I’m sorry to hear that you are concerned about Maple. That would have me concerned too. I’m glad you will be getting her checked out tomorrow.

When Bindi was eye scanning, it was quite a quick, side to side movement and it came on quite suddenly. He wasn’t moving his head (I don’t think) but there was a slight tilt shortly after the eye movements started.

It is scary how buns can seem fine one minute and have issues the next. I dealt with that this morning with a gassy Bindi.

Is she eating/pooping normally? How is her activity level lately? 

You and Maple will be in my thoughts. Keep us updated what the vet says. ((((Maple)))

I’ve got my fingers crossed for you Jerseygirl! (((vibes for Maple)))

Vibes for Maple… Hope she will be OK

Sorry to hear but good vibes being sent your way!! Keep us posted!

(( Vibes for Maple ))

Oh no! I hope Maple is okay. Can they do a bunny cat-scan?

Oh dear
Vibes for you and Maple!

Oh dear. It sounds alot like symptoms of EC as well and sounds as if they are treated similar is well. Vibes to Maple.

Thinking of you and Maple, Jerseygirl.

((Vibes for Maple, lots and lots.))

oh jerseygirl I hope Maple bounces back to healthy bun ~>sending good vibes your way~>

Poor little Maple! Hope she gets well soon! Healing vibes and hugs heading your way. *hugs*

I have been following your thread. I am so sorry about Maple being sick. Wishing you both strength. Thinking of you both.?

I’m sorry to hear this. I don’t know anything about brain lesions. I’m just really hoping it’s EC symptoms that can be cured quickly. Bindi bounced back after a week or so of meds.

Let us know what the vet says.

(((( Lots of Vibes for Maple)))))))) & Hugs for you

Poor Maple. Lots of vibes for her and I hope she turns a corner and starts to improve.

Poor sweetie :~( More vibes to Maple.

Wondering how little Maple is doing now? Wishing you both strength.

Oh, Jersey. This is heartbreaking. I’m sorry you and Maple are going through this.

(( Continued vibes and good thoughts ))

I wish I could be of more help. :/

I am so sorry to hear that. It must be awful. It’s also hard not to remember the last time one of your bunnies was sick. I feel for you!

Will be thinking of you both. Lots of love for Maple!
{{{{{Maple}}}}}

Yay Maple! We are all rooting for you! Hang in there JG!

Humans who have neurological conditions, even when they are healing, tend to manifest more symptoms (like nystagmus and vertigo) when they are tired/stressed. Perhaps it is the same for bunnies? Sounds like progress though! Good luck! Fingers crossed for you both!

I am sorry to hear about Maple. I haven’t been on here to comment earlier. I hope she gets to feeling better. Your in my thoughts. Take care.

Oh JG! I am glad the stasis is getting better- but so sorry about the head tilt. I do not have any experience with that other than what I have read, so I cannot offer advice- I just wanted to let you know I have been wishing Maple well all day and checking for an update! I hope things continue to improve! Good luck!

Aww poor Maple. Glad she is pooping! Smudge had to be confined for quite awhile due to the rolling, so I know how you feel. Poor baby… hope she improves soon!

Ohhh dear not another tilt case-Poor Maple!!! Sending lots and lots of healing vibes to Maple, and sanity vibes for you Jersey-it’s so tough looking after them when they are so ill, really mentally draining-I hope you are taking care of yourself too!

It’s weird to see such different presentations-my cousin’s rabbit had a sudden onset of tilt and rolling -went to the vet, and the rabbit was untitled and no more rolling within 48 hours. My experience was so different, very sudden onset and weeks before any improvement. Sounds like you’ve got an even different presentation with a very slow onset.

I’m wondering if that means you’ll have a slow but progressive improvement. I’ve found it very helpful to roll up towels and use them to sort of prop under them, so that they have something to rest on when they can’t stand up anymore. That might help.
How’s Maple’s appetite? Any improvement? I found Kahlua didn’t want to eat until she was much better so it was a lot of force feeding…aside from critical care I did carrot juice with pumpkin and a bit of banana blended in, she seemed to like it and it’s very high fibre.

It also terribly stressful. You may have mentioned this earlier and I am sport if I missed it, but have you tried subcutaneous fluids? Only three times daily, so a bit easier. Apologies if you are already doing this.

