What causes wry neck in rabbit?
The condition, known as torticollis, makes the neck twist, causing a bunny’s head to tilt dramatically to one side. It has many causes, including ear infections, strokes, brain tumors, and other forms of head trauma. In Ginny’s case, however, her head was tilting because of a parasite—Encephalitozoon cuniculi.
When to take a rabbit with a wry neck to the vet?
When you notice your rabbit’s head tilting to the side, take it to your vet immediately for treatment—the earlier wry neck is detected, the better the chances of a good recovery. Observe how your rabbit is holding its head. A head tilt is the telltale sign of wry neck in a rabbit.
What should you do if your bird has wry neck?
Treatments for wry neck. No matter what has caused the condition, it’s important to separate any bird with wry neck from the rest of the flock to avoid them being picked on or trampled. You would need to feed them and to make sure they are drinking enough water.
What should I do if my rabbit has an ear infection?
For example, if your rabbit has an inner ear infection, then aggressive, long-term treatment with antibiotics would be needed. If trauma is the cause, then steroids may help with recovery, in addition to other emergency treatments.
What to do if your rabbit has torticollis?
Ponazuril is a drug developed for treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis a horse disease caused by a parasite, Sarcocystis neurona, similar to E. cuniculi. Many veterinarians have been using this drug “off label” to treat E. cuniculi in rabbits, with anecdotal reports of success.
When to take a rabbit with wry neck to the vet?
Take your rabbit to your veterinarian. Wry neck requires veterinary care. If your rabbit has a head tilt, regardless of whether you see any other symptoms of wry neck, take him to your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
What to do if your rabbit has a head tilt?
If your rabbit has a head tilt, regardless of whether you see any other symptoms of wry neck, take him to your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. If your veterinarian does not have a lot of rabbit experience, ask him or her for recommendations on local veterinarians with rabbit expertise.
Ponazuril is a drug developed for treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis a horse disease caused by a parasite, Sarcocystis neurona, similar to E. cuniculi. Many veterinarians have been using this drug “off label” to treat E. cuniculi in rabbits, with anecdotal reports of success.
What to do if your rabbit has e.cuniculi?
Unfortunately, a positive test is not diagnostic since many (up to 80%) of rabbits may test positive for this parasite. The treatment of E. cuniculi infections includes certain wormers including albendazole, fenbendazole and oxibendazole along with dexamethasone or other corticosteroid.
