Head tilt

[Willowynd]

Four- five days ago I noticed one of my cal bucks was holding his head tilted off to the side- way off to the side. I was unable to get ahold of him in the indoor/outdoor cage as I was the only one home and when I went outside- he went in and vice versa. I decided to keep an eye on him and hope it improved since he was still active and eating and drinking. Today I was able to get ahold of him and felt along his back, neck, shoulders and noticed nothing odd. His head is turned so his eye is facing the sky....other eye is closed. I swear the look on his face is like he had a stroke. He was bred to one of my does a few weeks ago and was fine then, though I did not witness the breeding, he was not real interested and neither was she...so I left her in with him over night since it was getting dark and hoped for the best.
No other rabbits are having issues. He has no discharge, no diarreah, good weight. I put him back in the cage for today and went about to feeding and watering, and came back and he was still lying down. Reached in thinking he died since he was so still and had not moved at all, but he was just lying there. I think the handling made him hurt. I will check on him in the morning, but I do not think he is going to improve at this point and will have to cull him. Thankfully I have a second buck since the sex change fairy visited after I bought my last 2 does. Just wondering what happened.

[Pat Lamar]

What you have described is "Wry Neck" and is usually caused by an inner ear infection, although there may be other causes as well. For more information on Wry Neck and possible cures, go to:

www.barbibrownsbunnies.com/ecuniculi.htm

Pat Lamar

[Willowynd]

Thanks for the info. I did look in the ears for possible infection, as that was my first thought....found no redness. I will try the ivermectin- I have paste here. Would not hurt to give him a shot of Penn-G either. I have some in the fridge.