Wry neck (torticollis)

Question
Hi Dana, I'm hoping you might be able to give me some advice or even just information.  My 5 year old, Dwarf bunny, Noel, has wry neck.  We just found out this evening and are taking her to the vet in the morning, but I was hoping to get some additional advice/insight from you about this condition and what I might be able to do for her.  She appears to be improving, in that about an hour ago all she could do was lay on her side, now she is able get up on her own to stand, head still severely tilted, with some support.  Is there anything more I might be able to do for her, do you think?  I couldn't bear to loose her...  Thanks, Megan
Also, my mother has virtigo and I noticed that Noel's symptoms are strikingly similar.  Is wry neck kind of like virtigo?

Answer
Dear Megan,

There is no reason to think you will lose Noel.  Head tilt is treatable, though it can take time to fully resolve.  Please read:

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

for full information on the possible causes and appropriate treatments for this problem.  If you don't have a good *rabbit* vet, please find one here:

www.rabbit.org/

A vet who isn't familiar with rabbits might just suggest putting her down, which is WRONG.  This condition can be treated and resolved.  

If you are seeing side-to-side eye movement, that's known as nystagmus, and it does indicate vertigo.  Torticollis results from a problem with the vestibular apparatus and/or inner ear (usually infection), which causes the dizziness.  In some cases, meclizine (Antivert) can help, so do ask your vet about that.  

Encephalitozoon cuniculi can cause this problem, too, so please ask the vet about treatment:

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

I hope this helps get you started.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana