Hi I'm new to this forum but have had guineapigs for a few years now. I currently have 3 girls and I had to rush one to the vet this morning with twitching eyes and head list. I've been told it is probably E.cuniculi and given panacur but only for 5 days. Reading on here I see that 28 days is required. Should I contact my vet for more? I didn't want to seem like I know more than the vet! I was also told I didn't have to treat my other 2 but did ask for enough to treat them all for the 5 days just to be on the safe side. Thanks in advance for advice.
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E.cuniculi Guineapigs
- Thread starter AndreaH
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Claire W
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I am so sorry that your girl isn't well. Hopefully someone will be able to answer your question shortly but perhaps contact your vet if you're unsure? There's no harm in asking questions and voicing your concern
Eriathwen
Adult Guinea Pig
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, I have several confirmed E.C piggies and yes, they absolutely should have at least 28 days if showing symptoms. I'm currently treating one of my piggies who is having a flare up as well as one of my hamsters after a vet visit for showing neuro symptoms.
I would definitely query the vet, however panacur is not a prescription only drug and can be bought online if need be, E.cuniculi can cause irreparable nerve and neurological damage so I would try not to leave gaps in the treatment if you can help it. Severe cases may even need longer than 28 days, the girl I'm currently treating had a course a couple of years back where I was instructed to only stop the panacur after the 28 days when improvement in symptoms plateaued.
I would definitely query the vet, however panacur is not a prescription only drug and can be bought online if need be, E.cuniculi can cause irreparable nerve and neurological damage so I would try not to leave gaps in the treatment if you can help it. Severe cases may even need longer than 28 days, the girl I'm currently treating had a course a couple of years back where I was instructed to only stop the panacur after the 28 days when improvement in symptoms plateaued.
Hi thank you so much that's really helpful I will purchase some more panacur so it the full 28 days. She is acting a little better now, her eyes have stopped twitching and she not listing so mulch, also eat hay quite happily but is still walking wobbly. Is that usual for E.cuniculi? I'm worried it could br more serious neuro damage that isn't fixable long term. Many thanks again
Eriathwen
Adult Guinea Pig
You're welcome! Yes that's quite usual, I've found when caught quickly all the symptoms should go by the 28 days, but it can take a couple weeks for improvements to be seen. One of my others has a permenant head tilt and wobbly back legs, she tends to walk in large circles but she does have an excellent quality of life in spite of the lasting damage. So don't worry even if she does have some lingering issues, theyre very adaptable. I've also recently had good results with one of my lethal whites who has neuro issues putting him on Gabapentin so if you do end up with some lasting issues that may be something to look into with your vet as well.
Thank you that's really kind
Viennese Furbabies
Forum Buddy
I had a girl with E. Cuniculi a few years ago. She was on Panacur for more than 28 days the first time round and I treated her again whenever I felt that her head tilt showed more prominent for about a week or two. In the first months following the diagnosis I treated her pretty often, but after about 6 months she only needed it from time to time at much longer Intervalls.
Just one thing that's really important. Some vets diagnose E. Cuniculi quickly when they see a head tilt. The most common cause of a head tilt - according to my specialist vet - are ear infections (middle ear and inner ear). They can be difficult to diagnose, but can get bad really quick if left untreated.
My girl was treated for both in the beginning and it was later confirmed by CT that she has had a bad ear infection as well as being positive for E. Cuniculi. So I don't know what caused her symptoms, probalby a mix of both.
Except for a slight head tilt when being picked up, when she was trying to stand on the hind legs or in stressful situations, she didn't have any problems in later life. She was a happy girl.
Just one thing that's really important. Some vets diagnose E. Cuniculi quickly when they see a head tilt. The most common cause of a head tilt - according to my specialist vet - are ear infections (middle ear and inner ear). They can be difficult to diagnose, but can get bad really quick if left untreated.
My girl was treated for both in the beginning and it was later confirmed by CT that she has had a bad ear infection as well as being positive for E. Cuniculi. So I don't know what caused her symptoms, probalby a mix of both.
Except for a slight head tilt when being picked up, when she was trying to stand on the hind legs or in stressful situations, she didn't have any problems in later life. She was a happy girl.
Thank you for your reply and she was beautiful and very similar in colouring to my Amber . Amber's eyes were both twitching which signified it was neuro rather than ear. She is a lot better today pretty much back to normal in fact and that with only one does of panacur, in your experience do you think it would work that quickly? I will continue the course for 28 days and it's good to know that I can give it again if she shows more signs. Would you suggest I treat my other 2 for 28 days too? Sorry for all the questions I was so worried at the vets I feel I didn't ask all that I should have done.
. Amber's eyes were both twitching which signified it was neuro rather than ear. She is a lot better today pretty much back to normal in fact and that with only one does of panacur, in your experience do you think it would work that quickly? I will continue the course for 28 days and it's good to know that I can give it again if she shows more signs. Would you suggest I treat my other 2 for 28 days too? Sorry for all the questions I was so worried at the vets I feel I didn't ask all that I should have done.
Viennese Furbabies
Forum Buddy
I was told not the treat her partner and he never showed any symptoms.
If I remember correctly (it was a few years ago), Chelsea also reacted quickly, but it was a bit of an up and down during the first course of panacur.
Chelsea also had the switching eyes on the first evening when I rushed her to the emergency vet. I never saw this symptome again. But she also showed symptoms of an URI a few days later. So we treated with an antibiotic as well. I'll never know if the panacur did the trick or the antibiotic or the combination.
I hope everything goes well for your girl.
If I remember correctly (it was a few years ago), Chelsea also reacted quickly, but it was a bit of an up and down during the first course of panacur.
Chelsea also had the switching eyes on the first evening when I rushed her to the emergency vet. I never saw this symptome again. But she also showed symptoms of an URI a few days later. So we treated with an antibiotic as well. I'll never know if the panacur did the trick or the antibiotic or the combination.
I hope everything goes well for your girl.