Head tilt in rabbits
A rabbit holding its head tilted to one side, often with loss of balance, rolling, or rapid eye movements, needs prompt veterinary care — the same day if it appeared suddenly or your rabbit cannot stay upright or eat. Common causes include inner-ear infection and the parasite E. cuniculi, which need a vet to distinguish and manage. Keep your rabbit in a small, padded, quiet space to prevent injury while you arrange care.
Fast answer for owners
- Go now if: Sudden severe tilt with rolling or inability to stay upright; Not eating or drinking because of the tilt; Rapid flicking eye movements (nystagmus) with distress.
- Call today if: Mild tilt that appeared gradually, still eating and balanced; Head shaking or scratching at one ear.
- Do not: Ask the vet before giving medicines, forced feeding, home remedies, or delaying care.
- Tell the vet: Record last eating, drinking, droppings, urination, behaviour change, pain signs, temperature, toxins, trauma, and medications.
Go to a vet now if
- Sudden severe tilt with rolling or inability to stay upright
- Not eating or drinking because of the tilt
- Rapid flicking eye movements (nystagmus) with distress
Call a vet today if
- Mild tilt that appeared gradually, still eating and balanced
- Head shaking or scratching at one ear
What to tell the vet
- When the tilt started and how fast it progressed
- Whether your rabbit can eat and balance
- Any ear scratching, discharge, or odour
- Eye movements or rolling
- E. cuniculi history or contact
- Weight and ongoing conditions
What not to do
- Do not give leftover or human medication
- Do not leave your rabbit somewhere it can fall or injure itself while rolling
- Do not delay if it cannot eat or stay upright
What your vet may check
Your vet may examine the ears and neurological signs and may run tests to differentiate inner-ear disease, E. cuniculi, and other causes. Management is veterinary-led and may be longer-term.
Recovery support after veterinary assessment
During recovery your vet may recommend syringe-feeding support and daily care to maintain appetite and hydration, such as RodiCare Päppelpaste, RodiCare Appetit, or WOOLY daily-care items — to support a rabbit that is eating less while it recovers, on veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is head tilt in rabbits an emergency?
A sudden, severe tilt with rolling or an inability to eat needs same-day veterinary care. Even a mild tilt should be seen promptly because the causes need a vet to tell apart.
What causes head tilt in rabbits?
Common causes are inner-ear (middle/inner) infection and the parasite E. cuniculi, among others. Diagnosis needs a vet; treatment differs by cause.
Will my rabbit recover from head tilt?
Many rabbits improve with prompt, sustained veterinary care, though some keep a residual tilt. Early treatment and good supportive care improve the outlook.
Related emergency guides
Sources & standards
Emergency guidance follows RWAF, House Rabbit Society, and exotic small-mammal medicine standards, source-cited and pending named veterinary review.
Related pages in this emergency hub
Source-cited guidance; pending named veterinary review.