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PNW 310-E Revised January 2008
Domestic
Rabbits
Diseases and
Parasites
Contents
Factors in disease prevention Fungal diseases ...................................... 18
and control ................................................ 4 Parasitic diseases .................................. 19
Body soundness and livability......................4
Adequate nutrition......................................4 Prevention and control..............................19
Suitable environment..................................4 External parasites.......................................20
Prevention, eradication, and control Ear mites.............................................20
of transmissible diseases...............................5 Fur mites.............................................20
Sanitation program................................5 Cuterebrid flies....................................20
Disinfection..........................................6 Fleas and ticks.....................................21
Practices to maintain health and Internal parasites.......................................21
prevent disease.............................................7 Coccidiosis..........................................21
Encephalitozoonosis............................22
Bacterial diseases ................................... 7 Toxoplasmosis.....................................23
Pasteurellosis...............................................7 Roundworms......................................23
Rhinitis (snuffles)..................................7 Tapeworms..........................................24
Pneumonia............................................8 Nutritional diseases .............................25
Pyometra...............................................8
Orchitis.................................................9 Pregnancy toxemia....................................25
Otitis media..........................................9 Vitamin A deficiency.................................25
Subcutaneous abscesses..........................9 Vitamin E deficiency.................................25
Septicemia.............................................9 Hereditary diseases . .............................26
Enteritis......................................................9 Glaucoma..................................................26
Enterotoxemia.......................................9 Malocclusion.............................................26
Mucoid enteropathy............................10 Splay leg and ataxia...................................26
Tyzzers disease....................................10
Coccidiosis..........................................11 Miscellaneous ..........................................27
Listeriosis..................................................11 Cannibalism..............................................27
Necrobacillosis..........................................11 Heat prostration........................................27
Salmonellosis.............................................12 Broken back..............................................27
Staphylococcosis........................................12 Sore hocks.................................................28
Mastitis...............................................13 Tumors......................................................28
Conjunctivitis (weepy eye)..................13 Fur eating and hairballs.............................28
Treponematosis (vent disease)....................13 Coprophagy..............................................29
Hutch burn...............................................14 Yellow fat..................................................29
Pseudotuberculosis....................................14 Winter breeding depression.......................29
Tularemia..................................................14
How to pack and ship specimens
Viral diseases .......................................... 15 for laboratory diagnosis . ...................29
Myxomatosis.............................................15 Shipping dead animals..............................29
Rabbit pox................................................16 Accompanying information.......................30
Fibroma....................................................16
Herpes virus infection...............................16
Rabbit papilloma.......................................16
Oral papilloma..........................................16
Viral enteric diseases..................................17
Viral hemorrhagic disease..........................17
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Domestication of the Euro been improved from the long, Rabbit raising has continued
pean rabbit probably occurred in rangy, lowmeatyield type to the to be a backyard or parttime
monasteries during the Middle compact, blocky animal of today. business. However, the size of
Ages. By the middle of the 17th The offspring of one doe the herds has expanded from a
century, rabbits were commonly yield more than 120 pounds of few does to the current average
raised in England and continen meat per year, and 200 pounds rabbit herd of 20 does, and it is
tal Europe. Oryctolagus cuniculus, per doe is not unlikely in the not uncommon to see herds of
one of the more successful mam future. Feed required to pro 300500 breeding does.
mals of the world, is both pro duce 1pound of meat has been Commercial rabbitries aver
lific and adaptable. reduced from about 6 pounds to aging fewer than 30 rabbits per
Most of the fancy breeds were 3.5 or 4 pounds. cage per year (sent to market)
developed within the past During the past 10 years, the find it very difficult to show a
100 years, and only since the rabbit industry has expanded profit. Typically, the profitable
early 1900s have rabbits been considerably. It may not, as yet, commercial number is more
raised domestically in the United have reached the popularity it than 40 rabbits per cage per year.
States. The first commercial experienced during World As in all facets of agriculture,
colonies were started in southern War II. But the nutritional the profits from rabbit raising
California. Meat rationing dur qualities of rabbit meat are depend a great deal on manage
ing World War II gave the infant making rabbit more acceptable, ment and market. If an area has
industry a push. and production is increasing. a steady demand for rabbit meat
Today, approximately and a stable processor, the rab
200,000people are engaged in bit farmer can net a reasonable
some phase of the rabbit business profit and add to the family
in the United States, and animals income.
are produced in every state. Meat
processors serving major cities Nephi M. Patton, director emeritus,
Rabbit Research Center, Oregon State
market more than 10 million
University; Karl W. Hagen (deceased),
pounds of rabbit meat annually. bacteriologist, and John R. Gorham,
Over the years, the breeds have veterinarian, Agricultural Research Ser
vice, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Pullman, Washington; and Ronald E.
