In our past posts, we have shared about how the parasite spreads and how it can affects our rabbits. We also shared some case studies of rabbits we rescued who displayed very different symptoms but they all linked to E Cuniculi. Today, we hope to share our top 10 tips to protect our rabbits and fight against E. Cuniculi.
1. Be vigilant in your rabbits’ behavior. Look out for behavioral change and if there is weight loss, mobility issues etc, bring him to the vet immediately.
2. Use veterinary-grade F10 disinfectant which is effective against E. Cuniculi spores. Hot water, dettol or bleach are not pet-friendly and does not work as well.
3. Minimize stressful activities such as traveling, loud noise, outdoor exposure and unnecessary grooming and boarding. A stressed rabbit can easily succumbs to parasitic infections.
4. Be diligent with your rabbit’s annual health check and request for a blood test as part of the routine. It is added cost but it is needed to diagnose abnormalities in the internal organs.
5. Discuss about E. Cuniculi with your vet. If your vet is clueless about diagnosing or treating this disease, it’s time to look for a more experienced and savvy rabbit vet.
6. If your rabbit shows sign of E. cuniculi and your vet recommend further diagnose or even hospitalization, trust your vet and work with them to ensure prompt treatment.
7. Stay positive throughout the E. Cuniculi treatment. The dewormer takes time to work and the rabbit’s condition may worsen before it gets better. Be patient and complete the full course.
8. A rabbit tested positive for E. Cuniculi can live a normal life with proper treatment and a good living environment. Do not euthanize them nor abandon them. It is very cruel and irresponsible.
9. A rabbit tested positive for E. Cuniculi can still live with his bonded friends. You should work with your vet to manage his condition and ensure his friends remains strong to fight the parasite too.
10. Save up and be financially-prepared to care for your rabbit fell sick due to E. Cuniculi. If you are not financially independent and do not have support, you shouldn’t even have a pet in the first place.
We hope with the above tips, rabbit owners can be mentally, physical and financially prepared to care for their rabbits in times of sickness. E Cuniculi do not have a cure and if your rabbit is exposed to it and shows clinical signs, it is a life-time condition to manage. We should never take our healthy rabbit for granted but instead, strive to learn more and be ready to care for them when they need us.