My 8 yr old lop Maki developed an ear infection a little over a month ago (October 23rd was the initial vet visit). I do have a vet visit scheduled soon, so not looking for medical diagnoses or help, but I just wanted to post on here to help ease my nerves. :')
She was put on Meloxidyl and Baytril twice a day along with Zymox Enzymatic Ear Solution drops and eye drops because she also had an ulcer in one of her eyes. She had to be hand fed and looked over 24/7 and pretty much lived in a laundry basket padded with cushions and pee pads and towels because she was constantly spinning (lovingly nicknamed my gas station Makito taquito).
About 2 weeks ago she was practically back to normal (the last pic). Her tilt was almost gone, she was back in her normal living area with her bonded bun, eating on her own, playing, running around, but overnight her tilt came back full force, so we went to the vet again and she still had a good amount of gunk in one of her ears, which they tested and said she still had her ear infection, so they put her on a different antibiotic (SMZ-TMP Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole), and we've been on that for a little over two weeks now.
When her tilt and dizziness came back, she never stopped acting normal. She was still eating good (leafy greens, pellets, and hay), grooming herself, running around, pooping, everything, but her head tilt and vertigo have been getting worse and worse. The last couple days have been the worst and she's reverted back to her taquito rolling. The only way I've gotten her dizziness to settle is to cradle her in my arm against my body, and after a bit, her eye settles and she'll lightly chatter her teeth occasionally or sometimes fall asleep.
I'm sitting on the floor next to her little laundry basket as I'm typing this and she's munching on hay, grooming herself, sniffing around, and occasionally laying her head on the edge of the basket begging for pets (I included a pic cause I couldn't resist her cute face staring at me). Nothing is telling me that she's in pain or declining from the way she's acting, and I know ear infections can heal so SLOWLY.
She's had consistent vet visits either once a week or once every two weeks, so I can update with what the vet says after her next appointment. I'm just curious what other people have experienced with ear infections like this or would love recommendations for helping make her more comfy at home.
I think I’ve just reached the point where the emotional rollercoaster of all this has caught up with me. She’s fighting so hard, and I’m doing everything I can, but seeing her improve so much and then suddenly struggle again has been overwhelming and really tough emotionally, especially since this is my first time caring for a sick bun, and I’ve been navigating it all on my own. I guess I just needed to get it off my chest somewhere where I know people won’t think I’m being dramatic about a bunny. Thank you to anyone who read all this. It really means a lot to me.
(Had to include some pics of her being cute and cuddly)
by Intelligent_Many_520