Matvælastofnun Íslands (MAST) recently received a report from the Animal Hospital in Víðidalur warning that parasites called Encephalitozoon Cuniculi has been diagnosed in two rabbits, RUV reports.
Pet owners are now asked to monitor whether their animals begin to show any symptoms of the parasite found in wild animals in Iceland. However, this is the first time it has been reported in domestic rabbits.
The parasite was detected in foxes in the eighties as well as in mink and mice. The disease caused by this parasite is known as “Refavanki” or “fox failure” in Icelandic but is also known as nosematosis or encephalitozoonosis and is spread by the formation of spores which are then excreted in the urine or faeces. This makes the vegetation around contagious for a long time. When the vegetation enters a new host, they release the infectious agent that finds its way into the host cells and multiplies. Infections can also be spread from mother to offspring during pregnancy.
Symptoms to watch out for
Animals infected with the parasite usually show no symptoms, but the symptoms that appear are prominent in the nervous system, eyes or kidneys. these symptoms include: distorted head position, instability, gait or abnormal eye movements, white mass in the eyes, increased pressure or infection in the eyes. If the parasite reaches the kidneys, it can cause kidney failure.
Little is known about the treatment of this disease and care can only be taken to relieve the symptoms rather than to cure them. The risk of infection can be prevented by maintaining a high level of hygiene when feeding the animals. Pet owners are encouraged to be especially careful and vigilant.
Source: The Nordic Page