Common Rabbit Diseases Warren S
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Volume 38 | Issue 1 Article 4 1976 Common Rabbit Diseases Warren S. Thompson Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/iowastate_veterinarian Part of the Small or Companion Animal Medicine Commons, and the Veterinary Infectious Diseases Commons Recommended Citation Thompson, Warren S. (1976) "Common Rabbit Diseases," Iowa State University Veterinarian: Vol. 38 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. Available at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/iowastate_veterinarian/vol38/iss1/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Iowa State University Veterinarian by an authorized editor of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. animals accidentally consume cattle An. Sci., July 26, 1974, p. 423 (Abst). feed ontaining RumensinR. Because 3. Burroughs W., Trenkle A., Vetter R. L. Two Feeding Trials Testing the Value of a New Feed horses seem to be sensitive to higher Additive (Rumensin~ in Cattle Feedlot Rations. R levels of Rumensin , they should not Iowa State University Cattle Feeders Day Report, be allowed to consume feeds containing July 1975 (ASR206). 100 grams or more per ton. 4. Art Raun Personel Communication Oct. 1974. 5. Oliver, W. M. Effect of Monensin on Gains of Steers Grazed on Costal Bermuda Grass Animal REFERENCES Science 41 :999 (1975). 6. H. Brown, L. H. Carroll, N. G. Elliston, H. P. Grueter, J. W. McAsbill, R. D. Olson and R. P. 1. Embry L. B., Swan W. S. Effects of Monensin on Rathmacher. Field evaluation of monensin for Feedlot Performance of Growing & Finishing improving feed efficiency in feedlot cattle. Steers. South Dakota Cattle Feeders Day Research Proceedings, Western Section, American Society Summaries, Nov. 1, 1974, p. 19. of Animal Science, Vol 25, 1974, p. 300. 2. Utley P. R., Newton, G. L., McCormick, W. C. 7. Federal Register, Vol. 40, No. 242> December 16, RumensinR, Ralgrow and Synovex-H for grow 1975, pp. 58289-58290. ing Cattle. 67th Annual Meeting of Am. Soc. of Common Rabbit Diseases by Warren S. Thompson* SUMMARY feed, water, and equipment. The veterinarian will seldom be called to the This article deals with six of the most commercial rabbitry because slaughter of common problems associated with com any problem animals is cheaper than a mercial and laboratory rabbit raising. It seven to eight dollar service call. It is deals specifically with pasteurellosis, probably best this way as he would no hepatic coccidiosis, cysticercosis [Taenia doubt have some problems making a pisiformisl ear canker, sore hocks, and diagnosis and recommending adequate malocclusion. Each disease will be treatment, unless he makes a special effort discussed from the aspects of general to gain experience in this area. Therefore, information, gross clinical signs, and he may expect to see the pet rabbit, the treatments. Easter bunny, or the wild rabbit caught early in the spring. A telephone call will be INTRODUCTION more likely his experience and less ex pensive to the low budget rabbit raiser. Although the rabbit is no longer as popular as an experimental animal or a PASTEURELLOSIS source of meat and fur, one can still find an abundance of the rabbit in small meat Pasteurellosis is the principle disease of production units and laboratory colonies. domestic rabbits. It is a highly contagious, Northern Arkansas has the largest rabbit persistent infection of rabbits world-wide. population for commercial means in our The many forms it takes will be discussed, area. Even in this situation, people admit as will aids in diagnosis and prevention. they can make little money raising rabbits The organism causing pasteurellosis is but they still do it to produce for themselves Pasteurella multocida) which is a gram an inexpensive source of meat. Prices for negative, bipolar rod easily isolated from live rabbits vary from 32-49c/lb., which nasal exudate or blood. It grows easily on makes a five pound animal worth about two blood agar causing no hemolysis and dollars, or close to 75c profit over the cost of forming either smooth, rough, or mucoid colonies on various other culture media.6,9 *w. S. Thompson is a fourth year student in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State Clinical signs vary with the part of the University. body affected by the organism. Primary Issue No.1) 1976 13 occurrence is in the upper respiratory tract systemic treatment is recommended with as "Snuffles." This causes serous to isolation of this rabbit from the colony. 