Rabbit Syphilis-Need Advice!

[Little Lion Head]

I could really use my BB family’s input right now.

Some of you may remember when we first brought Pumpkin home her girl parts were red, chapped, and swollen.That went away and I was super excited, but now it’s coming back again. She also has little white bumps that appear and disappear on her nose.

At the time, her vet did blood work and tested for ringworm, which was negative. Now, about 5 weeks after our initial appt. I was talking to the vet today to discuss her symptoms. She never tested for it before, but now she thinks it could be Rabbit Syphilis. I know there is a more medically correct term, but I don’t know what it is! But anyways, Pumpkin had gotten out with her previous owner, so it’s very possible.

We are going to take her in next week to do the blood work to find out if this is what it is for sure. In the meantime, Pumpkin has had no issues with eating, pooping, drinking, etc.

Is anyone familiar with Syphilis, it’s symptoms, and it’s treatments? I would appreciate any input on the symptoms she’s had and what you all think. The vet made it sound like it’s not curable; only the symptoms are treatable? 

Appreciate all of you!!!

[JackRabbit]

Everything I’m finding says it can be treated and cured, but can only be cured by pen-g shots given at appropriate intervals.

[LBJ10]

I remember you saying something in the chat about your vet thinking the bumps on her nose were papillomas. So the vet thinks it’s vent disease now (syphilis)?

You should talk to bunnytowne about it. She had a very hard time getting Cotton diagnosed and finally treated properly. JR is right, pen-g shots seem to be the only treatment that works. Oral antibiotics are ineffective.

Pumpkin could have gotten it while outside, but she could have also been born with it since it is passed from mom to baby. Sometimes it will be dormant for years, only to pop up out of the blue.

[Megabunny]

Oh, feel better, Pumpkin

[Bam]

(((((Pumpkin))))

I too find a lot of info saying rabbit syphilis is curable with shots of penicillin G. I suppose you’ve looked at the Medirabbit article but here’s the link in case anyone is interested: http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/Syph_gen.html It has some good pics.

It doesn’t sound like a death-sentence.

[beebun]

No pumpkin I don’t have any advice to spare, but I’m sending loads of warm vibes for the Princess!

[Avantika]

The article where I read about rabbit syphilis showed a rabbit that had really bad syphilis wounds. And he recovered completely with pen-g shots. I am sure little Pumpkin will recover. Pen-g is only thing that will cure it, as far as my reading tells me. Ointments, creams and anything else will only give temporary relief from the symptoms, and it will keep returning. Ring up different vets if the one you are seeing at present doesnt seem too knowledgeable about it.

[tophdade]

Posted By Little Lion Head on 12/22/2014 5:03 PM

I could really use my BB family’s input right now.

Some of you may remember when we first brought Pumpkin home her girl parts were red, chapped, and swollen.That went away and I was super excited, but now it’s coming back again. She also has little white bumps that appear and disappear on her nose.

At the time, her vet did blood work and tested for ringworm, which was negative. Now, about 5 weeks after our initial appt. I was talking to the vet today to discuss her symptoms. She never tested for it before, but now she thinks it could be Rabbit Syphilis. I know there is a more medically correct term, but I don’t know what it is! But anyways, Pumpkin had gotten out with her previous owner, so it’s very possible.

We are going to take her in next week to do the blood work to find out if this is what it is for sure. In the meantime, Pumpkin has had no issues with eating, pooping, drinking, etc.

Is anyone familiar with Syphilis, it’s symptoms, and it’s treatments? I would appreciate any input on the symptoms she’s had and what you all think. The vet made it sound like it’s not curable; only the symptoms are treatable? 

Appreciate all of you!!!

 

As in humans, extremely curable.While I’m not sure particularly how this part works in rabbits, the disease can cause neurological damage in humans after prolonged periods without treatment. This doesn’t seem to be the case with rabbits. I think she’ll be just fine, minus a few needle pricks! Good luck!

[Little Lion Head]

Posted By LBJ10 on 12/22/2014 9:05 PM
I remember you saying something in the chat about your vet thinking the bumps on her nose were papillomas. So the vet thinks it’s vent disease now (syphilis)?

You should talk to bunnytowne about it. She had a very hard time getting Cotton diagnosed and finally treated properly. JR is right, pen-g shots seem to be the only treatment that works. Oral antibiotics are ineffective.

Pumpkin could have gotten it while outside, but she could have also been born with it since it is passed from mom to baby. Sometimes it will be dormant for years, only to pop up out of the blue.

LBJ the vet thinks her nose and girl parts have the same thing going on. I’m not sure I’m Convinced. I’ll definitely PM Bunny town. .. thank you for the heads up!