Rooting for you and Maple!

When I had to feed Smudge, I would syringe the critical care tiny bit by tiny bit in behind her teeth and pretty much directly down her throat, so she couldn’t just spit it out. Have to do it slow though, so she doesn’t aspirate it. I also had to hand-feed her water too, so I know how you feel about wishing she could manage that on her own. It;s hard to see them so unable to help themselves.

I will mention, her favorite italian parsley was nibbled on frequently, so her favorite treats might help too.

Oh Jerz, I’m so sorry I’m just seeing this! It may not help as it’s early days yet but see if your vet will prescribe antivert (meclizine) for Maple. It’s twice a day I think but it should help with her balance. Feeding any veg she will tolerate should help with output and fluids. Do you have her wrapped up in towels to keep her stable?  I used a storage box for Mimzy with high sides and towels and puppy pads. I kept him by my bed so I could drop my hand in to stop him if he started rolling. Once she finds her feet again (it took Mimzy months and yes…it will worsen at first) you can gradually give her more space but be ready for her to crash into stuff still. Mimzy gets going ( a year and a half on ) and runs right into the wall if I don’t stop him.

If you need to talk please email me. I’ll keep a look out for a note from you although I know the care for a tilty bun is 24 hour. Thinking of you and sending vibes for Maple’s healing. xxxx

I’m glad to hear she made it through the stasis, poor baby. It must be very stressful for a bunny to be dealing with these symptoms.

You are both in my thoughts. It’s still very early and we are all rooting for little Maple to make a full and quick recovery. ((((( Maple))))). <<<<>>>>

I too understand the need for oral hydration- but I know when Butterscotch wouldn’t eat or drink, I was so stressed out about getting fluids into him (and that was only a few days!). Perhaps having the added security of getting extra fluids will take at least some of the stress off of you- (it is one if the few things we can control). Also, even mild dehydration can increase dizziness… I can’t offer much here- just support and happy healing vibes your way!

Meclizine has helped Smudge, I can tell you that. But hers, I just got at the pharmacy, off the shelf. She gets a human pill, cut in half, she loves em. I guess they taste fruity It helps that she thinks they are treats I suppose! lol

Posted By jerseygirl on 10/29/2013 06:46 AM

It’s great to have you LPT, K&K, MB & MM that have all dealt with this before, to advise.

Irina, I’m not doing subQ and wish I had organised to get supplies. I asked at the second vet visit if they could do fluids but the vet is big advocate of oral hydration from conferences she’s been too. She said that was the best way..(Maple wasnt rolling at that stage). I do understand her point especially for gut stasis but I wish i had pushed for subQs. That way I’d ensure hydration if I couldn’t get her to drink and yes, much less stressful for her. If I have difficulty hydrating from now on, I think I’ll take her to a vet around the corner and ask. Maple has been to them before.

MM, thanks for your input! So you think meclizine is better later?
I had thought its not available here, that it would have to come from NZ. However, I discovered a veterinary compounding pharmacy interstate that has it listed.

          I’m just thinking that it may not make a noticeable change at first, but there’s no harm in trying to see if it helps. The sooner she can keep her balance again, the more likely she can eat and toilet well and feel less disoriented. Poor bub.

          I’d also advise the sub q fluids,which I had to do for Mimzy for over a month. While Maple is still somewhat incapacitated it shouldn’t be as difficult to hang a bag for her, Mimzy took 50 mls a day. It really is the best way for bunnies to hydrate when ill.

          So sorry you’re facing this. It’s a long slog, no doubt, but if she can come through it on the other side with even only residual tilt like Mimzy did, she’ll still have good quality of life and I have seen buns who come out of this with no tilt at all. Sending more healing vibes your way! xxxx

When Tofu was sick- he weighed 1.7 kg, and I was told he needed 150cc/day. I was advised to do 50cc three times daily. I don’t know if that helps.

Smudge was sick for quite awhile, so I have lots of hope for Maple Having pain meds regularly should help too, forgot to mention that. It did seem to help Smudge after I started her on them too.