Flatt (deceased), veterinarian, Depart
ment of Veterinary Pathology, Iowa
State University. Revised in 2007 by
John Harkness, professor emeritus,
Mississippi State University. This
publication is a revision of USDA
Agriculture Handbook 490, originally
published in 1976. It was prepared
with the support and permission of the
Agricultural Research Service.
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The difference between profit from diseaseis a better source r abbits. A simple change to a
and loss often comes down to of replacement stock than a diet higher in fiber and lower in
a persons ability to master the rabbit that does not show these energy gives adequate growth
husbandry and disease control traits. without the risk of enteric
techniques necessary for success. Healthy, wellframed, well disease.
The only rabbit that will fleshed mature does producing On the other hand, does need
return a profit to its owner is a litters containing from 812 live adequate energy for reproduc
healthy one. This publication is young, with low mortality at tion, which may not be pro
designed to help ranchers recog 8weeks, good feed conversion, vided by diets extremely high in
nize the more common rabbit and high weights are potential fiber. Progressive rabbit raisers
diseases and to know when pro sources of breeding stock. Care now feed two diets, one to the
fessional advice is needed. Dis fully examine each individual growing fryers and another to
eases are classified according to selected for breeding. Look for the producing does. A simple
major causebacterial, viral, defects and general health, and diet that provides good health,
nutritional, hereditary, fungal, eliminate animals that deviate growth, and production is pre
and miscellaneous (including from normal. Through rigid ferred but often difficult to find
poisoning, tumors, and vices). application of this practice, a because the needs of the various
profitable, high-producing herd classes of rabbits are considerably
can be established. different.
Factors in disease Inadequate nutrition is a
prevention and Adequate nutrition costly problem. A general decline
control Feeding is the most important
in health may increase suscepti
bility to diseases, which can lead
Factors conducive to good husbandry technique in the to large monetary losses. In
health include body soundness rabbitry and should be done by addition, young rabbits grow
and livability; adequate nutri an experienced person. Most slowly if the doe has inadequate
tion; suitable environment; and disease and potential disease milk or they do not get enough
prevention, eradication, and con problems are discovered during feed. Thus, feeding is a criti
trol of transmissible diseases. feeding time. Some disease prob cal element in successful rabbit
lems can be corrected by chang raising.
Body soundness ing the amount or type of feed.
and livability Much has been learned in the
past few years concerning rab
Suitable environment
Sound, vigorous rabbits are The term environment
bit nutrition. Diets that produce
necessary both as quality meat includes every factor that influ
good growth in poultry and
products and as replacement ences a rabbits life. Some of
swine are disastrous in rabbits.
stock. Carefully examine the these factors are hutch size and
Rabbits are foraging animals that
background of animals saved for location, nearness to other ani
live on grasses and seeds in the
breeding so that recognizable mals, dryness, temperature, ven
wild. Their digestive system and
defects are not perpetuated. A tilation, amount of light, shelter
its microbes do not adapt well to
healthy, mature breederone design, availability of water, and
high-energy, cerealgrain diets.
that has a history of several litters general management. Careful
showing fast development, good In fact, diets high in starch
and carbohydrates often cause examination and control of the
reproduction, high livability of environment are essential for
the young, and relative freedom diarrhea and death in fryer
effective disease prevention.
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to wipe the exudate away from residues might remain in the bluish eye color in albinos, and a
the nose. treated rabbits meat for days or nasal discharge. The body tem
Pasteurella bacteria often are weeks, making the meat unus perature usually is above normal.
found in the nasal sinuses of able for human consumption. Gross lesions of the lungs
healthylooking rabbits. Stress Penicillin use may cause fatal appear as red consolidated areas,
resulting from extremes of tem enterotoxemias. sunken purple areas, and
perature, high humidity, high If the nasal discharge regresses, abscesses. The consolidated
ammonia levels, travel, preg take care not to stress the rabbit. lesions most often are in the
nancy, and lactation is a primary It should not be used as a anterior lobes of the lungs
factor in the development of breeder. The next stress period (Figure 3). A catarrhal exudate is
snuffles. (e.g., kindling, lactation, heat found in the air passages.
