very scary

[bunnyfofo]

When I went to bed last night I told my boys goodnight and everybody was fine, at about 2 am I woke up to what sounded like a bad fight between the two. To my horror Dudley was laying on his side kicking and having what looked like a seizure. I screamed for my dad to come help and when we picked him up his head just flopped to one side.  I put him on the bed and his left eye was twiching and he didn’t have much control over his head or left side. After a couple of minutes he was able to pick up his head but he can’t walk right, he leans to the left. I know he is not feeling good becauese he is just laying in my bed and dudely is my wild child who can’t sit still. I’m waiting for the vet to open this morning at 6, it’s only 3:30am. I don’t have an E.R. vet anywhere near. My poor little man I don’t know what to do. I was reading online and it could be a brain tumor, an ear or brian inffection (caused by bacteria) which can be treated with meds but what damage is done can’t be fixed so he’ll never walk right again if it’s the infection. I really want time to go faster so I can get him to the vet I’m so worried. 

[luna]

I am so sorry to hear this. You must be at your wits end. He is lucky that you were there when it happened and im sure you being there was a great comfort to him. I really cant advise you as i have never experienced this with a bunny before but we are all here for you and will be thinking of Dudley. will you let us know how things go at the vet? (((((hugs))))

[jerseygirl]

Oh this it terrible for you. I can only suggest to keep him still and keep him warm. Put a blanket over him and possible use a heat pad. He could go into shock so important to keep him warm. If it is what you are thinking, there’s not much you can do till you get him to a vet. Maybe just ring an emergency clinic and ask for advice over the phone. If there was a fight, and he’s fallen and done something to his limbs or spine, then as before, keep him still and warm. I don’t know what else to say that could help. You are in my thoughts. (((Dudley)))
Be sure to have someone check Gizmo in case he’s injured but hiding it.

Edit to add:  If there was a fight, there is bound to be some lose fur about.  Otherwise, he may have had some sort of episode.  If you think there wasn’t a fight and the boys are well bonded, maybe put Gizmo with him while you watch Dudley.  Even bring him to the vet too.  Bonded pairs do better when kept together.  I only suggest this if you are sure there has been no animosity between them.  Keep us posted!

[bunnyfofo]

Gizmo appears to be ok and it doesn’t seem to have been a fight. I’m concerned about head tilt because he couldn’t hold up his head. Right now he is cuddled up in my blankets and not acting like himself. Gizmo seems confused as to why he can’t be with dudley he keeps coming up to the pen gate and looking at the bed as if he’s looking for dudley.

[jerseygirl]

I just edited my post about this when you musted posted a reply. If you think there wasn’t a fight, bring Gizmo to the bed too. It might help. Remove him if he’s making Dudley stir too much though.

[jerseygirl]

I’m not sure about head tilt and whether it can come on rapidly. Does he have any hind leg weakness? How long before you can get to the vet?

Edit: Here’s an article on head tilt. It describes some of the symptoms and it is treatable.  Have a read before you go to the vet if you suspect Head Tilt, this article may give you heart.  http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html

[bunnyfofo]

he was pretty week on his left side and wobbled when he walked but i’d say about the past 10 minutes or so he’s back to hi normal self. he’s walking fine and playing in the sheets(digging and hopping around) the vet opens in 2 hrs but it seems like a lot longer, i want to know what caused it. i’m glad i was home so i could be there for him.

[jerseygirl]

Really!!! That’s great. So there is no evidence of his head being crooked? With head tilt, the eye can spasm or something so the bunny can be disorientated and not be able to get balance.  Perhaps is was a small seizure of some kind and it took him a while to orientate himself. Hope you’ll still take him in to be looked at. What a scare all right!!!

Edit AGAIN!: I see you still are taking him so that’s great.  Keep us posted. 

[bunnyfofo]

yeah it was a long night and he gave me a very big scare. Yeah i am still taking him to the vet because i dont know what caused this and i want to make sure it doesn’t happen again when im not home. when it happened he was on his back shaking and kicking in the air then we i held him he stopped but he was breathing really hard and his poor little heart was pounding. his left eye was also twitching and like i said his left side was just not working right. so i want to see what the vet says make sure he is ok. needless to say i didnt sleep the rest of the night, i just layed next to him in bed and watched tv and waited for time to tick by, what a long night. Thank you so much for your support it means alot

[jerseygirl]

No problem – I have little knowledge in what to do in situ you’ve just been thru, just didn’t want you to feel alone in this. I can’t imagine having to do that… Well, be sure to give me Gizmo and Dudley updates soon. All the best!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

HUGS {{GIZMO}}

That’s great you were home, to be with him.