Glad she got to stand for a bit Feeling normal and upright does them a lot of good, I held Smudge on the floor between my knees, comfy and secure, on all her feet every day, just to give her a sense of normalcy, and to show her where “Up” was. I think it helped, but she won’t tell me for sure

((((Hugs Jersey)))). It must be so difficult to see Maple like that.

Don’t get discouraged! And it’s too early to be thinking about “quality of life” since its still pretty early in the treatment. Some bunnies take time with these things and we’ve seen many success stories of very tilty bunnies straightening up enough to live very happy lives. You need to stay positive for her!!! I will be your support and Maple’s Cheerleader!!!!

((((( Maple)))))

I am rooting for you both! I can’t imagine the worry. It sounds like there are positive signs and that other buns have come through this. Stay positive and get rest when you can!

Hugs for you and Maple!

{{{{{Maple}}}}}

Jerz, I’ve read that you’re not supposed to give metacam and steroids at the same time. Please speak with your vet about this.(After briefly looking it up, I think it’s just that this is too much anti-inflammatory medication, since they are supposed to do the same thing.)
The cortisone would have an almost immediate effect, but it will not last. It’s really symptomatic relief. She is going to need time to heal and, you need to steel yourself, your vet will probably mention PTS a few times. But as long as she is not suffering, continues to take some nourishment and the metaclop keeps her guts moving, she should be able to get through this.
I see more than a few threads about wonky bunnies go to QOL quickly and a lot of carers choose euthanasia. Hell, I was ready after a week of watching Mimzy crash into things while rolling because I was so very afraid he’d break his own neck tumbling about. But as long as I bundled him and kept his bedding as clean as possible, frequent changes and lots of puppy pads, He started to show improvement in about 4-6 weeks. Until then, they are very much dependent on us to help.
The worst part was the trancing. I hate doing it now, knowing that it puts the bun into a state of fear, they believe they are about to die, so they stop struggling. But it was the only way I could medicate and clean him and he always got a treat and a long snuggle, for as long as he’d put up with it.

Hang in there, Jerz. See about that meclizine, perhaps it will help Maple sooner than it did Mimzy. It certainly won’t hurt her. It’s just seasickness medicine. If there’s inner ear involvement she needs help in this area. And she needs the metacam to keep any swelling down in the ear canal or even the brain. The steroids look real good, but I don’t think they are something she can continue long term. I have not heard them recommended in many cases of headtilt and certainly didn’t get encouragement from my own vet to use them on Mimzy.

I’m thinking of you and hoping she begins to come round soon. I know it’s hard to watch. You are both in my prayers. (((((((Huge hugs))))))) xxxx

I am getting caught up on this and I am so sorry you and Maple are going through this! 

 I checked out the videos you posted and you can really tell that Maple feels loved throughout this.  It really is rough in the beginning before a bunny’s brain begins to figure out a way to live with this tilt. (Some do, some don’t).  I know you had said  “The headtilt bunny I had here was like this and he’s now independent & back to running despite angle of his head. That’s 3-4weeks later so I’m staying hopeful Maple will improve also.”  And I too have seen that with bunnies; Their brain seems to adjust and the only ones that end up noticing is us!  But the process of getting there is very heartwrenching and hard to watch.   It has been such a long while since I had a bunny with e.cuniculi (and she had different symptoms), that I am a bit out of the loop with the latest meds. I need to really research up to feel more educated with current developments, so I won’t be much help there, (and it seems Mimzmum and others are offering helpful advice)  but one thing I do know is how precious Maple is and how much she is loved. I’ts obvious she feels it. That is an amazing gift to her and will help her through whichever path the future takes her.  I know that this is terribly stressful and painful for you.   I am so sorry for that.    Sometimes these things are harder on us than it is on them, as they can be so resilient!  

Hugs to you and healing vibes to Maple. 

JG- any updates on little Maple? I’ve been thinking of you both. Wishing for healing, and sitting up straight!?

I found the same thing with Kahlua-what she would eat one day, she wouldn’t the next. It’s funny though, some things she’s never eaten, she ate while sick (Because I tried everything) -she really was into broccoli, something she never ate before-oh and she ate an entire red pepper in two days, hasn’t touched one since, but that was just so relieving to see! so try even stuff she’s turned down previously.

