Encephalitozoon Cuniculi . We are grateful to the diagnostic lab at the University of Missouri for fulfilling our requirements for “benign” testing that does not compromise our position on experimentation on live animals. As much as we want information that will save our own rabbits, we don’t want it at the expense of other living beings. Our information has been compiled from necropsy records on animals who died naturally and blood tests on 2. We appreciate all the help that we have been given in dealing with this very difficult and elusive subject. Although a rabbit’s skeletal structure makes it very possible to suffer a broken back, this has not been the leading cause of paralysis in our foster homes. Since our fosterers have collectively rescued and lived with well over two- thousand rabbits, and our members across the country report their rabbits’ health problems to us, we can report back to our readers from this growing database. How Does a Rabbit Become Disabled? ![]() Neurological impairment–in the form of partial or complete paralysis, loss of coordination, seizures, and head tilt– has diverse causes. Besides trauma to the head or back, causes may include strokes (see page 9); tumors; bacterial infections–of the inner ear, brain, spine, lungs, bones, or joints; protozoan infections; viruses; nematodes; toxins; degenerative disease; and even osteoporosis. Probably the most common but least recognized cause of rabbit paralysis is protozoal infection. A disease that has taken its toll on many rabbits across the U. ![]() S. The organism that causes it is a protozoan parasite called Encephalitozoon cuniculi, or in short E. One of them was my own beloved Phoebe. When autopsies on several rabbits failed to show identifiable causes we started calling it the “mystery disease” or “old- bunny paralysis.”Dr. Carolynn Harvey began to follow all possible leads. During the next two years, we recorded every case of paralysis reported by our members across the county and noted in particular the cases in which bacterial infection had been ruled out. We tested blood and urine from our own rabbits and ran diagnostic tests for toxoplasmosis, corona viruses, lead poisoning, and many others. Rediscovering an Old Disease. We asked for help from neuro- pathologists. When paralyzed rabbits died, Dr. Harvey sent brain tissue to Dr. Richard Evans in Southern California. He donated time and materials and electron microscopy. By January 1. 99. ![]() Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Evans identified the organism early, but we did not realize the full significance until much later. Most veterinary manuals and research labs say that these parasites do not usually present a problem in live animals and are found only incidentally at necropsy in animals who have died from other causes. Upon perusal, however, we noted an important difference between our house rabbits and rabbits being used in laboratory research. ![]() ![]() You must never give medications meant for humans to your rabbit, unless you are specifically instructed by your rabbit Hello and thank you for visiting The Wannabe Homesteader. I wrote this article but the information in it is incorrect and I apologize. Rabbit Meat IS an amazing. Our rabbits are much older. Most HRS members, with the aid of improved veterinary medicine, have kept their rabbits alive into their senior years. Most rabbits in laboratory settings are under two years old. We needed a way to identify the rabbits who had the parasites, so that we could keep records and watch them. The Right Test. Dr. Drury Reavill of the Sacramento area spent a day making phone calls and tracking down the right test for us. Knowing our philosophy as an animal- welfare organization, she found a reliable non- destructive test conducted by the University of Missouri. For our study, veterinarians came to our fosters homes and drew a small amount of blood from each rabbit. They also collected blood from rabbits belonging to people who wished to participate in the study. Each time a batch of 5. The lab then checked the serum for antibodies to E. If antibodies are present, it indicates that the animal has been exposed to the parasite and an immune response has been initiated. The greater the infection, and the more recent, the greater the antibody quantity, or titer, will be detected. This procedure is analogous to what is done in an AIDS test. Because E. At the present time there is no drug therapy in the United States that can destroy E. That is the job of the immune system. However, some animals appear to be improved or stabilized when treated with Tetracycline or Chloramphenicol. Whether you're looking to train a new puppy, find the best toy for your cat or set up a tropical aquarium, eHow has answers to all of your pet-related questions. Chinchillas have a diet similar to rabbits. They are herbivores with continually growing teeth as in the rabbit and guinea pig. They originally came