Head Tilt Advice

[MyHeartBelongsToABun]

Hey guys, 

Ive been a bunny mom since I was four, and I definitely wasn’t one of those kids that suddenly gets bored, I even snook my best friend to school once – yeah… I got in a lot of trouble. I had hotcross bun, excuse the pun, unitl I was 15 and despite him reaching 11yrs I was devastated and told myself I could never go through it again. 

Fastforward three years to 2010 and I felt ready to give another bun a loving home. Queue my beautiful Chase, I have many a story to tell, and not all happy – but most with a happy ending about our early days together – but by all acounts we pretty quickly became unseperable – to the point that even an expert at a rescue centre couldnt find a rabbit out of 20 that she would bond with because she’d just become over protective over me – until my ginger bear teds entered the room – but again another story, and a very cute one. 

She fought a spinal abcess for the first 12 months of her life and despite everyone saying she wouldnt get over it, she did, with a little help from an earwigging mom in a health food store that led us to manuka honey. Since then (shes now 7 1/2), by and large she has been a bun with the biggest character, including stripping nearly a full wall of wallpaper – obviously didnt like the colour, and for the last 5 years has lived as a free range rabbit with teds and me (she’s been a house rabbit from bringing her home). 

Now to the hard part, I came home friday and straight away my heart sank – where was her face to greet me? I found her in her favourite place, sitting, but obviously quiet so I knelt down and called her. She tried so hard to come to me but was so unsteady on her feet – at this point her head only had a slight tilt BUT i saw straight away that her eyes were ‘ticking’. I bundled her up and wedged her in a plush travel pilow and shot to the emergency vets. This isnt the first time ive nursed a bun with head tilt – teds had E.Cuniculi not long after adoption and his was far more acute than how Chase looked, but he pulled round in less than a week – leaving a very slight tilt. The vet confirmed that we’d caught whatever it was early which was good and sent me on my way with Panacur. 

That night she did pretty well and ate and drank everything apart from pellets. She cuddled up to teds and i thanked my lucky stars we’d caught it early. She was doing good – not great but good – until weds evening when she seemed to go back into the rolling phase, Im really not sure whether she lost her footing and panicked or if something happened – I called the EV’s again and they said to just try and keep her comfortable and take her in the next day. She settled and a few headstrokes got her snoring away. Thursday, I took her to the vets thinking it would be best to get her checked over because of the night before. In hindsight i really dont think i should have done this – the stress of travelling (and it or the vets has never bothered her in the slightest prior to this) put her straight back in to the rolling phase and i had to stop three times on a 5 mile journey to calm her. The vet examined her and said that in terms of vital signs she was fine, hydrated, heart sounded strong and she hadnt lost much weight at all considering BUT and here’s the point i hit broken soul status – she said that because the tilt and balance had deteriorated so much it was looking towards *** (I cant even bring myself to say it). I left and cried and cried and cried, she really is my world, my family and my baby. Her and teddy are my everything. However, i I would never, ever want to do anything that wasnt right by her. 

Yesterday, we had another setlled day (7 days since intial signs) and she was eating well – but not drinking much. Last night, the rolling returned and she was on her side for a good ten minutes – I looked at her and thought am i really doing what best by her – so another call to the EV to ask for advice – she said that all they could do would be to hospitalise her to try supportive care, which i honestly think shes better having here in her home with teds to offer a few bunny kisses of support. So I decided to keep her here, i slept by her side last night and even got a few bunny nudges along the way. 

Today, shes like a different bun again, you can tell shes still real poorly but shes eating and awake alot more than she has been, done a couple of wobbly laps around the coffee table and even managed a hop! Shes had two falls (I dont mean fallen off anything just on to her side) today but Ive been calmer and tried to give her more space to correct herself, afterall she needs to relearn her balance and both times she has, in time, and then looked pretty calm, if anything she has this kind of ‘woah did you see that’ look on her face and then goes back to eating parsley. 

My question, or rather search for advice is, has anyone had a similar experience of ups and downs with head tilt? I really hope im doing the right thing by her and ive always had the mindset that if she’s willing to fight then im straight by her side to do whatever I can. The vets position is – she cant stay like this and to re evaluate in a week – but a week doesnt seem long to me for her to regain balance etc? My biggest challenge at the minute is getting her to drink water, lukily she is eating plenty of leafy greens and i keep checking shes not dehydrated but this is a worry. 

She’s on panacur, and precautionary anti-biotics at the moment. Panacur for 28 days total and Anti-b’s for another 4 days. 

