A common disease in rabbits that causes a sideways head tilt is wry neck.Inner ear disease is a common cause of wry neck.As long as the neck is diagnosed quickly, it is treatable.If your rabbit has a strange head position, it is a good idea to take him to the vet.
Step 1: Determine if your rabbit can walk.
Some rabbits cannot walk because of their head tilt.They will lie on the other side.They may end up rolling around on the ground while trying to balance themselves.Weakness in the back legs can be caused by wry neck, making it difficult for a rabbit to walk.
Step 2: When your rabbit walks, look at his head position.
A sideways-tilting head is a telltale sign of a wry neck.You can be sure that your rabbit has a good neck if his head tilts sideways as he walks.You should look out for the other symptoms of wry neck.The side of the head tilt shows which side is affected.On that side, the head will be tilted down.
Step 3: When your rabbit walks, look for a lack of coordination.
Like humans and other animals, your rabbit has a central nervous system that controls balance, coordinates body movements, and helps keep body parts in their proper positions.If severe, inner ear disease could cause your rabbit to walk differently.Your rabbit may begin to walk in circles.Your rabbit may look wobbly or fall over if he is wry neck.
Step 4: Look at the eye movements of your rabbit.
Occasionally, rabbits with a crooked neck have an eye condition that causes the eye to move horizontally or vertically.The nature of the nystagmus can provide clues about the cause of neck pain.If your rabbit is walking, the nystagmus will be present.
Step 5: Take a look at your rabbit's face for signs of facial paralysis.
Nerves controlling facial movements can be affected by ry neck.There are signs of facial paralysis that include a drooped lip.You may be able to see the third eyelid, a protective covering that is normally only visible when the eye needs to be protected.
Step 6: Take notice of any changes in appetite.
If your rabbit has a crooked neck, he may feel unwell and be less likely to eat.The nausea could cause your rabbit to vomit.A head tilt would make it difficult for your rabbit to eat.
Step 7: Take your rabbit to the doctor.
The neck requires veterinary care.If your rabbit has a head tilt, even if you don't see any other symptoms, take him to the vet.If your vet doesn't have a lot of rabbit experience, you can ask for recommendations from local vets with rabbit expertise.You can find a veterinarians on the website http://rabbit.org/vet-listings.The neck can get worse over time.Take your rabbit to the doctor.
Step 8: Allow your doctor to examine your rabbit.
The head tilt is a common sign of wry neck.Since wry neck can have many causes, your vet will need to identify the exact cause in order to develop an effective treatment plan.As many causes as possible will be ruled out in order to find the exact cause.A thorough physical examination of your rabbit will be done by your vet.He or she will decide which tests to run.
Step 9: Your doctor should perform additional testing.
The cause of your rabbit's neck can be determined with several other diagnostic tests.A tympanic bulla can be seen in skull x-rays as a sign of an inner ear infection.The x-rays wouldn't be helpful in the diagnosis of the neck problem.If the suspected cause is an infectious disease, your doctor would conduct tests.If there is a case of pus inside the ear, an analysis would be helpful.Diagnostic tests for E. Cuniculi include blood tests and an analysis of the urine.Antibodies are formed in response to the parasites entering the body.Depending on how long it takes your vet to identify the cause of your rabbit's neck, it could be expensive.