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E-cuniculi: herd problems and severe eye inflammation

Fionabun

Fionabun

Mama Doe
Hello to all,

I haven't been around here for a while, though would really appreciate advice.

I have a group of 5 bunnies: 2 Dutches (nearly ten yrs old) Archie (7 yr old silver fox) seem to be infected with EC. Nell and Sumi, the Dutches have a history of EC from 2005, which gave them recurrent problems with GI stasis in the main.

Archie has a mild hind leg weakness now, Nell has severe left eye inflammation/anterior uveitis, Sumi is in GI stasis.

All are incontinent. All bunnies are commencing on a long Panacur and Metacam treatment programme.
I'm happy with managing the bunny in GI stasis, with nutritional support.

Nell's eye is my big concern: it looks awful an is worsening. We saw the vet on Friday and will go back tomorrow. She has Maxitrol eye drops three times a day and atropine once a day. I have learned that Maxitrol has steroid in it- is this the correct type of eye drop to use if its EC related inflammation? It has all happened so quickly that we didn't really make the full link to EC during Friday's consultation.

Advice much appreciated.

Fiona x
 
I'm so sorry your bunnies are battling this again. It was so useful years ago to make the links between EC and GI stasis together - what a stressful time that was.

I'm definitely no expert, but I'd be concerned about using an eye drop with steroids in for a bunny with an active case of EC.

Really hoping your buns turn a corner.
 
Hi Sarah,

Thank you! I can't actually find anything which explains why, but I stumbled across something i read last night that mentioned the eye drop shouldn't have steroids in it; do you know why? I stupidly can't find it again.

My vet is ways helpful,, but a bit concerned he didn't make the link himself, so I might need to be a bit more forceful about what I need.

F x
 
Yeah, I must admit I thought it a bit weird that your vet didn't pick up on the link too. :?

The reason I wouldn't want to use a steroid eye drop, is because I believe they suppress the immune system a bit, which is the last thing you need right now.
 
Thanks Sarah, I'm a bit fed up to be honest, but her eye was nothing like this when we went on Friday, only a bit leaky with no cataracts, so I guess it has progressed a lot over the last 2 days. He was convinced it was a scratch he couldnt find. The fact another bunny is off his food makes me more certain that we're dealing with EC here again: I'll just need to tell him straight!

F x
 
Reminds me of when I took my bunnies to a different vet, after the many trips to the emergency vet with stasis, like a crazy woman with no sleep, and I just blurted out 'it must be something infectious because they're both the same!!!'

Best of luck with the vet.
 
SarahP said:
Reminds me of when I took my bunnies to a different vet, after the many trips to the emergency vet with stasis, like a crazy woman with no sleep, and I just blurted out 'it must be something infectious because they're both the same!!!'
Click to expand...

....which reminds me of the endless dental treatments and teeth burring I subjected these poor bunnies to in 2006 when the vet refused to realise that it was surely a massive coincidence that they were all getting 'molar spurs' at the same time! IT WAS E.C!!! I spent £2000 on Sumi having him investigated for all sorts and doing endless amount of unneccesary dental procedures :(

I don't regret the money though, as at the time, there was very little known about EC and gut problems and it *seems* to be a bit mroe recognised now.

As for eye problems....well that's new territory for us here and I'm so worried I've made her problems worse :(

F x
 
So sorry you're having these problems again Fiona :(

I am sure Rosie was on Maxitrol eye drops. She had uveitis and EC. I can't remember if it was the specialist eye vet who prescribed them for her (he didn't know much about rabbits or EC I think) or whether it was the vets at the D1ck Vet in Edinburgh. Steroids do lessen immunity, so maybe they weren't the best thing, I'm not sure :?

I can't honestly remember much of the detail now, but will have a look for my old threads.
 