Thank you in advance   

[Q8bunny]

Head tilt, when caused by infection rather than injury, often requires long-term treatment – sometimes longer than the 28 days, but that’s a good start – of Panacur AND of anti-inflamatory drugs (which you didn’t mention your vet giving). Antibiotics are prescribed in tandem only if a secondary infection is also suspected, but your bun should really be taking some kind of corticosteroids or similar.

As for time… as long as she’s eating and toileting decently, a week IS way too short a time to make a ‘recovery or it’s hopeless’ decision. I’d give her as much time as possible as long as she’s clearly otherwise well enough to eat/poop.

[MyHeartBelongsToABun]

Thank you for your reply. She is eating and pooping – still really struggling on the fluids front though, the only fluid shes getting is from greens, ive tried camomile tea, really diluted pure apple juice and putting her veg in her water (she just drags it out), so I’m going to take her to get some subcutaneous fluids today. Whilst I’m there ill ask about the anti-inflamatory drugs – on the intial vet visit the vet did say something about and inflamatory response but said that there was no evidence to suggest anti-inflamatories have an effect. At the time I was in a mess but Ill be sure to bring this up today. 

I’m willing to give her as much time as she needs and whilst its a complete rollercoaster, she greeted me and her breakfast with a bunny kiss this morning – i just wish i could ask her how she felt. 

[Q8bunny]

Sweet dumpling…

Definitely fight for her. There are buns out there with permanent head tilt who live happy and fulfilling lives, so you catching hers so early bodes well.

[Bam]

Some vets do give corticosteroids to get the inflammatory response to die down. Corticosteroids is otherwise a drug best avoided in rabbits, but in cases of e cuniculi, it might be warranted. Sometimes it is the body’s own immune response that causes the most damage.

Molly Varga (British rabbit vet) says Baytril (enrofloxacine), an antibiotic, does have some effect on the parasite and can be given together with the panacur.

You could perhaps ask your vet if they can show you how to distribute Sub Q fluids at home. I know some people here has done that.

[MyHeartBelongsToABun]

Just back from the vets, he said she wasnt that dehydrated but gave her some Sub Q fluid as a precautionary – on return she’s settled alot quicker than she did last time we had to go which is awesome! On the hydration front she is either sneeking drinks in on the rare occasions im not over her shoulder or shes getting enough fluid from veggies.

I queried the Corticosteroids and he said that there is alot of debate about the benefits of its use and he would only ever introduce it if she was in constant ‘crisis’ or if she spent most of the time on her side because it could do more damage to her – after showing him a video of her this morning he said he was very optimistic and contradicted the other vet we saw, saying no decision should be made (unless she suddenly deteriorates) without giving the Panacur at least another three weeks. Do you think I should seek a second opinion on the steroids? We moved about a year ago and so changed vets to a local one which is the most reputable in the area but dont want her to be missing out on potentially useful medication because its use is ‘debateable’.

Me and Chase are both feeling alot better after todays visit – going to continue on the Panacur and Baytril and trust that wherever shes getting it from, shes getting the fluid she needs. That and plenty of love and bunny hugs from me and teds (he keeps laying next to her when she gets unsteady – too cute) and if anybun can pull through this she can, she’s my little fighter.

Thank you for all your advice – I really appriciate it

[jerseygirl]

Sending out some {{{healing vibes}}} for Chase.
That she’s gone from rolling, to hopping around again is really good IMO! Im glad the vet you saw agreed.  

I nursed a rabbit through head-tilt in 2013. The vet also mentioned euthanasia and I was taken aback by that. I was already a member of this community and had seen rabbits recover from this. At the time, another member told me that the vets would probably mention it more then once.. 

I took the approach of giving it a month then reassessing. As I had read of cases where improvement really came after medicating for a month.
Maple was on 1 month of panacur, baytril, and metacam. I think I had to ask for the last 2 meds. She also did get a shot of dexamethasone (was off metacam for at least a day as they can’t be given together) I think it did help. Much later that night she found her feet for a few minutes. Before that, she’d spent the week on her side and had rolling episodes. As the vet mentioned, there is a bit of debate about the use of Corticosteroids. I don’t think they can have continual doses, I believe only 2-3 doses is advised? They can also depress the immune-system… But they can also bring inflammation down quickly early on.

Anyway, Maple made a full recovery. She lost a lot of weight but that eventually came back too.

If you feel Chase is coping okay, hold your ground and continue to nurse her. It’s exhausting, but they can come through this.
I also recommend anti-inflammatory medication. If going for a NSAID and it depresses appetite in any way, try another. But I really feel anti-inflamm is important.
I know other members that nurse buns with tilt gave meclizine too and found this helped. It helps with dizziness/nausea. Its actually a anti histamine but acts as an anti emetic also. There are a few anti histamines that do this.  Meclizine (Antivert, Dramamine) are over-the-counter meds. 

