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rabbit vertigo

22 10:39:29

Question
I have a 12 week old lops, she seems to have vertigo. I don't think it is seizures, but how do I tell the difference and what is done for either?

Answer
Hi Wanda,

most likely she has some kind of infection and/or parasite in the inner ear or brain (most common that come to my mind would be pastuerella or E. Cuniculi, and in some cases both).  I strongly suggest getting her in immediately to the vet so they can run a titer test for E Cuniculi and rule it out or see an antibody response and put her on the correct dosage of panacur.  If it is an infection like pasteurella they can put her on something such as baytril chloramphenicol.  It would be wise for you to have them do a culture and sensitivity test so that they can identify exactly what bacteria she has and determine exactly which antibiotic works best against it.  In the long run, it will save time, money, reduce her pain faster, and because it would target the bacteria best, stop any (or any more) permanent damage from occuring to your little gal.

Please get her in immediately.  the longer you put off getting diagnosis and treatment, the more permanent damage may be occurring.  It can be permanent if it causes irreparable damage to the inner ear.  

In either case, I would ask the vet to prescribe pain medicine (ie metacam) along with the med for the problem.  Two reasons: one, to reduce any pain she may have from swelling (and she may if the infection is in the brain/inner ear); and two, it is an anti-inflammatory and will help reduce swelling and pressure in the infected area - which is good.

Please get her in as soon as physically possible, today or tomorrow.  IN the meantime if she is losing balance and such. roll up towels and place them along the walls of her cage.  Take out anything with hard or sharp corners that she could fall into by accident, or if you can't, put padding around it.  If she can't drink right, you will have to give her water via a plastic dropper.   You may have to hand feed her pellets as well.  

Let me know how it works out.

Lee