Serious E.Cuniculi - Help & Advice Required!!

[ImogenGoode]

Using this forum as a last resort.

My bunny is suspected to have a bad case of e.cuniculi.
After becoming extremely weak and barely able to stand, he was hospitalised for the day. He showed good signs of progress, and sent home with syringe feeding, metacam, and panacur.

Only a couple of hours later at home, he totally took a dive, lied on his side, unresponsive but breathing, with bad diarrhoea (passing hard stool just the hour before). I genuinely though he would dead by the time I got to the emergency vet.

Now he’s in the intensive care unit and another 1K bill. They recommend hospitalisation for a longer period.

I love this rabbit to bits and he is my best friend, and the last 24hrs have been an emotional rollercoaster.

Wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, and can advise, is continued hospitalisation worth it? Is he likely to recover or may this problem persist 2, 3 or more times?

I want to give him all the care he can get, but I also don’t want to be pushing him to a point where its cruel if euthanasia is going to be inevitable.

The vets have some knowledge, but i’m struggling to get a clear picture of whether this insane downturn will happen again, and therefore whether continued care is worth it for him.

Experience and advice EXTREMELY appreciated - I want my little boy back!

 

[InspectorMorse]

Has the Vet run any diagnostics ? The presentation of symptoms isn’t typical of EC. Without diagnostics it’s impossible to have a definitive diagnosis/prognosis. If the current Vet isn’t Rabbit savvy you could request they consult with a specialist for advice. If the Rabbit can be stabilised he could then be transferred to a specialist.

If it is EC the journey to recovery can be very up and down and it can take several months of ongoing treatment.

Getting a definitive diagnosis will be key to giving your Rabbit the best chance of recovery. I hope that he will make it.

 

[ImogenGoode]

Thank you for a reply!

The vets have run blood tests. Part of the blood tests came back fine. The outstanding test for EC is delayed (apparently a delay in the lab in Germany!).

Other than that, I have nothing…

The vet who run the tests is a rabbit specialist vet (unfortunately she doesn’t work wednesdays so hopefully I can speak to her when they open today).

I feel very in the dark!

 

[InspectorMorse]

Thank you for a reply!

The vets have run blood tests. Part of the blood tests came back fine. The outstanding test for EC is delayed (apparently a delay in the lab in Germany!).

Other than that, I have nothing…

The vet who run the tests is a rabbit specialist vet (unfortunately she doesn’t work wednesdays so hopefully I can speak to her when they open today).

I feel very in the dark!

Yes, EC test results can take a few days. I think for now I would see how your Rabbit copes over the next few days. Don’t expect a miracle turnaround. With EC things can get worse before they get better. The important thing is that he’s receiving essential supportive care to give him the best chance. Don’t give up yet, it’s very early days.

 

[Shimmer]

I totally agree with the advice you have already had.
This isn't typical of EC, so I suspect there's something else going on to cause the diarrhoea, etc.

EC in itself is normally manageable with time and dedication. Many rabbits have had exposure to it but don't have symptoms. The usual treatment is panacur and an anti-inflammatory (eg Metacam) for 28 days, although it's common to need to continue treatment over several months. Recovery is very much a rollercoaster - some weeks there may be an improvement, others may be 2 steps back. With appropriate supportive care, the outcome for EC alone is usually good. I had an extreme case (her head was twisted right round and fixed to her shoulder & she couldn't co-ordinate to walk) which took nearly a year of treatment and support (syringe or hand feeding until she could manage by herself, bum cleaning, etc). She was just left with a very slight head tilt and lived a normal life back outside with her partner afterwards. I've had others which required just the basic meds for 2-3 months. Their symptoms were typical - sudden hind leg weakness, head tilt. EC often recurs as the treatment only reduces the parasitic loading, so stress can bring on another episode. You get used to the signs and just treat as soon as they appear.

Sending lots of recovery vibes for your precious bunny.

 

[bunny momma]

If it is EC, the stress of the illness and care may have brought on gi symptoms. Though it may be good if your vet tested his Diarrhea to rule out other causes.
Until EC can be confirmed, vet may also want to treat for possible infection.
Sending lots of positive vibes for you and your bunny.

 

[Shimmer]

Just wondering if there is any update....