[Q8bunny]

Baby steps forward…

((((((Chase))))))

[MyHeartBelongsToABun]

Hi Jersey girl, 

So happy that Maple made a full recovery, always routing for the buns of the world and love a happy ending when there are far too many unhappy endings, seriously hate the way that vets are so ready to give up when it comes to rabbits. The second appointment she had Thursday the receptionist said you know we don’t want to waste your money and its expensive to keep going and the vet has only said potentially PTS because thats the way its looking. A) Chase is my world and I would never allow money to be a consideration in her health and well being and B) from what i’ve been told from you guys, reading around and the vet today such a short length of time is not time at all with this situation, so how she could jump so quickly to PTS is beyond me. 

Weight loss is another concern but she seems to be doing well on the eating front just wont touch pellets although she did come to them being poured earlier which is a start. I’ve also been offering baby food on the vets recommendations as it generally contains a fair bit of water, although i think Teds is more impressed with this offering than Chase! 

Today has been a great day, she’s been so alert and whilst thats keeping me on my toes even more its a joy to see. Probably her way of saying ‘can you quit taking me to that place (vets)’. I’ve also installed a pet cam – so I can keep an eye on her when I need to go on veg shops etc, its just us three and I don’t even know anyone in the area as I moved here for work, so its a worry leaving her and I have to go back to work Tuesday.  

When you say over the counter for the meclizine – i can only seem to see the human version here in the UK, is this what you were referring to? If so what would the dose be?  

Thank you Q8bunny – baby steps indeed and all the right direction today!

Bunny hugs from Chase too – she appreciates you all giving her mum some well needed advice! 

[Q8bunny]

Aww… sweet girl… just look at that beautiful bright face. Hugs and nose boops from me and Chewie.

And yes, Jersey is referring to the hooman versions. The dosage is listed as 2-12 mg/kg of bun twice a day, but that’s a pretty broad range, so I’d ask the vet for a recommendation (via phone is fine). If not, I’d start at lowest dosage and increase only if no improvement at all.

[MyHeartBelongsToABun]

Okay we shall give that a go – today has been another good day and she’s even had a drink! Thanking my lucky stars and praising her warrior bun attitude that she’s starting to feel better. I know its a long road but she’s where she belongs at my feet cuddled up to Teddy! Pure bliss <3

Someone once said to me does it not drive you mad when you get home and theyve thrown hay everywhere, pulled all the cushions of the sofa and thrown toys everywhere – I said of course, but you know what would be far worse, if I came home and they weren’t here to do that!

[Q8bunny]

on her nose from me

[MyHeartBelongsToABun]

An update on Chase…

She was doing really well, but started rolling uncontrolably again. I had asked the vet at the previous appointment about metacam etc and looking back I should have pushed harder. Yesterday I thought I would try putting her the dog crate and limiting the space in the hope that she would find it easier to keep upright – how wrong I was, her and teddy were nose to nose pretty much throughout and she barely got up of her side, when i got home from work today I couldnt keep her in there any longer as it was clearly not working (it had been yet another bad decision on my part – but I genuinely thought i was keeping her safe by doing so) – once I put her back in her favourite spot under the coffee table she began to come round and had something to eat etc.

Momma over here got super upset again and felt totally helpless. With the vets I was going to seeming so un-clue up about what to do apart from jumping to PTS i started questioning whether I could trust their judgement about her wellbeing etc. Anyway, I found an exotics vet who specialises in rabbits and gave them a call – they had me an appointment within an hour so I set straight off to get there. I told the vet the full story, what she was taking, how she’d been and how i felt this was make or break for her. He reasured me, and her with a kiss on the nose (just for chase – that would have been wierd) – and he told me exactly how it was…

He said – it is very very unlikely due to her presentation that it is a stroke; it could be E.Cuniculi; it could be an inner ear infection OR and again due to her presentation it is unlikely but it cant be ruled out that it is some sort of spinal carcinoma. But he said if it is one of the two most likely she needs to be on a much more thought out treatment plan that the other vets had given her. He said he was amazed in terms of hydration and weight that she was doing so well in her state and said thats something really strong in her corner.

Anyway, the treatment.. he said so were going to have to hit this really aggressively, oral antibiotics are unlikely to have much impact, theyre not well tolerated and poorly absorbed, so how do you feel about injecting her! I said I wouldnt have any issues with that if thats what she needed, so he showed me how and gave me a bottle of depocilin and enough needles til her next appt, he also prescribed metacam and the continuation of panacur.

