Boston’s Condition

[Deleted User]

Hey everyone, just wanted to give an update on Boston for those who are interested.

We are taking things one day at a time, while some days seem great, others are not so good. Boston is only out of her cage for eating (forcefeeding most of the time), medicine (Baytril twice a day, plus a dewormer once a day), and cuddling/neck rubbing. She constantly rolls inf not in her cage, probably because she is used to her cage and how she can sit comfortably without getting dizzy.

She can sit up now, her head is still VERY tilted, but at least she is no longer laying twisted. The rolling in her cage has subsided to only when she hears a loud noise, someone coming home, or our voices. Because of this, her eyes are much better! Almost perfect! I fact I caught a glimpse of her bad eye (the one on the ‘down’ side) and thought it was her good eye! =)

The vet gave us 10 more days worth of Baytril today even though we are almost positive now it’s not an ear infection, but just to be on the safe side. So she will be on the baytril for about 2 more weeks and on the dewormer possibly forever.

Boston is eating lots of hay and having lots of poops and pees. I cleaned out her cage today (very smelly since the only thing in it is blankets) and didn’t find any of the poops she is supposed to eat. Smart bunny! Even though she’s sick, she hunts those ones out! She also ate lots of wet romaine and carrots tonight since she can’t use her water bottle or crock. (Some days we give her pedialyte, but I start to feel bad about sticking all those syringes down her throat!).

She’s also doing a pretty decent job of staying un-dizzy long enough to clean herself. Not so good with the face, but she can get her sides pretty well. I suppose she loses balance too easily to use both paws for the face.

I can’t wait till she can come out to play, or at least until we can put her things back in her cage. I imagine its boring with nothing but blankets and a few chew toys.

She’s still my loving sweet Boston and since she has a huge appetite, I’m thinking she will have a bright and happy future!

Sorry for my long rambling! Thanks to everyone for your advice (especially Rabbitsmba!!) and all your loving healing vibes! We appreciate it!

(Pic is of one of our ‘snuggle sessions’)

158573392871.jpg

[BinkyBunny]

Oh, what a sweet photo! I know it can be really hard, but I think bunnies, like Boston, can have a great life with a wonderful nuturing human companion like you. There is also a yahoo group that Osprey referred me to awhile back when I was first dealing with Bailey hind leg weakness -  a great resource for people with disabled bunnies http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/disabledrabbits/

[Jyka]

Ohh, poor baby…lots of snuggles, that will help…
Best wishes and love…

[Deleted User]

I am happy to hear both of you are coping and there has been improvement. (((((((Healing Vibes ))))))))

[rabbitsmba]

Awwwwwwwwww Sweet Boston! She is so lucky to have you!

Have you had her tested for exposure to e. cuniculi? You can get a titer test done – it takes about 2 weeks to get results – and it can tell you whether or not Boston has been exposed to e.c.. If it comes back positive, unfortunately you will still not know the cause of the tilt as you won’t be able to rule e.c. out and you will still have to continue with both the baytril and Panacur. But if the test comes back negative, you will know e.c. is NOT the cause and you can stop the panacur (dewormer).

Also, talk to your vet about a drug called zithromax. It was after I switched Fluffy to this drug that I really saw improvement. It is relatively new so your vet may not know much about it, but please do encourage them to research it – there are a lot of glowing reviews on the internet about it and it’s use in head tilt bunnies. It did wonders for Fluffy and has helped other head-tilt bunns I know.

I am so happy to hear that Boston is adjusting. Head tilt is a horrible journey for both rabbit and caregiver and you have both done remarkably well! I am sending kisses Boston’s way for continued improvement! And that picture is adorable….

[Sage Cat]

When I first read about Head Tilt – it scared the heck out of me. I’m sure it is tough on both of y’all.

So glad to hear she is adjusting.

Kisses to Boston from Kay, Winston & Sage

[bunnytowne]

it must be so hard to watch Boston go thru this. glad she has a strong caring bunny slave.

[babybunsmum]

(((((((((big warm hugs)))))))))  to you & boston.  i’m so glad you have eachother

[RabbitPam]

Thank you so much for the update and lovely pix. (I took the liberty of rotating it.)
As soon as I saw it was here I went right for it. Glad to hear her progress is steady.