Treatment of snuffles has not wave) very likely will cause the Abscesses appear with thin,
proven to be economically effec symptoms to reappear. Vaccines fibrous capsules close to the
tive in commercial rabbitries. By have not proven to be effec surface of the lungs. Sometimes
using broad-spectrum antibiot tive. The only effective method there are adhesions between the
ics such as oxytetracycline or of control is strict culling. If a wall of the chest cavity and the
chlortetracycline, the symptoms rabbit has a nasal discharge or lungs.
might be alleviated. However, matted paws or sneezes on 2 Pneumonia rarely is treated in
the animal often remains a car consecutive days, cull it from the rabbitries as it usually is a
rier of P. multocida and is able herd. If you are not sure whether postmortem diagnosis. Broad
to infect offspring and caged to cull a rabbit, when in doubt, spectrum antibiotics have been
neighbors. cull it out. used with some degree of success
Fluoroquinolones (e.g., Bay In addition to a strict culling with pet and show rabbits.
tril) may be used in individual program, good ventilation must
Pyometra
rabbits. Antibiotic combina be provided to control snuffles.
There is a direct correlation Pyometra means pus in the
tions have been used to reduce uterus. The walls of the uterus
symptoms in pet rabbits with between the level of ammonia
in a rabbitry and the amount of usually are dilated, and the organ
some success. Antimicrobial is filled with pus. Affected
respiratory disease. An effective
manure removal system and females will not produce and,
1020 air changes per hour are therefore, are culled and often
necessary to reduce the ammonia slaughtered. Pyometra results
to an acceptable level. from the introduction of Pasteu-
rella bacteria into the uterus dur
Pneumonia ing mating and may be traced
Upper respiratory disease to a single buck with a chronic
(snuffles) may spread to the infection of the testicles. It also
lungs and cause pneumonia. can occur as a retrograde infec
Rabbit mortality surveys reveal tion from the vagina.
pneumonia to be present in Does that are nasalpositive
25 percent of the animals exam for P. multocida often are vaginal-
ined; it is the greatest single positive for the same bacteria,
cause of death in mature ani especially if the doe has a nasal
Figure 3.Gross appearance of
mals. Signs of pneumonia are discharge. The vagina is thought
rabbit lungs, showing consolidation
due to Pasteurella bacteria. depression, labored breathing, to be contaminated during the
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surviving the acute stage might In septicemia, death can occur Necrobacillosis
live to adulthood but fail to grow suddenly without previous ill
at a normal rate. ness. Generally the rabbit is Fusobacterium necrophorum,
depressed, weak, has a nasal an anaerobic bacterium in
Transmission of Tyzzers dis farm animals, is considered a
ease is by direct contact with discharge, and may have con
vulsions. Nervous system signs secondary invader rather than a
fecal-contaminated feed and primary cause of disease.
bedding. Some form of stress, include incoordination, loss of
such as overcrowding or equilibrium, and rolling move Lesions first appear on the
extremes in temperature, is nec ments. These signs may persist lower lip, which becomes swol
essary for initiating the condi for several days or weeks, and len, purplish, and painful to the
tion in nature. complete recovery is rare. Sick touch. Later, small abscesses are
pregnant animals have a puru seen that contain a thick, puru
Antibiotics reduce the effect lent material. These abscesses
of the disease in mice, but drugs lent metritis, lose weight, and
may abort. Survivors generally are enclosed in a tough, fibrous
seem to be of little value in rab capsule, with little tendency to
bits. The best alternative is pre are useless for breeding because
of uterine damage and pyometra rupture and drain. The disease
vention through strict sanitation, progresses to ulceration and
especially daily thorough (pus within the uterus).
The most consistent lesion at necrosis of the skin and subcu
removal of fecal material from taneous tissues in the face, head,
the cage floor. Because this seems necropsy is liver necrosis. The
lesions consist of a few pinpoint and neck. When the liver and
to be a highly transmissible dis lungs become involved, the ani
ease, the only way to treat severe foci to almost complete stud
ding of the liver. The mesenteric mal becomes emaciated and dies
outbreaks is to depopulate and after several weeks.
repopulate with diseasefree lymph nodes may be enlarged
rabbits. and reddened. In cases of metri Inadequate sanitation in the
tis, the uterine wall is thickened, rabbitry, especially dirty cages,
Coccidiosis the mucous membrane may be is prerequisite to this disease.
