Rabbits are social and active animals that can be kept as pets or for economic purposes. Rabbits are playful and curious animals too. They are active animals that usually need to play and exercise. However, rabbits are most likely to suffer from various disorders that may hinder them from being active and dull. One of these disorders is the head tilt in rabbits. You might notice that suddenly your rabbit’s neck is tilted backward, so Why does my rabbit tilt his head backwards?
The following are some of the reasons why your rabbit tilts his head backwards:
1. Infections
Infections like Inner Ear Infection is one of the common causes of head tilt in rabbits. It attacks the inner ear and the brain part responsible for balance in rabbits hence the twist in the rabbit’s head.
The rabbit head tilt parasite is Encephalitozoon Caniculi (E.Caniculi), the parasite responsible for head tilt in rabbits. It affects the brain and can cause numbness/paralysis in any part of the body.
Occasionally, the signs before head tilt caused by this parasite are tripping, falling over, and dragging feet. However, these signs vanish after a short time.
2. Ear Mites
Head tilt can be caused by ear mites, which may interfere with the ear organs, leading to an imbalance within the ear and brain, twisting the head sideways.
3. Head Injury
Head tilt can result from an injury in the head, either externally or internally.
Paralysis also can cause head tilt, especially if the head is injured, and might lead to one part of the body being numbed.
4. Poisoning
Intoxication is also another cause of head tilt. Rabbits tend to eat a lot of food, mostly greens.
Rabbits can eat a plant with chemicals like lead which might be found in plants, and also by eating the poisonous wooly pod milkweed.
The poison might affect the part of the brain that causes balance in rabbits hence the head twist.
5. Drug Reaction
Head tilt might be due to a reaction to a given drug administered to the rabbit. The drug might be administered wrongly, thus affecting the part of the brain responsible for balance, which can lead to the tilt of the head.
6. Brain or Ear Cancer
Diseases that attack the inner ear and the central nervous system damage the part responsible for balance; hence head tilts in rabbits.
A tumor can attack the rabbit’s brain or ear, hence the head tilt.
7. Pain at the Neck
The rabbit may be experiencing some pain around the neck, making it constantly tilt its head to reduce the discomfort.
8. Stroke
Stroke can damage the nervous system, which is also responsible for balance, and may lead to paralysis of one side of the rabbit, leading to a head tilt.
9. Blister Around the Neck and the Brain
Blisters due to injury and other infections around the neck and brain might lead to tilting the rabbit’s head.
Stress and trauma around the neck and head can cause the rabbit’s neck to be tilted.
10. Undernourishment
Poor nutrition can lead to the twisting of the head since the rabbit is not getting the essential nutrients needed in its body.
Those, as mentioned above, are what cause head tilt in rabbits, also known as Wryneck.
So, what condition causes rabbit head tilt? Torticollis is the condition that causes rabbit head tilt. This condition causes the rabbit’s neck to twist and causes the neck to turn sideways hence the name Wryneck.
What Is a Head Tilt Symptom?
Some of the symptoms are relatable and easy to recognize. Head tilt in rabbits symptoms include:
1. Numbness in one part of the body that hinders the rabbit from standing upright indicates that the rabbit might suffer from head tilt.
2. Rotating towards one side when the rabbit is hopping is also a clear indication that the rabbit is suffering from head tilt.
3. Flu-like symptoms are also a result of head tilt due to the infections caused by parasites and bacteria in the inner ear.
4. The collapse of the rabbit is also an indication that the rabbit has a head tilt since the part responsible for balance in the brain has been damaged.
5. An unusually bent neck and tilted head are other symptoms of head tilt in rabbits.
6. Movement of the eye from side to side and momentarily in rabbits is also a symptom of head tilt.
Is Head Tilt in Rabbits an Emergency?
Yes. Head tilt is an emergency in rabbits, and once noticed, you need to contact your veterinarian since head tilt makes the rabbit lose balance, which makes it easy for the rabbit to dislocate its bones.
Head tilt also makes the rabbit emaciated since it cannot eat well.
Is Head Tilt in Rabbits Painful?
Yes. Head tilt in rabbits is painful. This is evident when the rabbit tends to move its head away when you try to touch it.
The eye of the affected part of the head can also look pale, red, and painful.
How Long Does Head Tilt Last in Rabbits?
Early head tilt diagnosis is essential because your rabbit can survive being attacked by permanent head tilt.
Head tilt in rabbits takes approximately 2-3 months. However, when it’s diagnosed earlier, the healing process can be faster than when it’s diagnosed later.
Treatment for Head Tilt in Rabbits
So, how do you fix a rabbit’s head tilt? On most occasions, head tilt is treatable, even though the recovery process depends on when it was diagnosed.
The following are some of the ways that can be used to treat head tilt and correct the twisting sideways of the rabbit’s head:
1. Drug and Medicine Administration
You can administer appropriate drugs to the rabbit to tackle the infections, mainly those that attack the rabbit’s inner ear.
You might be wondering, What medicine can I give my rabbit for head tilt? A steroid is a good example of an antibiotic that can be applied to rabbits to tackle inner ear infections.
2. Fluid Therapy and Physical Therapy
You can practice fluid therapy on the rabbit, especially at the onset of the condition, to increase hydration and prevent anorexia.
Additionally, you can give the rabbit physical therapy to help it maintain its stability and movement.
These will help ensure that the rabbit is not dehydrated and has good body conformation.
3. Nutritional Supplements
Offer aids to the rabbit’s nutrition to enhance its ability to fight diseases and infections.
Ensure that the rabbit’s nutrition is correct to boost its immunity and prevent malnutrition cases that might speed up the infections.
5. Surgery
Though this is not advised, if you can manage a surgery, ensure you call your veterinarian to practice it to avoid any post-surgery problems.
6. Pain Management
You can offer supportive care through painkillers and drugs that reduce swelling and abscesses. This will help the rabbit feel less pain.
Rabbit Head Tilt Death
You might be worried, Will my rabbit die from head tilt? Yes, untreated E. Caniculi can lead to the death of the rabbit, which is why you need to contact your vet as soon as you notice the signs and symptoms of the head tilt.
However, head tilt is not only survivable but also treatable. So ensure you treat your rabbit as soon as possible to avoid infections that may make the rabbit’s head tilt permanent and dangerous.
Is Head Tilt in Rabbits Contagious to Humans?
No. Head tilt in rabbits is not contagious; however, the bacteria causing E. Caniculi can be transferred to other rabbits, though it is rare.