So Basically what you are saying is that experience counts for nothing.
Therefore taking that in account....If a person were to get the flu or a cold they shouldn't think they have a flu or a cold but should instead go into the doctor to get that confirmed? Or if a rabbit gets earmites they should be taken into the verternarian to get that confirmed? That is in essence what you are saying. That all illnesses need to be confirmed by a professional before the diagnosis can be accepted.
When illnesses are obvious, one does not need to get medical advice.
When illness are unsure, then one might wish to gain medical advice. For instance, a sneezing rabbit with snot, most likely has pasturella BUT to be sure, one should get several nose swabs done of several rabbits and bring those into the vet for diagnosis as it might be bordatella, pasturella or a stap infection. OR one can simply cull those affected rabbits. It's a choice on behalf of the owner.
A coccidia infection of the liver is obvious in how it presents. It looks different than liver flukes. It presents just like the pictures MSD gave us. It's one of those "obvious" illnesses based on condition of the liver. Coccidia infection of the intestines presents differently and a fecal exam is most helpful then to determine if it's worms or coccidia going on. Different illnesses require a different approach in diagnosis, and sometimes experience does indeed matter.
I appreciate BroodCoop that you want people to be careful, but there needs to be an awareness that experience matters as well. Vets aren't the only ones who know things about animal husbandry.
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What disturbs me the most is that there were no clinical signs of illness. If I had not processed that rabbit I would never have suspected anything was wrong with it.
You are not the first person to have this situation MSD. I occasionally have need to take in rabbits to help me fill an order for dog/snake food customers. Rabbits can come in looking and acting perfectly normal and then ACK.. horrid liver(s). I tell folks to medicate their herd for coccidia (folks have been surprised by the news, I show them a liver if possible) and next time I get rabbits from them (after they medicate and I wait about 4 months) the livers are clean.
I find generally in anything older than 8 weeks you simply have no clue if you have a coccidia problem. Younger than that you'll have kits that look unwell or unthrifty.