Rabbit rhythmically twisting head.

[Matilda.May]

Hi All,

My rabbit began rhythmically twisting his head earlier today/last night. I only became aware of it when I went to wake him in the morning. His head and eyes are continually moving to one side, his body was spastic (that has since resolved) and he wasn’t able to walk properly (he can now hop all around, but seems lethargic). It is hard to truly describe his issue, it is not wry neck, as his head isn’t abnormally twisting, he is simple continually moving his head in a smooth motion.

My rabbit is otherwise healthy, active, and curious. He is about 1.5 years and is neutered. 

I did take him to the vet, immediately. The vet gave me info on what could have caused it, he believed it could have been caused by encephalitozoon cuniculi, an ear infection, or trauma. As my rabbit had hit his head last night, we believed it to be trauma-related. The vet simply said that we would be best to wait it out and see if his condition continues to improve.

He seems ‘normal’ spare for the head twitching. Has anyone had experience with something similar? Any advice?

[MoveDiagonally]

Welcome to BB Matilda!

I would suggest seeking out a new rabbit savvy vet. E. Cuniculi and ear infections require treatment as would any head injury bad enough to cause this kind of behavior in your rabbit. There is definitely something wrong and your rabbit needs medical help.

Please keep us posted!

[Matilda.May]

Thanks for the quick reply and welcome, I’m imagining I’ll be around here a lot.
Do you know what kind of treatment that could be provided for a head injury? We were waiting on treatment for an ear infection or E. Cuniculi as my bunny doesn’t appreciate people being near his mouth and the vet advised that forcing meds might cause him more distress than is needed at this moment. My vet is apparently well-versed with rabbits, but now I’m beginning to doubt that. His symptoms have improved slightly, but I’m worried about his eating, he’s avoiding his hay and only eating veggies…

[Tessie]

Hey, welcome to the forum!

Poor bunny!

So, sorry, I’m slightly confused, What treatment has the vet given you?

[Zombie-Sue]

That’s pretty much classic head tilt (wry neck), which is what the vet already told you, however he should have given you antibiotics to treat a potential ear infection. See another vet if he refuses.

The way I understand it, the head doesn’t actually tilt unless the neck muscles have contracted, but it’s caused by the same thing, and it could very easily happen to your bun if this goes untreated.

http://www.rabbit.org/health/tilt.html I hope this explains it better.

[Matilda.May]

Well…the vet didn’t give us any treatment, actually. He just advised that since the condition seemed to improve slightly (bunny is now able to bounce around, but he is lethargic) that we watch him and see if he continues to improve. Would you all suggest antibiotics even if the vet saw no signs of an ear infection (he checked ears and temp)?

Also, wry neck can begin with my bunny’s current symptoms?!? I brought up wry neck to the doc, he seemed to believe that this was just a separate phenomenon caused by the potential head trauma, however it’s possible I misunderstood him.

How hard is it to administer antibiotics to bunnies, in general? He’s my first rabbit and he’s a very good boy/very calm with me, but he doesn’t like his mouth being touched and is picky about foods. How much do antibiotics cost? If he’s not interested in his hay is there other foods I can feed him to ensure he doesn’t get constipated?

[Zombie-Sue]

Yes, I would insist on antibiotics.

It’s not too tough, but I found that I was extremely intimidated by sticking a syringe in my rabbit’s mouth (especially while he was sick), so I mixed his anitbiotics with a spoonfull of sugarless applesauce. He loved that. I don’t remember what the antibiotics cost but it wasn’t very expensive.

Do you have a reason to suspect head trauma instead of an ear infection? Ear infections are the more common cause.

[Matilda.May]

Well, last night he ran into a wall which is why the vet suspected possible head trauma. He had been playing in a container and was spooked, leading to him running into the wall. It wasn’t hard enough to warrant concern at the time (from my judgments). I will call tomorrow and insist on antibiotics. Frank (my bunny) lives to eat, so he may actually enjoy getting antibiotics.