I also don’t care about ‘diet’ when they aren’t eating-it’s about getting them to eat anything-so I did-I’ll admit-buy some organic oats and I gave her a small pinch-she never failed to eat some each day, and that often got her into trying something else. I also bought alfalfa, and alfalfa cubes…anything at all

I even tried all the Asian vegetables that I never have before-I likely looked like a madwomen in the grocery store! … checking a vegetable, then on my phone (looking up what it is and if it’s safe) and checking the next vegetable, then my phone lol -so don’t give up!! If you have lots of new things chances are she’ll eat a bit!

Jerserygirl, just found out about Maple, my thoughts with you both

I do wonder why she is making noises while she pees. Does it seem like she is straining? When she pees, is she trying to stay upright and lift her tail? I wonder if the head-tilt is causing some muscle strain and/or spine pain and when she goes to lift her tail, it causes more strain on her shoulders/neck? Not sure what is going on there. Hopefully the bonding will be helpful for here – comforting after they are bonded. Keeping my fingers crossed for that. I am sure you have seen the site http://www.onthewonk,com, but I thought I’d recommend just in case – it’s a great resource for bunnies with headtilt. The other owner of the headtllt bunny that you watched, has she had any helpful advice (have you been in contact?)

I have also heard that a gentle massage on the neck can be helpful to deal with the muscles that are now in constant contraction/extension. I forgot the rabbit’s name that was at the SaveABunny when I was volunteering there many years ago, but his head tilt was like Maples. He got around and did just fine (though his lower eye had to be cared for). He and his bonded mate were at the rescue for 2 plus years and then finally someone adopted the pair. If I remember right, the adopter was a massage therapist/or new massage techniques well. ANYWAY, even after two years with a severe tilt, somehow she was able to lessen the tilt over time through massage. I know that may to early right now to expect as she is just trying to balance, but it might relieve some tightness.

I am glad to hear though that she seems to be doing better. I’m sure there will be some ups and downs throughout, but hopefully soon, she will become adjusted.

Poor thing! I hope she keeps improving! Thinking of you both!

Poor Maple. I know it’s hard watching them roll and just feeling overall helpless in these situations.

More vibes to Maple.

My gosh, she’s so beautiful and so hard to see her like that. Kahlua was even worse then that, so keep your chin up Jers!!!

Kahlua lost quite a bit of weight even with syringe feeding, she went from 1.2 kg to 0.89!! It was insane, but I’m sure now she’s even higher then 1.2, once she got upright (like I said she’s definitely got some aftereffects, though not apparent to anyone watching, I can tell she is unsteady when lifted and still odd on one foot) she started pigging out. I imagine the tilt causes lots of nausea and that’s what causes the anorexia.

I’m sending lots of healing vibes!!

Smudge got scary thin too, she ended up weighing less than Monkey at the lowest point. But, she’s gained it all back She still has a little unsteadiness too, usually when hopping into the litterbox, her landing is a little wobbly.

Yay for Maple being able to grab food!

More vibes to Maple. Bless her heart – she sounds like a fighter!

Aww, that’s so cute! And sweet too, it’s so nice they let her groom them.

I hope Maple starts feeling better soon. Poor thing.

((((More Vibes to the Beautiful Maple)))))

Still rooting for you both! {{{{{Maple}}}}}

I also felt Kahlua couldn’t have a water bowl-I found when Chuck had tilt he would roll until he landed in the bowl and get very wet and of course I was worried he would somehow inhale some water. I did tons of wet greens to keep him hydrated. For Kahlua during her rolling stage she only got a bowl when supervised, and that was really after she expressed an interest in drinking. Prior to that I was syringing food with water. I knew she was ready to drink on her own when she was trying to drink the water I was using to wash her face -so I offered the bowl and she went for it. I had to convince family members to come over during the day to ‘water her’ for me in essence, she only had water when someone was there, until she stopped rolling.

I love the video-those sessions where they can be together likely mean the world to Maple and will help her mentally fight this illness very lovely

Awww… precious Maple…she is adorable!
Sounds like everything is going as it should be. Mimzy had to do without his bowl too, and his bottle. My concerns about his hydration were off the charts but I always feared I’d find him face down in it.
Still doing sub q’s? If she’s becoming more mobile this may be more difficult. Once Mimzy started getting his head more upright there was no holding him for these.

