EC Bunny - Would Hughie be at risk?

Someone enquired about Davie after i had bonded him with Skye, and she has been back in touch after i told her about Hughie. Between her original message and now, her bun Phoebe has been seriously ill with EC. She had terrible fits and head tilt but says shes making a miraculous recovery.

I dont know masses about EC as its never been something ive had to worry about, am i right in thinking it can be controlled with meds and routine/regular worming? If she was otherwise a suitable home, would i be putting Hughie at risk by trying to bond the pair or them, or should she be looking for another EC bunny to bond with Phoebe. Obviously, i want a suitable, loving home for Hughie, but not at the expense of risking his health.

Just wanted your advice really, before i bother sending anymore information or pictures to her.

It's hard to say.

I think another EC bunny would be ideal because it is contagious. However, many buns are already dormant carriers of the disease, so technically Hughie could already 'have it' or have been previously exposed to it. The only way to know if he had had any contact would be to have him titre tested for it to see if he possessed any antibody levels.

The other thing I'd question is, with the EC just coming under control in the other rabbit, is now the best time to be putting her through a stressful experience like a bonding? As stress impacts the immune systems and often allows previously dormant or controlled illnesses to regain the upper hand.

Sooz wrote:It's hard to say.

I think another EC bunny would be ideal because it is contagious. However, many buns are already dormant carriers of the disease, so technically Hughie could already 'have it' or have been previously exposed to it. The only way to know if he had had any contact would be to have him titre tested for it to see if he possessed any antibody levels.

The other thing I'd question is, with the EC just coming under control in the other rabbit, is now the best time to be putting her through a stressful experience like a bonding? As stress impacts the immune systems and often allows previously dormant or controlled illnesses to regain the upper hand.

Obviously, now wouldnt be ideal, as she is still recovering and may need a couple of months before she is ready. I wouldnt allow anybun to be bonded with him until the middle of next month anyway, but these are just my immediate questions after recieving her email. Like i said, i dont know a huge amount about EC.

It's one of those things that I would say will ultimately be a judgement call. Unfortunately though you could never guarantee he wouldn't contract EC if he was bonded with her, but equally, if he was a carrier he may come down with EC one day regardless.

It is a very frustrating disease to lock horns with all round, it causes endless nightmares in rescue situations for similar reasons. Ultimately most rescues take basic precautions but equally have to expose all their rabbit to a level of risk because of the nature of the environment.

I agree with Sooz re. waiting. A friend of Jo and mine had a pair of buns who both has terrible digestive issues all their lives then unfortunately whilst she was away one of the buns contacted e.c. and died very quickly. She got a new partner for the remaining bun but he then (possibly due to the bonding stess) also developed e.c. symptoms and died. She has taken the view that her remaining bun probably has E.C. She is also happier as a lone bun. So between the 2 things has decided to keep her as a lone bun. The point I am trying to make is that the stress of bonding could bring back the illness in the bun with E.C.

Also as Sooz said, almost all buns are thought to have e.c. at some time. Some people think that worming can control it and others disagree. There does not seem to be any clear successful preventative for it and even the cure is not a cure and not precise in it's effectiveness.

If you want more information I suggest you join Ros's (RWAF) on the wonk forum. I f you google it the main site comes up which has a link to the forum. When you join the forum she will send you a info email about e.c. and treatments that will probably help you in your search for understanding. Also if you ask them on the forum they can probably give you a better overview of the issues for Hughie.

Thanks, I have been in contact with Ros already, not about EC issues, just about Hughie.

Ill have a look for that forum, thanks.