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Diagnosed with E.cuniculi

Stiglet

Stiglet

Young Bun
Our beautiful mini lop has been diagnosed with EC. She's had a bad head tilt since Thursday. We've been giving her Panacur ever since but was told by the vets the outcome is very unlikely to be positive. My 10 year daughter is coping amazingly but I'm in pieces every time I look at her. The vet has told us that if she doesn't improve before the 30 days of treatment then we need to start thinking about having her PTS. Second bunny isn't showing any symptoms but we are treating him aswell just to be safe. This time last week she was fine, I'd do anything to turn back the clocks.
 
Stiglet said:
Our beautiful mini lop has been diagnosed with EC. She's had a bad head tilt since Thursday. We've been giving her Panacur ever since but was told by the vets the outcome is very unlikely to be positive. My 10 year daughter is coping amazingly but I'm in pieces every time I look at her. The vet has told us that if she doesn't improve before the 30 days of treatment then we need to start thinking about having her PTS. Second bunny isn't showing any symptoms but we are treating him aswell just to be safe. This time last week she was fine, I'd do anything to turn back the clocks.
Click to expand...

I am sorry to hear about your Rabbit

I am a bit shocked that the Vet is already talking about PTS.

How was the EC diagnosed ? Did the Vet rule out a middle ear infection (common in Lops) and if so how was this ruled out ?

Did the Vet also prescribe a non steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Metacam ? Both EC and Middle Ear infections cause inflammation. It is inflammation that causes the clinical symptoms-ie the head tilt. So reducing inflammation (with Metacam) can reduce the severity of the clinical symptoms.

In the absence of a definitive diagnosis of EC many Vets would also prescribe an antibiotic to cover the possibility of a middle ear infection.

Head tilt in Rabbits can be serious BUT it is certainly not an automatic death sentence. These links may be useful to read :

http://www.gwexotics.com/wccms-resources/a/5/0/e/77554b90-a660-11e0-a685-0050568626ea.pdf

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Parasitic/Encephalitozoonosis.htm

http://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/diagnosis-of-otitis-externa-media-and-interna-in-rabbits/

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Otit/otitis.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/BacterialOtitisMediaInterna.htm

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/head-tilt.html
 
Jack's-Jane said:
I am sorry to hear about your Rabbit

I am a bit shocked that the Vet is already talking about PTS.

How was the EC diagnosed ? Did the Vet rule out a middle ear infection (common in Lops) and if so how was this ruled out ?

Did the Vet also prescribe a non steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Metacam ? Both EC and Middle Ear infections cause inflammation. It is inflammation that causes the clinical symptoms-ie the head tilt. So reducing inflammation (with Metacam) can reduce the severity of the clinical symptoms.

In the absence of a definitive diagnosis of EC many Vets would also prescribe an antibiotic to cover the possibility of a middle ear infection.

Head tilt in Rabbits can be serious BUT it is certainly not an automatic death sentence. These links may be useful to read :

http://www.gwexotics.com/wccms-resources/a/5/0/e/77554b90-a660-11e0-a685-0050568626ea.pdf

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Parasitic/Encephalitozoonosis.htm

http://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/diagnosis-of-otitis-externa-media-and-interna-in-rabbits/

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Neurology/Otit/otitis.htm

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/BacterialOtitisMediaInterna.htm

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/head-tilt.html
Click to expand...

I originally took her to an OOH vet on Thursday night who looked in her ears and said she had an inner ear infection. She then went on to tell me it was EC. Bolt's temp was fine. To be honest I was so upset when she started telling me the outlook didn't look great that I didn't think anymore about it.
So today I took her to my local vet. He had at this point received our notes from the OOH vets and when he looked at Bolt he just said that it looked like it's caused by EC. He didn't actually do anything apart from listen to her chest and look at her.
I asked if she needed anything else, if she's in pain but he said no just to give the Panacur.


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Oh the vet did say we could be referred to a specialist but Bolt isn't insured and the vet said it would cost hundreds and we just couldn't afford that :(


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How do you prevent E.C? It sounds awful and I don't want my babies to go through it, but my vet didn't mention anything about preventing it? Can it be prevented?
 
Stiglet said:
Oh the vet did say we could be referred to a specialist but Bolt isn't insured and the vet said it would cost hundreds and we just couldn't afford that :(


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Click to expand...

You could put up another thread in Rabbit Chat asking for 'Rabbit Savvy Vet Recommendations' near you. These may not be 'Specialists' as such, but Vets with a lot of experience in treating Rabbits.

If you could get to Windlesham ( I note that you are in Reading) then Gill Tosse at Windlesham Village Vets is great

http://www.windleshamvet.com/about.html

You could take your Rabbit there for a second opinion.
 
Jack's-Jane said:
You could put up another thread in Rabbit Chat asking for 'Rabbit Savvy Vet Recommendations' near you. These may not be 'Specialists' as such, but Vets with a lot of experience in treating Rabbits.

If you could get to Windlesham ( I note that you are in Reading) then Gill Tosse at Windlesham Village Vets is great

http://www.windleshamvet.com/about.html

You could take your Rabbit there for a second opinion.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I'll do that now. If not I would try and take her there.


