Question about EC

[sarahthegemini]

I’m just trying to read up on some rabbit ailments and there’s one thing I’d like clarified if possible please I see that head tilt can be a sign of E.C, but is that permanent head tilt? As in, your bunny wakes up one day and cannot hold it’s head up right? Or can the head tilt be something that lasts a few minutes for example? Just making sure I know all the facts so I don’t freak out unnecessarily! 

[Rookie]

Good question…will be interested in the answer as well…I do know though that any head tilt can be a sign of an ear infection so they are always a slight sign for concern..

[LittlePuffyTail]

Yes, EC can cause head tilt. As can inner ear infections. Both of these can either be completely reversed, partially reversed or permanent, depending on the time between onset and proper treatment and how well the bunny responds to treatment.

My Bindi came up with a slight head tilt, wobbliness and nystagmus (eye scanning) and I immediately brought him to the vet. My vet suspected and treated for EC. He was back to normal in just over a week.

[DesertBunny]

Oh wow this brings back very painful recent memories. I just posted in the Rainbow Bridge section about my baby Jet. He had BOTH EC and a chronic ear infection…. had two surgeries for the latter way back in 2010. Had to have Pen G injections every week until the last two weeks of his life.

EC is nasty. Panacur can help but it can also attack bone marrow. EC can cause head tilt, mobility issues including paralysis. Very nasty insidious disease. Look for things like eyes “REMMING” (moving back and forth very rapidly); same thing for the bunny head. Jet would sit there and his head would “scan” back and forth.

[LBJ10]

I agree with the others. I also wanted to add that head tilt can vary widely from “slight” to “extreme”. While the head tilt is occurring, it’s more or less continuous. It isnt something you would miss, but sometimes a slight tilt may not be immediately obvious. If that makes sense. Anyway, depending on how much damage is done, the head tilt itself can improve or go away with treatment. If the damage is severe, then it can be permanent.

[sarahthegemini]

Thanks for your input guys – It’s somewhat reassuring to know that even if it is slight, it would usually be noticeable. The reason I was ‘inspired’ to ask is because I noticed Peanut tilting his head a little earlier, I wasn’t sure if I was being paranoid as my partner couldn’t notice it and once I called Peanut over, he straightened up so I guess he just didn’t feel like having perfect posture for a minute! But I wanted to ask anyway so I know what to look out for

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By DesertBunny on 2/21/2017 12:56 PM

Oh wow this brings back very painful recent memories. I just posted in the Rainbow Bridge section about my baby Jet. He had BOTH EC and a chronic ear infection…. had two surgeries for the latter way back in 2010. Had to have Pen G injections every week until the last two weeks of his life.

EC is nasty. Panacur can help but it can also attack bone marrow. EC can cause head tilt, mobility issues including paralysis. Very nasty insidious disease. Look for things like eyes “REMMING” (moving back and forth very rapidly); same thing for the bunny head. Jet would sit there and his head would “scan” back and forth.

Oh I’m so sorry to hear that,  I don’t visit the rainbow bridge section much so I had no idea

[Bam]

Panacur is the best bet against symptomatic or confirmed e cuniculi, but the possible, albeit very rare side effects need to be considered if a bun owner is thinking of medicating the bun as a purely preventative measure. There’s no absolute veterinary consensus about preventative treatment of healthy buns that have had no known exposure to e cuniculi.

[DesertBunny]

Just remember EC can not be cured. Only treated. I would suggest having blood work done on a bunny as it gets older so at least you can prepare. Yes Panacur can be very risky. But I think it bought my Jet a good year or more in his life.

[LBJ10]

True. Plus a large percentage of rabbits have been exposed/infected, although this probably varies depending on the area. Many rabbits with EC in their system are asymptomatic and tests for EC are notorious for producing false negatives. That’s why they don’t treat for it unless the rabbit is actively exhibiting symptoms.

[Author]

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