The odd noises and the “no” gestures sound familiar also. I wonder if this disease just makes them more stroppy? It brought out a different personality in Mimz.

So the vet has no idea about the straining to urinate? This could be linked to the reduced fluid intake, perhaps that and the meds are concentrating her pee and this is uncomfy to pass. Mimzy is a good deal more silty in his urine these days and I think it’s just a side effect of how the tilt hit his whole body. E.C. does attack the kidneys, so if those haven’t been tested on Maple, it might be a good idea.

So sweet that she still longs for the other bunnies. Mimzy can’t be with either Pip or Fiver anymore, he becomes combative. So if you can keep the relationship going strong during Maple’s convalescence you have a better chance of keeping them together in the long run.

Bless her, what a wee star she is. Sending more healing vibes and hugs your way. xx

ETA: That video was something else! Binky or bizarre karate move? 0_0

The only anti-inflammatory I had was metacam and only 7 days worth. What I read was that there should be no steroid anti-inflammatories (because bunnies just don’t do well with those-the depress the immune system easily) but an NSAID like metacam is good in the first few days.

I asked my vet about continuing the antibiotics and panacur past 28 but she said it was not clinically going to do anything. I think I had improvement about two weeks after those meds were done. Did you do a course of antibiotics?

So good to hear she’s drinking! That was when I knew Kahlua was going to pull through I know it’s hard to keep hope but definitely do!! Sending lots of thoughts and healing vibes  

Ha that always confuses me when real names are used, as mine is the same as K&K’s

But yeah, same thing here. Smudge improved more after the meds were done than while on them.

Mimzy was on metacam before he got headtilt. He had early onset arthritis. But his dosage has gone way up since then, it keeps inflammation down which is a factor with his illness because we figure whatever pathogen had attacked his inner ear it was causing swelling…possibly in his brain as well.
He now takes .35 mls twice a day and that’s currently as high as his doc wants him to go, but I have seen bunnies his size (about 3 lbs.) on higher doses as they eliminate it quickly.
Just need to keep and eye on the kidney an liver function, but otherwise it isn’t a problem for him and I don’t intend to take him off it.
I think the panacur has done it’s job after the thirty days. Only if you see a recurrence do you consider using it again, but it is harder on their systems and carries side effects, so that’s a ‘check with your vet’ drug.
Extended antibiotics are only suggested if there seems to be little to no improvement and once again, check with the vet.
I kept Mimzy on meclizine and metaclop only because he was still so immobile and dizzy for almost six months. After that long the metaclop began to turn his ears blue and we feared his gut wouldn’t move without it, so had to wean him off over a period of weeks. The meclizine is still on deck as needed, but he’s done well without it for the last year.

Exactly what Mimz said is what my vet said-once the drugs are done, you don’t continue unless their is a relapse or recurrence.

I can’t recall Jersey-are you able to get meclizine (anti nauseant) or anything like it for Maple? It doesn’t treat the condition at all, but it definitely helped Kahlua feel better and eat more.

Definitely we saw our results after the meds so I’m still very hopeful for Maple-I can’t recall exactly but I don’t think there was any improvement until after the meds were done, then it was slight and then it was quick I was really unhopeful and I remember you specifically encouraging me to keep hope-I was worrying about quality of life etc, and you said to hang in there, and I did-and I now have a fat upright fluffy Kahlua now, so thank you-and keep your hopes up because you may just be shocked soon just as I was -I’m hoping you are!!!

She’s looking great JG… Has the tilt cleared up completely ?

I’m so glad to see her doing so well

I love the bunny trio cuddle – so glad she’s doing well.

What a cute cuddly group! So glad to see Maple recovered!

That’s wonderful news!
It’s certainly been a tough couple of months for you, I have my fingers crossed that your troubles are over. Please look after yourself as well as your adorable bunnies!

Glad to see Maple doing so much better. She is a very pretty bunny!

My gosh, you can hardly tell she was ever tilted! Fantastic!
They all look so cute together. Wish I could get my three to behave like that.
Thinking of you. xx

Awww, how cute! I’m so glad to see her back with her buddies.