Rabbit diseases diagnosis, prevention and control

- Guidelines to protect rabbits from diseases

Diseases have a natural occurrence and cannot be entirely eradicated; however, employing effective management practices can help maintain their prevalence at manageable levels.

1. Disease prevention is markedly more effective than treatment.

2. Traits such as high disease resistance, longevity, and productivity can be inherited.

3. Selecting breeding stock based on exceptional performance can yield significant returns on investment of time and resources.

4. Avoid overcrowding by ensuring that housing conditions allow for adequate space and promote proper nutrition.

5. Ensure that the facility offers ample, draft-free ventilation.

6. Structures with solid sides and wire floors can create undesirable updrafts, which should be avoided.

7. Allow your rabbits to access natural sunlight, provided it is not excessively hot. Additionally, maintain cleanliness and dryness in all equipment to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks, and ensure that all tools are in good working condition.

8. Limit unnecessary handling of rabbits, their feed, food and water containers, or any equipment they come into contact with, as clothing and hands of caregivers can transmit pathogens.

9. Isolate any new animals introduced to the herd, regardless of their origin, as well as those that have potentially been exposed to other rabbits, either directly or indirectly through shared equipment and handlers.

10. Isolate rabbits that show symptoms of infectious diseases and attend to healthy animals before addressing those that are ill.

11. Protect your rabbits from stressors, especially nocturnal disturbances.

12. Allow for adequate rest periods during the day, balancing routine care with their need for downtime.

13. If you regularly sell rabbits to a dealer, ensure that your marketable stock is segregated and kept outside the main entry to the rabbitries, facilitating quick and efficient collection, help in preventing disease transmission.