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FORUM HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Is this head tilt or is her head just like that?

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    • Emelia7124
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        She doesn’t seem in pain however, and her head was always slightly tilted like that… but these days she’s been eating and pooping less.


      • Bam
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          If a bun is eating less it will be (rather obviously) be pooping less. Regardless of whats causing the inappetence, it should be treated as a gut slowdown, which soon can lead to gut stasis. Gut stasis is a veterinary emergency.

          The primary aim of any intervention is to get her eating and pooping again asap.

          How long has this drop in appetite been going on? Is she active or does she mostly lie still? Are her ears cold to the touch?

          This is a very good albeit rather long article about gut stasis in rabbits:

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

          As for the possible head tilt, it should be addresses, but getting her eating again is top priority right now.

          How long have you had her? Her head isnt very tilted, so its difficult to tell from the picture if it’s her “normal” or caused by an active infection. Can you see if she does a “tracking” movement with her head? (Rapid sideways move to one side, then a slower move to the other side). Does her balance seem off? Does she seem disoriented?

          A tilted head can signify an ear infection or e cuniculi. With e cuniculi, the head tilt can persist even after the microorganisms that cause the problem have gone dormant, and it can worsen if there is a flare up, which can happen years later. An ear infection often starts as a “bunny cold” that travels to the ear via the ear trumpet.


          • Emelia7124
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              She’s eating currently ☺️ And no, there is no disorientation at all, and non of the tracking movements.


          • Bam
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              Very good!

              If she’s eating now, you can try giving her simethicone baby gas drops in case she has a bit of gas. You give 0.5 -1 ml gas drops once per hour for three hours, then “as needed”. Gas drops are not taken up by the body, they pass through with the poop.

              Is she shedding now? Some buns get a bit of stomach upset when they shed. Is she a good hay eater?

              ETA: To better be able to identify if if this is a concerning head tilt, we’d be very grateful for more pics and/or a video where she is moving around.


              • Emelia7124
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                  I don’t have that, will giving her cilantro help her guts? It’s the only thing i have.


              • Emelia7124
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                  She runs to her litter tray when i refill hay, and i can’t attach more pics for some reason… I’m really thankful for your help.


                • Bam
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                    Cilantro wont harm. If she likes cilantro she can have some, but its not one of the herbs thats traditionally given for stomach trouble.


                  • Emelia7124
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                      Thank you. 😊 She loves cilantro.


                    • Emelia7124
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                        She is pooping big poops normally again 😄 not tiny and hard, I’m so glad


                      • Bam
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                          Wonderful news! 😊

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                      FORUM HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Is this head tilt or is her head just like that?