Wry Neck? Or something else?

[wadeolsen]

I have a 12 week old rabbit whose head is being held straight up, and he isnt moving much, and he seems a bit disoriented, or lethargic.

When I try to google symptoms, I find a lot of references to wry neck but all the references seem to point towards a TILTED head.

Does anyone have any experience with what I am looking at with my rabbit? Also, sorry, I dont know how to rotate the pics!

Also, for further information, he CAN put his head down. Every so often on his own, and we can gently push it down and he can keep it there temporarily, but he'll then raise it back up again and leave it up like you see in the pic.

 

[Celice]

it could be the beginning of Wry neck. I'm not sure how to treat something like this...

 

[Zass]

Breathing trouble? The posture and description make me think he might not be getting enough oxygen. <br /><br /> -- Tue Dec 23, 2014 10:23 pm -- <br /><br /> Any gasping, sneezing, labored breathing, or maybe abnormally shallow breaths instead?

 

[wadeolsen]

Breathing trouble? The posture and description make me think he might not be getting enough oxygen.

-- Tue Dec 23, 2014 10:23 pm --

Any gasping, sneezing, labored breathing, or maybe abnormally shallow breaths instead?

I dont think I detect any labored breathing. He is pretty calm, relaxed, lethargic...

 

[Zass]

Consider taking him to a vet if it's an option for you. (I understand that it might not be.)

 

[wadeolsen]

New Update:

The rabbit has been lethargic and just started laboring for breath, he struggled then coughed a bunch of blood out of his mouth and nose!

No sign of infection in his ears.

No sign of injury from hutch mates.

5 minutes after coughing blood his nose, mouth, and chin are turning blue.

Clearly this rabbit is dying and we need to put him out of his misery. I'm just concerned that the same fate will follow our other rabbits. They are just around 11 weeks and we have some sold for Christmas pets and the others are getting "processed" tomorrow. Now I am concerned about a contagious something going through the rest of the rabbits.

 

[Zass]

It's good that you can euthanize. It's better than allowing him to suffer.
My guess is pneumonia. I don't think it's something contagious in rabbits. (But please keep us updated! I'd like to know if it is something that can run through a herd.)

Was there a big change in environment, such as being kept outside and then inside?

My only case of pneumonia was caused by subjecting an outside-during a cold-winter kept rabbit to warm temperatures during a long car ride, and them returning him to cold outside temps. I hadn't realized at the time that could lead to a fatal condition.

 

[Dood]

Sounds like rabbit haemmorhagic disease - http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_h ... ic_disease

Where are you located?

 

[wadeolsen]

Sounds like rabbit haemmorhagic disease - http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_h ... ic_disease

Where are you located?

I am located in an area that hasnt had that for 20 years, with non-imported rabbits. Seems a bit unlikely. <br /><br /> -- Wed Dec 24, 2014 7:09 am -- <br /><br />

It's good that you can euthanize. It's better than allowing him to suffer.
My guess is pneumonia. I don't think it's something contagious in rabbits. (But please keep us updated! I'd like to know if it is something that can run through a herd.)

Was there a big change in environment, such as being kept outside and then inside?

I'll keep you updated. there have been some temperature fluctuations based on nature. We havent moved them, but it has been warmer and cooler generally. Also, they are inside a non temperature controlled building.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

It looks like pneumonia to me as well. When you process him, I would suggest opening up the lungs and seeing if they are filled with pus. It could be caused by Pasteurella, in which case you will need to watch the rest of your herd carefully.

 

[grumpy]

Once in a blue moon, you'll see what cannot be accurately explained.

I'd bet, (from personal experience) the rabbit has a congenital heart defect.
It's rare, but it does occur. I had a doe expire right before my eyes exhibiting
the very same symptoms, sans the bleeding through the nose. It's only the
second time I've ever had a rabbit necropsied. It spooked me!! :x

Everything looked perfect......except her heart. The walls were paper-thin
with zero muscle tone.

"Why now?" I asked. She was taxed beyond the heart's capabilities due to
her kindling a litter and the demands they placed upon her body. Her heart
couldn't keep up with the oxygen demands by supplying enough blood to her
lungs. She literally suffocated to death within her own body.

That (((seems to be))) a very logical conclusion. But, that's all
it is.......just a conclusion based upon a personal experience.