It’s actually a type of parasite, but unlike many other common parasites that you can get rid of, so far, this one they do not have a cure for. However, there are treatments that help lower the number of the parasites to prevent further damage for awhile. One out of every four rabbits in the U.S. is estimated to have it, but for many rabbits, they will never show symptoms. Others will show right away, while others will show only when their immune system is compromised – like with stress and age. Some will just be carriers.

For rabbits that do show symptoms like head tilt, or hind-leg weakness (like my Bailey), there are things you can do, meds, therapies, that can help lessen and help heal if damage has been done by the parasite.

The most commonly known way (for sure) that is spreads is via urine WHEN the parasite is active in the kidneys. They also still don’t know for sure 100% if it is ONLY spread that way, and my understanding is that the spores can live outside the body for up to a year and infect another bunny. (now the link the article I am going to give you says for only one month, but I have had two very rabbit-savvy vets (including one that was mentioned IN the article) say that the spores can live up to a year.

I can tell you that Rucy did not have e.cuniculi when I got her (she had been tested), but she did end up testing positive. She shared only about 8 months with Bailey,(who later I found out had it) but after that, once bonding wasn’t working anyway, I made sure that I had separate litterboxes out in the general play area. I even put out separate rugs in the play area of the bunny room (where Bailey would typically pee and poop outside of her box) to try and prevent e.cuniculi from spreading to Rucy, but she still got it – she may have gotten it earlier.

Rucy never showed symptoms of e.cuniculi, and she did not die from it.

I had Jack checked just a couple of months ago, and he is e.cuniculi negative, and he LIVED with Rucy the whole time she was positive which was a couple of years at least(at least that we knew of).  So, you just never know.

Are any of your bunnies or someone’s bunnies showing symptoms?

e.cuniculi is not contagious to humans (UNLESS their immune system is severely compromised – like if someone is going through chemo)

Here HRS article about but if you google rabbits and e.cuniculi, you will get a ton of info.

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-2/e-cuniculi.html

Oh good! Whew.

It’s also important to note that just because a bunny tests positive doesn’t mean they are fully infected – it means they have been exposed. It’s always good to get a titer level and compare it later down the road (the higher the level in comparison, helps vets understand when exposure has turned into full infection)