I took Dutchess to Hoppy Hour yesterday and a lady I know from rabbit agility was talking to someone else on how her bunny (who we know) got E. Cuniculi and has a head tilt from it. I didn't speak to her directly, and am sad that her bunny had/has this, but I got concerned about it being contagious? How does this spread, should I be concerned and watch Dutchess for any signs?

Many rabbits are born with e. cunniculi and never show any signs.

The only way it can be spread, other than from mother to baby, is from contaminated urine that has been ingested so I don't think you need to worry.

Okay, thanks Sarita! I've been trying to read up on it a bit today. Always good to learn

I had two bunnies with e.cuniculi. Bailey showed symptoms of hind leg weakness as she got older, while Rucy never showed symptoms. Actually, it is estimated that 1 in 4 bunnies have been exposed to e.cuniculi and only a small portion will really show any symptoms.

Also, my understanding about a bunny spreading it via urine is that the e.cuniculi parasite has to be active in the kidneys at the time. I have two very different "contagious" stories. My bunny Rucy, who was e.cuniculi negative at the time I adopted her, later tested positive years later. She had lived with Bailey (before Bailey was symptomatic), for a short time, but they ended up fighting, and so I don't know if it could be passed that way -- through a nasty bite or not, but she could have passed it along via urine as Bailey did start showing symptoms.   HOWEVER, Rucy, who then ended testing positive, never had symptoms, and her new mate, Jack who was e.cuniculi negative never became positive, (I had him checked after Rucy passed away). And they had lived together for years and they shared a litter box.

I'm currently concerned about this as well. Is there any way to know if the parasite is active? I'm worried about Olivia since Bindi is dealing with EC symptoms.

LPT, I don't think you need to worry since they are not housed together.

Okay, thanks.