Coccidiosis is one of the covered with a grayish exudate, When scratches, bite wounds, or
enteric diseases. The etiologic and the fetuses are decomposed skin wounds become contami
agents are protozoan parasites or mummified. When infected nated with feces containing the
that attack the liver or intestines. fetuses are retained in the uterus, etiologic agent, necrobacillosis
This disease is discussed under severe metritis develops. is most likely to occur. The bac
Internal parasites, page 21. Due to their tolerance by rab teria are sensitive to exposure to
bits and their specific mode of aerobic conditions and will not
live long when exposed to air
Listeriosis action, antibiotics of the tetra
(oxygen).
cycline group are the best drugs
Listeria monocytogenes causes When the disease is recog
for treating listeriosis. In treat
a rare septicemic infection in nized and treated in its early
ing pregnant rabbits, antibiotics
young rabbits, a meningo stages, recovery is usual; when
probably will not prevent fetal
encephalitis in adults, and metri there is extensive ulceration
death, and females saved by
tis and fetal mortality in preg and abscessation, death ensues.
antibiotics may be sterile as a
nant does. Pregnant females and The organism is sensitive to
result of the infection. The most
does that recently have delivered some antibiotics, including
effective prevention of losses is
young are most susceptible. metronidazole.
immediate isolation of diseased
The organisms are ingested or
pregnant animals.
inhaled.
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contact associated with kindling is so rapid that few if any lesions s urrounding tissues, flushing the
and nursing offers opportunities are observed. Occasionally, small, eye with sterile saline or boric
for both direct contact and aero superficial pustules or abscesses acid solution, and applying an
sol transmission. (Figure 7) are seen on the skin of ophthalmic ointment containing
Mastitis results from inva dead kits or littermates. Diagno an antibiotic.
sion of the milk glands by the sis usually depends on isolating Conjunctivitis sometimes
diseaseproducing bacteria. The S. aureus from the heart blood. becomes a chronic problem in
glands and teats become red The organism generally enters show rabbits, where the lacrimal
and swollen and may advance to the young kit from ingested milk secretions cause a loss of fur at
blueblack tissues, which are from mammary glands, or it may the medial canthus of the eye.
warm to the touch. The doe enter the body through abrasions This condition sometimes is alle
may refuse to nurse her young or scratch wounds that become viated by intravenous antibiotic
and generally loses her appetite. contaminated with S. aureus. administration or by repeatedly
Young from does with mastitis Staphylococci might be sen flushing the lacrimal duct with
should not be fostered to other sitive to several medications; an antibiotic solution. This
nursing does because the disease however, some strains of the procedure is best done with the
might be transmitted to the fos organism are resistant to one or rabbit under anesthesia and with
ter doe. Mastitis also may result more of these drugs. Laboratory a small-gauge cannula inserted
from abrasions to the teats or tests may be necessary to deter into the opening of the delicate
insufficient removal of milk mine which drugs should be and tortuous lacrimal duct found
when too few young are left with used. Consult a veterinarian for on the lower eyelid near the
the doe or when the young are current recommendations. medial canthus.
weaned too soon. Mastitis
The septicemic form of staph Mastitis most commonly Treponematosis
ylococcosis results in peracute is caused by Staphylococcus (vent disease)
death in young rabbits, primarily aureus; it is discussed under Treponematosis, sometimes
those still in the nest box. Death Staphylococcosis, page 12. called vent disease, spirochet
Conjunctivitis (weepy eye) osis, or rabbit syphilis, is caused
by Treponema cuniculi. Other
Conjunctivitis is a common
members of the genus include
malady of young rabbits raised
T. pallidum, the cause of human
under crowded conditions.
syphilis. Some of the early work
Mature does and bucks occasion
on human syphilis was done
ally are affected. Red, swollen
with rabbits. After finding that
eyes with a copious exudate are
rabbits had a natural spiro
characteristic of this disease. In
chete, T. cuniculi, the validity
young rabbits, the eyelids often
of this early work in rabbits was
are stuck shut (Figure 8). It may
questionable.
affect only one eye or both. The
bacteria most often isolated are There is a great deal of confu
Staphylococcus aureus and Pasteu- sion concerning the incidence of
rella multocida. Conjunctivitis treponematosis in rabbits.
