My rabbit has snuffles

Question
Hi,i just happen to stumble across this page and i am in desperate need for advice on my pet rabbit ami.He recently Came down with a head tilt about a week ago,i just recently took him to the vet and they diagnosed him with snuffles.i wasnt to sure about this though because he hasnt been sneezing and theres no flued from his nose.the vet perscribed beytrill and its been only 2 days and ami refuses to eat the medicine or his food,his "down eye" has a infection,his head is at a 180 degree angle and he often loses balance.i called the vet and im waiting for a call back.Although the vet seems not to think too much of it,Im very Very worried and feel that its something far more serious,Please help us!

~jessica and ami

Answer
Hi Jessica

I have to tell you honestly that wry-neck (head-tilt) is one of the most severe and deadly rabbit illnesses.  You have every right to be worried but honestly the only treatment we have ever used is Baytril.  

You can try to take his food to him.  Give him hay.  Try not to make him walk to much and most importantly make sure he is drinking.  If he can't get to his water dispenser bring it to him.  If he won't drink then you can get a 10cc syringe or an eye dropper and give him little bits at a time.

He might need to be admitted to the hospital for IV fluids.

If you can get him back to health his head will probably still be tilted but rabbits can survive even with a tilted head.  You just have to make some adjustments on how you give him his food.

As for snuffles that is an odd diagnosis considering he had no other symptoms of snuffles.  Rabbits usually get wry-neck from inner ear infections and other bacterial infections but can get it from snuffles also, however the treatment is the same in any case.

In my opinion I would rush him to the nearest 24 hour animal hospital.  It may be hours away and he may have to stay for a few days but that is his best chance.  Even though your vet prescribed the proper medication I just don't have a feeling that he is very rabbit savvy.

Most 24 hour animal hospitals are trained to treat small exotic pets.

I am not going to lie to you, but wry-neck is very serious and it is all going to depend on how much you can afford to spend on him.  I know you love him but if he is suffering and doesn't get better you might have to think of the other alternative.

Over the years I have had several rabbits whose illness has progressed to wry-neck.  I only had 1 survive long-term and I believe it was because he got the Baytril pretty much immediately.

Good luck Jessica and I will pray for your little bunny.  Please get a second opinion.

If you need anything else please let me know

Pam
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=18&cat=1803&articleid=2371

this is an article about wry neck