Yes EC is very difficult to diagnose even with titre tests, but the important thing is that Casper has had medication for EC now
and his head tilt has gone. If your vet has already cheched Casper's ears then I'm sure they are OK.
You sound like you have a very competent vet. inflammation of the inner ear is also a very difficult thing to diagnose
and it doesn't really matter now Casper's head tilt has gone, what it was, does it? ...If he hasn't got head tilt then he can't have an ear problem. yes - I was reading an article from the House Rabbit Society by Susan A Brown in the USA which says EC is very difficult to diagnose even with titre tests and the only certain way is with a brain biopsy! which obviously wouldn't do the rabbit much good!! It's a lengthy article, and obviously many things aren't applicable...( I doubt that Casper has been near Raccoon droppings!
and various medical treatments which would not be approved here). However It gives a good explanation of rabbit pathology and head tilt in particular. It mentions that eye problems can sometimes be caused by the eye on the downward side of the head tilt, brushing against the floor. Hopefully Casper's eye will improve on the metacam Head tilt can also sometimes be caused by an infection. Capser has had treatment and the head tilt has gone so I think your vet was correct in the medications he gave, as it made Casper better.
whether it was Ec or an infection, what matters is that the head tilt has gone. it is often difficult to interpret the results of the titre blood tests.
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Rising antibody levels ( that is the 2nd titre test level of antibodies is higher than the first) usually means the rabbit is fighting an EC infection at present. This may mean the rabbit could fight it off himself in time but most vets would give treatment for EC to be sure. If the difference in antibody levels is not marked then the diagnosis is much more difficult. Vets will always take into consideration any classic signs of EC the rabbit may be exhibiting before reaching a diagnosis.
The problem is that some rabbits may have come into contact with EC years before (sometimes from the mother rabbit) and it lies dormant, so will have antibodies in their blood but not have EC. Also many rabbits who have tested positive do not have any signs of EC, and those with signs of EC have tested negative.
I do hope the results of the kidney test will be good.
Get well soon Casper!
sue
[/quote]Guess I won't know for sure whether it was EC or not, the tests showed he has been exposed to it at some point, but I believe bunnies can be born with EC and never develop any symptons?
As you say he has responded to the meds and now no longer has a head tilt or a droopy ear so that is the main thing, and his eye is getting better. Just have to keep my fingers crossed that the blood tests results on Friday show his kidney levels are back to a more normal level then I will be happy
If he wasn't insured I probably wouldn't have had the blood tests done anyway! but as he is Petplan have paid for all of it
over £500 worth now and will be another £120 or so on Friday for the 3rd blood test.
