The Goose
New Kit
Hi, everyone! My dear rabbit Leila (code name “The Goose”) is fighting E. cuniculi.
Leila first showed symptoms last September (wobbliness; loss of appetite; wouldn’t drink) but recovered on her own within two weeks, before we could figure out what was wrong. She had another flare last December, and again the vets were stumped and the symptoms receded on their own.
In late February Leila’s health dived again. It’s been so much worse this time. She’s lost all mobility in her hind legs. She can’t sit up or groom herself, and though she’ll still eat fresh greens and Oxbow supplement treats (yay!) she won’t eat hay or drink water (not even fruit-flavored water or banana-water smoothies). Here's some more details on her symptoms and treatment regimen if anyone's interested.
I’ve been to five vets in the past few month. I know most rabbits carry EC asymptomatically, so a definitive diagnosis isn’t a realistic expectation. I also understand that x-rays won’t pick up on everything. That said—when we finally did get a titer test, Leila was a “strong positive” for EC. She’s gotten two x-rays in the past five months with no sign of spinal injuries, though she does struggle with recurring gas and some bladder sludge (poor baby).
I’m hoping a couple of you might have EC success stories to share?? It’s been nearly a month and a half of hind leg paresis now, and we’ve just started our second round of Panacur (+Metacam, an antibiotic, a gut motility drug, and occasional Gabapentin). I’m terrified Leila’s never gonna regain the use of her hind legs. For those of you who’ve pushed through EC with limb weakness, how long did it take before your rabbit was able to sit up by themselves again?? Some people online say any nerve issues are often permanent, and others say they’ve never seen a case where an EC rabbit’s legs stayed limp forever. Leila’s my whole world; I’m stressed out of my mind and barely sleeping, and I’m desperate for some hope.
Leila first showed symptoms last September (wobbliness; loss of appetite; wouldn’t drink) but recovered on her own within two weeks, before we could figure out what was wrong. She had another flare last December, and again the vets were stumped and the symptoms receded on their own.
In late February Leila’s health dived again. It’s been so much worse this time. She’s lost all mobility in her hind legs. She can’t sit up or groom herself, and though she’ll still eat fresh greens and Oxbow supplement treats (yay!) she won’t eat hay or drink water (not even fruit-flavored water or banana-water smoothies). Here's some more details on her symptoms and treatment regimen if anyone's interested.
I’ve been to five vets in the past few month. I know most rabbits carry EC asymptomatically, so a definitive diagnosis isn’t a realistic expectation. I also understand that x-rays won’t pick up on everything. That said—when we finally did get a titer test, Leila was a “strong positive” for EC. She’s gotten two x-rays in the past five months with no sign of spinal injuries, though she does struggle with recurring gas and some bladder sludge (poor baby).
I’m hoping a couple of you might have EC success stories to share?? It’s been nearly a month and a half of hind leg paresis now, and we’ve just started our second round of Panacur (+Metacam, an antibiotic, a gut motility drug, and occasional Gabapentin). I’m terrified Leila’s never gonna regain the use of her hind legs. For those of you who’ve pushed through EC with limb weakness, how long did it take before your rabbit was able to sit up by themselves again?? Some people online say any nerve issues are often permanent, and others say they’ve never seen a case where an EC rabbit’s legs stayed limp forever. Leila’s my whole world; I’m stressed out of my mind and barely sleeping, and I’m desperate for some hope.
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