How can I know for sure - Treponematosis - rabbit syphilis

[jimmywalt]

We have an extremely sweet little Holland lop. She was born on 6/27/13. We have had her for almost 2 months.

The story is long and confusing, but the person we got her from told us that recently he was told that she had "syphilis" and should be destroyed. He didn't know that at the time he got her to us.

We found the breeder from the tag in her ear and found out that she is pedigreed. We talked to the breeder on the phone and she is REALLY nice and loves her rabbits. I could tell she was really concerned too. She was upset to know that someone wanted to destroy this bunny.

Anyway, I'm trying to Google "rabbit syphilis" and learn what I can. We don't want to take the chance that any of our other rabbits will catch this IF she really has it. No one knows for certain if she REALLY does. It sounds like the lady that gave her to the guy who then gave him to us is just mad........ so maybe she made up the "She's got syphilis".

She has had from time to time a sneeze. We think this might have been due to the newspapers we had lining the tray under her cage. We changed to using pine shavings and the sneezing has ALMOST gone away. I thought it could possibly be from the dust in the pellet food from time to time.

Yesterday I noticed that her sent glands were dirty with poo probably and I tried to clean them. I don't believe that she was taken care of good prior to us getting her.

So is there a way that we can tell if she has syphilis without going to a vet and having that expensive bill? Should we be concerned about the occasional sneezing?

So do we keep her or rehome her (maybe to someone as a pet)? Could we try to breed her or would we be risking our buck?

Thoughts............

Thank you.

 

[MaggieJ]

Rabbit syphilis usually presents as sores or bumps on and around the genitals and/or on the face, around the mouth. It can be cured with antibiotics, but I don't know off-hand which one would be appropriate.

I suggest isolating the rabbit while you sort this out, but there is no reason to euthanize it. Practice correct isolation protocols to prevent danger to your other rabbits.

If there are no symptoms after a month or so, I think you can safely assume that it was just spiteful talk. If symptoms appear, then you need to look at treatment, but I certainly would not treat with antibiotics because of some second-hand talk.

Do read up on rabbit syphilis - also called vent disease. It poses no danger to people, so don't worry about that, but you need to know more about it so you can be prepared if symptoms appear.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

From the Merck Vet Manual:

TREPONEMATOSIS
(Vent disease, Syphilis, Spirochetosis)

Treponematosis, a specific venereal disease of domestic rabbits, is caused by the spirochete Treponema paraluis cuniculi. It occurs in both sexes and is transmitted by coitus and from the doe to offspring. Although closely related to the organism (T pallidum) that causes human syphilis, T cuniculi is not transmissible to other domestic animals or humans. The incubation period is 3–6 wk. Small vesicles or ulcers are formed, which ultimately become covered with a heavy scab. These lesions usually are confined to the genital region, but the lips and eyelids may be involved. Infected rabbits should not be mated. Diagnosis is based on the lesions and observation of the spirochete's corkscrew motility under darkfield microscopy. Serologic tests used to diagnose T pallidum, such as the VDRL slide test and the rapid-plasma regain card test are widely available and can be used to diagnose T cuniculi. Hutch burn is a differential diagnosis.

Photographs
Cutaneous lesions typical of Treponema cuniculi infection, rabbit
Cutaneous lesions typical of Treponema cuniculi infection, rabbit
Benzathine penicillin G, 42,000 IU/kg, SC, at weekly intervals for 3 wk, is necessary to eradicate treponematosis from a herd. All rabbits must be treated even if no lesions are present. Lesions usually heal within 10–14 days, and recovered rabbits can be bred without danger of transmitting the infection. A potential side effect of penicillin treatment is diarrhea and the possibility of an enteritis outbreak due to proliferation of gram-negative bacteria in the gut. Rabbits treated with penicillin should be switched to hay and treated with antidiarrheals immediately if needed (see Enterotoxemia).

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_ ... bbits.html

Vent Disease does not cause sneezing. I would isolate her, treat her with PenG for the "vent disease", and then after she completes the PenG regimen, keep her isolated for an additional 30 days.

 

[michaels4gardens]

From the Merck Vet Manual:

TREPONEMATOSIS
(Vent disease, Syphilis, Spirochetosis)

Treponematosis, a specific venereal disease of domestic rabbits, is caused by the spirochete Treponema paraluis cuniculi. It occurs in both sexes and is transmitted by coitus and from the doe to offspring. Although closely related to the organism (T pallidum) that causes human syphilis, T cuniculi is not transmissible to other domestic animals or humans. The incubation period is 3–6 wk. Small vesicles or ulcers are formed, which ultimately become covered with a heavy scab. These lesions usually are confined to the genital region, but the lips and eyelids may be involved. Infected rabbits should not be mated. Diagnosis is based on the lesions and observation of the spirochete's corkscrew motility under darkfield microscopy. Serologic tests used to diagnose T pallidum, such as the VDRL slide test and the rapid-plasma regain card test are widely available and can be used to diagnose T cuniculi. Hutch burn is a differential diagnosis.

Photographs
Cutaneous lesions typical of Treponema cuniculi infection, rabbit
Cutaneous lesions typical of Treponema cuniculi infection, rabbit
Benzathine penicillin G, 42,000 IU/kg, SC, at weekly intervals for 3 wk, is necessary to eradicate treponematosis from a herd. All rabbits must be treated even if no lesions are present. Lesions usually heal within 10–14 days, and recovered rabbits can be bred without danger of transmitting the infection. A potential side effect of penicillin treatment is diarrhea and the possibility of an enteritis outbreak due to proliferation of gram-negative bacteria in the gut. Rabbits treated with penicillin should be switched to hay and treated with antidiarrheals immediately if needed (see Enterotoxemia).

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/exotic_ ... bbits.html

Vent Disease does not cause sneezing. I would isolate her, treat her with PenG for the "vent disease", and then after she completes the PenG regimen, keep her isolated for an additional 30 days.

the only thing I might add to sub Q Pen G [ I would avoid a IM "intramuscular" injection regimen ] , is a probiotic, [like Benebac] to help make sure the rabbit does not develop gastric distress. -that way you can avoid the "antidiarrheals" part of the instructions. [ and JMHO ]I would make sure the rabbit has a good grass hay available during any antibiotic regimen. [as GI stasis is a big problem for rabbits when the gut flora crashes].