[BunnyLady1989]

From what I understand I would definitely get a second opinion. It sounds like he is definitely in need of antibiotics. When Lulu was sick I had to crush her pills and mix them with applesauce and use a syringe. The first few times she sucked it down then it got harder to give and eventually I had to force her to take it. They are like kids I swear. Medication prices vary, so there isn’t a good answer for that unfortunately:/ good luck though!

[CheriB603]

If it is a sore neck caused by running into a wall antibiotics won’t help anything. If the vet said his ears are clear, and he seems to be improving, I would wait it out. But at the first sign of regression or if he stops eating or drinking go right back to the vet.

[Zombie-Sue]

Don’t wait it out, please. If it is brain damage, then there’s not a lot you can do (brain damage is always permanent) and if it’s a sore neck then it will heal on its own, but antibiotics won’t hurt.

If the infection is in his ear, there is a good chance the vet can’t see it. Please don’t wait it out.

Some rabbits who are left untreated end up with a head permanently cocked to one side.

[LongEaredLions]

Please don’t wait. Head tilt and wry-neck are serious, and can be fatal if not treated. Is your vet an Exotics vet?
Well wishes for your bunny.

[Beka27]

Just like with people, there is no big danger in giving antibiotics for a cycle (usually about 10-14 days) to get a head start just in case that is the problem (assuming they aren’t over prescribed, and based on your post, it sounds like he hasn’t been on them yet).

I’m concerned about him hitting his head/neck. Is it possible that when he was running he actually lost his balance (a sign of wry neck/head tilt) and went into the wall because of that?

Fortunately, this is very treatable if caught early. You did the absolute right thing by getting him in ASAP. Keep us posted, please!

[Matilda.May]

Thanks for all the responses. His rhythmic twitching has stopped entirely. His hind legs are still rigid when I pick him up, and he’s very withdrawn and lethargic. He pooped very little last night and seems to be avoiding hay. I’ve tempted him with veggies, which he will pick at. I am calling the vet now, but might this still be an infection? You guys have helped me more than the vet (he is an exotic vet, and he is very good-seeming, but I live in a small town, so he probably doesn’t see rabbits too too often). Most my bunny’s neuro signs seem gone, he’s just being very withdrawn, lethargic, and not normal.

I don’t think he lost his balance causing him to crash, I think he was just frightened.

[Matilda.May]

Thanks for all the responses. His rhythmic twitching has stopped entirely. His hind legs are still rigid when I pick him up, and he’s very withdrawn and lethargic. He pooped very little last night and seems to be avoiding hay. I’ve tempted him with veggies, which he will pick at. I am calling the vet now, but might this still be an infection? You guys have helped me more than the vet (he is an exotic vet, and he is very good-seeming, but I live in a small town, so he probably doesn’t see rabbits too too often). Most my bunny’s neuro signs seem gone, he’s just being very withdrawn, lethargic, and not normal.

I don’t think he lost his balance causing him to crash, I think he was just frightened.

[niniliefie]

Hope its nothing serious!!!
Gooooooooood vibes!!!

[niniliefie]

Hope its nothing serious!!!
Small town vets can be GREAT or horrible! But cause they are usually the only ones… The still get work! Hope yours is truly a good doc!!!

Hoping with you!

[jerseygirl]

IMO, he needs to be seen again. An anti inflammatory would have helped if this due to injury.
My friend had a little rabbit that ran into the wall after being badly startled. He was put on metacam and baytril as a precaution.

[Matilda.May]

Thank you everyone for the well-wishes and advice. My bunny is almost 100% back to normal. He still has some stiffness in his lower legs when I pick him up and he is a bit more tired than usual, but his appetite is back and he is binkying again.

Although an anti-inflammatory, per jerseygirl’s suggestion, probably would have helped, I didn’t give him any meds (as his symptoms have stopped), and I think he’s on the path to recovery.

[Matilda.May]

Thanks again, everyone If you all believe maybe getting him on meds would be safer, I can discuss that with the vet as well, but so far it looks like he just bonked his head a bit too hard. 

[BunnyLady1989]

Glad to hear he is better!! I would keep an extra eye on him then. It wouldn’t hurt to take him to the vet just to get checked out just in case though.

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