Changes

The main common neurological disorder of rabbits is head tilt or torticollis.

 

The most common neurological disorder of rabbits is head tilt or torticollis

==Aetiology==

==Aetiology==

===Organisms causative of central vestibular or cerebellar disease===  

===Organisms causative of central vestibular or cerebellar disease===  

These include the bacteria listed above as causing peripheral vestibular disease (with the addition of ''Listeria monocytogenes'')and also protozoan diseases (eg. ''Encephalitozoon cuniculi'' and ''Toxoplasma gondii''). ''Encephalitozoon'' is not found in the inner ear tissue, only in the CNS where it causes a non-suppurative meningitis and a granulomatous encephalitis, sometimes accompanied by perivascular infiltration with lymphocytes and plasma cells. All areas of the brain are affected.

These include the bacteria listed above as causing peripheral vestibular disease (with the addition of ''Listeria monocytogenes'')and also protozoan diseases (eg. ''[[Encephalitozoon cuniculi]]'' and ''Toxoplasma gondii''). ''Encephalitozoon'' is not found in the inner ear tissue, only in the CNS where it causes a non-suppurative meningitis and a granulomatous encephalitis, sometimes accompanied by perivascular infiltration with lymphocytes and plasma cells. All areas of the brain are affected.

E cuniculi may yield biochemical test results indicative of renal disorder and positive serology for E cuniculi antibodies. Note E cuniculi also causes ophthalmic lesions (capsular rupture, cataract development and phacoclastic [[Uveitis – Rabbit|uveitis]]).  

''E. cuniculi'' may yield biochemical test results indicative of renal disorder and positive serology for ''E. cuniculi'' antibodies. Note that ''E. cuniculi'' also causes ophthalmic lesions (capsular rupture, cataract development and phacoclastic [[Uveitis – Rabbit|uveitis]]).  

Treatment of ''E. cuniculi'' is described here. For treatment of toxoplasmosis consider sulphonamides and be aware that clindamycin is extremely toxic in this species.

Treatment of ''E. cuniculi'' is described [[Encephalitozoon cuniculi|here]]. For treatment of toxoplasmosis consider sulphonamides and be aware that clindamycin is extremely toxic in this species.

===Miscellaneous causes of head tilt in rabbits===

===Miscellaneous causes of head tilt in rabbits===

==Therapeutic approach to head tilt in rabbits==

==Therapeutic approach to head tilt in rabbits==

*Oxytetracycline IM and low dose + corticosteroid eg 0.1-0.5mg/kg IM + benzimidazoles

*Oxytetracycline IM and low dose + corticosteroid IM + benzimidazoles

*Diazepam IM

*Diazepam IM

*Meclozine PO q6–8hrs  

*Meclozine PO q6–8hrs  

*Cinnarizine q 12–24 h

*Cinnarizine q 12–24 h

==Corticosteroids in rabbits==

===Corticosteroids in rabbits===

*Consider absorption from topical applications

*Consider absorption from topical applications

*Compromisation of premunity  

*Compromisation of premunity  

*In anorexia, mobilizes free fatty acids from adipose tissue =>hepatic lipidosis

*In anorexia, mobilizes free fatty acids from adipose tissue => hepatic lipidosis

*Increased populations of intestinal coliforms

*Increased populations of intestinal coliforms

*Ratio of aerobes to anaerobes alters

*Ratio of aerobes to anaerobes alters

'''Note: Chronic pruritic seborroeic otitis is usually associated with yeasts (''Candida'' sp.) whereas purulent otitis, especially where the discharge is tacky and sticky, may show ''E. coli'' and ''Pseudomonas'' sp on culture.'''

'''Note: Chronic pruritic seborroeic otitis is usually associated with yeasts (''Candida'' sp.) whereas purulent otitis, especially where the discharge is tacky and sticky, may show ''E. coli'' and ''Pseudomonas'' sp on culture.'''