Using Ponazuril

Question
Hi Dr. Krempels,

I would first like to thank you for all your research with Ponazuril.  I know it has certainly saved many bunnies lives.  I have a few questions.

1.  Should we repeat the ponazuril after the first 3 doses?  We have been told to clean the cages with ammonia and then give 2 more doses as a precaution after the 6th day.  This is from a biologist friend who has also been doing some research with the drug.  I wanted make sure this is correct.

2.  We run a small sanctuary and have had a lot of problems with coccidia over the past year.  Would it be safe to treat all rabbits on intake even if they do not show a positive coccida test?  We have had some that have been tested and seemed perfectly healthy and then a week or two later they develop diarrhea and end up testing positive.  I am not sure of the incubation period but unless we are doing something wrong, I do not believe it is coming from our facility.  A large majority of our animals come from livestock auctions and backyard breeder's turned hoarder.  They have not had the best life and it is very possible that many of them already have it upon arrival.  I would just like to know if doing this would be safe.

Thank you for your help

Angela

Answer
Dear Angela,

For coccidiosis, we usually treat for 5-7 days, doing fecal flotation tests every day to see the progression of death in the coccidial spores.  It's usually pretty spectacular!  But we have found recently that some strains of Eimeria appear to need a higher dose to be killed, and we've gone as high as 50mg/kg once per day in a few cases.

I think I'd err on the side of caution, especially since the drug appears to be so benign.  (I hope time doesn't prove me wrong on that!)

Dana
P.S. - For E. cuniculi, the standard treatment duration is 28-30 days.