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My bunny got really bad head tilt (from EC), it was really tough going & took over 30 days but she slowly recovered with lots of TLC. The first vet I saw recommended PTS, my rabbit specialist agreed with me that while she ate well & showed spirit she should be given the chance. I'm glad I followed my heart, she had another few wonderful years living life to the full.

Whether ear infection or EC (& it seems nobody really knows) the treatment is typically panacur to combat EC infection & metacam to address inflammation pain & antibiotics in case its ear infection.. My bunnies saw a specialist as their regular vet but in your situation I'm not sure I would want the referral. I would want my bunny with all the right meds though so maybe would ask the surgery for metacam too or ask for a second opinion.

Its really hard to go through as an owner. I feel for you :(
 
Stiglet said:
I originally took her to an OOH vet on Thursday night who looked in her ears and said she had an inner ear infection. She then went on to tell me it was EC. Bolt's temp was fine. To be honest I was so upset when she started telling me the outlook didn't look great that I didn't think anymore about it.
So today I took her to my local vet. He had at this point received our notes from the OOH vets and when he looked at Bolt he just said that it looked like it's caused by EC. He didn't actually do anything apart from listen to her chest and look at her.
I asked if she needed anything else, if she's in pain but he said no just to give the Panacur.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

So it sounds to me like your vet has made an assumption and not a diagnosis of E.C.?
How was the inner ear infection diagnosed? (ie what were the signs the vet actually observed?)

For E.C. panacur is usually the treatment of choice, as your vet has rightly prescribed.

Usually, antibiotics are also given if an ear infection is suspected, and Metacam (an anti inflammatory) for possible pain and also to minimise any swelling to brain tissue caused by E.C. (neurological damage).

I hope the head tilt improves - granted, it's very difficult to care for and nurse a rabbit with head tilt.
 
WillowAndBiscuit said:
How do you prevent E.C? It sounds awful and I don't want my babies to go through it, but my vet didn't mention anything about preventing it? Can it be prevented?
Click to expand...

More bunnies than not have EC but its the minority who will become ill / show symptoms. Its caught through urine so you can imagine how difficult it is to wipe it out with bunnies eating hay from their litter trays. Whilst EC may lie dormant it can be activated in times of stress or illness. The bunny I spoke of got head tilt as a grief response to losing her bonded sister. A current bunny of mine (Mouse) got head tilt when she was returned to rescue a second time.

I don't know whether you're in the UK or where you are located but DR Frances Harcourt Brown is doing an afternoon of lectures just on EC, for rabbit owners. Its the end of April (£45) . Its going to be really interesting & informative
 
joey&boo said:
More bunnies than not have EC but its the minority who will become ill / show symptoms. Its caught through urine so you can imagine how difficult it is to wipe it out with bunnies eating hay from their litter trays. Whilst EC may lie dormant it can be activated in times of stress or illness. The bunny I spoke of got head tilt as a grief response to losing her bonded sister. A current bunny of mine (Mouse) got head tilt when she was returned to rescue a second time.

I don't know whether you're in the UK or where you are located but DR Frances Harcourt Brown is doing an afternoon of lectures just on EC, for rabbit owners. Its the end of April (£45) . Its going to be really interesting & informative
Click to expand...
I did kind of know that, but I thought that once a bunny had it they would inevitably end up showing symptoms at some point in the future. I do live in the UK but don't drive or have anyone that can drive me very far to get anywhere :(
 
MightyMax said:
So it sounds to me like your vet has made an assumption and not a diagnosis of E.C.?
How was the inner ear infection diagnosed? (ie what were the signs the vet actually observed?)

For E.C. panacur is usually the treatment of choice, as your vet has rightly prescribed.

Usually, antibiotics are also given if an ear infection is suspected, and Metacam (an anti inflammatory) for possible pain and also to minimise any swelling to brain tissue caused by E.C. (neurological damage).

I hope the head tilt improves - granted, it's very difficult to care for and nurse a rabbit with head tilt.
Click to expand...

The first vest took her temp and looked in her ears and then said she has an inner ear infection and seemed to connect that with EC. The second vet literally just looked at her and said yes it's EC. I'm hoping to take her to a rabbit savvy vet near me but just found out the vet only works on Tuesday's so will have to wait until then.


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Stiglet said:
The first vest took her temp and looked in her ears and then said she has an inner ear infection and seemed to connect that with EC. The second vet literally just looked at her and said yes it's EC. I'm hoping to take her to a rabbit savvy vet near me but just found out the vet only works on Tuesday's so will have to wait until then.


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Click to expand...

Tuesday's not long to wait, and for a good vet it's really worth it.

Good luck, you're doing the very best you can xx
 
cdcae84d34ffa1f6f6f47e411a3ca80c.jpg


I wonder if he knows she is poorly. He's been constantly sitting as close as he can get to her.


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Stiglet said:
cdcae84d34ffa1f6f6f47e411a3ca80c.jpg


I wonder if he knows she is poorly. He's been constantly sitting as close as he can get to her.


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Click to expand...

I think he will, glad he is looking after her. The head tilt doesn't look too severe. Good luck for tues x
 
joey&boo said:
I think he will, glad he is looking after her. The head tilt doesn't look too severe. Good luck for tues x
Click to expand...

It seems to be constantly changing one minute it's terrible then the next I've looked and she's completely normal. I'm trying not to read into it incase I'm just looking into something that's not there and getting my hopes up. Tuesday cannot come soon enough!!


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