Panacur oral suspension. which dosage?

[rosaleen]

I’ve been advised to use the panacur oral suspension rather than the paste so as to administer a more accurate dose for a rabbit’s weight. But the information leaflet seems to give a range of doses for different animals.
which is the right dosage recommendation for a rabbit please? Thanks.

 

[InspectorMorse]

What are you using it for ?

If for EC then it’s 20mg/kg/ day Assuming that you have the Panacur 10% liquid this equates to 0.2ml/kg/day

 

[rosaleen]

Thanks for your reply.
I’m confused about the difference between EC which you’ve mentioned before in another thread to me and what I call E. Coli the parasite which I believe can cause things like head tilt, limb paralysis and cataracts.

 

[rosaleen]

And yes it’s the 10%. I think it was you who’d recommended the oral solution

 

[InspectorMorse]

Thanks for your reply.
I’m confused about the difference between EC which you’ve mentioned before in another thread to me and what I call E. Coli the parasite which I believe can cause things like head tilt, limb paralysis and cataracts.

E Coli AKA Escherichia Coli o157

Escherichia coli in Rabbits (Lapis) | Vetlexicon

View Escherichia coli & more Lapis resources at Vetlexicon. Over 28,000 peer-reviewed resources: Canis, Bovis, Equis, Felis & Exotis.

www.vetlexicon.com

Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157

Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli or VTEC) a bacterial infection. Learn about its symptoms, treatment and how to prevent it spreading.

www.nhsinform.scot

EC AKA Encephalitozoon Cuniculi

What is E. cuniculi (Encephalitozoon cuniculi) in Rabbits? - PALS Vet Lab

Obtaining an early, quick and reliable diagnosis in most diseases is more likely to lead to a positive outcome for the patient. Effective treatment can be started as soon as possible, making the patient feel better, and minimising any secondary effects on an animal’s body. This is especially...

palsvetlab.co.uk

 

[rosaleen]

Thanks very much for this info I’m doing a screen shot to save it.
so it’s E. cuniculi I need the dosage information for. Thanks again

 

[rosaleen]

The new vet s MH says “ likely sequalae to E. Coniculi
no signs of active pain or discomfort but may need enucleation if signs shows
option to test for EC with bloods
so that seems to confirm at present E. Cuniculi? So could I please have the dosage for that. thansl

 

[Shimmer]

What are you using it for ?

If for EC then it’s 20mg/kg/ day Assuming that you have the Panacur 10% liquid this equates to 0.2ml/kg/day

This is the dose rate you were asking for

 

[InspectorMorse]

The new vet s MH says “ likely sequalae to E. Coniculi
no signs of active pain or discomfort but may need enucleation if signs shows
option to test for EC with bloods
so that seems to confirm at present E. Cuniculi? So could I please have the dosage for that. thansl

As Shimmer posted, the dose is as I previously stated, 0.2ml/kg/day which equates to 20mg/kg/day for 28 days.

All in contact Rabbits should be treated too. Great care needs to be taken to minimise the ingestion of urine contaminated hay. EC spores are shed in the urine. So if the Rabbit(s) eat anything contaminated with urine they are likely to re-infect themselves.

 

[rosaleen]

Thanks for this. Both rabbits are having the panacur.
not sure what the solution is for contamination. Frequent changes of the hay?
normal current procedure is to keep adding fresh hay on top of their existing hay 4-5 times a day. thE hay never feels actually wet because of this. Then regularly changing the whole bed, a large dog bed

 

[InspectorMorse]

Best to use a hay rack for hay and a different substrate for the litter box. All urine contaminated hay needs to be removed ASAP.

 

[rosaleen]

Thanks for your advice on this. They do have a hay rack though it’s not very large They used it a lot when they first came but I suppose me putting down a regular supply of fresh hay in /on the bed was more inviting.
You advise a different substrate for their bed - which is also their litter tray. So yet another question I’m afraid. What do you suggest please?

 

[rosaleen]

I’ll do as you say about removing contaminated hay ASAP

 

[InspectorMorse]

Bedding and litter

Discover the best bedding and litter options for rabbits. Expert advice from the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund for optimal rabbit care.

rabbitwelfare.co.uk

 

[rosaleen]

Sorry one more last question. As there may possibly always be even a 1% chance of continuing infection should the panacur then be administered every 3 months for 9 days at a time?

 

[rosaleen]

Hi sorry I’m missed your link on bedding. Thanks yet again

 

[InspectorMorse]

Sorry one more last question. As there may possibly always be even a 1% chance of continuing infection should the panacur then be administered every 3 months for 9 days at a time?

Some Vets say yes, others no. Personally for a new intake Rabbit who has never had any active clinical symptoms of EC I do a one off 28 day course of Panacur and I do not treat them again unless clinical symptoms were to present. If the Rabbit has a history of active EC then I would give a 9 day course prior to any stressful event such as having a GA for a Dental or before bonding. Stress can affect the immune system and thus a relapse of ‘active’ EC might occur.

With EC there is still much that is not certain, even Vets are not all in agreement about how best to manage the control of the disease.

Scroll down to ‘Prevention’ on this link

Rabbits and E. cuniculi (Encephalitozoon cuniculi)

Understand the impact of E. cuniculi (Encephalitozoon cuniculi) on rabbits. Explore expert advice and resources to safeguard your bunny's health. Learn more now

rabbitwelfare.co.uk

 

[Shimmer]

I've had rabbits who tended to relapse with EC. I treated for 28 days again every time the symptoms became apparent. You get used to the subtle signs for each of them. If it's definitely (or at least highly likely to be) EC, you also need an anti-inflammatory (such as Metacam). The Panacur reduces the parasitic loading in the rabbit, and the metacam reduces the neurological symptoms that the parasite causes (ie the damage, such as head tilt or hind leg weakness).

I've never done a routine 9 days of Panacur for EC due to the lifecycle of the parasite.

Don't forget that the parasite is shed in urine, so anything in contact / possible contact with urine needs to be appropriately treated / cleaned / disposed of weekly during the treatment. Bleach, steam, Virkon S and other specific disinfectants are effective.

 

[rosaleen]

Many thanks to you both. I’ll take your information and advice on board
the vet’s MH questions if there may be e.Coli and/or EC
see my post at 9.32am yesterday- or is it the day before.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Many thanks to you both. I’ll take your information and advice on board
the vet’s MH questions if there may be e.Coli and/or EC
see my post at 9.32am yesterday- or is it the day before.

The Vet is 100% referring to Encephalitozoon Cuniculi (EC) NOT E. Coli.

‘Cun’ with a ‘U’ not ‘Con’ with an ‘O’