is treated by opening the eye Recent reports indicate it is
Figure 8.Conjunctivitis (weepy eye) lids, if stuck shut, cleaning the much more common in com
caused by Staphylococcus infection. mercial rabbitries than previously
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believed. In fact, serological tests Spirochetes also are found in with pathogenic bacteria and
have demonstrated antibodies to regional lymph nodes, and becomes very sore. Antibiotic
T. cuniculi in a high percentage they seem to survive in this tis salves and ointments hasten heal
of adult rabbits despite the sue much longer than on the ing, but cleaning and drying the
absence of observed lesions. skin surface. Old lesions heal floors are essential to prevent
Transmission of the organism completely without scarring, but recurrence.
originally was believed to be by recovered rabbits are susceptible
sexual contact, and this method to later infection. Pseudotuberculosis
still is thought to be primary; The spread of spirochetosis
however, vertical transmission Pseudotuberculosis is an
can be prevented by examining
from mother to offspring has uncommon disease, but some
the genitals of both sexes before
been demonstrated. Vertical times occurs in rabbitries with
mating and by eliminating rab
transmission accounts for substandard sanitation. The
bits with lesions. The organism
the rabbits 68 weeks of causative agent is a bacterium,
is sensitive to arsenicals and
age that show evidence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.
penicillin. Three subcutaneous
treponematosis. Granulomatous nodules resem
injections of benzathene peni
bling tuberculosis are observed
Lesions of treponematosis cillin G-procaine penicillin G
at necropsy throughout the
may resemble those of injury, (42,000IU/kilogram of body
intestine and occasionally in the
fungal infection, or ectoparasites. weight) are necessary to eradi
parenchyma of the liver, lungs,
A correct diagnosis is important cate treponematosis from a rab
or spleen. The organism, which
because the disease is transmitted bit herd. Injections are given at
seems to thrive in filthy condi
primarily by breeding, and an weekly intervals, and all rabbits
tions, enters the host through
isolated case can lead to an out must be treated, regardless of the
contaminated food or water.
break among the breeding stock. presence or absence of lesions.
The disease is a chronic, debili
Exchange of infected bucks may Penicillin, however, may cause
tating condition with signs of
spread the infection among fatal enterotoxemias in some
poor appetite, depression, slowly
colonies. rabbits.
developing emaciation, and
The first signs usually are eventual death.
small blisters around the external Hutch burn Treatment of this disease
sex organs. Lesions involving the Hutch burn often is confused seldom is effective. Prevention
nose, mouth, and ears also occur with rabbit syphilis. It is difficult can be accomplished by good
in both sexes. The lesions are
to differentiate the two diseases sanitation procedures, including
irregular in shape, tanbrown, without the use of a darkfield disinfecting cages, nest boxes,
and either edematous or dry microscope. With this micro and ancillary equipment. This
and scaly. Sometimes weeping, scope, the spirochetes of trepo disease has been diagnosed in
coalescing vesicles are found. nematosis are seen easily. Hutch humans and other animals;
Facial and other lesions usu burn affects the membranes therefore, affected rabbits should
ally are secondary and the result of the anus and genital region. be destroyed and not marketed.
of reinfection by contact with They become very red and
genitalanal lesions when the chapped. The major cause is Tularemia
animal cleans itself. All lesions wet and dirty cage floors that
show many spirochetes by spe Tularemia, sometimes called
come in contact with these
cial microscopic (darkfield) rabbit fever or deer fly fever, is an
membranes. The area soon
examination. infectious disease of wild animals
becomes secondarily infected
and humans that is caused by
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temperature of suspect rabbits on the other hand, develop Another herpes virus that may
and immediately kill sick rabbits small, subcutaneous nodules to be responsible for producing
with a temperature greater than diffuse indurations involving lymphoid tumors in cottontail
104F. Bury or burn the car muscle and tendon. The exter rabbits recently has been isolated
casses. This method, along with nal genitalia become red and from these rabbits.
implementing a control program swollen. Death is frequent in
for flying insects, has been suc unweaned young. Rabbit papilloma
cessful in stopping several major The cut surfaces of the nod
outbreaks in large rabbitries. Rabbit papilloma virus has
ules are pale and glistening and been identified as the causative
may have radiating white streaks. agent of wartlike growth on the
Rabbit pox In young animals, the tumors skin of cottontail rabbits
This rare disease can occur are more widely spread over the (Figure 10). Domestic rabbits
with or without manifestation body and often coalesce. There and jackrabbits are susceptible to
of clinical disease. In either case, may be involvement of the kid experimental infection. The virus
the lesions include lymphadeni neys, liver, intestinal tract, bone can be recovered from lesions on
tis, papular nodules on the marrow, and mesentery. cottontail rabbits, but not from
mucous membranes, and orchi The role of mosquitoes and papillomas on domestic rabbits.
