Head Tilt vs Scanning

[Rachel]

I’m a bit concerned that the vet I took my rabbits to, to get them spayed has mixed up Ghost’s (she’s a REW) scanning for head tilt because they phoned and said that they think she has E. Cuniculi because of it? I’m not sure how familiar with rabbits they are, they seemed quite knowledgeable so. But now their spay is being postponed which is frustrating because of Pandora’s litter habits and false pregnancies.

Obviously I’m no expert by any means but everything I’ve read has said that the scanning behaviour is fairly normal in albinos (though Pandora doesn’t do much of it so maybe I’m the one who’s confusing it but I don’t feel that way?) so I was never really alarmed… but I’m just a bit skeptical because it’s almost definitely not head tilt that Ghost has… so… I don’t know…

I don’t really want to start a thing with the vet or roll in and try to be a know-it-all — and I mean I could be totally wrong of course! I’m just a bit confused over here haha.

I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this so apologies if it’s not! I don’t even know what anyone can do or say but I just felt the need to rant about it?? Maybe I just want to know if the two have ever been confused and if I’ve just been mixing them up this whole time haha.

EDIT: (after some more reading around haha) I guess it’s possible she’s just got early signs of it and her red eyes are a coincidence haha because it’s not like I’ve had these rabbits from babies… and she could have an infection or something since they also said she had a little crust in her ears so I should stop complaining but I just wanted to be safe (:

[vanessa]

Keep us updated. I’m not convinced that scanning alone is cause to suspect EC, especially in a rew. But that doesn’t mean it should be ignored, or rews with EC will be treated later than they should. I’d keep an eye on her and see if she has any other syptoms. “A little crust in her ears”… what does the vet mean by that? Wax? Mites?

[Rachel]

Thanks for the reply, yeah I’ll be updating. It definitely always came off as just regular REW scanning to me which is why I was pretty skeptical when they called me to say they’d “noticed her scanning” but I’ll be bringing it up and will see what they say. Like you said, wouldn’t want it to be EC and have her treated later than she could. Regarding the crust, yeah, she said she was going to check for mites.

[Rachel]

Well, I’ve got medicine from the vet in case it’s EC but I’m still not at all convinced. When I brought it up again that I thought it was just the regular ol’ REW scanning the nurse just said it “could be” but I guess they want to be cautious. I’m skeptical but it’s probably better safe than sorry and there are worse things than waiting another four weeks to get them done ): I’ll probably find out if I’m wrong anyway but I thought they’d do a blood test or something.

[vanessa]

Well – a blood test won’t tell you much. About 805 of bunnies have been exposed to EC, so a positive/negative test will only tell you if your bunny has been exposed. Most exposed bunnies don’t even get sick. I don’t mind a 4-week treatment, although there is the case for not overmedicating. I still dont’ think scanning alone especially in a rew, is enough cause. But… EC is vicious and the damage is mostly irreversible. I’v had a bunny euthanized from EC, and I currently have an EC bunny. So I’m all about treating… but if we used scanning alone as an indicator – then all rews should be treated…

[Rachel]

Yeah, that’s the only reason I was a bit confused because that’s literally all that they thought was “wrong” with her and the woman didn’t really entertain anything I said so.

[Author]

Messages