Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a protozoan disease. This disease was first described in 1922. A protozoa is a very small organism that is just a little bigger than a bacterium and smaller than a multicellular organism. It is a single-celled organism and you cannot see it with the naked eye and can only demonstrate it with the help of a microscope or electron microscope. In order to multiply, it needs a host (the rabbit). It can survive outside the body in the form of a spore, at 4 degrees Celsius less than 1 week. In warmer conditions (22 degrees) and humid weather, a few weeks.
Cause
Infected rabbits excrete E. cuniculi in their urine. This can contaminate the bedding, food, drinking water or bowls. If the area is not cleaned properly, the spores will remain and can then infect another rabbit. This method of infection transmission mainly occurs in places where there are many rabbits in separate cages. For example, think of breeders or very large pet shops. But even if you have more than one rabbit yourself, but they are kept separate from each other, you can transmit E. cuniculi in this way. In rabbits that are kept as a hobby, the transmission is much more common from the mother. The young rabbit is already infected during pregnancy. They usually only get the condition later in life, often after a moment of stress, although this does not always have to be the case. Stress can be caused by, for example, an operation, a move or going through another illness.
Symptoms
The symptoms depend on the place in the body where the parasite multiplies. Brain symptoms can manifest themselves in a crooked head position, sometimes even rolling over, epileptic seizures and moving and rotating eyes. Furthermore, paralysis or weakening of the hindquarters can occur. Multiplication in the urinary tract can lead to urine loss and/or excessive drinking and urination. Sometimes eye problems arise. In addition, the rabbit can lose weight or eat poorly without any further visible complaints. Several of these symptoms can be visible at the same time.
Diagnosis
There are blood tests available for rabbits that can detect antibodies for this disease. Whether these blood tests are really reliable is still questionable. The antibodies were found in 71 percent of the sick rabbits, but also in 46 percent of the healthy rabbits. Traces were found in the urine, but these are only excreted occasionally. If the rabbit has died and an autopsy is performed, then the parasite can be specifically searched for. A focus of inflammation around the parasites in the brain or spinal cord must be found in order to assume that E. cuniculi was the cause of the problems. Demonstrating the parasite alone without a focus of inflammation around it is not enough to conclude that this is the cause of the symptoms, because the parasite can also be latent or asymptomatic. If living rabbits are suspected of an infection with E. cuniculi, then an infection with this disease is assumed until proven otherwise. A positive blood titer (IgM and IgG) and/or positive antigen PCR in blood and/or urine is another indication that it could be E. cuniculi, but it is not hard evidence. It is best to repeat this test after a few weeks.
Treatment
The therapy consists of two components. First, you must combat the parasite. This can be done with fenbendazole, which must be administered for 28 days. This temporarily combats the acute phase of the parasite but does not make it disappear completely. Or by supportive therapy such as: Antibiotics, painkillers, corticosteroids for severe neurological complaints, force-feeding, subcutaneous fluid and administering vitamin B. Most rabbits recover well. However, the disease can return. Some have residual symptoms such as a crooked head from the disease, but can otherwise function perfectly well. However, be careful. Although it is very rare, E. cuniculi is a zoonosis, and therefore transmissible to humans. Therefore, take very good hygiene measures.
Prevention
Because you do not know whether or how long your rabbit has been infected with e-cuniculi, he can carry it without you noticing. What is important to prevent this disease is to avoid stress as much as possible and to create a good clean environment for your rabbits. So clean the cage weekly and preferably use a rabbit toilet and clean it daily. Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent 100% of your rabbit from getting e-cuniculi.
Insuring your rabbit against e cuniculi costs
You will also find Figo Pet ‘s pet insurance on the rabbit insurance comparison page . More than ten thousand pets in the Netherlands are insured with this insurer. Whether you go to the vet for a simple check-up or an operation is required: with Figo Pet’s pet insurance you are almost always covered. This also applies to many expensive medicines. You can choose what you want to be covered. Do you opt for a basic package or do you take no risks with a top package. Of course you can also choose somewhere in between in terms of coverage. It is entirely up to you. Usually you do not have to go to the vet more than once a year. And the costs, well, they are still manageable. But suppose your dog unexpectedly has to undergo an operation. Or suffers from a long-term ailment. Then the costs for medical care are well covered with dog insurance.
You can choose from three health insurance packages for common medical treatments and four additional coverages for cremation, travel, vaccinations & teeth, sterilization or castration and therapies. Figo Pet has also thought of rabbits. Of course, you don’t want to be stingy when it comes to the health of your rabbit. And having to save up for treatment is not a nice idea either. For a fixed amount per month, your rabbit is always assured of the best medical care. At Figo Pet, you can also take out liability insurance.
No matter how sweet your cat is, and how much headbutting she does, she can still cause damage to someone else. For example, if she puts her nails in something a little too enthusiastically. With liability insurance, that doesn’t cause any problems: your rabbit is immediately insured. This also applies to the dog, of course. Even that sweet four-legged friend accidentally causes damage to others sometimes. For example, if your dog jumps on someone’s expensive dress a little too cheerfully. With his muddy paws. Fortunately, with Figo Pet’s liability insurance, your pet is also immediately insured, in addition to your entire family.
