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  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

what is E.Cuniculi??

Encephalitozoon Cuniculi or EC is a parasite which is spread from rabbit to rabbit through spores passed in urine and faeces and also from the mother to her kits through the placenta.

It is present in 50% of the domestic rabbit population but many rabbits do not go on to show any ill effects.

Those that do often suffer cataracts/blindness, paralysis and hindleg weakness, urinary incontinence, renal problems/failure, headtilt, weightloss.....these are the most common but by no means all the symptoms. Only one may be present.

Rabbits should be wormed annually against EC with Panacur (fenbendazole) which is proven to kill the spores. Rabbits should also be wormed as kits, whenever a new rabbit is introduced to the family and at times of high risk (a local outbreak). The preventative dose is 9 days course and for active cases 28 days is recommended. If one rabbit in a pair or group has EC all others should be wormed as 'active' eg....28 days.

There is lots of controversy over the causes, symptoms and treatment and prevention of EC and everyone prescribes to different theories.
 
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