Head Tilt/Ear infection/Ear Mites

Question
Hi, we took her back to the vet last night and the vet said that now that the infection that was visible last time has cleared, she can see that the ear drum is ruptured.   I forgot to ask whether that is something that can heal.  In any event, she gave her an injection of Dexamethasone and has provided me with two more injections to give her every other day.  She also has been put on Baytril otic drops and Chlor Palm.  We had a lot of trouble trying to get the Clor Plam into her last night.  The vet said to try it out and if it was too much for her to take she would get that in an injectible form as well.  I have to admit that the rabbit was very active last night and I thought it seemed that her balance was better but I realize it might just be me being hopeful!
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Followup To

Question -
Thank you, I have made another vet appointment. She was on the first course of medicine for 20 days and yes she seemed better while she was on it and now the balance problem seems worse.

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Followup To

Question -
Although my bunny's ear infection has cleared up and she has returned to being affectionate and eating well her head remains tilted and I have noticed that in the last day she has been "rolling" around in her cage when she is in there (no balance).   When she is out her head is tilted but she runs around fine.  When she is put back in the cage (like at bedtime) she rolls uncontrollably.  I have read the page on head tilt and am wondering whether I should just give it more time. She has completed taking her medication.

Answer -
Dear Tracy,

I  hope another course of antibiotics will do the trick.  Please ask the vet about a culture and sensitivity, if there is any ear discharge visible:

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

Good luck,
Dana

Answer
Dear Tracy,

Yes, a ruptured eardrum can heal.  It takes a bit of time, and there might be a bit of scarring, but it will be fine.

The Baytril/chloramphenicol combination is a good one for this type of thing, so I'm hopeful that with additional treatment time your bunny will make a complete recovery.  Personally, I prefer the injectible chlor for two reasons:  (1) oral seems to cause GI upset in some bunnies and (2) it tastes awful!  The problem is that it's best administered three times a day (short hang time in the body), which is a pain.  But it's a great, broad-spectrum drug safe for rabbits (though not for humans.  Don't get any in your mouth or mucous membranes.)

I hope the next course of antibiotics does the trick!

Dana