i did not find this question anywhere on the list, PLEASE HELP!

Question
i have a 2 week old cottontail rabbit. his mother and 4 brothers and sisters were killed by a hunter. he was dropped off at the local pet store and seemed to be fine. at about sunset she began to tilt over as we put her in the nest we made. she wasn't doing this before whenever she went to sleep however, but know she is. also, her breathing is irregular at points. but she still seems to be eating fine. i did some research and i think she has Torticollis, but not sure. how can i decide if she does indeed have it? I NEED HELP! PLEASE! i really don't want to loose this poor baby, shes already had so much happen in her life.


thank you.  

Answer
Dear Hannah,

Poor wee cottie!  Thank you for trying to help her!  It is very difficult to successfully raise cottontails, but here is some information I hope you will find helpful:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/wildbabies.pdf

If the condition is truly torticollis, the most likely cause is an inner ear infection, and this must be treated with appropriate antibiotics as soon as possible for the best prognosis. Please read this:

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

for an overview, and for a truly comprehensive article on all the possible causes of torticollis in rabbits (which should be pretty much the same as in cottontails), please see:

www.rabbit.org/health/tilt.html

The latter article was written by a rabbit expert veterinarian, so it might not be a bad idea to print it and bring it with you to a rabbit-savvy vet in your area who would be willing to help.  You can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Bless you for helping this little orphan.  I hope she makes it, surrounded by all the love you are giving her.

Take care,
Dana