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New adopted bun Doppie has E. Cuniculi

Nicole Mok

Nicole Mok

Young Bun
Hi all,

Following my previous thread -- Since Keelala has passed away due to kidney failure, I have just adopted a female rabbit called Doppie, to keep my male rabbit Stressy accompanied.

At the moment, their cage is separated by two panels which they can merely see each other. Basically, it is a big indoor cage, sharing the same floor, but separated by two grid panels.

Due to the past experiences, I've taken Doppie to do the blood test anyway, just in case if she has any hidden illness, she can get the treatment earlier rather than later.

The blood test result shows no problem with the kidney, but she has E. Cuniculi. So vet suggested to take panacur for 9 days, both Doppie and Stressy, although Stressy’s Panacur treatment is not due until Jan 19.

Stressy used to have Snowie as a partner before who had E. Cuniculi as well, but they still lived in the same cage for 3 years, and Stressy has not been transmitted.

I have not yet introduced Doppie to Stressy, but I think I can start doing so after 9 days treatment, do you think so?

Also, I am not sure if I should bring Stressy to do the blood test as well? he has never done it before.

Should this Panacur treatment be carried out every few months instead of every 6 months?

Any other things I need to be aware of during this period and after they start the bonding procedure?

Any advices would be appreciated.
 
Nicole Mok said:
Hi all,

Following my previous thread -- Since Keelala has passed away due to kidney failure, I have just adopted a female rabbit called Doppie, to keep my male rabbit Stressy accompanied.

At the moment, their cage is separated by two panels which they can merely see each other. Basically, it is a big indoor cage, sharing the same floor, but separated by two grid panels.

Due to the past experiences, I've taken Doppie to do the blood test anyway, just in case if she has any hidden illness, she can get the treatment earlier rather than later.

The blood test result shows no problem with the kidney, but she has E. Cuniculi. So vet suggested to take panacur for 9 days, both Doppie and Stressy, although Stressy’s Panacur treatment is not due until Jan 19.

Stressy used to have Snowie as a partner before who had E. Cuniculi as well, but they still lived in the same cage for 3 years, and Stressy has not been transmitted.

I have not yet introduced Doppie to Stressy, but I think I can start doing so after 9 days treatment, do you think so?

Also, I am not sure if I should bring Stressy to do the blood test as well? he has never done it before.

Should this Panacur treatment be carried out every few months instead of every 6 months?

Any other things I need to be aware of during this period and after they start the bonding procedure?

Any advices would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

A single blood test is not always reliable for diagnosing 'active' EC, just to the fact that the Rabbit has been exposed to the protozoal parasite. Protocols for the control of EC are not always clear cut and many Vets have different opinions as to 1- the need to do repeated 'preventative' courses of Panacur - 2 Whether these courses should be of 9 days or 28 days duration 3- whether it is only necessary to do a 'one off' 28 day course of Panacur, then only treat again should active symptoms of EC occur. Some Vets consider the overuse of Panacur (repeated 'preventative' courses) could do more harm than good.

These links would be useful to read :

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00d...tozoonosis.htm

https://www.dechra.co.uk/therapy-are...ion/e-cuniculi

https://www.dovepress.com/encephalit...t-article-VMRR

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-health/e-cuniculi/
 
Ahhh - I'm afraid you are stuck in a bit of a minefield as advice does vary so much not only amongst owners but across the veterinary field.

Please bear in mind more domestic bunnies than not will have come in to contact with EC. I've had several bunnies diagnosed with it & effected by it. Of my current three Mouse is positive, I don't know about Joey & Boo but they will have contact with EC through Mouse & a previous bun no longer with us.

My most severe case of EC was managed by Frances Harcourt-Brown. She has since been retired a few years & I don't know if thinking has changed. As EC is largely activated by stress (physIcal or emotional) she advised I treat for 9 days in advance of perceieved stressful situations. Examples, bonding, moving house, big vet trips (if bun is stressedc by them). So my bunnies would start taking panacur a couple of days before bonding, moving house etc. Now some will say a 9 day course is pontless for EC as the lifecycle of the parasite is 28 days. I assume my vet was working on the principle that panacur being present would stop EC taking hold.

