Rabbit Balance Problems

One of the most common problems affecting a rabbit's balance is vestibular disease, also known as head tilt or wry neck. Vestibular disease can affect the inner ear, or the brain stem. Balance problems can also come from spinal cord disease or damage that causes weakness on one side producing staggering or circling movements. Heat stroke is another factor that can affect the brain stem producing circling, weakness, staggering and balance problems.

  1. Peripheral Vestibular Disease

    • The inner ear of a rabbit contains the cochlea, vestibule and semicircular canals. It controls balance and hearing. When the inner ear becomes inflamed, the rabbit displays signs of deafness, head tilt, rolling eyes and loss of balance. This inflammation is peripheral vestibular disease. Inflammation can be the result of foreign bodies in the inner ear, trauma, cancer, toxins or bacterial and viral infections.

    Central Vestibular Disease

    • An infection of the brain stem, which is the origin of the vestibular nerve found in the inner ear, is central vestibular disease. This disease displays many of the same symptoms as an inner ear infection; however, circling and rolling are also present. Rolling means the rabbit falls to the ground and violently and repeatedly rolls in a motion very much like a dog that has learned to roll over.

    Spinal Cord

    • Disease and inflammation to the padding between spinal cord discs, trauma to the spine, stress on the muscles or nerves in and around the spine and arthritis may cause balance problems in rabbits. Any one of these problems could cause weakness to one side of the rabbit's hindquarters, problems with balance or even paralysis of the hind legs. None of these spinal problems will produce the head tilt found in inner ear diseases.

    Heat Stroke

    • Exposure to hot temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit for long periods may cause heat stroke in a rabbit. Excessive heat and high humidity affect all areas of the brain. Initial signs of heat stroke could include circling, weakness, staggering and loss of balance. Other symptoms are rapid breathing, lethargy, reluctance to move and loss of appetite. Recognition of the symptoms at an early stage and applying cool rags, ice or water to the rabbit can prevent permanent damage.