Rabbit diseases diagnosis, prevention and control

Disease/ condition

Symptom

Causative agent

Treatment/ control

High mortality

Hemorrhagic septicemia

Respiratory symptom,

Bloody nasal discharges

Pasteurella,

 Rabbit calicivirus disease

No effective treatment ,prevention by vaccination with killed vaccine

Respiratory Symptom,
Snuffle

Conjunctivitis, Pneumonia/lung abscess, otitis media,

Pasteurella multocida,

Bordetella bronchiseptica, Staph. aureus,

Myxoma virus

Mastitis, Metritis,
Orchitis

Inflamed, swollen, hot,
discolored mammary system -
all or individual. Accession of
gland is common. Normally
occurs just after kindling or
weaning

Pasteurella multocida

Staph. aureus

Mastitis could  be treated for 3 days
with penicillin G injection
intramuscularly at 200,000
IU/ 10 lbs. body weight.
Strip glands free of milk. Hot
pack application 3-4 times daily

Weepy Eye

Matted fur at medial corner
and under lower lid of eye.
Discharge from eye

Inflammation of
conjunctiva - most
common in blocked duct
between lower eye lid
and nasal area. Usually a
history of respiratory

Neomycin
ophthalmic drops 2-3 times per day
for 3-4 days. Opening of naso-
lacrimal duct

Vent Disease

Scabby" inflammation of
genitals - both sexes - can
have scabs on nose and mouth
in later stages, "scabby nose"
refuse to mate and/or
conceive. Abortions

Usually spread
through mating.

Infection with rabbit s

syphilis, (Rabbit spirochetosis)

Treponema cuniculi,

Daily application of penicillin
ointment to the external
genitals or daily
administration of Penicillin G
intramuscularly for 3 -7 days,
20,000 IU/1 lb body
weight.

Mucoid
Enteritis
(diarrhea)

Jelly-like secretion
in stool, pot-bellied &
water bottle like filled
abdominal cavity.
Won't eat, grinds teeth,
high mortality

cecum impact,
intestinal tract filled with
jelly-like materials.
Probable cause, a
combination of factors.

Reduce stress, place on high
fiber, bland low energy diet.
Can treat with broad spectrum
antibiotic in water to prevent
secondary infections

diarrhea

Diarrhea, poor flesh condition

Coccidia.E.coli, Salmonella, Enterotoxemia,

Clostridium difficile and C. spiroforme

E.coli or Salmonella or coccidian:
- Sulpha + trimethoprim at 40mg/kg b.w. Neomycin200-800mg \Liter

- Enterotoxemia:

Tetracycline, Nitrofuran, Metronidazole

Fur Mites
(mange)

Loss of fur around face, neck,
and back. Scratching
frequently

Mite.

chlorhexidine or a povidene-iodine

repeat 10 days after
initial treatment to ensure total
control of life cycle.
Ivermectin i.m.

Ear Mites

Shaking head, scratching at
ears. Scabby formation inside
ears.

Infestation of
inside outer ear with
mites.

Saturate inside of ear with oil
for 3 days.

 Ivomec i.m

Ring worm

Loss of hair in circular fashion with sore in the middle. Most common on feet and legs of young, but can be seen in adults and on any location of
the body.

Fungus. Contagious to
humans and other
animals. Caution should
be used when handling a
rabbit with this condition.

Individual animals should be
treated with daily application
of iodine, Mycostatine

Sore
Hocks

Ulcerated area on the bottom
of the foot pads that has
secondary
Infection

Small foot pad area for
size of body, thin fur
covering for pad, nervous
animals.

Use dry solid surface for
animals to rest.
Treat would with antibiotic
ointment until healed.

Nervous disorder

torticollis, opisthotonous  and convulsion

 Listeria monocytogenes ,Pasteurella Salmonella

Tetracycline.

Abortion

Listeria monocytogenes ,Pasteurellosis, Staph,Salmonella

Sulpha + trimethoprim at 40mg/kg b.w. Neomycin200-800mg \Liter