Adopting a rabbit treated with E.C?

[TheRockinRabbit]

I've been looking around for a rabbit, and came across patches. She has been treated for e.c. and is on metacam for the rest of her life.

Besides her having to take her meds every day, will her life be affected by this at all?


"
Patches is a spayed female rabbit who was surrendered to the shelter in March 09 because her family no longer had time for her. She is approx. 3 years old and weighs 3 kgs.
Patches is extremely affectionate and good natured. She often tugs on her foster dad's pant legs to let him know that she needs some love! She also loves to give kisses to her human friends. Patches is such a loving girl we're hoping to find her a home where she can be bonded to another rabbit so she can share her love with someone 24 hours a day.
Patches has been treated for a disease called e.c. Although she is finished her courses of baytril and panacur, she is currently receiving Metacam daily as the muscles in her back legs had atrophied due to the e.c. She will be on this medication indefinitely, but the cost is low and she takes her doses like a real trouper!
While we think her back legs may always be a bit wobbly, she is improving considerably. Patches uses a little ramp to get in and out of her litter box and has difficulty on hardwood or tiled flooring. Aside from this she doesn't have any housing restrictions.
Patches also gets along extremely well with cats and dogs (under strict supervision of course). Please let us know if you are interested in learning more about Patches!"


advice?

 

[ra7751]

Umm....I have a lot of experience with advanced EC. Why is she on Baytril? That is an antibiotic that isn't very effective against much of anything any longer. Even vets that use it in dogs don't use it as a stand alone....only in combo with other drugs. I haven't used Baytril in rabbits in quite afew years now.Panacur is the traditional treatment for EC. A problem with using that particular drug is that the parasite is in the brain and Panacur has a very difficult time penetrating the blood/brain barrier. Metacam is an excellent drug for managing moderate pain and inflammation for short term. Long term and at higher doses, it is very damaging to the liver and to the kidneys. This might be one of those lesser of the evils as far as pain management due to the deteriorating muscles.

Here are my suggestions for the medical end of the treatment. First, find out why Baytril is being administered. If there is a confirmed bacterial infection(s), which are likely with EC, there are other antibiotics that are much more effective. While the Panacur won't hurt, it really doesn't help all that much. Ask your vet to look into using Marquis (Ponazuril). It is an equine drug that treats EPM in horses....similar to EC and rabbits are miniature horses. It can penetrate the blood/brain barrier. While the neuro damage is not reversable, additional outbreaks can be controlled using Marquis. And I would look into using Tramadol for pain management. Once at working levels, dosing can be reduced to a maintenance dose and it can be used with Metacam should the need arise. With most of my rabbits, it seemed that fluids (by SQ or IV) provided as much relief as any pain meds. I also administered injections of B Comp (a vitamin) a few times per year.

Also keep in mind that a definite diagnosis of EC is only possible during a post-mortem. Treating EC is by clincal presentations and while this certainly sounds like EC, there are other possibilities. There is a test, called a "titer".....but it only shows if a particular individual has been exposed and not so much an active infection. Not trying to flame any vet but the fact is that most vets have never seen an active case of EC and treat based on their research on the internet....which sad to say, contains lots of inaccuracies regarding EC.

One final word about EC....if you can contain the collateral infections and pain, the final battle will be in the kidneys as the spores shed by EC will pit the kidneys. I have been able to provide a good quality of life for quite a while with EC rabbits but the renal system has to be aggressively supported. The final battle most likelywill be in the kidneys and that battle will eventually be lost. Good luck.

Randy

 

[TheRockinRabbit]

Well.


fffff. o-o


I don't know why the vet gave the bunny Baytril, but the bunny's off of it now. I don't think that I'm quite ready to take care of a special needs bunny, so I think I'll pass this one. She seemed so nice, though. :C

I think I'd need some more experience to offer her a good life, and I would hate to think that I wasn't giving her the best care possible.

 

[slavetoabunny]

That is probably the best decision. I am a very experienced bunny-mom and I would be hesitant about taking on a bunny with E.C. If one of my buns developed it, I would deal with it. But, taking on one known to have it would be a different story.

 

[SnowyShiloh]

I think you made a good decision too. My bunny had EC and died from it several months after being diagnosed. He was only two and a half years old. I personally wouldn't adopt a bunny who has EC because I know what it's like...

 

[TheRockinRabbit]

Poor bunny.. :C


I'll keep looking, then. Thanks, guys. I hope someone with some more experience adopts her someday - she really seems great.

 

[SnowyShiloh]

I feel really mean saying you shouldn't get her, but I think you're right- someone with more experience who is aware of what problems she will likely face and is ready to handle the problems would be best for her. Whichever bunny you adopt could end up having EC or something anyway, but that's a risk you accept when you adopt an animal. This is different since you KNOW she has it!!

I'm sure you'll find another great bunny and I hope someone adopts her soon