens nearby? They will put flavor in medications. Otherwise you can try a bit of fruit juice, the grenadine has a ton of sugar in it.

Wet veggies are a great way to get water in her. You can also try adding pure apple juice to the water to make it more tasty and tempting.

You can also give her some unflavoured pedialyte – this is used to help re-hydrate babies when they have diarhea. You can add it to the drinking water, use it instead of water if you are mixing critical care or mushing up pellets or you can give it directly via a syringe. It will hydrate her twice as fast as water.

The water injections are known as sub q fluids, usually administered by a vet. The vet will take a needle and quite literally, stick it under the skin and inject fluids right into the rabbit. The rabbit will usually have what looks to be a huge lump where the injection was made but the fluids quicky absorb into the body to help hydrate. I know it can be done at home but I am not experinced enough to try that myself.

A good way to check for dehydration is to do the pinch test. Take some skin from the back of her neck/shoulders between your thumb and index finger and twist it. If it takes between 3-5 seconds for the skin to return to normal, she is fine, but if it takes longer than 5 seconds, that indicates dehydration. I’d go to the vet and see if they need to administer some fluids.

As for the bonamine, I am still looking into correct dosages for you – I will get back to you. I used it in pill form, crushed it up and mixed it with babyfood and dispensed with a syringe. If I recall correctly it was 25 mg once a day, but I will double check.

Please remember I am NOT a vet. I am only giving you advice based on what I have gone through with my bunns so it’s really important that you keep in touch with your vet, let them know everything you are doing and get their opinions!

Kisses to Boston!

Okay, bonamine dosage is 12 mg per 2 pounds of bunn. So of Boston weighs four pounds (I don’t know how much she weighs), you would give 1 25mg tablet once every 12 hours.

The active ingredient you need to look for is Meclazine. A google search tells me that Dramamine does have this ingredient so you should be able to use it – just watch what dosage you buy. For example, if you buy the 25mg tablets, you can give one tablet every 12 hours. But if you buy the 50 mg tablet, you would need to cut it in half and give one half in the morning and one half at night. Once again, double check with a rabbit savvy vet for your own peace of mind.

Here is a link I found…

http://www.medshopexpress.com/601757.html