Head tilt and eye movement help!!!!

[thorsmom]

Hey guys my bunnys left eye is moving from left to right .. he looks at me and then the eye moves away then looks at me again.. it looks as if he cant focus on me... he also has 1 day that likes to be alone... whats wrong? His head is tilting a bit... He is eating normal and moving normal though.... Please help me!!! I cant afford a bill right now and all clinics that cost less are closed for the weekend... Any natural stuff i can give him or ways to make me feel better?

 

[JBun]

Head tilt and nystagmus(involuntary eye movement) can be symptoms of an ear infection or an e. cuniculi parasitic infection. More commonly horizontal nystagmus will indicate an ear infection. Both are very serious illnesses in rabbits and really need to be treated by a vet immediately, as you will need medications for the treatment that need to be started right away to try and avoid permanent neurological damage occurring from the infection and inflammation. For an ear infection you will need to give the appropriate antibiotics for several weeks. Baytril is a common one given to rabbits, though something more effective like azithromycin or chloramphenicol may be needed. The anti inflammatory meloxicam, is also commonly given(and is essential) to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.

You will also need to treat for the possibility of e. cuniculi., as it can sometimes be hard to determine if the head tilt is being caused by an infection or the parasite. This is treated with fenbendazole(20mg/kg, once a day, for at least 28 days). So the three meds you will need are a rabbit safe antibiotic, meloxicam, and fenbendazole. If it becomes difficult for your rabbit to eat and drink on his own due to the head tilt, you may also need to start syringe feeding your rabbit.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Otit/otitis.htm
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/cuniculi/pyrimethamine.htm
http://www.woodward-vets.co.uk/information/Encephalitozoon%20cuniculi.pdf

 

[Azerane]

Head tilt is often a sign of infection I believe. Common causes are inner ear infection, abscess and E. cuniculi. In my opinion there's not much you can do for any of these without seeing a vet, the sooner it is treated, the sooner you can get on top of it and beat whatever it is. I believe many clinics offer payment plans, you could ring and ask.

Edit: JBun beat me to it. She's 100% correct.

 

[thorsmom]

Thank you guys! On monday i am calling clinics and seeing payment plants with them since all but 1 will be closed till monday... I had read in some blogs that it might be the inner ear infection... I just want to help him till I can take him on monday to a vet. The other animal hospital that is opened gave me a site online where I can get approved for medical health help but I can get the money help till monday too cause all is closed!