My memory isn’t great, but is Gizmo the dark or light colored bun? I ask because lionheads (knock on wood) are sometimes prone to seizures-depending on their lineage-I believe UK lines are more prone. Although it doesn’t sound like that’s what happened.
A seizure happens and is over.
A stroke could be an episode with symptoms afterward, however I don’t think that’s common.
I’m thinking EC as that comes on suddenly (Allenji will be able to assist her bun went through a bout and is doing awesome).
I think you’ve no need to worry about a brain tumour generally that does not come on suddenly at all (symptoms will come on very slowly generally). I think your looking at EC, but don’t be scared it can be very treatable and your going strait to a vet. HUGS

{{GIZMO}}

Keep us posted!!

[Beka27]

OH MY GOSH! Please keep us updated with what the vet says!

((((((Gizmo!))))))

[bunnyfofo]

dudely is the dark colored one. We went to the vet and the vet said he couldn’t find anything physicaly wrong but is concered about a infection in the brain and did alot of blood work which i will know the results of by tomorrow. I ran to help out my grandparents and when i came home he was walking funny again kind of wobbly and having trouble holding up his head, just like this morning when he had his first seizure. I called the dr. and he said to put him in a cushioned area so he couldn’t hurt himself and if he has a third seizure to bring him back in and he would start him on seizure medication. I took off the day to stay home with him so i could keep a close eye on him.

[bunnytowne]

YOu took the day off yes I can’t imagine you going to work worried as can be.   Some lionheads do get seizures as was previously mentioned.

Glad you have a good caring vet.  Now waiting for the time to tick by again.   OH that can be so hard. Keep up posted on how he is and what the vet says.  

We here all care about you and your buns.   Try to be easy on yourself and not fret too much.  I know it is hard not to.  Caring bun parents like you just can’t  help but worry.

[jerseygirl]

Just to clarify….Dudley is the larger black bunny that is having the problems. Gizmo is the little lionhead that is likely very worried for his friend! It good your home to keep an eye on him mkeene10.

[bunnytowne]

OH Dudley get well fellow.  Hang in there help is on the way.

[bunnyfofo]

dudley os the black one, he is having the problems gizmo is the lion head who is worried. Dudley got worse over the day and wouldn’t eat or drink and he started having trouble walking and he couldn’t control his head so i took him back to the vet. he has a bad case of head tilt, and he is on medication and will have to be force fed. Any suggestions on how to do this, i’m so worried about my little guy.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Force feeding is super easy. Did the vet give you critical care? If not you can just mash up pellets (put them in a plastic bag, put bag on cutting board, hammer with a wooden spoon-or better yet in a coffee grinder that’s very cleaned out or a food processor)

Mix that with water or pedialyte (I like to use pedialyte with water if force feeding, they like the grape flavour and it’s got electolytes in it). You simply syringe it up, pop the tip of the syringe in their mouth and sqeeze. Unless they are really sick, they will lick it up even if it spills on their lips. Don’t point the syringe down his throat, just in the cheeks or tip of the mouth is good. Go slowly and do smaller amounts frequently as they are grazers.

You can also syringe feed some baby food (pumpkin/banana/strawberry) as well, they seem to like them and they are just mushed up food.

Here are some movies on it, watch them they may make you feel more comfortable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l_dAMwh6Ng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exM79d4WPZ4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfDfIbP4-O4&NR=1

[MooBunnay]

I’m so sorry to hear about Dudley’s ordeal! K&K is right, you will be able to force feed, don’t worry, it may be just a little bit difficult at the beginning but you will get it down in no time. The first time I force feed it was just a teeny bit frustrating because they spit a lot of it out, so keep a towel under them, but I think you will be able to do just fine. Let us know how Dudley’s treatment goes, and how his head tilt is improving!

[Deleted User]

mckeene10…..Want to give you the best advice and support I can. We went through head tilt with our bunny Boston last April. Out of curiousity, what meds did the vet prescribe?

We had to force feed Boston too. Are you feeding critical care, or a pellet slurry? We fed her baby food (spinach and carrots, I believe. You have to be careful because they can’t have all baby foods, many reccoment organic canned pumpkin). Boston was eating tons of hay on her own, but she was on her side unable to even sit up for weeks. We would lay a towel on our dining room table. One person held her down and one person syringed in the food, medicine, and water. (Make sure your little one gets enough water!) If your bun is eating on his/her own at all, try to offer some watered down veggies.