9 mucopurulent nasal exudate to be seen Reproductive problems can be linked to around the nostrils and in the nasal cavity. pasteurellosis as a result of infection Exudate on the medial aspect of the front through copulation or a septicemia. paws is frequently noted as the animal Metritis or pyometra in the does and or attempts to rub the nostrils clear of the chitis or epididymitis in the bucks will be obstruction.4,7,9 Sneezing, coughing, and noted from P. multocida infections. 4,9 shaking of the head will also be noted.9 Vaginal and penile discharges may be Culture of the nasal exudate may show absent or show as yellowish-grey pus.A Staphylococcus aureus and Bordetella Does may die acutely or form chronic in bronchiseptica} which are common fections having normal litters or litters of inhabitants of the nasal cavity but do not smaller number if only one horn of the cause "Snuffles" or presdispose to it. 9 uterus or part of one horn is affected. Bucks A second form of pasteurellosis is can have acute or chronic infections with conjunctivitis, which frequently is seen in the latter being detectable only by conjuction with "Snuffles." The bacteria testicular palpation or discharge from the gains access to the optic region by passing penis.4,9 retrograde up the nasolacrimal duct. A Treatment of all forms of pasteurellosis white mucopurulent exudate is common at includes good management and close the medial canthus with reddening of the watching of the colony. Penicillin and conjunctiva.7,9 The fur under the eyes may streptomycin at levels of 400,000 units and become wet and matted due to epiphora ~ gram, respectively, per rabbit have and may eventually fall out.7 shown good results if given for 7-10 Otitis media is also a result of P. days.7,9 A four day preparturition dose of multocida as the bacteria ascends the .13% sulfamethazine in the water has eustachian tube to colonize the middle ear. shown positive results.5 The sulfonimides Clinical signs at this point are absent, but if at dosages equal to that effective against entry is made into the inner ear, torticollis coccidiosis have also been noted as ad toward the affected side will result.6,9 The vantageous and will be stated later.6 idea that ear mites predispose to otitis Tetracycline at 16 mg/kg given in the water media has never been proven even in the or cephalothin at 12.5 mg/kg 1M every six case of ruptured tympanic membranes. hours for six days may be of some value, Treatment is not recommended in this form even though the author doubts the value of of pasteurellosis as full recovery is almost tetracyclines from past experience. nil. -9 The main preventive measure of this and Migration of the infection in a third most rabbit diseases is management and direction results in enzootic pneumonia housing. Isolation for 30 days of all infected involving the anterior and ventral areas of rabbits, newly purchased stock, and the lungs. Clinically, very little will be animals returning from shows is a must. noticed before a rabbit is found dead in its Routine prophylactic treatments should be cage, because the animal is not exercised or initiated against all diseases on a regular stressed in its confinement.9 At death, a schedule and a complete examination be transparent fluid from the lungs is often given for any clinical problems that noted when the animal is placed head develop.l,3,7 Prevention of colony exposure down.3 to disease is of primary importance. Subcutaneous abscesses are not usually linked to the respiratory form of the disease HEPATIC COCCIDIOSIS even though they can indirectly be caused by septicemias initiated by respiratory Eimeria stiedae is a common and chronic infections. Any fight wound or scratch can infection of most rabbit colonies. It is found be infected topically with P. multocida and world-wide in both wild and domestic form an abscess. These abscesses have breeds of rabbits. Ingestion of the white to tan, creamy exudate which drains sporulated oocyst starts the cycle which when the lesion is lanced. Topical as well as includes excysting of the oocyst in the 14 Iowa State University Veterinarian, duodenum. The sporozoites penetrate the problem when some hunter who has just intestinal mucosa and travel to the liver in skinned his days bag of rabbits calls or about 48 hours via the blood and lymph stops by the office to ask for an iden systems.9 The sporozoites invade the bile tification of white lesions on the liver or duct epithelium and begin schizogony. small cystic or bladder structures in the After several asexual reproductions a mesentery. The larvae migrate through the gametogony (sexual cycle) occurs and liver on their way to the abdominal cavity oocysts develop. The oocysts pass down the and it is these lesions which you might bile duct, exit in the feces and sporulate observe. The cysts are usually less than two outside the body.6,9 In 2-3 days the centimeters in diameter and attached to the sporulated oocysts are infectious and are mesentery like many tiny bladders.