can lift head

Question
My nieghbor's rabbit can't lift it's head. This just happened this morning. She was fine yesterday. What do you think it might be?

Answer
Dear Christy,

I'm not sure what you mean by "not able to lift her head."  Do you mean that her neck is limp and that she has no strength?  If this is the case, then she could be severely dehydrated and/or starved, and she needs immediate emergency help such as subcutaneous fluids and Critical Care food.  Please help this rabbit if your neighbors are neglecting her!  The only time I've ever seen a rabbit who literally could not lift his head, he was starving to death.  Only immediate intervention saved his life.

If you mean that her head is tilted to the side and she cannot straighten it, then she has a case of torticollis, or "wry neck."  This has several different possible causes, each of which has an appropriate treatment.  You can read about this here:

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

But most important is to get the bunny to the vet for emergency treatment.  A rabbit who cannot lift her head is in very serious trouble, and needs emergency help.  Please find a good vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

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

Dana