Head Tilt and Spinning:(

[kaylalee22]

To start off I have a male holland lop that I have had for 6 months who is now a year old.  Last week I started to notice that his head would sway to the left, still eating and drinking water by himself.  I looked up online and realized that he might have an inner ear infection so i took him in the next day and the vet prescribed baytril.  After being on baytril for about 3 days he started getting worse his head was permanently tilted and he started loosing his balance and being unable to stand upright unless I stabilize him. I still kept him on baytril hoping to see any sign of getting better it is now day 7 and i see no improvement.  I called the vet and they mentioned giving him a stronger antibiotic I can’t think of the name of it but I’m concerned that if i give him the higher antibiotic it will mess with his microbiota or that the strain in his inner ear will become resistant to baytril if the higher antibiotic ends up not working.  He is still eating lettuce and drinking a little bit of water not a lot and i can get him to willingly take his medicine.  Any advice would help or similar experiences, I hate seeing him so helpless.  

[LittlePuffyTail]

Is this a very rabbit savyy vet? Some vets use Baytril as a catch all. What was the vet’s diagnosis?

E. Cuniculli is a common cause of head tilt and, in that case, the vet would have prescribed fenbendazole. That was the situation with my lop and he was back to normal in just a week.

I’m not too experienced with head tilt so hopefully someone with more info can help you out.

Wishing your bun a (((Speedy Recovery)))).

[Little Lion Head]

I believe Pancur is another med for E. Cunciculli–someone correct me if I’m wrong?

My first bun Boston had head tilt from E. Cuniculli–she was put on Bayril and I believe Pancur, but man it’s been so long I don’t know. What does your vet say about the continued tilt? With Boston, the tilt and severe rolling lasted weeks. You definitely need to try something else if it’s been this long with no change. Let us know!

[Little Lion Head]

You mentioned spinning in your subject line. Boston would roll and spin non-stop. We had to keep her confined to half of her cage with just blankets in it and hand feed her hay and greens. This was the best way to keep her from hurting herself. I’m not sure how bad it is, but something to keep in mind.

[Megabunny]

What is it with these dizzy rabbits lately? You’re the third one in a short period of time, unless I’ve missed others!
My vet says lops are notorious for ear infections and if this is what it is, and it’s in the inner ear, it’s very hard to treat as they don’t have good blood vessels to bring the antitibiotic to where it’s needed. Baytril is sometime effective, but often not. Did the vet look down the ear and determine if there is any sign of an ear infection or ruptured ear drum, pus…anything?
I’m not familiar with treatment for E.C./parasites, but I’m all too familiar with treatment of Baytril. I have no use for Baytril and ear infections, though another BB’er had her bun, Zeus, have a spectacular turnaround w/ Baytril.
If you’re worried about the meds messing up the intestinal flora, you can get Benebac or some sort of Probiotic while giving antibiotics.
Sounds like, from what the others are saying, that you should definitely try the treatment for parasites. Keep us posted. Poor bunny!!!

[kaylalee22]

Update*
The vet put him on SMZ-TMP along with the baytril to see if there was any sign of improvement. He is still off-balance and spins but occasionally can get back on his feet by himself. Does anyone know how long the antibiotics will take to see a better improvement? I suggested that he might have a parasite but the doctor thought it unlikely since he is an inside bunny, and that since he is shown a slight improvement he believes we are on the right track Sven also doesn’t seem to want to eat his pellets but will occasionally eat timothy hay, I have started him on lettuce and parsley to keep his fiber intake up should I be giving him anything else? His appetite is strong and whenever I put food near his mouth he readily eats it. Thanks for all the input already!

[kaylalee22]

I forgot to mention that when he looked in his ears everything seemed to be intact and he couldn’t see an ear infection he just used his best guess with the symptoms Sven was showing.

[Megabunny]

These ear infections are often behind the ear drum. I don’t know how easy it is to see. My vet has an otoscope hooked up to a computer so I can see too, though for the cost, I’d take his word for it ha ha

Canned pumpkin is a popular food that will be full of fibre for Sven. You may have to put some on a baby spoon or a piece of celery or something for him to first get the taste, but typically they will then gobble it up. I don’t have an amount to suggest, but I think you can give a fair amount. I give my 12 pound rabbit about 1/4 cup when I feed it, but that’s just a random amount.

I wonder if you should be adding some critical care as well??

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