tis. Mortality is highest among other insects as vectors of rabbit Naturally occurring papilloma
the unweaned young and may fibroma virus has been estab tosis has been found in domestic
reach 75 percent. Rabbit pox lished. Given the proper envi rabbits in southern California,
virus rarely is a cause of epizoot ronment (such as an epizootic in but the virus produces no evi
ics, but usually is very serious wild cottontail rabbits) and an dence of a generalized illness.
when it does occur. Vaccination adequate mosquito population,
The most common sites for
with vaccinia virus confers this viral disease could result
papillomas are the ears and eye
immunity. in significant economic loss of
lids, and the growths vary in size
young domestic rabbits.
and conformity. The growths are
Fibroma well keratinized, and the upper
Rabbit fibroma virus was Herpes virus infection surfaces are irregular and often
isolated from nodules beneath Virus III or Herpesvirus cunic- split. The lower portions of the
the skin of wild cottontail rab uli of rabbits exists as a latent growth are pinkish and fleshy to
bits. These viral fibromas (firm infection in some stock lines of the touch. As the warts become
growths) were transmitted to domestic rabbits. The virus does older, they increase in size,
domestic rabbits. It once was not produce a natural disease, become more cornified, and are
believed that fibroma virus nor are other species of animals hard to the touch. At this stage,
infected only wild cottontail rab susceptible. A virus with char they are easily scratched off by
bits; however, an outbreak has acteristics of the herpes group the rabbit or knocked off when
been reported in a commercial has been recovered from rabbits handled. Papillomas removed
rabbitry. with respiratory signs. Its role in this way leave a freebleeding
as a pathogen has not been elu surface, which heals without
In the cottontail rabbit, complications.
fibroma virus causes a benign cidated, but its association with
tumor that regresses within a few respiratory disease may be Rabbit papilloma virus prob
weeks. Young domestic rabbits, important. ably is spread by freeflying
insects such as mosquitoes; there
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is no virus multiplication in
insect tissue. Transmission of the
virus from lesions of cottontail
rabbits to domestic rabbits is
most likely.
Oral papilloma
Wartlike growths in the
mouth, especially on the lower
surface of the tongue, are
caused by a virus (one of the
papovaviruses) different from
the rabbit papilloma virus. Sev
eral spontaneous outbreaks of
this disease have occurred, all in
New York and Massachusetts.
The growths on the tongue
usually regress without specific
treatment.
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systemic medication is preferred. Prevention and control rabbits rarely are infested with
Griseofulvin, an antifungal drug, Prevention of parasite infec parasites in significant numbers.
is the medication of choice. Each tion is far cheaper and preferable Modern pens are constructed so
animal should receive 12mil to treatment. The best preventive that they can be kept clean and
ligrams (mg) per pound of measures are sanitation, good free from the infective forms
body weight per day for at least housing, adequate food ration, of parasites. Proper cleaning of
15days. Dissolve the drug in and an understanding of poten cages and use of good disinfec
water and administer to the rab tial parasite problems. Where tants, together with a good diet,
bit by gastric intubation. During good husbandry is the rule, are the keys to parasite control.
treatment, add a fungicidal dust
such as sulfur to the nestbox
material.
Griseofulvin can be added to
the feed at the rate of 370 mg
per pound of feed and fed to all
rabbits in the herd for a period
of 2 weeks. While this is an
extremely effective and easy way
to treat ringworm, it presents
a problem: The drug has never
been cleared for use in rabbit
feed in the United States and,
therefore, cannot be added to the
feed by a commercial feed com
pany. This situation may be
resolved in the near future.
Parasitic diseases
Rabbits are susceptible to a
number of parasites, but only a
few are of economic importance.
The problems caused by all of
these parasites are greatly influ
enced by methods of feeding,
handling, and housing. If these
are satisfactory, and if recently
acquired animals are quaran
tined for a few days and checked
for disease, most economically
important parasitisms can be
avoided.
Figure 12.Treating ear mites with a cotton swab soaked in medicated oil.
