Vent Disease.

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I have a buck rabbit that I have been told carries Vent Disease.  I would like to have him tested to find our for definate if this is the case.

Please can you advise what test would be necessary?

If he doesnt test positive for this disease I would like to get him neutered and give him a friend.

Thanks

Vicky

ANSWER: Dear Vicky,

It is nearly impossible to successfully culture the organism that causes rabbit vent disease (a.k.a. rabbit syphilis), Treponema cuniculi.  But since the treatment is quite safe, I would suggest you get a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and find out about getting the bunny a 5-7 day course of injectible Penicillin-G Procaine, the only type of penicillin considered safe for rabbits.  It is generally very effective against Treponema, and that should be the end of the problem.  He can then be neutered, and then be allowed to pick a spayed mate from among the needy fosters at your local rabbit rescuer's foster home:

www.rabbit.org/chapters

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

Dana


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your reply.  One more question if you dont mind.  Harvey the rabbit in question has never shown any of the signs for this disease.  If he is a carrier would he show any signs at all?
Thanks
Vicky

ANSWER: Dear Vicky,

If he is a carrier, he might be completely asymptomatic.  But that leads me to ask:  why was he identified as a carrier?  Please check with the people who told you he's a carrier and ask them why they think that.

And if he really is, he can still be treated with Pen-G.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi. I contacted the person that our rabbit came from. I have copied her reply for you.

"his Mum had Vents Disease and I never bred from her again after finding out she had it after having this litter. She got it from a REW nethie buck I bought in from another breeder because she didn't have it before this mating! Harvey could have got it when he was born which means he may not have it. 50/50 chance as to wether he has it or not. I never bred from him. It seems to be when rabbits are bred that it shows its self."

If you could let me know what you think I would be greatful.

Vicky Smith

Answer
Dear Vicky,

Though the statistical risk of his having contracted Trepomena at birth might not be exactly 50/50, it's still possible that he's carrying it.  To remove the risk, I'd ask the vet about treating him for 7 days with injectible Penicillin G Procaine.  That kills the bacteria in almost all cases, and you won't have to worry about it again.

Hope that helps.

Dana