Bordatella & E Cunicculi - The Risk To Humans

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

I have just been reading through a couple of threads on both the general and medical forum and wanted to ask people's opinions about the risk to humans with suppressed immune systems from both Bordetella and E Cunicculi.

Having been wading through mountains on info. on the internet it seems that if you have a naff immune system caused by various illnesses/treatments you should be careful around bunnies that might carry these diseases, but in particular E Cunicculi. I have had Crohn's Disease for 25 years and took steroids for a long time, I am also currently taking medication which suppresses my immune system - I always manage to pick up anything that is going around the girls schools etc, and have to have regular flu/pneumonia jabs.

My concern is that I look after guinea pigs and bunnies for other people from time to time. I make a point of housing both species away from each other, because of the risk of Bordetella, however, I am becoming increasingly concerned about the risk to my health from any possible bunnies staying with E Cunicculi, diagnosed or otherwise. What do you think, I am right to be concerned?

 

[boureki]

Is this something a rodentologist or people doctor / specialist can help with? Perhaps Vedra would know? I understand why you would be worried, but it may be that you would have to have a severly weakened system to be at risk perhaps? Sorry, I know thats not a very helpful answer, I've only ever found info about these things through this forum.

 

[Nishka]

Hiya

Well my mum has crohns disease (for which she is on incapacity benefit for and has been operated on 4 times) and she takes 3 steriods a day - sometimes up to 10. She has been told not to come into contact with certain diseases but she has had rabbits before and her consultant seems to think this is fine as long as they are cleaned out regularly and taken to the vet often (as with the cats and dogs she has).

I have an immune disorder myself (pituitary tumour and thyroid disorder) and my consultant says that the benefits of having a pet (whatever they may be) generally far outweighs the risks.

Hope this is of some help!

 

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

Thanks guys, I did think about speaking to my Gastroenterologist at my next check up. I agree with you Nishka that having animals around is very therapeutic and also with your point about keeping them scrupulously clean, with regular vet checks. My problem is that the bunnies I look after aren't mine, they only come for their "hols" and whilst I would never risk taking in a rabbit that was obviously ill, sometimes you can't tell when they arrive that they may have a problem or something brewing.

Just wondered what peoples views/understanding of E Cunicculi and immune suppressed people would be!

 

[piglover]

I have an immune disorder myself (pituitary tumour and thyroid disorder) and my consultant says that the benefits of having a pet (whatever they may be) generally far outweighs the risks.

Hope this is of some help!

I have Lupus which means I have a severely depeleted immune system and I totally agree, my life would be totally miserable without my piggies as when I feel like s**t they give me a reason to get up and get on with feeding them etc. As long as you are careful with hygiene etc I think, in my case, its worth the risk!
My freind who has ankolsing spodylitis (sp) (also immune disorder) has 15 rabbits and has lost rabbits to EC in the past but she has been ok and maintains the same reasons as me.

 

[Loopylou]

I have also read that EC poses a threat to people who are immuno suppressed. I'm not sure though that there is much data out there as to what that risk involves - EC is really only starting to be understood now and there doesn't seem to be that much research available about it.
All I could suggest is that you request rabbits coming to you are first treated with a 9 day course of rabbit Panacur. I would also imagine that good general hygiene would minimise any risk since EC is passed through direct contact with urine/faeces.

 

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

That's a good idea about the Panacur Loopylou, caring bunny owners should be using this product anyway, plus they could look at it as an additional means of protection for their rabbit whilst in my care, I insist on all bunnies being up to date with their vaccinations so I guess I could add this to the criteria on which I will look after the animal.

It is a minefiled of an area and you are right that EC is only really beginning to be understood. I have lost track of the time I have spent trawling through various web pages and I still can't get a definitive answer, the problem is, there probably isn't one!

 

[Loopylou]

Exactly! I have a bunny with severe head tilt who is being treated for EC as wekl as infection at the moment - and you're right , there aren't any real answers, its all a bit about making your best guess :