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little trouble when they are larvae then form pupae from parasite of wild rabbits, but
found in small numbers. The which adult fleas emerge. rarely is found on domestic rab
larvae can be removed by enlarg Control is aimed at killing the bits because their housing is not
ing the opening in the skin and adults on the host and the compatible with the life cycle of
drawing them out gently with immature forms in the nest box. the tick; however, this tick is one
tweezers. Paint the wound with To destroy adult fleas, dust rab of the reservoirs of tularemia,
an antiseptic. bits with a commercial prepara a serious human disease. Take
Fleas and ticks tion of pyrethrum or rotenone. care to ensure that wild rabbits
Rabbits are not commonly Repeat several times during a are not allowed access to areas in
infested with fleas; however, the 2week period. Control imma which domestic rabbits are being
rabbit flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi, ture forms by burning old raised.
and the dog and cat fleas, Cteno- nestbox litter and scrubbing
cephalides canis and C. felis, occa nest boxes with hot water and Internal parasites
sionally have been reported on household bleach. More modern
rabbits. There are four stages in drugs for preventing and treat Coccidiosis
the life cycle of these fleasegg, ing ectoparasitism in dogs and Coccidiosis is a prevalent
larva, pupa, and adult. The eggs cats may be used in rabbits also. parasitic disease of domestic rab
are deposited on bedding and in Consult a veterinarian. bits. It is caused by a microscopic
cracks of nest boxes and develop The rabbit tick, Haemaphysa- protozoal parasite that invades
into larvae in a short time. These lis leporispalustris, is a common the intestine or liver. In these
locations, the parasite multiplies
extensively and then sheds eggs
in the feces. At least four species
or types of coccidia live in the
intestine, and one species grows
in the liver.
Not all species of coccidia are
equally harmful, and rabbits
tolerate moderate numbers of
some without displaying illness.
The most dangerous of the intes
tinal forms are Eimeria magna,
E. media, E. perforans, and
E. irresidua. These produce diar
rhea, poor appetite, weight loss,
and sometimes death. E. irre-
sidua evokes the most severe
tissue damage. In some cases,
patches of epithelium die and
slough away from the intestinal
wall.
The diagnosis of coccidiosis
depends on the finding of the
oocysts (eggs) in the feces or
Figure 14.Life cycle of coccidia.
intestinal contents. However,
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a granulomatous nephritis also in screening rabbits to point At necropsy, the lesions of this
(Figure16). The scars extend out possible carriers or infected disease vary. In the acute form,
from the cortical surface to the animals. there is extensive necrosis of the
medulla. Toxoplasmosis lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and
Encephalitozoonosis is a con lungs. This generally is observed
Toxoplasmosis is an uncom histologically, but grossly the
tagious, colony infection. The mon protozoal disease of rabbits
organisms are passed in the urine organs may be swollen, and
caused by Toxoplasma gondii. necrotic small white foci may be
and transmitted when there is The disease has been reported
urinary contamination of feed observed. The parasitic organ
worldwide in both domestic ism often is found with the aid
or water. A diseased doe also can and wild rabbits. The disease
transmit the disease to unborn of a microscope in these necrotic
probably is more common than foci. In the chronic form, there
rabbits in the uterus. The disease reported, as antibody tests on
can be controlled by providing may be microscopic lesions but
rabbit herds have shown that no apparent gross lesions, and
good sanitation and preventing as many as 50 percent of clini
contamination of food and organisms often are confined to
cally normal rabbits have been the central nervous system.
water by urine. No treatment is exposed.
available. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis
There are two forms of the generally is accomplished at
Diagnosis of encephalito- disease. In the acute form, the
zoonosis in a rabbit herd is necropsy by observation of his
rabbit develops anorexia, fever, tologic lesions and organisms.
difficult. It usually is done at
lethargy, and (in a few days) cen Various serological tests also
necropsy by observing histo
tral nervous symptoms ranging might be useful. Treatment in
pathologic lesions typical of the
from ataxia or posterior paraly most cases is not practical, and
disease. Recently, several diag
sis to generalized convulsions. the emphasis should be on pre
nostic tests have been developed
Death usually occurs about a vention. Cats, the primary
that will help with the diagnosis
week after symptoms are first carrier of this organism, should
in live rabbits. An Encephalito-
noted. In the chronic form, be kept out of rabbitries or at
zoon infection can be detected by
the disease occurs over a much least away from feed storage
an indirect fluorescent antibody
longer period of time. In fact, it areas. Take precautions to ensure
test, a skin test, or by a carbon
may be latent, with onset stimu that feed and water are not con
immunoassay utilizing India
lated by stress. With the chronic taminated with toxoplasma
ink. These tests may be helpful
form, either no symptoms are oocysts.
