LittleChinta
Member
The sad rescue bunny story that leads up to a possible E. Cuniculi 'infestation'...
Several days ago, a lady came into the store I work at. She seemed concerned about something, so I asked what I could do for her. She told me the story - earlier in the day, she was outside to let her dogs out. Amongst the rain and the wind, she thought she spotted movement in her backyard, near the garbage cans. She went to investigate and found this little mini-lop absolutely drenched, hunched down to keep warm. Apparently, the bunny had been there for some time, according to the amount of droppings she said were there. She then proceeded to call the shelters around the area, and couldn't find anyone to take the bun. Either that, or the little one would have to be put down after a few weeks. Not wanting to have that happen, she came by and was asking if I knew of anyone that could take it. Without hesitation, I called to ask my family if we could keep her for a while, until she found a home.
Fast forward two days and a vet check later, I found out that she was *around* 3-4 years old, a fairly healthy weight (seems slightly underweight to me), with clean ears and decent teeth. We also found out that the cloudiness in her eye was guessed to be E. Cuniculi. There was no surface scarring, and it was definitely not a cataract. I was told the treatments were costly and sometimes non-effective or deadly, and it was recommended that, unless they eye got worse (it looks great now, except for the partial cloudiness), to not worry about it. BUT - I DO!!!
I want to make sure that she'll be ready for a new home without any impeding difficulties. I have researched E. Cuniculi as much as possible, and have found that the recommended treatment is Baytril and Omeprenzal (sp?), which, even when used with horses as a dewormer, should be administered with caution. Is there something (preferrable naturally) I can do at home to help her immune system to keep the doggone protozoan at bay? I am giving her a teeny bit of probiotics and vitamin C, along with a few veggies (celery, lettuce, carrots) along with a bit of apple (very small bit). She is currently on timothy hay and Oxbow Bunny Basics, alfalfa (I want to use this until she gains the necessay weight, then, if she's still with us, will switch to the Oxbow Timothy). Thanks to all taking the time to read this!
Several days ago, a lady came into the store I work at. She seemed concerned about something, so I asked what I could do for her. She told me the story - earlier in the day, she was outside to let her dogs out. Amongst the rain and the wind, she thought she spotted movement in her backyard, near the garbage cans. She went to investigate and found this little mini-lop absolutely drenched, hunched down to keep warm. Apparently, the bunny had been there for some time, according to the amount of droppings she said were there. She then proceeded to call the shelters around the area, and couldn't find anyone to take the bun. Either that, or the little one would have to be put down after a few weeks. Not wanting to have that happen, she came by and was asking if I knew of anyone that could take it. Without hesitation, I called to ask my family if we could keep her for a while, until she found a home.
Fast forward two days and a vet check later, I found out that she was *around* 3-4 years old, a fairly healthy weight (seems slightly underweight to me), with clean ears and decent teeth. We also found out that the cloudiness in her eye was guessed to be E. Cuniculi. There was no surface scarring, and it was definitely not a cataract. I was told the treatments were costly and sometimes non-effective or deadly, and it was recommended that, unless they eye got worse (it looks great now, except for the partial cloudiness), to not worry about it. BUT - I DO!!!
I want to make sure that she'll be ready for a new home without any impeding difficulties. I have researched E. Cuniculi as much as possible, and have found that the recommended treatment is Baytril and Omeprenzal (sp?), which, even when used with horses as a dewormer, should be administered with caution. Is there something (preferrable naturally) I can do at home to help her immune system to keep the doggone protozoan at bay? I am giving her a teeny bit of probiotics and vitamin C, along with a few veggies (celery, lettuce, carrots) along with a bit of apple (very small bit). She is currently on timothy hay and Oxbow Bunny Basics, alfalfa (I want to use this until she gains the necessay weight, then, if she's still with us, will switch to the Oxbow Timothy). Thanks to all taking the time to read this!
