How to Treat Encephalitozoonosis in Dogs

Encephalitozoonosis is caused by fungi-like organisms. [1] It is generally a problem with rabbits, who are the main source of infection in dogs. Dogs become infected when they come into contact with rabbit urine, ingest it, or sniff it. Follow these steps for treating Encephalitozoonosis in dogs.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Understanding Encephalitozoonosis

  1. Encephalitozoonosis is a parasitic disease. The disease is rare in dogs because the disease most commonly affects rabbits. This disease causes lesions on various organs in your dog’s body. [2]
    • Humans with weak immune systems, such as the young, old, or ill, can also contract the disease. However, this is rare.
  2. Encephalitozoonosis can affect different areas of the body. This can cause disease in the following organs:
    • Lungs, causing coughing and difficulty breathing
    • Heart, which can cause heart failure
    • Kidney, which can cause kidney failure
    • Brain, causing behavior abnormalities, such as aggression,seizures, tremors, and blindness [3]
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  3. Since these symptoms can be common causes of other diseases, a veterinarian would unlikely diagnose Encephalitozoonosis in the infected dog. Further testing would be needed to diagnose it. The testing includes checking the blood and urine for abnormalities. [4]
    • If you suspect this disease in your dog, mention it to your veterinarian and any possible contact the dog could have had with rabbits or rabbit urine.
  4. Encephalitozoonosis is thought to be contracted through the mouth and nose. A dog can contract the disease by sniffing or licking infected urine. [5]
    • Kennelled dogs are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.
    • Mothers can also pass this disease to their offspring through placenta. [6]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Treating Encephalitozoonosis

  1. In puppies, symptoms appear when they are around three weeks old. The symptoms include stunted growth, poor coat, inability to thrive, kidney failure, and neurological complications. Infected adult dogs have the same symptoms that puppies do, but they also have a few additional ones, including: brain abnormalities, aggressive behavior, seizures, and blindness. [7]
  2. If your dog has Encephalitozoonosis, then the doctor will prescribe various supportive treatments. An example of a supportive treatment the doctor may prescribe is IV fluids or electrolytes to help the kidneys.
    • The dog will probably also be given fungicidal medicine. [8] [9]
    • Most dogs will recover with treatment. In severe cases where dogs don’t respond to treatment, the dog may have to be put down. This is most common in puppies. [10]
  3. The disease is spread through urine, so you need to keep your dog separate from other dogs and from vulnerable humans. You can keep them at the vet or separated in your home. [11]
    • Keep the dog in an area that is easily clean, like a tiled floor instead of carpet.
    • Use disposable bedding and cloth. This can help you avoid further contamination. [12]
  4. Since this disease can be contracted by dogs, cats, rabbits, and humans, you need to sanitize the area. Use a 1:10 bleach solution to clean the area. [13] If you can’t bleach the area, like carpets, rugs, or upholstery, steam clean the area. [14]
    • To make the bleach solution, place ¼ cup of bleach in 2 ¼ cups of water. It will take less than a minute for the bleach to kill the organisms.
    • You can also use a 70 percent ethanol solution to disinfect. [15]
  5. When you are cleaning or interacting with your sick dog, you need to wear disposable gloves. This helps reduce the chance that you will contract the disease. Make sure to dispose of the gloves and wash your hands with soap and water after you have touched the dog or any infected area. [16]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Is E cuniculi zoonotic?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    A zoonosis is a disease that can be transmitted from an animal to people. Yes, E cuniculi is a zoonosis, however, rabbit cases are common but human disease is rare, so the risk is low. Always wash your hands after petting a rabbit and speak to your physician if you have a weak immune system and own a rabbit.
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  • Question
    Can humans get E cuniculi from rabbits?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    E cuniculi is recognized as a rabbit disease that can cause illness in people. However, human cases are rare. Those most at risk are people with weak immune systems such as the very young or elderly, or those on chemotherapy or with immunosuppressive diseases.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What causes E cuniculi in rabbits?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    E cuniculi is a parasite, a single-celled microsporidian. Rabbits catch the infection by eating food contaminated by infected urine, or in rare cases by inhaling the parasite. It's also thought that the mother can pass E cuniculi onto her litter during pregnancy.
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      References

      1. ↑ The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents. Mark A. Suckow, Karla A. Stevens, and Ronald P. Wilson. Academic Press. 2012
      2. ↑ http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_encephalitozoonosis
      3. ↑ http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/diseases-conditions-of-dogs/worms-parasites/encephalitozoonosis-in-dogs
      4. ↑ http://lafeber.com/vet/encephalitozoonosis-in-pet-rabbits/
      5. ↑ http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_encephalitozoonosis
      6. ↑ http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/diseases-conditions-of-dogs/worms-parasites/encephalitozoonosis-in-dogs
      7. ↑ http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_encephalitozoonosis
      8. ↑ http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_encephalitozoonosis?page=2
      9. ↑ http://www.researchgate.net/publication/7403056_Activity_of_bleach_ethanol_and_two_commercial_disinfectants_against_spores_of_Encephalitozoon_cuniculi
      1. ↑ http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_encephalitozoonosis
      2. ↑ http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/diseases-conditions-of-dogs/worms-parasites/encephalitozoonosis-in-dogs
      3. ↑ http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_encephalitozoonosis?page=2
      4. ↑ http://www.researchgate.net/publication/7403056_Activity_of_bleach_ethanol_and_two_commercial_disinfectants_against_spores_of_Encephalitozoon_cuniculi
      5. ↑ http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2010/04/articles/animals/other-animals/eliminating-e-cuniculi-in-the-household/
      6. ↑ http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_encephalitozoonosis
      7. ↑ http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/diseases-conditions-of-dogs/worms-parasites/encephalitozoonosis-in-dogs

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      To treat encephalitozoonosis in dogs, take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible to begin treatment, which could include IV fluids, electrolytes, or fungicidal medication. Since the disease is spread through urine, keep your infected dog at the vet's office or separate it from other dogs and humans in a private area of your home. If you decide to care for your dog at home, keep it somewhere with tiled or hard flooring, since carpet is hard to keep clean. It's important to sanitize the area frequently with a bleach solution to prevent contamination. Be sure to wear disposable gloves when handling your dog or infected material! To learn more about the symptoms of this condition from our Veterinary co-author, read on!

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