A Sad Predicament

[kirstin]

I posted a thread earlier about my young Holland buck, Hoss,who hashead tilt or "wry neck" as some call it. So far, heisn't recovering drastically, but he does seem to be happy, thankfully. Because the space in my rabbitry is limited, I need someone or some place willing to take good care of him. He's still on medication, and will be for the next few weeks. It's 0.5 cc wormer given by syringeonce daily.

I've been very honest to people about his unfortunate condition, but none want to take responsibility of the bunny, and I don't necessarily blame them... it isn't difficult to treat, just difficult to watch. I really care about that bunny,yet he deserves more attention than Iam able togive him. He's meant to be a pet, not in a cage all day with the occasional 'hoppy time'. I know there are adoption agencies out there, but I need to be completely assured that they will take excellent care of him. He's such a sweetheart, and hedeserves to be spoiled.

Advice anyone??ray:

 

[TinysMom]

Wormer? For head tilt?

Wow - your vet is really using outdated information (I hope they're not basing their medication on Barbie Brown's website - that is REALLY out of date).

I'm currently treating a head tilt rabbit with Pen G and Baytril. She's already starting to show improvement....I was afraid I'd have to fight the vet to try and get her Zithromax.

Your vet really needs to get better information.....

I'd help but I'm too far away from you.

 

[kirstin]

Uhmmm... thanks for the concern, but I wasn't asking about medication. I was asking about housing for him. Wormer worked for him last time, and this vet is a rabbit specialist with at least 40 years under her hands. Thanks.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

With all due respect to your vet, there are always new treatments and approaches to care. What worked one time on a rabbit may not work the next time.

I believe that TinysMom was trying to indicate to you that your vet might consider trying a new technique, as there doesn't appear to be improvement.

If your vet can use a technique that is effective with your bun, and reduces the head tilt, then you would be able to find him a regular home, right?

Have you gotten a culture done?

The post I've linked below contains information from a gentleman who works with head tilt rabbits regularly: http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_post.php?post_id=808058

Pipp's suggestions for head tilt: http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_post.php?post_id=808396

Here is a good thread on head tilt:http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=60298&forum_id=16


Thus, my overall advice is to try a few new treatments, and see if it can be resolved. Homes for head tilt buns can be challenging to find, especially if treatment is ineffective (and tilt becomes worse).

I am confident that your vet would be happy to try a new approach

(Thankfully, you've got a young guy on your hands - still lots of hope!)

 

[TinysMom]

kirstin wrote:

Uhmmm... thanks for the concern, but I wasn't asking about medication. I was asking about housing for him. Wormer worked for him last time, and this vet is a rabbit specialist with at least 40 years under her hands. Thanks.

Perhaps I should have explained myself better.

My rabbit had head tilt worse than yours (as have many others on this forum). With about a week's worth of treatments she is almost over it - another couple of treatments and I'll probably be able to stop.

With the correct treatment - you won't have to find a new home for this rabbit.

While your vet may have forty years of experience with rabbits (and I only have five years of breeding) - I have dealt with several bunnies that developed head tilt at one point or another - at least 8 that I can think of right off. In most cases, once we learned it was coming from an ear infection - we were often able to get it to clear up with the correct meds.

And as far as finding housing for the rabbit - I'd say that is what the "rescue me" section is for except for the fact that we don't encourage breeders to post there because it is mainly for rabbits that need a home due to neglect or a change in their situation (financial problems, etc).

 

[TinysMom]

NorthernAutumn wrote:

With all due respect to your vet, there are always new treatments and approaches to care. What worked one time on a rabbit may not work the next time.

Thanks for your post Autumn. Up until probably four or five years ago - I believe that the 'current' treatment was wormer because not much research, etc. had been done in this area. Many vets haven't kept up with the research (and although I have a great rabbit vet - when I spoke to them about this - they even said that they might not have the most current information).

Its so sad too because at one point - the natural thing to do to head tilt rabbits was to put them to sleep......because we didn't know they could be healed or have good lives.

 

[slavetoabunny]

No matter how ezperienced your exotic vet, there can always be something new to learn. There are some that know about treatments, but may not suggest them to you. My personal bunny (Sparky) had extensive dental surgery and an abscess apprx. 7 weeks ago. At first, my vet prescribed baytril and another oral antibiotic (can't remember what). About a week into her treatment, I suggested injectible bicillin and oral zithromax to her. She immediately agreed to the treatment and Sparky is doing wonderfully so far. Sometimes you can teach an old vet new tricks, LOL!!!

 

[kirstin]

I am thankful for the advice and concern. I highly respect my vet's treatment procedures and ideas because she is 1 of the 2 rabbit specialists in the state of Colorado, and once had a rabbitry. Because Hoss is only 1.5 lbs, some of the other prefered medications are too dangerous for him, and any kind of surgery is out of the question. He hasn't been on the meds long enough for there to be significant improvement. I'll see what happens after a few more weeks, and then seek further treatment options, if any.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Good luck! Keep us updated...
ray:

 

[kirstin]

I shall. ^^