A MUM is calling on pet stores to double check for a form of pesticide in rabbits before they sell them.

Angela Williams' friend bought three rabbits from the Pets at Home in Colchester on July 14.

A couple of weeks later, on August 21, Angela took one of the male rabbits off her friend to give to her daughter Keira, five.

The rabbit was about 20 weeks old, and Angela said her daughter was elated.

She said: "She's so happy, gentle and caring. I thought it would be a lovely experience and responsibility of owning a pet."

However the next day Angela noticed the rabbit's eye was twitching, and it's neck and head were tilted to one side.

She said: "We took him to Penrose and Partner's vets in Highwoods on August 22.

"They diagnosed it as E. Cuniculi, where I paid for a 28 day course of treatment."

E. Cuniculi is a form of pesticide which can cause neurological problems and even cause the animal to be put down.

She later took the rabbit, named Zuma, back to Pets at Home, in Cowdray Avenue, to ask where it had all gone wrong.

She had to give the rabbit up for adoption, unable to continue to look after it while it was ill.

She said: "The poor rabbit, it was so young. They should screen the mother and not breed if the mother is infected.

"It was such a sad experience, I would never buy a caged pet again and advise people to be wary of pet shops.

"I just want people to be aware of this parasite in rabbits and ask when, if they purchase, it has been screened for E.Cuniculi."

A spokesman from Pets at Home said the parasite was common in rabbits.

He said: "E.Cuniculi is common in the UK pet rabbit population where most rabbits carry it.

"The vast majority of these will live perfectly healthy lives with no adverse effects.

"However, where individual rabbits are subject to stress, they may develop clinical signs which require the attention of a vet.

"In situations like this, routine screening for the infection isn't helpful.

“Our care leaflets, which have been developed with the RSPCA, advise customers that all pets can carry diseases and provide guidance on health and hygiene.”