[Little Lion Head]

Posted By bam on 12/23/2014 1:45 AM
(((((Pumpkin))))

I too find a lot of info saying rabbit syphilis is curable with shots of penicillin G. I suppose you’ve looked at the Medirabbit article but here’s the link in case anyone is interested: http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/Syph_gen.html It has some good pics.

It doesn’t sound like a death-sentence.

Bam I haven’t read that article but I will tonight!

[Little Lion Head]

Oh you know what Bam I did read that. .. that’s exactly what Pumpkins parts look like!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I talked to my vet about it a long time ago (bear with me as my memory isn’t great!) because someone had brought their rabbit to her to euthanize because they didn’t want to bother with the treatment.She was really upset because she said it’s very treatable and the only issue is you must keep them away from other rabbits.(I can’t recall exactly what she did, I believe she bought and rehomed the rabbit)
From what she said it’s not expensive, super treatable, not a big deal (like it’s not painful just ugly) and you just want to ensure there is no contact with other rabbits so you don’t spread it.

[Little Lion Head]

Kokanee–do you remember if she said the rabbit could be around other rabbits after being treated? The vet made it sound like Pumpkin would never be able to have a rabbit companion b/c of it. I’ll find out more of course after the blood work and a true diagnosis, but just curious as that really bummed me out!

[JackRabbit]

LLH — I’m getting the impression that your vet may not be up to speed on this illness. The things I’ve read say that, with the proper treatment, it can be cured. If the test comes back positive, would it be possible for you to find an experienced rabbit savvy vet for treatment, or at least find one that your vet would be willing to consult with? There is apparently only one way to cure it and it looks like its imperative that pen-g shots (not oral) be given and that they be given at specific intervals. A good vet will be willing to do whatever is needed for the Pumpkin’s well-being, even if it means admitting that its something they don’t have experience with, and its not unusual for vets to consult with each other (our vet is an exotics specialist and even had the other exotics vet in the practice look at Kieko’s eye the other day so they agreed on the treatment). While I hope it turns out not to be syphilis, I know you love Pumpkin very much and want her to be completely healthy and to have a buddy at some point. Not trying to tell you what to do by any means, I’m just offering my opinion and letting you know what I’d do if Pumpkin was one of my bunnies.

[Little Lion Head]

JR–I’ve been a little frustrated with this vet. When we brought Pumpkin home we took her to the closest vet down the road that advertised she specialized in small animals; specifically rabbits. I didn’t feel comfortable with our visit and then took Pumpkin to the vet we used to take Boston to years ago (we found this vet from the MN House Rabbit Society recommendations). In fact, at the time, we lived three hours away but brought Boston there anyway (because she was sick) the vet was super knowledgeable; they basically only see rabbits, ferrets, snakes, birds, lizards, etc. Well the vet that actually saw Pumpkin was new to the practice and not the same guy we saw with Boston (that guy is still there, he owns the place). So I’m a little miffed by this new vets lack of knowledge, especially knowing that the very knowledgeable vet with lots of rabbit experience is right there.

It’s even more frustrating b/c what I’ve been reading makes it sound like syphilis is very common in rabbits and I’m wondering why she didn’t test for it in the first place?! I would like to request the vet/owner who used to see Boston, but I’m so MN nice that I’d more likely take Pumpkin to a whole new vet before requesting a different vet at the practice.

The vet we are taking her to has rave reviews online and like I said was one of the few recommended by the MN HRS so I’m not sure the deal is. I’ll certainly keep you posted when we go back. Making an appt. for the blood work next week. If it turns out NOT to be syphilis we’ll probably be going to a whole new vet and start over

[JackRabbit]

Our vet practice has two exotic specialists (both are women) — one with 20+ years experience and one with @ 3 to 5 years. Personality-wise, I prefer the younger vet, but I also know she is very knowledgeable and if not 100% sure, would ask the other vet to consult and she has done this. I trust both of them, but when I want one over the other, I just find out when each has openings and choose the appointment time that the one I want has open. If you want to see the owner vet, its not impolite to ask for him, particularly since you had a relationship with him through Boston. Three hours is a long way, do if there’s an exotics specialist closer that you like, you could use that vet and still go back to the other place and see the owner vet for special situations if you wanted. Pumpkin is your bunny and you can take her to any vet you choose whenever you choose — its not a matter of not being nice so don’t be afraid you’ll hurt someone’s feelings. We’ve taken our bunnies to different vet practices.

[Little Lion Head]

I should have specified…the vet is now only 15 minutes away…we’ve moved since we had Boston. I never thought to just ask when the owner vet is in and I suppose I could just request him. What I need to do is buck up and just ask the vet we’ve been seeing if she has been consulting with the owner vet! Maybe I’ll make hubby do that….

