E Cuninculi

[Aspen’sbuns]

Hi guys
I’m hoping for a bit of help. I got a new bunny almost 4 weeks ago now. Today, the lady I got him off told me she had to put one of her bunnies down (today) as it had developed a head tilt that got progressively worse. The bunny is about 5 months old I believe. they believe she had EC

I was wondering how it works in regards to infectious periods with EC.
The lady has another female, and a male bunny that all lived together. My one (when I got him) was on the other side of a wire fence, as he was being bullied by the other male. None were desexed.

The bunny I got has been living away from my other three, and has only been near them twice, once of which was direct contact.

I’m really really hoping someone can please help!

 

[FuzzyBunny ph]

okay wait, just because a bunny has headtilt doesn't mean they should be put down. Some bunnies recover from head tilt and some don't. Those who don't can still live a happy live but they will need extra care <3

For your bunny, I suggest to get a 30day panacur treatment from the vet just to be sure your bun is safe from EC. If your vets have tests for EC there, might want to have it done also. In our country, we don't have tests for EC so we have to know the signs for it and request (sometimes demand) for a 30day panacur treatment.

 

[JBun]

Keep in mind that head tilt can also be caused by other things like an inner ear infection. Just because the previous owner believes her other rabbit had EC, doesn't necessarily mean it actually did without having been to a vet, and having had a blood test done or necropsy to confirm that.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Head_tilt
Rabbits can carry EC and remain asymptomatic their whole lives. It's believed that more than half of domesticated rabbits carry EC. The only way to know if your rabbit was exposed and has antibodies to EC, would be to have an expensive blood test done. For any rabbit exposed to another rabbit with EC, some vets will advise a month treatment with panacur. But without knowing if the previous owners rabbit actually had EC, that might not be advised. If you're concerned that your rabbit might have been exposed, best thing to do would be to consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Encephalitozoon_cuniculi
http://rabbitvet.net/AustralianRabbitVets.htm

 

[Aspen’sbuns]

Keep in mind that head tilt can also be caused by other things like an inner ear infection. Just because the previous owner believes her other rabbit had EC, doesn't necessarily mean it actually did without having been to a vet, and having had a blood test done or necropsy to confirm that.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Head_tilt
Rabbits can carry EC and remain asymptomatic their whole lives. It's believed that more than half of domesticated rabbits carry EC. The only way to know if your rabbit was exposed and has antibodies to EC, would be to have an expensive blood test done. For any rabbit exposed to another rabbit with EC, some vets will advise a month treatment with panacur. But without knowing if the previous owners rabbit actually had EC, that might not be advised. If you're concerned that your rabbit might have been exposed, best thing to do would be to consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Encephalitozoon_cuniculi
http://rabbitvet.net/AustralianRabbitVets.htm

Hello! I return to this thread

I ended up getting the expensive blood test done about two weeks ago, and just got the results today. He tested positive for E.Cuniculi.
I know that no one on here are vets, and I am planning on ringing my vet on tuesday when she is back, but I was just wondering what it means that he has a positive result on this blood test?
I've read a few things, but from what I understand it tests for antibodies.
Do bunnies have it forever once they show a positive blood test? Or does this just mean he has antibodies?

 

[Diane R]

Hello! I return to this thread

I ended up getting the expensive blood test done about two weeks ago, and just got the results today. He tested positive for E.Cuniculi.
I know that no one on here are vets, and I am planning on ringing my vet on tuesday when she is back, but I was just wondering what it means that he has a positive result on this blood test?
I've read a few things, but from what I understand it tests for antibodies.
Do bunnies have it forever once they show a positive blood test? Or does this just mean he has antibodies?

Do you know the IgG and IgM levels? The vet should be able to tell you whether it's a chronic infection. I assume that's what it is as he doesn't have any symptoms, right? I wouldn't worry too much, over half of pet bunnies test positive for EC. A large majority never develop symptoms.