Rabbit tested e cuniculi positive help please

Hi there,

I am looking for some help and advice.
I have two rabbits and I had a E cuniculi blood test for my boy rabbit, Jack. The results came back as a high positive for being exposed to E cuniculi (specifically saying that he has been exposed to it 35 days ago or more)
The rabbits aren’t showing any symptoms of E cuniculi. They have had a 28 day course of panacur which finished on the 11th June. I disinfected their areas with F10 daily (apart from outside where they run around on the patio, hoping that isn’t an issue).

The results from the test showed that Jack has a high number of antibodies fighting off the e cuniculi. We are going to do another test in a few weeks since the panacur has been given and the vet said if the antibody levels are the same or lower - all ok. If it’s higher then he will need more treatment. Does that sound right?
I am also wondering if I should give routine panacur every so often yearly just incase? I know some vets think it’s not a good idea and others do. He has had panacur a few times a year so maybe I should keep that up.
Also, how do I stop the E cuniculi from coming out in him? I am keeping things clean but with certain toys you cannot clean them with disinfectant.

Any advice would be appreciated
Thank you

Welcome to RU. I'm sorry to hear Jack is EC positive. Do you mind my asking how he came to be tested for it?

I'm no expert but I've had a fair few rabbits with EC. The symptoms are really variable & responses to panacur seem to be too. I'd agree with your vet that if his antibody levels haven't dropped within that timeframe more treatment would make sense.

My rabbit specialist previously recommended treating my EC rabbit at times of stress (house moves, building work, bonding, bereavement) & my current vet advises my rabbits are treated every 12 weeks . Then there is dispute about the length of the course (my vet advises 9 days for the "preventative" use, 28 days initially with clinical signs).
Bleach solution, F10 or Steam cleaning all work. Some people recommend deep cleaning at 21 & 28 days (I think), my vet says just good hygiene all the time.

Its advisable Jacks buddy is treated too

Hi again thank you for your reply your bunnies look very cute! Are they house bunnies?

As one of our previous bunnies might have had EC I always gave him panacur as a preventative, my new vet said it’s not good to give unless you need to (as it’s bad for their bone marrow) and suggested doing a test.

I haven’t checked with him yet if he thinks Jack should have it as routine every now and then since finding out he is EC positive but I’m sure giving it every 12 weeks as you are doing would be better than developing EC.

Thank you. What the vet said about the antibody levels are if they are the same or lower then it is fine and not to treat further. I was a bit unsure to think that If the antibody levels are the same as they originally were doing the first test then why we wouldn’t treat again if that makes sense.

Thank you I used F10 and disinfected everywhere apart from where they run around on the concrete outside so hope all is ok with that.

Do you know if once they have e cuniculi in their system if it ever fully goes away after treatment?

Thanks again
Jess

Thats so interesting about bone marrow - I've not heard of that. TBH I liked my specialists advice over my vets (when likely to be stressed rather than 12 weekly) - this is probably my own personnal stuff as the first rabbit I (knowingly) had with EC got ill (severe head tilt) with 24 hours of losing her bonded sis, therefore in my head stress is better to go off than time. That said I am following my current vets advice - as far as I can predict there are no stressful events coming up.

I'm not entirely sure but I think once they've had EC it stays with them but often latently, they'll have no future flare ups. At times of physical & emotional pain/ illness a reoccurence is more likely - similar to coldsore in people. I guess they are technically carriers but their risk to their bunny friends goes up when they have an EC flare up as they'll have a high spore load & this is shed in their urine.

Thank You for admiring my bunnies. They are house bunnies. I sadly lost Rudey in May (EC related chronic renal failure). Boo has an EC related condition (uveitis) but never showed any other signs, Joey appears symptom free & Mouse had EC (positive test & head tilt) shortly before I adopted her but no re-occurrence in the 5 years since.

If you're worried about the concrete you could always brush down with 10% bleach solution, swill off & allow to dry. Unless the bunnies are weeing there & then eating off there I'd think it was low risk

Hello

Many Rabbits will test positive for exposure to EC, as your Jack has. I am wondering what prompted you to have him tested for EC ? These links may be useful to read

https://www.dovepress.com/encephali...-manageme-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-VMRR

https://www.dechra.co.uk/therapy-ar...cs-antifungals/disease-information/e-cuniculi

http://www.greendale.co.uk/cuniculi_disease.html

With regards to cleaning the patio, I'd use a steam cleaner to do it