Symptons of E Cuniculi

My tribute to Hershey continues with what symptons should give you a warning that E Cuniculi may be a problem, especially if you as a guinea pig live near a rabbit.

Kidney problems such as frequent urination and increased thirst

Paralysis, a weakness in the limbs and inability to move

Head tilt or wry neck

Eye inflammation, cataracts, weeping eyes and eye rolling

Loss of appetite followed by weight loss, which in turn can cause problems in the gut such as stasis

Neurological damage leading to convulsions and loss of balance.

Behavioural changes such as wanting to be completely alone, probably hiding in a corner.

While these are all symptoms of E Cuniculi infection they can also be caused by other problems, so do not immediately assume that the problem is E Cuniculi although keep it is mind for a vet to check as its rare in guinea pigs and could be over looked.

A blood test known as a titer will be needed for an accurate diagnosis.

[caption id="attachment_403" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Hershey Mothers Day 2008- September 2009"][/caption]

What is E Cuniculi

A Tribute to Hershey

Me had never heard of E Cuniculi until it was suggested as a possible cause of what was making my friend Hershey ill and eventually lead to her crossing the rainbow bridge.

With her human family at first Hershey was shy earning her the nickname Hershey the Meek, with her guinea pig friends on our virtual pirate adventure she was a CHEEKY MISS instigating the great bum pinching scandal.

When she got ill Hershey showed her Mummy and Daddy she loved in the best way she could by over coming her shyness and accepting and demanding attention even play fighting with Daddy over the syringe, the best gift of memorys she could have left with them.

[caption id="attachment_404" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Hershey Mothers Day 2008-September 2009"][/caption]

So what is E Cuniculi?

E Cuniculi is a protozoan parasite largely found in rabbits.

It is a Zoonose which means it can pass between different species eg from rabbbit to guinea pig.

The spores are eaten from infected hay where they can survive for months.

Once inside they travel round the body before leaving in the urine which in turn leaves spores on whatever is peed on to be eaten again.

Like mites in guinea pigs in rabbits it is believed to lie dormant until other factors such as stress, dehydration or a different infection allow it to take hold.

Even though a rabbit may have no symptoms they can be a carrier.

He Made It

Me knew me should have made the target higher but a promise is a promise.

Spooky is now 1kg and me must allow him to become a secret agent.

Me had trouble with him choosing a name, first he wanted to be called Spooks like the TV program, me said thats not very secret is it.

Then he wanted to be called Phantom, til me told him there was a cartoon with a human man in a skin tight purple jump suit called Phantom and that was not a good look.

We have finally agreed on Ghost so from now on Spooky is secret agent Ghost.

Me thinks me may regret this...........

Blonde Moment

Spooky had been annoying me so me backed him into a corner and humped him to show him who was boss.

What me didnt notice was that Spooky had run out of the corner and me was really humping a roll of hay (blush).

For some reason Mummy found this highly amusing.

Awesome Abby's

Whorlwind is an awesome Abby also known as Abyssinian guinea pig.

As you can see from the gorgeous photo Abbys have very unusual hair. Abbys are a variety of short haired piggy.

The name Whorlwind comes from the fact that Abbys have Whorls or Rosettes all over their bodies.

Breed standard for Abby's require 10 Rosettes in specific areas, 1 on each shoulder, 4 down the back, 1 on each hip and 2 on the rump. Where the rosettes meet should also make a straight line.

But what do we care about breed standards? WE DONT!!

Is that me hiding in the background? NOPE its a lookalike wheeeeeeeeeeeeek

My Next Guest.......

Agent name Whorlwind

Your clues are; Whorlwind is a female piggy.

A member of an all female herd in the UK.

Her Mummy once belonged to the late great Peter Gurney and arrived at Whorlwinds home complete with 5 little surprises one of the surprises was Whorlwind.

Her real name is sweet sounding and her colour is chocolate sweet again.

She appears to enjoy honeydew melon.

Why Does He Do It??

For no reason at all Spooky will suddenly stop what he is doing look at the ceiling and wheeeeeeeek really loudly.

His ears move back and forward in time to him wheeking his lungs out.

This is not because me is mugging him of food, or because the fridge door has been opened or a bag rustled.

Me dont know why he does it, its so random!!