Can Wick bond… with syphilis?

[Wick & Fable]

Wick. With a bonded mate. I would like to make that happen. We’ve moved and have more space, and discussions are starting to get more serious, however, we’ve run into a potential problem: Wick’s syphilis.

Wick was recently confirmed to have syphilis. He went on treatment and still got a positive test back, but we are optimistic that when we retest him (long time from now….), the infection will be showing decline, as even tests of human syphilis show increase immediately after treatment, even though clinically the infection is dying.

Now, there are some ambiguities on how rabbit syphilis is spread, but generally it’s infected doe to young, or contact with an infected rabbit sexually/through lesions.

Wick’s only symptom of syphilis is crust around his mouth, which does, unfortunately, bleed.

Based on this, I’m guessing I can’t safely (and ethically) try speed dating him because he can spread it. Can others confirm/deny this, based on your logic?

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Asriel and Bombur]

I would assume you’d have to wait to speed date until he’s fully in the clear. I’d assume its different from EC and Pasturella that can lay dormant until under stress?Plus, while he’s still getting so much treatment you might have a similar situation on your hands that I have with Bombur and Az. So I think it’s definitely worth waiting until it’s really only his teeth are an issue (but it sounds like those are on the mend too?).

I do think it’s great you want to get Wick a friend! Very exciting!

[Wick & Fable]

Teeth thing – speaking hesitantly – seems to not be as bad. So far, we’ve gone two instances where they weren’t one month apart, so I’m hoping the increase in hay intake will heavily reduce the frequency (especially because I’m not super pleased with the new vet’s anesthesia protocol vs. Wick’s old vet). This round is officially when the timer started, so he’s on 1.5 months with no teeth discomfort signs. Fingers crossed for a long wait!

Syphilis-wise, Wick’s treatment is officially done, and we are sort of in this “waiting” period for either 1) something more clinically relevant appears or 2) enough time has past that we feel confident the test will show the treatment’s effects. The vet said 6 to 12 months. During that long wait, I’ll be working out budgeting for two rabbits, how to do the space for bonding, and also seeing if his mouth crusting subsides permanently. Right now it has, but unsure if this is another natural fluctuation or an actual reaction to the treatment.

I recently volunteered at an HRS Adoption Day and got to see speed dating happen first hand, and help with the swapping of rabbits to find good chemistry. It made me really excited to try in the future, though I know it can’t be immediate!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Bunny House]

I guess the big question is, can you handle having the two be not bonded if they end up not working out and have two separate areas for them?
Don’t know too much about syphilis that what you have mentioned on here in the past, but I would say if all tests come back negative then bonding is in the future!

[Wick & Fable]

That’s always a wise question to ask BH. It is a more far in the future decision because yes, I want to ensure I have the space for all circumstances. I’m hoping through speed dating, I would be able to find the best suited candidate for Wick, and minimize that chance.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[DanaNM]

Awww this makes me so happy to read! Little baby Wick with a friend! My head might explode from the cuteness!

I don’t personally know anything about the rabbit syphilis, but I asked one of the leads at my rescue, and she said that once treated bunnies cannot pass it on. She said mostly wild buns have it and pass it on sexually. She said one of her buns had it and was one antibiotics for over 4 months. She fosters tons of buns at her house so it doesn’t sound like transmission to the other fosters was a concern.

I do know that speed dating is not absolutely essential for bonding. The shelter will likely have a sense of which rabbits tend to be good with other rabbits, and which are not (based on them speed dating other bunnies, etc). So even if you can’t take him for a date, they will probably be able to help you decide between candidates.

I will say that with Moose, his ongoing issues were stressful, but his bond with Bertha held up even with repeated separations due to dental procedures. And ultimately I am happy that he was able to be happily bonded for the time he was with me, and Bertha was a good comfort to him when he was recovering. Poor baby…

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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