Sorry if any of that was a repeat, I didn’t read all the messages, just yours. If you can tell your bun doesn’t like the taste of the meds, try mixing with just a tiny bit of grenedine. Might make like easier on all of you.

Good luck, stay strong, and keep us updated. Keep motivated, Dudely knows you love him and appreciates all your stress and sleepless nights!

[BinkyBunny]

I am so sorry! Looks like you have received some great advice so far while you wait for the test results – keep us updated

Sending healing and peace vibes!

[bunnyfofo]

Last night was rough, dudely slept with me in bed in between 2 pillows to keep him supported. He kept giving me kisses like he was thanking me. He’s not doing so good right now, he can’t walk any more and has only passed one little poop, if he doesn’t poop more by the end of the day the vet wants to see him again. he is taking baytril 1 tablet twice a day and some electroylte solution to keep him hyrated because he doesn’t want to eat or drink on his own and the vet wants to make sure he gets enough fluids. I have been force feeding him some mushed bannana and apples as well as pellet slurry. I had to take the rest of the week off (so much for vacca time) because he needs round the clock care right now. At the moment he is laying against my pillow snuggled in a blanket, he just has no energy. It is so hard seeing him like this, thanks everyone for your help and support.

[Beka27]

Oh Dudley! It sounds like you’re doing everything you can, that’s great you were able to take a little time off of work. If Dudley and Gizmo are firmly bonded, I would try to keep them together as much as you can, Gizmo should help him feel better. Are you able to fix up an xpen with soft stuff on the sides so they can still have some contained interactions?

[Deleted User]

mckeene, ask your vet about Oxybendrazole or some form of it. Panacure is another thing that has worked. The baytril will work great if its an ear infection, but if its head tilt, it won’t do much good. We had Boston on both baytril and oxybendrazole to cover every angle.

At least he is still active, wants to kiss you, thats great! Keep your spirits up.

[bunnyfofo]

another update….

Dudley has gotton worse over the day, he refuses to move all he wants to do is lay there, i hope he’s not in pain. The vet called with some of the blood work results, alot of his enzymes are extremely high and we are waiting for another test to come back from the univeristy of texas which will tell us if the head tilt is being cause by bacteria.

[lilmizzsnickerz]

my black rabbit had those symptoms…. i had to give him syringes 3 times a day one of which was a pain killer about a week later the symptoms went away and she was given the all clear but she still isnt the same and doesnt explore anymore basically a special need rabbit but i still love her

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I don’t have any other suggestions for you other then to keep him warm and keep him company -with his buddy and you *hugs*

[Deleted User]

i would really check into getting him on something along w/ the baytril. The oxybendrazole worked wonders.

Keep us posted

[bunnyfofo]

we went back to the vet today because he hadn’y peed in over 24 hrs. The vet was able to get him to urinate and will test the urine to see if it has suger in in because his glucose level is so high, it should be 108 his is 301. The vet also gave him an injection for pain because he was grinding his teeth alot. All we can do is what for the rest of the blood work to come back so we can figure out what is causeing the head tilt.

[BinkyBunny]

I’m so sorry to hear that. I know this has got to be rough. Head Tilt can be caused by several things: ear infection, neurological issues, e.cuniculi which in turn can affect the brain too causing head tilt. Did your doctor mention e.cuniculi or was it because your bunny had a seizure that he thought not to treat immediately for e.cuniculi. The meds that Allenj is talking about is a treatment for that and can help prevent further damage IF your bunny happens to have it. Even though head-tilt doesn’t automatically mean e.cuniculi, there usually is no harm in putting them on the meds just in case. Something you may want to discuss with your vet.

Hugs!

[rabbitsmba]

Oh poor, poor Dudley. One of my bunns had head tilt two years ago so I know exactly what you are going through. For me, it really helped to understand what my bunny Fluffy was experiencing…

As BB said, head tilt can be caused by a few things but the effects on the brain are the same. What is happening is Dudley’s equilibirium is being messed with which makes him dizzy. The only way he can stop the dizziness is by tilting his head to a certain degree until it feels better – this is why a bunny starts to tilt their heads. As the illness progresses, they will continue to tilt their heads in an effort to keep their world from spinning. Eventually, with treatment, the head tilt will plateau and the tilt will stop at a certain position. Eventually with time and aggressive treatment, the illness can be brought under control and the bunny will straighten their head back upright. Not all bunnies will “straighten up”, but even those who don’t can still live long and happy lives.

Dudley is at the begining stages – it’s very confusing for him so the best thing to do is keep him secure and loved. Allow him to be with Gizmo as much as possible – this will help keep his spirits up.

