rabbit had stroke

Question
my daughters rabbit had a stroke.....and he has head tilt he is doing very well... but he is having trouble drink out of his bottle what is the best way to give it to him? and how can we tell the differance between happy grinding and pain grinding?

Answer
Dear Tracey,

Head tilt/torticollis in rabbits is rarely due to a stroke.  How was the stroke diagnosed?  Does the bunny show unilateral weakness in the rest of his body?  If not, then I would not assume it was a stroke, and get bun to a good rabbit vet ASAP:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Please read:

www.rabbit.org/health/tilt.html

and

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html

as primers so you'll know what to ask the vet.

The second article has instructions for housing and feeding while the bunny is feeling poorly.  The best thing to provide for a bunny with head tilt is a heavy ceramic crock with water, and if he can't drink from that, then he may need you to give him water with a dropper *very* carefully so that he doesn't aspirate.

Pain grinding is generally loud and more of a "crunch."  Happy grinding is more of a "chirring" sound.  But bunnies may do both when they're ill, and give a happy purr when you're cuddling them, even if they are in pain.  It's their way of expressing their appreciation for your company and care.  Rabbits are amazing.

I hope this helps.

Dana