[JackRabbit]

15 minutes — that’s great! You know you like and trust the owner, just ask for him! When you call, just ask when Dr. X’s first available opening is because you need to make an appointment for him to see Pumpkin. You don’t even have to mention the other vet, and if anyone asks, just say that you’ve known him for a long time or that he took such good care of Boston and you really like him. Good luck!!

[LBJ10]

There are two vets at the place where I take the buns. One specializes in birds and reptiles, the other specializes in rabbits and pocket pets. They will both, of course, still treat dogs and cats (otherwise they probably wouldn’t get enough business around here). Anyway, I’ve taken the rabbits to the bird/reptile guy in a pinch. He knows what he’s doing for the most part, but I prefer the other vet. She does such a great job and she is super nice to the buns. She talks baby talk to them and everything. LOL

[JackRabbit]

LBJ – our vet talks to the buns like people. She does things like calling Marlee “sister” and, when I told her that Moshi cleans inside Marlee’s ears but Marlee doesn’t do Moshi’s, she said “well that’s not fair!”. She tells the buns what she’s doing while she examines them, and looked Moshi right in the face (bent over him) when she was feeling his abdomen and told him he had a nice poop stash going on! I swear he looked like he wanted to thank her for the compliment!

[Little Lion Head]

The one thing I did really like about the current vet (the one who’s only been there a few years) was that as she noticed things during the exam she not only told me about them but had me look too. For example, one of Pumpkin’s teeth is too pointed so the vet had me get down on the floor (she did the whole exam on the floor at Pumpkin’s level) and kneel behind her to look through the little microscope thingy so I could see what she was talking about. I definitely appreciated that!

[Little Lion Head]

Oh ad JR–thats really NOT fair! LOL

[JackRabbit]

LOL! No it isn’t fair, but in her defense, he has long heavy floppy ears (he can lick the ends of his ears when he cleans them!) and very little ear control (just “normal” and “forward”). She would have to get up under his ear like getting under a tent to get inside his ears. She has short round floppy ears and and some ear control (add partial helicopter) so she can hold her ears up for him. She does help keep the outside of his ears squeeky clean. Oh, and she grooms the bottom of his feet when he’s flopped (when he lets her!). He doesn’t dare lick her feet or she’ll jump up and give him the death glare.

[Megabunny]

My vet is exotics only …everything from sharks at the aquarium to kinkajous and guinea pigs. No dogs/cats. He calls Gus a booby head.

[JackRabbit]

Booby head! Hahaha!

[LBJ10]

Hold on, I will have you know that Wooly sticks is nose under Leopold’s ear and then pushes it to stand it up. Once it’s up there, Leopold can sort of hold it there. Wooly cleans his ear, but as soon as he walks away, Leopold’s ear flops right back down.

[JackRabbit]

I don’t think Moshi can help hold his ear up.

[Beka27]

Oh gosh! Hopefully you can get this figured out! I don’t really consider this “common” per se, but definitely something that can be treated!

[Little Lion Head]

LBJ you have to get a video of that. Sounds adorable!

I’ll keep you guys posted Beka

[LBJ10]

LLH, it is adorable. I will have to try to sneak up on them sometime. It’s really hard to get good pictures and video because they stop “being cute” the second they see the camera. LOL

[Hazel]

I’m so sorry that Pumpkin is struggling with this! I have no experience with syphilis, but it sounds like it’s very curable, so that’s great! Don’t feel bad about asking for the vet you want, I do this every time I make an appointment. I don’t think it’s out of the ordinary at all. Or maybe I’m just a giant pain and didn’t know it?!

Good luck with the treatment, let us know what the vet says! I’m sure Pumpkin will be fine. 

[Little Lion Head]

Hey, just thought I would give a little Pumpkin update!

Finally got the blood work back and she does have syphilis. We start treatments on Wednesday. Shots of two different types of penicillin once a week for three weeks. Then we’ll wait two weeks and run blood work again. While I’m not super thrilled she has syphilis, I’m very happy to have an answer! She’s been eating, pooping, and drinking just fine, but we haven’t seen any bunny 500’s or binkies in weeks and she’s usually a binkying fool! Hoping maybe she just doesn’t feel well and this will make her feel better.

It certainly makes for interesting conversations with friends when you tell them your bunny has syphilis!  

[LBJ10]

That’s great LLH! I mean, it isn’t great that she has syphilis. But at least you know what it is and she can be treated relatively easily.

Hmm, something tells me that this shouldn’t be broadcasted to everyone you know. People might start getting silly ideas in their heads. LOL

[Beka27]

Lol, yeah… That could be an interesting conversation!

I agree that it’s good you have a diagnosis. It is frustrating to have to treat for something, but at least you KNOW what you are treating! Let us know what the vet says after the meds!

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