I also agree with allenj1 – ask your vet about treatment for EC, ie: panacur. Fluffy began his treatment with Baytril (to treat an inner ear infection) and panacur (to treat EC). He was also had a titer test done for EC, but he was treated for it from day one so we would not lose any time waiting for results. He did end up testing positive for exposure to EC so he continued with treatment for both EC and an inner ear infection. After a few weeks, the panacur was switched to Zithromax and a few weeks after that, he was better. From first onset to recovery was 6 weeks.

Also ask you vet about meclazine. Meclizine is used to prevent and relieve nausea, vomiting, and loss of balance associated with motion sickness, radiation therapy, and inner ear problems. This will help Dudley feel better and perhaps encourage him to eat on his own. It really helped Fluffy.

Head tilt is very scary. The best – and worst – advice anyone gave me was “It will get worse before it gets better.” Unfortunately this is true, but it is best to be prepared. Fluffy progressed from falling over to rolling uncontrolably right across the floor – it was horrifying to watch, but I was so grateful that I knew to expect it. Please do all you can to be there for Dudley and try your hardest not to be too upset around him – bunnies can sense your anxiety and it won’t help him any.

Another thing I did was I took an old toy box and filled it with pillows and rolled up blankets. I called it Fluffy’s manger. I had it right up against my bed and he slept next to me. I kept my hand in the manger so he could smell me – a few times he would lick my hand, like he was thankful i was there. Keep it stocked with fresh wet veggies – this will encourage him to eat and stay hydrated as well. And one of the best things I can recommend are neck rubs. Cuddle him and, using your thumb and index finger on each side of his neck, give him a nice massage. Fluffy would lick me constantly while I did this.

Oh my, I have written so much – I just feel for you right now and want you to know that you must take it day by day. With aggressive treatment, he will get better. It may not seem like it now but he will. Head tilt strikes fast but take a long time to get under control. Keep us posted on how he and you are doing and best of luck. Kisses to Dudley!

[rabbitsmba]

I would also suggest you check out this website and join the accompanying yahoo group – it’s a new site dedicated to bunnies with head tilt…

http://www.onthewonk.com/?p=1%2EHome&trk=menu:Home

[Deleted User]

awesome advice rabbitsmba….you talked me through Boston’s head tilt, so wonderfully! and give some great tips here….we are all pulling for Dudley.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yes we are!! {{Dudley}}

[bunnyfofo]

dudley seems to be having a better day today. He has alot more fight in him today then he did yesterday, when i tried to give him his pill he spit half way across the room. yesterday we thought he was giving up because he was just so out of it but today he has alot more spunk. I’ve been putting gizmo on the bed with him and they cuddle together i think it makes him feel better. He’s been sleeping in my laundry basket that i padded with a pillow and blankets, i have to keep my hand in there all night or he starts to thrash around. I think he likes knowing that I’m there and he’s not alone. I was able to get dudley to eat some fruits on his own today, i supported his body so he could sit up and eat all by himself, i was so proud of him.

[rabbitsmba]

Oh that’s good news! A feisty bunny is good! Try offering him as much as you can to get him to eat on his own – if he can still manage to do this, at least you won’t have to force feed him and that will be one more stressful thing he won’t have to go through. You can try placing him in his litter box to give him a chance to “go” – I did this with Fluffy and he was very good this way. Give him lots of cuddles and time with Gizmo – along with his meds, it’s the best thing for him. You are doing a great job and Dudley is very grateful to have you by his side!

[KatnipCrzy]

Your vet gave you Baytril in tablet form?  Are the pills brown or purple?  Baytril is also available in a flavored liquid form- it is basically injectable Baytril added to the professional flavorings that pharmacies have for kids meds.

If the pills are brown- if the bunny is feeling better there will always be a fight to take these as they are “flavor tabs” for dogs and cats- so highly offensive to a vegetarian bunny!

 

[bunnytowne]

oH my the both of you are going through so much.  I feel for you both.  You are doing such good work with your Dudley. And Gizmo too.

[Deleted User]

yay for a fiesty bun!

[bunnyfofo]

dudley is doing so good. yesterday i didn’t think he was going to make because he couldn’t hold him self up all he did was lay on his side. today he is able to hop around the kitchen, he’s still a little wobbly and falls over sometimes but he is doing so much better. He wont drink out of a water bottle bu he will drink all by himself from a bowl. hopefully he keeps getting better. The only good thing that came from this is that dudley now knows that not all humans are bad, he is alot more bonded to me now. thanks everyone for your healing vibes and prayersas well as advice

[Deleted User]

i think this experience will help keep you bonded too. it seems that way with us and Boston.

so happy to hear good news!!

