Little-Bit did have legit ear infection related nystagmus when she first came to me as a waaaaayyy underage ween. Back then she did the eye thing too, but once her infection cleared up her eyes have never rolled since. I had always just assumed that the persistent lateral scanning thing was related to permanent damage done by the ear infection.
She isn’t a REW, but I am convinced that Little-Bit has vision issues. I know that bunnies have bad vision in general, but hers seems to be exceptionally bad. She does a good job navigating the house but when something new appears or motions are made, it just seems like she has a prohibitively hard time ascertaining the situation. I’ve never seen another bunny be quite so confused by new or sudden things as Little-Bit. I always attributed it to her being a bit aloof due to being weened too early/ assaulted with an ear infection. But the lateral scanning thing makes me wonder.
She only does it when she is REALLY intently focused on something. Stranger yet, she always seems to do it to the leeeeeeeeeeeeft. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen her do it toward the right actually. This was also the direction her eyes rolled in while she had the ear infection.
And yes, her startle reaction is heightened when Peter is around. Though I had her for two and a half years before I got Peter, so I know that her excitability is not entirely due to his presence.
The slow tip-toe is accompanied only by the vertical scanning. (I think?) I have known both Peter and Binkles to do the vertical scanning thing as well, but neither of them took nearly as long to ascertain the situation. I think in general Peter and Binkles were at least able to identify inanimate objects as not being a *threat* pretty quickly. Little-Bit treats it like a cobra about to strike. She will literally move one paw at a time, even her legs, and very slowly. I think it may be mostly dark items. Especially dark items that I have moved. Like I said, she cannot ascertain dark objects+at the bottom of Mommy’s legs=shoes. Until I have demonstrated taking them off very slowly and shown them to her.
Edit: It is also pretty common for her to come running for food from across the room and smacking right into the food bowl as I am setting it down.
Edit 2: She ALSO has trouble convincing herself to jump onto things. Even things that are like, a foot off the ground. Even if she sees Peter do it. It makes me think that something must be making her have doubts as to whether or not she can trust that there is a solid surface up there.