from a dry, cold. Inside the body, immune defenses are required to rid the animal of the parasites. If the animal is compromised by other kinds of infections or by stress, then the defense system won’t be adequate to fight the E. From the gastrointestinal tract they move in the bloodstream to the kidneys and other organs. The parasites can replicate in the kidneys and be shed in the urine. It’s only while the E. Encephalitozoons can be seen in brain cells long after kidney infection has resolved (possibly because it may take longer to break through the protective barrier provided by brain blood vessels). The parasites may simply remain there without causing any more damage. However, if they try to replicate, the damage can be severe. Neurological damage does occur at some frequency, and we’re not sure whether the damage is incurred by E. There are many well documented diseases in animals and humans, where the immune system reacts to a reasonably non- threatening pathogen, and the immune response itself is responsible for the disease state. If this is the case with E. So, in some paralysis cases, we may be seeing only the end result a of a process which was catalyzed months or years before. Something to note here, if you have an infected rabbit who lives with other rabbits, is that most certainly by the time you see the outward signs of clinical disease, it is well past any contagious stage. The parasites are no longer in the kidneys. However, the spores that have been shed in the urine can remain in the environment for another month. Other rabbits can pick up spores from the environment for several weeks after the infected rabbit has stopped shedding. And since many other animal species can carry and shed these parasites, a rabbit who runs on the ground outdoors is more likely to pick them up. ![]() Below are frequently asked questions and answers to common questions relative to rabbit and cavy care, health, and management as well as the American Rabbit Breeders. Encephalitozoon Cuniculi Facts Review. E. It does not mean that an otherwise healthy animal will show symptoms of the disease. I'll take rabbit history back to the European rabbit, which was accidentally discovered on the coast of Spain. How to Care for a Rabbit. If you are thinking about getting a pet, you may want to consider getting a rabbit. Rabbits make excellent house pets, as they have. Effects of Human Growth Hormone in Men over 60 Years Old. Daniel Rudman, M.D., Axel G. Feller, M.D., Hoskote S. Nagraj, M.D., Gregory A. It is smaller than its close relative, the gray. ![]() Serology tests recognize immune response but do not distinguish early infections from long term or chronic infections. Our Own Conclusions. Even with a high titer to E. Our study shows about a 1. We have known of only a few deaths that may be directly attributable to E. Although it may be a contributing factor, it is seldom the primary cause of death. E. When combined with other problems that strain the immune system, however, its destructive capabilities are greatly enhanced. When encephalitozoonosis is ruled out, concentration can be placed on other possibilities. When it is present, consideration can be placed on the synergistic effects. Precautions can be taken to protect the rabbit from undue exposure to other diseases and stress. Animals seem to have much less difficulty adjusting to loss of mobility than their humans do. Rabbits who manifest the clinical disease of encephalitozoonosis may stabilize and live comfortably for a prolonged period of time. Barlow (page 6) has lived four happy years, with animal companions and human attention, since his first symptom appeared. As with any chronic illness, our goal is to preserve life with quality. Conclusion: Even with a high titer to E. Our study shows about a 1. We have known of only a few deaths that may be directly attributable to E. Although it may be a contributing factor, it is seldom the primary cause of death. Barlow is well known and loved in Los Angeles. He is propped upright with a rug- covered block. His symptoms began with a head tilt, followed by rear limb paralysis and incontinence. His tests were seropositive to E. Routine testing can be helpful in diagnosis. When it is present, consideration can be placed on the synergistic effects. Encephalitozoonosis by itself does not usually threaten an animal’s health. When combined with other problems that strain the immune system, its destruction capabilities are greatly enhanced. On the other hand, a positive titer alone does not mean that the rabbit is terminally ill. Our study has monitored the health of 1. Their present condition is illustrated in the original printed version of this article. Marinell Harriman in consultation with Carolynn Harvey, DVM and Cynthia Besch- Williford, DVM, Ph. DHouse Rabbit Journal Volume III, Number 2, Spring 1. Find out more about disabled rabbits here.
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