I hope that makes sense x
 
Nicole Mok said:
Hi all,

Following my previous thread -- Since Keelala has passed away due to kidney failure, I have just adopted a female rabbit called Doppie, to keep my male rabbit Stressy accompanied.

At the moment, their cage is separated by two panels which they can merely see each other. Basically, it is a big indoor cage, sharing the same floor, but separated by two grid panels.

Due to the past experiences, I've taken Doppie to do the blood test anyway, just in case if she has any hidden illness, she can get the treatment earlier rather than later.

The blood test result shows no problem with the kidney, but she has E. Cuniculi. So vet suggested to take panacur for 9 days, both Doppie and Stressy, although Stressy’s Panacur treatment is not due until Jan 19.

Stressy used to have Snowie as a partner before who had E. Cuniculi as well, but they still lived in the same cage for 3 years, and Stressy has not been transmitted.

I have not yet introduced Doppie to Stressy, but I think I can start doing so after 9 days treatment, do you think so?

Also, I am not sure if I should bring Stressy to do the blood test as well? he has never done it before.

Should this Panacur treatment be carried out every few months instead of every 6 months?

Any other things I need to be aware of during this period and after they start the bonding procedure?

Any advices would be appreciated.
Click to expand...


Hi there

Opinions will vary, even amongst vets, but my vet would recommend a 28 day course of Panacur, especially if there's active E.C.

Bonding is a stressful situation for rabbits, and their immune system is likely to be challenged, which is when opportunist parasites like E.C. can take ahold. Before bonding my rabbits I gave them a 28 day course of Panacur each, as advised by my vet. 9 days will not affect the parasite, and is often given as a dosage for worming.
 
Hi all, thank you so much. Always good to hear more opinions before making decision.

I did double check with the Vet if I should give both Doppie and Stressy for 9 days or 28 days. She explains that due to Doppie is active unlike sick rabbit, so she recommends 9 days, but if I do insist to do 28 days that's not a problem. However I forgot to ask if I do 28 days, should I do it with Stressy as well or should Stressy takes 9 days and Doppie takes 28 days?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 
Nicole Mok said:
Hi all, thank you so much. Always good to hear more opinions before making decision.

I did double check with the Vet if I should give both Doppie and Stressy for 9 days or 28 days. She explains that due to Doppie is active unlike sick rabbit, so she recommends 9 days, but if I do insist to do 28 days that's not a problem. However I forgot to ask if I do 28 days, should I do it with Stressy as well or should Stressy takes 9 days and Doppie takes 28 days?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

You would need to confirm that with your Vet.

There is a chance that a highly respected now retired Rabbit Specialist Vet will soon be looking again at the complex subject of EC, it's overall management and treatment. It is certainly not a well researched area at the moment. So there are usually very different opinions given, which can prove to be very confusing.
 
Nicole Mok said:
Hi all, thank you so much. Always good to hear more opinions before making decision.

I did double check with the Vet if I should give both Doppie and Stressy for 9 days or 28 days. She explains that due to Doppie is active unlike sick rabbit, so she recommends 9 days, but if I do insist to do 28 days that's not a problem. However I forgot to ask if I do 28 days, should I do it with Stressy as well or should Stressy takes 9 days and Doppie takes 28 days?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


Hi there, you're welcome!

My vet would suggest all rabbits having 28 days, but what your vet says may be different.
As mentioned earlier, E.C. always divides opinion!
 
Jack's-Jane said:
You would need to confirm that with your Vet.

There is a chance that a highly respected now retired Rabbit Specialist Vet will soon be looking again at the complex subject of EC, it's overall management and treatment. It is certainly not a well researched area at the moment. So there are usually very different opinions given, which can prove to be very confusing.
Click to expand...

Really interesting. I knew this would be happening if she was still practicising but great to hear of a possible review in "retirement"
 
joey&boo said:
Really interesting. I knew this would be happening if she was still practicising but great to hear of a possible review in "retirement"
Click to expand...

I think her interpretation of the word 'Retirement' is a bit different to that found in the OED !! :lol:
 
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