You know, I had an idea for the water, though I don’t quite know how difficult it is to coordinate feedings. Would you be able to hold her in the crook of one arm, as shown, and either you or your husband hold a water bottle straight up (the same way it hangs in a cage) with the tip against her lips? If she doesn’t have to move her head she might be able to just start licking it and drink from it. It might be just as easy (or hard really) as getting her to take meds. I just imagined a long drink for about 2 minutes might be successful. Just a thought. She’s such a lovable girl.

159125947971.jpg

[Deleted User]

Rabbitsmba-No the vet did not test for e. cuniculi. I will talk to my vet here and see if she’s willing to call the rabbit-savvy vet again to discuss that and the zithromax. I was wondering, does your bunny still have head tilt at all? And if not how long did it take before it went away? I realize every case is different but it would just feel nice to have some sort of time table.

Rabbitpam-Thanks for the pic flip! I never thought to flip it cuz thats just how my boyfriend took it! Also, I tried to hold the water bottle in sipping distance for Boston and it just scared her. I’m not sure if she didn’t want anything to do with it because she knew it wasn’t supposed to be there or what. But you know what? I think I might give it another try because that was before she was capable of sitting.

On a happy note: I am walking in my college’s graduation tomorrow!!! I won’t be done w/ school til December, but I wanted to walk with ‘my class’, so yay!! My mom is bringing my nephew up tonight (they are 2 hours away) and he’s been wanted to meet Boston for a long time, so I think I will hold her and let him feed her lettuce. My brother, his wife, and my grandma will be here tomorrow, so I’m excited to spend time w/ my family! And for them to meet Boston, though I wish it could be under better conditions!

[BinkyBunny]

Also ask about Ponazural. A new drug for e.cuniculi that has shown a lot of promise. Bailey improved with this drug. Also be sure to note that most of these drugs used for e.cuniculi cannot be used forever as they have can have life threatening side effects from prolonged use. So make sure that your vet does blood work and tests the liver and kidneys after two months (or sooner). Bailey actually never had any liver problems due to the drugs, but they did begin to maker her anorexic. Long-term use of Ponazural will do that. And other drugs can cause other side-effects over longer term use.

Basically what the drugs are supposed to do is bring down the titer levels. Some bunnies then just never really have another reoccurance, but still have to recover or live with the damage that has been done. Other times, the when the parasite comes out of being dormant, and starts invading again later, the drugs can be re-introduced. Just be sure to discuss this all with your vet. It would be very important to get the an e.cuniculi test now so you compare the titer numbers.

[RabbitPam]

Congratulations!
My family attended mine, and it made it more special to have my uncle there. It’s a big milestone you’ll always appreciate.
Have a special and wonderful day.

(and yes, I’d love to see you try water again, now that she’s learned that she’s able to adjust to get what she wants.)

[rabbitsmba]

Fluffy’s head tilt lasted about 6 weeks – from first onset to complete reversal – he has no tilt left whatsoever. The reversal happened quite fast, within a week, but the downhill ride lasted much longer – hopefully you will see the same results. Fluffy goes on a regime of panacur for 30 days once a year to keep the e.c. at bay (if e.c. was even the cause – he tested positive so we won’t ever know for sure if it was e.c. or a severe inner ear infection) – and will for the rest of his life.

Congratulations and enjoy your graduation! Enjoy your family time – I am sure Boston will appreciate the distraction too! I remember graduating from college – UGH, so long ago…..!

[kimberleyanddarren]

you have a very cute bun there and we are all always interested! everything seems to be improving and your bun is very lucky to have such a kind human to be looking after them so well!

[Scarlet_Rose]

Allenj, thank you for the update. That is a very precious picture of you and Boston. Continued well-wishes for her return to health and cure for the head tilt.

I also wanted to add that both discussions have been placed into the FAQ section under “Head Tilt.”

[Lagomorpheus]

Best wishes to you and Boston. My bun’s on worm medicine too!

[Beka27]

thanks for the update. i love the pic of you two. it’s so important that Boston knows she is loved. a less-educated person wold have given up at the first sign of trouble.

[Beka27]

oh! and CONGRATS on your Psuedo-Graduation! lol! (((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))

[Author]

Messages