DAISY'S TREATMENT

Daisy arrived on January 13, 2007. She had given birth to a litter two months earlier and seemed in fine health. A month later though, it was a different story.

On February 19, Daisy had stopped eating and drinking and was very lethargic. She had some cecotroph overproduction, but no regular fecal pellets. She was taken to the veterinarian the following day when she had not improved.

Daisy seemed perfectly fine and alert while the vet examined her. Although she had seemed to have a slightly odd gait at the rescue, while in the exam room, she seemed normal. She was given subcutaneous fluids and once she returned to the rescue, she was back to normal and eating well.

The incident was dismissed as dehydration, perhaps as a result of nervousness to drink around the other rabbits. At that time, there was no reason to think otherwise.

On April 4, Daisy was not the friendly girl she usually was. She would not greet anyone, but had eaten her food and did not seem ill. A quick examination was given at the rescue and nothing seemed wrong. But when she was placed back in her cage on all four feet, she stumbled and fell onto her side. She was observed for a few moments, but Daisy would not move while there was anyone watching. A video camera was set up and everyone went about their business. Sure enough, it wasn't long before Daisy began to move. She could take a few steps before faltering, but every time she attempted to clean her ears or face, she stumbled. She was clearly suffering from the beginning stages of head tilt.

The following day, she was examined by the rescue's veterinarians. By this time, her head had tilted slightly and she was finding it more difficult to walk and to hide her ailment from humans. Her ears did not seem infected, but as a first course of treatment, Baytril was given to rule out this possibility and determine if e. cuniculi was a possible cause.

Daisy's condition only worsened over the next two days. By April 7, she could barely stand and towels were placed all around her cage to prevent her from injuring herself. She frequently fell violently onto her side and rolled while trying to right herself. When sitting in her caregiver's laps, she needed support to stay up.

By April 8, however, she finally began to improve slowly. She remained on antibiotics for a full month and made a complete recovery. In July, there was some concern that her condition was returning, but on July 25, 2007, she received a clean bill of health.

Daisy now has a wonderful forever home!