[bunnyfofo]

Dudley is not having a good day, he can’t hold himself up today and his head is alot more tilted then yesteray. He keeps falling over so i put him back into the basket with a pillow to try to make him comfy. He is also urinating on himself, i took a wash cloth and cleaned him up as best as i could. I feel so bad for him, he was doing so good the past two days. poor dudkins

[bunnyfofo]

dudley injuried his eye pretty bad today when he was trying to get comfy and get his balance. The vet gave me some eye drops to put in his eye 3 times a day. He also lost 6 ounces so I’m trying to get him to eat more. I feel so bad for him.

[Deleted User]

keep force feeding if you have to. even if its just a little bit at a time and lots of water.

thinking about you!!!

[rabbitsmba]

Awww poor Dudley. Keep a good watch over him – unfortunately with head tilt it tends to get worse before it gets better. Give him lots of extra love and try to get him to eat as much as possible – force feed him critical care if you have to. Try cutting down two sides of his litterbin so he has easier access or place him in it a few times a day to give him a chance to go – he might not be able to make it in time.

Kisses to Dudley and hugs to you..!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

{{Dudley}} I’m so glad this poor man has such a loving family who are pulling for him-he couldn’t ask for better. *hugs*

[bunnyfofo]

it’s with a heavy heart that i write, sadly dudley passed away today. He fought aslong as he could and we did everything we could for him. He will always be in my heart

[Sarita]

Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss. You both fought hard for Dudley. I know he will be missed.

[kralspace]

oh my gosh, I’m so sorry to hear Dudley passed on, I know it must break your heart. He was lucky to have such loving and devoted family to care for him. ((soft bunny hugs to you))

Kathy

[Deleted User]

((((hugs)))))
so sorry! Dudley knew you loved him!!

[xParadise]

I’m so sorry to hear this. You did everything you could.. Dudley knows you did too.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’m so sorry to hear this!! Dudley died knowing he was loved-their wasn’t anything else you could have done.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown…

[Beka27]

I am so sorry to hear this. He is happy and healthy and whole now! You did everything you could to help him and make him comfortable.

*Hugs*

Binky Free Dudley!

[MooBunnay]

I’m so sorry to hear about Dudley. Head tilt is a very difficult thing to get a bunny through, and I know how difficult it is to lose a bunny after you did everything that you could. Dudley was very lucky to have an owner that was so devoted and caring to him. I’m sure that Dudley is in a much better place now, running and jumping around head tilt free.

[jerseygirl]

mkeene, I’m so sorry to hear your beautiful Dudley has gone, though now he has peace and eternal health. I had continued to follow his progress and thought he was doing better. Yes, he certainly did fight it. It must have seemed such a long week, but the care you gave Dudley was dedicated and it would have been a comfort to him to be home with you and Gizmo. Was Gizmo with him when he passed?

My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

**Binky FREE Dudley!**

[BinkyBunny]

OH, I’m sorry. It’s definitely not an easy thing to go through what you have. Be good to yourself during this time. In time, the good memories will comfort the pain. He lived a wonderful life with you.

Hugs to you and Binky Free Dudley!

[bunnyfofo]

I wish that I could have had more time with him, i only had him for a year but at least i know that in that year he had a great life. I’ve been spending some extra time with gizmo he seems sad. I was starting to think he was doing better and then all of a sudden he relapsed. The test came back as to what was causing dudley’s head tilt, it was a type of parasite that laid dormint in his body until his immune system was weak and then it took affect. The doctor said he could have gotton it from his mother, the scary thing is that it can be passed through urine on rare occisionsso i’m taking gizmo in to be tested today just in case. maybe if it is cought early enough it can be fixed. Thank you everyone for your sweet wordsit’s comforting to know that there were people out there pullingfor dudley.

[rabbitsmba]

Sounds like ecuniculi – yes, most likely transferred from mother to baby. There is a chance that Gizmo has now been exposed to it but please don’t worry. Many, many rabbits have been exposed to ecuniculi but never show symptoms their entire life.

I am so sorry to hear about Dudley. Extra kisses to Gismo and extra hugs to you.

[BunnyLugs]

That all sounds very distressing, looks like you did all you could, sorry for your loss. Hopefully you can find some kind of peace now. Lots of love to you and Dudley, a special little friend xxx

[BinkyBunny]

If Gizmo does test positive don’t freak out. It is estimated that 1 out of 4 rabbits will test positive. Not all will suffer the symptoms, some will just carry it.

[Author]

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