in antemortem diagnosis and
observed or there is a progressive
emaciation that might end in Roundworms
posterior paralysis and death. Only one roundworm pres
Transmission of the disease ents a problem in domestic
may occur in two ways. Cats can rabbits. Several more have been
shed the parasite in their stool reported in wild rabbits, but
and thereby contaminate stored these rarely occur in domestic
rabbit feed; then the contami rabbits. The pinworm, Passalurus
nated feed is ingested by rabbits. ambiguus, is a very common
The parasite also can be trans parasite of domestic rabbits, but
mitted through the placenta of a it does not affect other animals
Figure 16.Halves of kidneys from two or people.
rabbits showing pitting of the surface
pregnant doe to her offspring.
caused by Encephalitozoon cuniculi
(right).
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premises where rabbits are raised c ontaining glucose may reverse g estation period. When maternal
should not be allowed to eat the breakdown of body fats blood levels fall below 20 micro
any part of a raw rabbit carcass. and halt production of ketones. grams (ug) per 100 ml serum,
Treatment for larval stages in the Junior does should not be too fat hydrocephalus appears in a large
rabbit is not practical, so con when bred for the first litter. percentage of the young. Com
trol must be accomplished by mercial diets, in general, supply
management. Vitamin A deficiency adequate levels of vitamin A;
however, the vitamin does dete
Lowgrade vitamin A defi riorate after prolonged storage of
Nutritional ciency adversely affects the alfalfa hay.
diseases reproductive performance of
females, often before other signs It has been shown by workers
at Oregon State Universitys Rab
Pregnancy toxemia are noted. Premature degenera
bit Research Center that
tion of the ovum and reduced
Also known as ketosis, this excess levels of vitamin A can
numbers of fertilized ova result.
disease is a toxemia of pregnancy cause the same signs and symp
Resorption of the fetus or abor
that is most common in first toms as deficiency of the vitamin.
tion during late gestation also is
litter females. Signs of ketosis are Low fertility, abortions, resorp
noted.
dullness of the eyes, sluggishness, tion, and hydrocephalus were
respiratory distress, prostration, Rabbits born to females fed a seen in does given excessive vita
and death after 1 to 4 days. The diet deficient in vitamin A may min A in the diet. Excess vitamin
disease occurs in the last week be hydrocephalic at birth. A may be a problem if a vitamin
of pregnancy and is much more Hydrocephalus, or water on premix is added to rabbit diets
prevalent in obese animals. The the brain, is characterized by containing high levels of alfalfa.
probable major cause is starva distention of the portion of the
tion with subsequent metabolic skull that covers the brain. Cases
effects on the doe and young. may not be apparent because Vitamin E deficiency
For some reason, there is a loss of the young die soon after birth or Infant mortality, character
appetite and failure to eat. This are born dead. Animals that live ized by death of entire litters
may be the result of minor diges show signs of nervous system at 3 to 10days of age without
tive upset (hairballs in the stom involvement. Wryneck, loss of clinical signs prior to death, has
ach are common), an abrupt equilibrium, and incoordination been associated with vitamin E
reduction in exercise, or a ration persist for several days or weeks. deficiency. Affected infants do
containing too little digestible Impaired coordination may pre not reveal any gross lesions of
carbohydrate. When carbohy vent animals from eating, and diagnostic significance. Produc
drate energy declines, body fat is eventually they die of starva ing females become less fertile
mobilized for energy, and ketone tion. Enlargement of the head as the deficiency progresses.
bodies are produced and enter is caused by increased pressure The problem can be treated
the bloodstream. The liver within the brain. On cut section, because adequate supplementa
becomes fatty and appears brown the ventricles (cavities) of the tion of vitamin E will stop infant
and soft. brain are greatly enlarged and mortality and correct infertility.
filled with a clear, colorless fluid. Alfalfa hay is a suitable source of
Birth of the litter or abortion
Hydrocephalus is caused vitamin E in commercial rations,
is apt to be curative if either
by low maternal blood levels and 89 mg/100 grams (g) feed
occurs shortly after the onset
of vitamin A throughout the is adequate.
of signs. Injections of fluids
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