Although he didnt say specifically i got the impression he was leaning more towards this being an inner ear infection. He said if i wanted to check for the carcinoma it would be an MRI which is £2,500 and the prognosis is the same whether you have it done or not. He also said we should start to see some, although most likely very minute, improvement with balance within the next few days which will tell us more.

My girl is going through so much and the only thing keeping me going is her bunny snuggles she still manages to throw my way. She’s a fighter and I mean a true fighter, even when flat on her back she finds strength to chomp a strawberry. I am truly blessed to have her in my life and whatever happens she is the most amazing thing i have ever had the pleasure of loving.

I truly hope these drugs will help her on her way to better days, and I am so glad i sought a second opinion today from a specialist, through all the bad decisions this one good one may have saved her precious life!

Wishing you all a bunderful weekend <3

[Q8bunny]

Oh man… these are some crazy developments. All for good, I hope. Continued strength to Chase (and to you) as you ride this rollercoaster. Much love and gentle nose boops (((((((((darling Chase)))))))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

I, unfortunately, don’t have any helpful advice for you but just sending some ((((Healing Vibes)))) and love your way! We are all rooting for you, Chase!!!! Keep fighting, beautiful!

[MyHeartBelongsToABun]

I wish this were a happy ending, unfortunately my sweet girl spent all day on her side Sunday and deteriorated so quickly to the point she was vocal about her struggle, she had also started twitching. I took her for the last time to the emergency vets who said their was such a slim chance of her getting better at this point and likely that there were a few things going on which were contributing.

It was the most heartbreaking thing i have ever had to do in my life, hold her while she went to sleep and something i will never get over. I instantly regretted the decision, but i think thats because once it happened she was at peace and so i could no longer see the pain that had led me to that decision.

Monday night the specialist she had seen said he would have a chat because i was in such a state and all i wanted was her back, he said that she was increadibly poorly and that even if this was a ‘simple’ inner ear infection she was deteriorating so quickly it would have been difficult to give a good prognosis, he said surgery was theoretically an option but its horrific and he would have advised against it, likewise any prolonged treatment where she was so poorly at 7 1/2 years wouldnt have been fair. He also said id made the right decision at the right time by her and not by me.

I cant help blaming myself at the minute and my beautiful girl has left the biggest hole in my home that no one will ever fill. Whats even more heartbreaking is that her husbun is so subdued – he’s cuddled up to the giraffe neck pillow shes had with her over the last few days. At around 9 years old (he was a rescue so were never sure on age) I just hope he will be okay. Im trying to be happier around him but I’m in such a mess right now, she has been my world and my sole source of support for so long that I really don’t know what to do without her around.

Please hold all your bunnies tight tonight and everynight, they are a true blessing in our lives.

And, thank you for your support over Chasey bear’s final days. Sweet dreams my warrior bun, until we snuggle again <3

[sarahthegemini]

I’ve not posted on here before but I was following her progress. My heart breaks You did all you could for her and in the end you released her from her suffering. Give extra cuddles to Chase’s husbun, hopefully you two can comfort one another. Binky on Chase xxx

[Bam]

I’m so sorry that this didn’t end well. You did the right thing by her, it was a last act of pure, unselfish love.

Binky free, ****Chasey****

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very, very sorry. It is so very hard to say goodbye. She was lucky to have someone who loved her so much. ((((Hugs)))))

(((((Binky Free)))))

[Q8bunny]

It was an act of mercy… you loved her until the very end.
But my heart still breaks for you. I’ll never understand why nature has created such awful torments for these sweet creatures.
At least your darling girl is at peace now. (((Binky free, brave Chase.)))

[MyHeartBelongsToABun]

Thank you for your kind words, I miss her so much and it really is killing me. Im not sure at the minute how I’ll ever get through this, ive never had a bond with anyone else that even came close to my beautiful chasey bear. The what if’s are eating me alive, just wish i could snuggle into her fluffy ears.

I really hope I knew her as well as I thought I did and that guided my decision, my home will always have a big bunny shaped hole

[LittlePuffyTail]

She was very lucky to have you. I hope sometime in the future you will open your heart and home to another bunny. I think that offering a home and love to a bunny in need is a beautiful way to honour the memory of a bun who is no longer with you physically but will remain in your heart always.

[meridiian]

Ive been offline and only just now read about beautiful little Chase.

I feel for you. I’m really sorry you had to make that decision but you loved her and you ended her suffering. She is at peace now.

I know that doesn’t make you feel better – can only imagine the emptiness you feel now she is gone – but she will always be with you in your heart.

Have no doubt about that.

Binky free little Chase… and I hope another bunny one day is privileged to have you in their life.

xx

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