Here's some of my old threads (I searched for threads I mentioned Maxitrol in). Not sure if there's anything useful in them but might be worth a read :wave:

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...itis-also-EC-Advice-Please&highlight=maxitrol

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...date-on-Rosie-Eye-Problems&highlight=maxitrol

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...le-U-D-post-19-She-s-Home!&highlight=maxitrol

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...About-Rosie-U-D-She-s-Gone&highlight=maxitrol

EDIT - looking at the last of those links, I think the vets in Edinburgh were concerned that being on the steroidal eye drops were possibly compromising Rosie's ability to fight a lung infection, so she was changed to non-steroidal ones. However, she then developed a rather alarming lump on her eye and was put back on the Maxitrol to keep the eye comfortable. A no-win situation really unfortunately :( I think topical steroids in the eye are easily absorbed systemically in rabbits.

Sending lots of vibes for you all.
 
Last edited:
Thank you so much Helen, these are all very useful. So sad to read the last one of the painful decisions you had to make about poor Rosie. I remember her so well, and regret not being around much on the forum at that point to pass on my best wishes to you

I have a heavy heart about poor Nell -she's reluctant to move around with her new visual impairment, though she still has a reasonably decent appetite, albeit she's eating slowly and the other bunnies are stealing her food.

My bunny Sumi has started to eat again tonight after very intensive syringe feeding, so that's good news and I can hope for a bit more sleep than I thought I'd get.

I adore all of my bunnies, though my OAP Dutches have such a special place in my heart :love:

Nell's eye is so much worse than it was on Friday so I'll be on the phone to re-book a visit to the vet asap tomorrow. I hope it's not too painful, but it looks like it might be.

Fiona x
 
Did the Vet check that Nell does not have a corneal ulcer before he prescribed Maxitrol. If she does have an ulcer then Maxitrol would make it much worse as the steroid in the Maxitrol would prevent corneal healing and may exacerbate a bacterial infection.

Many of my Rabbits have had Maxitrol, all for cases of Uveitis.
 
Hi Jane,

Yes, no corneal ulcer present after thorough examination by the vet. *U/D now below- she does have a corneal ulcer*

Fiona x
 
Last edited:
Hello again,

My suspicions were correct and Nell's eye problem has changed over the weekend:a significant corneal ulcer has now developed. We have changed her eye drops immediately to non-steroidal (Tiacil). She remains on pain relief, Panacur and will start on Baytril.

The vet is concerned by the presentation, started with anterior uveitis and progressed to development of a corneal ulcer.

Would this be the pattern of EC related eye problems, or do others think there is a likelihood of.an even more significant disease process?

The vet mentioned giving her a few more days and then making decisions about how to progress. Nell is almost 10 and I would imagine that the option of losing an eye is a massive one, never mind the complexities of this procedure? She's quite miserable, though still has a small appetite and interest in life.

F x
 
Hi Fiona,

Just came back on to check on your thread. I'm so sorry to hear that Nell's eye is worse and she now has a corneal ulcer :( I'm not really sure if it would be EC-related, sorry. How is her eye looking now?

Very glad to hear that Sumi started to eat after the syringe feeding, I hope the wee soul is still doing OK.

Thanks for your kind words about Rosie, it certainly brings it all back having a look at old threads.

Best of luck, it is hard indeed being a bunny mum sometimes :( x
 
Hi,

I'm no further forward in working out whether corneal ulcers can be related to EC. I know uveitis is, but not sure about ulcers.

Anyway, she's a poor soul, but remains very interested in her food. Her eye still looks terrible. We're back at the vets tonight for his opinion on it. Hope something else can be done to help her.

The decision about what to do is so hard, based on her age (nearly 10) though she is showing a bit of fight overall.

F x
 
I have a totally unscientific feeling that it is unrelated... :? What's your gut feeling, Fiona?

Best of luck at the vets and let us know how you get on x
 
My gut feeling is that it is EC related.... Again, it's unscientific, but corneal ulcers often have a bacterial underpinning.

She's on Tiacil drops, Baytril, Panacur and of course, Metacam.

Tonight, the vet thought her ulcer looked more defined rather than quite as widespread. So, whilst not much better, it's certainly not any worse in the way it so rapidly accelerated (of course she had the wrong drops at that point too :/ ). We're continuing with the current regime.

She goes back on Monday morning for another examination and we'll make a plan from there. She's still showing signs of being a hungry Horace and enjoying lots of food and treats.

Poor Nell; being very brave!

F x
 
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