Rabbit with Syphalis

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Ok so this isn’t a done deal, but I was chatting with our vet on friday after Norman’s neuter; She’s super sweet. She was telling me this woman brought her rabbit in to be euthanized, not for any medical problems but because the six year old had lost interest. The rabbit was covered in sores from syphalis, and had severe malocculsion. She refuses to put animals down for non-medical reasons and both problems are treatable. She treated the rabbit, gave the woman medications, filed the teeth,  and told the woman to bring her back in a week. So she may have gone elsewhere to put the bun to sleep but we’re praying she brings her back.

Bottom line, she’s going to offer to take the bunny for this lady. She was wondering if I can help. Since Syphalis is very treatable, but communicable, this bun would need a foster home with no other rabbits. Guss’s foster mom offered to bring Guss back and foster the bun, and ask around. I really think we can get a foster home lined up, and I’m really hoping someone out there wants a special needs bunny! She probably won’t need much further treatment for the syphalis, but she will need regular tooth care. I’m thinking I’ll wait and see if we do get the rabbit, then contact VRRA and see if she knows anyone who’s looking for special needs. Bunny is only six months old!!!

So keep your fingers crossed, we should know by next friday if the bun is still alive and we can save her!!

 

Also does anyone have any resources on syphalis in rabbits?

[jerseygirl]

Not until Friday—–argh! I didn’t know of rabbit syphilis til now. However I can give you some links and alternate search terms.

Rabbit syphilis
Vent disease
Hutch burn (sometimes called this though not correct(?)
Treponematosis
Treponema Cuniculi (virus responsible)

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Rabbits-703/2008/10/rabbit-187.htm

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/171321.htm 
 

There’s always THE book Sarita mentioned recently. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine – Frances Harcourt-Brown, if you can get your hands on it!

[peepi&warri]

You can see a good portion of the Textbook of Rabbit Medicine on google books. You can search the book for specific terms. Not all the pages are there, but there is some info on syphilis you can see.

http://books.google.com/books?id=xT9MWYDBIwEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=textbook+on+rabbit+medicine&ei=O9yFSd77PIa4kwTbzuH-BQ

[bunnytowne]

Oh my goodness that poor bun.  eeew….   It must have been miserable.

[Beka27]

i was also not aware rabbits could get that. i’m surprised this woman agreed to any treatment when all she wanted originally was for the bun to disappear.

[Deleted User]

good luck! that is so awful, keep us posted

[MooBunnay]

That is soooo sad The rescue network I worked with in Los Angeles took care of a bunny with syphalis once, and in that case an injectable medicine was required, is that what the lady got? Because that is a pretty hard treatment to do even for people that really care about their rabbits so I would be concerned that she would do it wrong. I really hope she doesn’t put the poor bunny to sleep.

[jerseygirl]

Any update Lesley? Or were you referring to Fri next week?

[bunnytowne]

Yes I am wondering about that poor bunny.    Please let us know he is ok.   May he be ok. 

You know I hope she didn’t just turn him loose.

[bunnytowne]

Labs used to test buns giving them syphyllis and seeing what treatments worked.  Yes they can get fever blisters/cold sores  other STD’s and herpes

IF anyone has a cold and gets a fever blister be careful petting bun.  Wash hands first.

[Binkles]

Oh my…isn’t syphalis in bunnies what causes the ‘jackalope’ syndrome?

[MimzMum]

Tch! I just don’t understand people. How many times does it need to be said…maybe Trix are for kids, but BUNNIES ARE NOT! >.<

I had no idea bunnies could get syphilis. I get cold sores on my face when I eat certain things I’m sensitive to, (from when I had chicken pox), but I thought those couldn’t be communicated between species…not that I’d take the chance.

What news, K&K? Did the bunny come back? And if Guss is going to switch out for her, how is he doing? Any progress on his biting problem?

[BinkyBunny]

My very first bunny had syphillis (also known as vent disease) He got round of injections. If I remember right it was several shots over a few weeks time. He was perfectly fine after that.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Unfortunately speaking with the vet today, they’ve tried contacting the owner four times to no avail. She’s likely at the bridge. {{Binky Free}}

[MimzMum]

Aw, poor bunny. I hope she’s hopping in green fields under sunny skies now. ;_;

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I know-I think that’s the worst part, you can’t save everyone….Just have to love the ones you do I guess.

[bunnytowne]

How sad.  All we can do is our best.  Sometimes just dumb people and cold hearted people out there.

[Author]

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